Is Fried Shrimp Keto-Friendly? How to Make Low-Carb Keto Shrimp

Fried shrimp is a delicious appetizer you’ll often find at restaurants or parties The crispy, crunchy breading pairs perfectly with the sweet and tender shrimp inside But is this tasty appetizer keto-friendly and allowed on a ketogenic diet?

The answer is yes…with a caveat. Breaded and fried shrimp can absolutely fit into a keto diet, but it depends on the type of coating used. Traditional shrimp fried in flour or breadcrumbs ends up too high in carbs to work for keto.

The good news is you can easily make keto-friendly fried shrimp at home with just a few simple substitutions to the breading This keeps the net carbs low so you can enjoy crispy fried shrimp guilt-free!

In this article, we’ll cover:

• How to determine if fried shrimp is keto-friendly
• Low-carb options for frying batter and breading
• Step-by-step recipe for keto fried shrimp
• Tips for crispy, crunchy keto shrimp
• Keto dipping sauces that pair perfectly with shrimp

Plus some helpful guidance on calories, nutrients, and serving sizes. Let’s dive in!

Is Breaded Shrimp Keto? It Depends…

The first thing to look at when determining if any breaded and fried food fits a keto diet is the carbohydrate content.

Breading made from typical high-carb ingredients like:

• All-purpose flour
• Breadcrumbs
• Cornmeal
• Cornstarch

…won’t work because the carb count will be too high per serving. A keto diet aims to keep net carbs under 20-50 grams per day.

But there are several low-carb options that allow you to create keto-friendly breaded shrimp with a fraction of the carbs:

Lower-Carb Breading Options:

• Almond flour – 2g net carbs per 1/4 cup
• Coconut flour – 6g net carbs per 1/4 cup
• Pork rind crumbs – 0g net carbs per 1/4 cup
• Protein powder – 0-1g net carbs per 1/4 cup
• Flaxseed meal – 0g net carbs per 1/4 cup

Using one of these keto breading alternatives allows you to stick to under 5g net carbs per serving of fried shrimp. So breaded shrimp can definitely be keto—you just have to swap the traditional high-carb breading.

Keto Fried Shrimp Nutrition Facts

Here are some general nutrition facts to help you count macros and calories for keto fried shrimp:

• Calories: 150-200 per 3-5 pieces
• Fat: 12-16g
• Protein: 15-20g
• Carbs: 2-5g net carbs

These nutrition facts can vary slightly depending on the exact ingredients and size of the shrimp. But a 3-5 piece serving of keto fried shrimp generally comes to under 200 calories and 5g net carbs making it easy to incorporate into a keto diet.

How to Make Keto Fried Shrimp

Making keto fried shrimp at home is simple. Here are the basic steps:

Ingredients:

• Shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 egg
• 1⁄4 cup almond flour (or pork rinds)
• 1⁄2 tsp garlic powder
• 1⁄2 tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper
• Coconut oil for frying

Instructions:

1. Pat shrimp dry with a paper towel.
2. Set up breading station – egg wash, flour mixture.
3. Dip shrimp in egg, then press into flour mixture to coat both sides.
4. In a skillet, heat 1⁄2 inch of coconut oil over medium-high heat.
5. Once oil is shimmering, fry shrimp 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.
6. Transfer fried shrimp to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
7. Season with salt and serve warm with keto cocktail or aioli sauce.

Frying in batches helps ensure the oil stays hot enough to achieve a crispy coating. Letting the shrimp rest briefly also helps excess oil drain off.

This easy keto shrimp recipe results in tender shrimp encased in a crunchy, flavorful low-carb breading for under 5g net carbs per serving.

Tips for Making Crispy Keto Fried Shrimp

Here are some helpful tips for achieving the crispiest keto fried shrimp:

• Use ice-cold shrimp – Colder shrimp will fry up extra crispy.
• Avoid overcrowding – Fry in batches to maintain oil temperature.
• Choose refined coconut oil – It has a high smoke point which is good for frying.
• Preheat the oil – Let it heat to 350°F-375°F before adding shrimp. Use a thermometer to check.
• Let raw shrimp sit 5-10 minutes after breading – This helps adhere the coating.
• Fry shrimp completely – Cook 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.
• Drain shrimp on a paper towel-lined plate.
• Work in small batches – Don’t drop too many shrimp in at once.

Following these tips will help your keto fried shrimp turn out perfectly crunchy every time!

Keto-Friendly Dipping Sauces

Crispy fried shrimp pairs deliciously with a variety of low-carb dipping sauces:

• Cocktail sauce – Tomato sauce with horseradish and lemon juice
• Tartar sauce – Mayonnaise-based sauce with pickles and herbs
• Aioli – Garlic-infused mayonnaise sauce
• Soy ginger sauce – Soy sauce, rice vinegar, ginger, and sesame oil
• Buffalo sauce – Hot sauce mixed with butter (or ghee)
• Ranch – Homemade keto ranch with Greek yogurt

Making your own sauces allows you to control the carb count. Or use low-carb store-bought options. Dipping really takes keto fried shrimp to the next level!

Keto Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp

An air fryer is another great way to make keto-friendly shrimp. Simply coat raw shrimp in coconut flakes then air fry at 400°F for 4-6 minutes until opaque and flaky. The coconut coating gets nice and crispy with zero carbs. Pair it with an orange marmalade sauce for a tasty appetizer!

Should You Squeeze Fresh Lemon on Shrimp?

Absolutely! Fresh lemon juice adds delicious bright, zesty flavor that pairs perfectly with seafood. A good spritz of lemon over the finished fried shrimp really enhances all the flavors. This step is highly recommended.

Can You Freeze Keto Fried Shrimp?

Yes, breaded fried shrimp freezes well for future meals. Here’s how:

1. Cool shrimp completely after frying.
2. Place in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze until solid, about 2 hours.
3. Transfer to freezer bags or airtight containers. Squeeze out air and seal.
4. Freeze for up to 3 months.

When ready to eat, simply reheat frozen shrimp in a 400°F oven for 6-8 minutes until hot and crispy again.

Enjoy Restaurant-Quality Keto Shrimp at Home

Breaded fried shrimp can absolutely be part of a keto diet as long as you swap the traditional flour coating for a low-carb alternative like almond or coconut flour.

Dredging the shrimp in egg and then your favorite keto-friendly breading ingredients results in tender shrimp nestled inside a wonderfully crispy, crunchy exterior. Pair it with a homemade dipping sauce and freshly squeezed lemon for an easy yet gourmet appetizer.

Frying shrimp in smaller batches helps ensure each piece cooks up ultra crispy. Follow the tips above for the perfect keto-friendly crunch. Dipping the shrimp in flavorful sauces elevates this appetizer to restaurant-quality status.

So next time you get a craving for crispy coconut shrimp or other breaded shrimp dishes, give this easy keto recipe a try. You can enjoy your favorite crispy shrimp at home while still sticking to your low-carb, high-fat ketogenic diet.