What is Popcorn Shrimp? A Guide to These Crispy, Bite-Sized Shrimp

Popcorn shrimp is a beloved appetizer featuring crunchy, bite-sized shrimp fried up into a crispy golden brown. With its fun size and big crunch, popcorn shrimp is an irresistible party snack. But what exactly is popcorn shrimp and how is it made? Let’s take a closer look at this popular bar and party food.

What is Popcorn Shrimp?

Popcorn shrimp refers to small whole shrimp that are breaded and deep fried resulting in little flavorful nuggets that can be easily popped in your mouth. The name comes from the fact that they are normally eaten by the handful similar to devouring handfuls of popcorn.

Popcorn shrimp is made with tiny, peeled and deveined shrimp in the range of 100 per pound or smaller. This ensures each piece is just one or two bites. The small shrimp are dredged in a flour and spice mixture, then dipped in egg wash, then coated again in the seasoned breading. They are dropped in hot oil to quickly fry until golden and crispy.

Part of the appeal of popcorn shrimp is that all the work of peeling and deveining is already done for you. The shrimp arrive ready to coat in crunchy crumbs and fry. This makes popcorn shrimp an easy appetizer for both restaurants and home cooks compared to frying larger shell-on shrimp.

Origins of Popcorn Shrimp

Popcorn shrimp originated in the southern United States, with claims that it was invented in both Cajun Country and by the restaurant chain Red Lobster. It grew in popularity because it was an appetizer that could be cooked from frozen and didn’t require a lot of prep work.

Popcorn shrimp was traditionally served alongside cocktail sauce or remoulade sauce for dipping. It also became a popular menu item at bars and pubs because it goes so well with beer. The crispy, salty coating and sweet shrimp flavor made for the perfect beer-friendly snack.

Today, popcorn shrimp is beloved across the United States and can be found at restaurants, fast food chains, bars, and grocery store freezer sections. It’s also frequently found at parties, tailgates, and other gatherings as an easy crowd-pleasing appetizer.

How Popcorn Shrimp is Made

While restaurants have industrial deep fryers to churn out batches of popcorn shrimp, it can also be made at home with just a few simple steps:

Ingredients

• Small peeled, deveined shrimp (100 per pound or smaller)
• All-purpose flour
• Egg wash (eggs + milk or cream)
• Breadcrumbs (panko works well)
• Spices like Cajun seasoning, Old Bay, paprika, garlic powder
• Vegetable or canola oil for frying

Instructions

1. Mix flour with spices to create seasoned flour mixture.

2. Rinse shrimp and pat dry thoroughly. Dredge shrimp in seasoned flour to lightly coat.

3. Dip floured shrimp in egg wash, letting any excess drip off.

4. Coat shrimp in breadcrumbs, pressing to adhere crumbs.

5. Fry breaded shrimp in batches at 350°F until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes.

6. Drain on paper towels and season with extra salt if desired.

7. Serve warm with your choice of dipping sauce.

That’s all there is to it! The key is frying at a high enough heat to achieve a crispy texture without burning the shrimp.

Popular Variations

While traditional popcorn shrimp uses Creole seasoning, there are many flavor variations you can try:

• Italian – Use Italian breadcrumbs and season with oregano, basil, and Parmesan
• Southwest – Season flour with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and cayenne
• Lemon Pepper – Add lemon zest and cracked black pepper to the breadcrumbs
• Asian – Use panko crumbs and season with Chinese five-spice and sesame oil
• Chipotle – Mix chipotle chili powder into the flour for a smoky kick

The coating can also be switched up. Instead of breadcrumbs, try using crushed potato chips, corn flakes, or even crushed Cheez-Its® for fun flavors.

Serving Popcorn Shrimp

Popcorn shrimp is best served immediately after frying. It can be offered on its own, or provide some dipping sauces on the side like:

• Cocktail sauce
• Tartar sauce
• Remoulade
• Honey mustard
• Ranch dressing
• Buffalo hot sauce

For parties, serve popcorn shrimp in paper cones so guests can easily walk around with these tasty bite-sized morsels. Garnish with parsley and lemon wedges for a colorful presentation.

Pro tip: don’t forget to provide some napkins or wet wipes, since greasy fingers are inevitable!

Tips for Making Perfect Popcorn Shrimp

Here are some top tips to ensure your homemade popcorn shrimp turns out perfectly crunchy:

• Use a thermometer to maintain oil between 325°F – 375°F. This prevents burning or greasy shrimp.

• Work in small batches to avoid overcrowding the oil.

• Let oil recover to the proper temp between batches.

• Dry shrimp VERY thoroughly before breading to prevent soggy coating.

• Allow shrimp to drain on a paper towel lined pan after frying.

• Adjust cook times slightly if using larger or smaller shrimp.

• Work quickly and serve immediately for hottest, crispiest shrimp.

• Let guests shake on extra salt, spices, or squeeze lemon if they desire.

Now you’re ready to fry up the perfect popcorn shrimp! This simple appetizer is sure to please crowds. The crunchy outside combined with the sweet, briny shrimp is an irresistible flavor combination. Serve popcorn shrimp at your next party or game day get-together for a fun finger food everyone will enjoy.