Frozen breaded shrimp make for a super quick and easy weeknight meal. No need to bread and fry them yourself – the work is already done! Simply bake them in the oven until hot, crispy and golden.
Baking brings out all the flavor and crunch without the hassle and mess of frying. In about 20 minutes, you can enjoy tender shrimp encased in a deliciously crispy coating. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about baking store-bought frozen breaded shrimp.
Why Choose Frozen Breaded Shrimp?
Opting for frozen breaded shrimp has some great advantages:
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Convenience – No prep needed! The shrimp are already peeled, deveined and coated in crunchy breading. Just open the bag and bake.
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Less Mess – Baking means less oil splatter versus deep frying. Cleanup is easier.
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Healthier – Baked shrimp absorbs less oil than fried. A lighter yet still tasty option!
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Kid-Friendly – Kids love the fun shapes and crunchy texture An easy dinner win
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** Budget-Friendly** – Frozen bags are an affordable way to enjoy restaurant-style shrimp at home.
When a crispy shrimp craving hits, frozen breaded shrimp are a handy shortcut for achieving that satisfying crunch without much fuss. Keep a bag in the freezer for instant appetizers or main dishes!
How to Bake Frozen Breaded Shrimp to Perfection
Follow these simple steps for baked breaded shrimp that comes out hot and crisp every time:
1. Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 425°F. This high heat helps the breading get super crispy.
2. Prepare the Baking Sheet
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Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. The foil prevents sticking and makes cleanup easy.
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For extra crispy results, use a cooling rack placed on the baking sheet. This allows air flow all around.
3. Arrange the Shrimp in a Single Layer
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Remove the frozen shrimp from the packaging and place them in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
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Make sure shrimp aren’t overlapping or they won’t cook evenly.
4. Bake for 15-18 Minutes
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Place the breaded shrimp in the preheated 425°F oven and bake for 15-18 minutes.
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Set the timer and check at 15 minutes. Cook longer if needed for your desired crispness.
5. Flip Halfway Through
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At the halfway point, remove from oven and flip each shrimp using tongs.
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This helps them brown evenly on both sides. Return to oven to finish cooking.
6. Check Temperature and Crispiness
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Use an instant read thermometer to check shrimp temp. It should reach 145°F internally.
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Also check breading texture. It should be crispy and golden brown when done.
7. Serve and Enjoy!
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Remove baked shrimp from oven and serve immediately for maximum crispness.
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Pair with cocktail or tartar sauce for dipping to add even more flavor!
In less than 20 minutes, you can enjoy hot, crunchy baked shrimp for a quick and easy meal. Way better than takeout!
Helpful Tips for Best Results
Follow these handy tips for the crispiest oven-baked frozen breaded shrimp:
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Don’t overcrowd – Shrimp need space to crisp up. Arrange in a single layer on the baking sheet.
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Use parchment or foil – This prevents sticking and makes cleaning the pan easy.
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Flip halfway – Turning the shrimp midway through helps them brown evenly on both sides.
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Brush with oil – Lightly brushing with oil before baking gives extra crispy results.
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Use a rack if possible – Cooling racks promote air flow and crisping by elevating the shrimp.
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Check temp – Use a thermometer to ensure shrimp reach 145°F internally when done.
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Don’t overbake – Bake just until hot and crispy, not longer. Overbaking leads to rubbery shrimp.
Follow these tips and enjoy perfect oven-baked breaded shrimp every time!
Cooking Time Chart
To determine the baking time needed, consult this handy frozen breaded shrimp cooking time chart:
| Shrimp Size | Cook Time |
|-|-|-|
| Small or Popcorn | 12-14 minutes |
| Medium | 15-18 minutes |
| Jumbo or Extra Large | 20-22 minutes |
*Cook times are based on shrimp baked at 425°F. Adjust as needed based on size of your shrimp and desired level of crispiness.
Delicious Dipping Sauces & Seasonings
Take your oven-baked shrimp up a notch with zesty sauces and seasonings:
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Cocktail sauce – The classic! Mix ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice and Worcestershire.
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Tartar sauce – Creamy perfection with mayo, dill pickles, onion and lemon juice.
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Spicy mayo – Combine mayo, sriracha, lime juice and minced garlic for kick.
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BBQ sauce – Sweet and tangy, use your favorite sauce for dipping.
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Louisiana hot sauce – For extra heat, dunk shrimp in Frank’s RedHot or Crystal sauce.
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Lemon pepper – Sprinkle shrimp with this zesty seasoning before or after baking.
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Cajun seasoning – Shake on spice blends like Old Bay, Slap Ya Mama or Tony Chachere’s.
Don’t forget the dipping sauces and seasonings to amp up the flavors!
What to Serve with Crispy Baked Breaded Shrimp
Baked breaded shrimp pair deliciously with these sides:
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French fries – For a classic pub-style meal, serve alongside crisp fries.
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Coleslaw – Cool cabbage slaw complements the shrimp. Toss in mayo or vinegar dressing.
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Hushpuppies – These irresistible fried cornmeal dumplings make a natural match.
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Potato salad – Creamy chilled potato salad is a staple summer pairing.
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Garlic bread – Buttery toasted garlic bread mops up any extra sauce.
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Rice pilaf – Complement the shrimp with herby rice pilaf or dirty rice.
Get creative with your meal by pairing crispy baked shrimp with your favorite savory sides and dips!
Creative Ways to Enjoy Breaded Shrimp
Beyond snacking and plating with sides, try these fun ways to serve oven-baked frozen breaded shrimp:
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Breaded shrimp tacos or burritos with lettuce, pico, avocado and spicy mayo
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Shrimp po’ boy sandwiches piled high on crusty rolls
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Baked breaded shrimp pasta tossed in lemon garlic butter sauce
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Shrimp salad with lots of crunchy breaded shrimp on top
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Skewers alternating shrimp and veggies like mushrooms, peppers and pineapple
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Baked breaded shrimp pizza – so tasty on crispy thin crust!
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Snack mix with pretzels, crackers, nuts and crunchy little breaded shrimp
However you choose to serve them, baked frozen breaded shrimp are endlessly versatile and delicious!
Step-by-Step Photo Instructions
Follow the visual guide below to see the easy process of baking frozen shrimp in action:
<img src=”https://example.com/prep.jpg” width=”200″ alt=”prepare baking sheet”>
Step 1: Prepare a foil-lined baking sheet. For extra crispiness, place a cooling rack on top.
<img src=”https://example.com/arrange.jpg” width=”200″ alt=”arrange shrimp on baking sheet”>
Step 2: Arrange the frozen breaded shrimp in a single layer on the baking sheet.
<img src=”https://example.com/bake.jpg” width=”200″ alt=”baking shrimp in oven”>
Step 3: Bake at 425°F for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway through.
<img src=”https://example.com/finish.jpg” width=”200″ alt=”remove baked shrimp”>
Step 4: Remove from oven when shrimp reach 145°F internally and are crispy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about cooking frozen breaded shrimp in the oven:
How long should I bake frozen breaded shrimp?
- At 425°F, bake for 12-14 minutes for small shrimp, 15-18 for medium or 20-22 for jumbo. Check internal temp of 145°F.
Can I bake frozen shrimp without thawing?
- Yes, you can bake frozen breaded shrimp straight from the freezer, no thawing
