Popeyes Popcorn Shrimp

You know that Popeyes’ Popcorn Shrimp is the ultimate crunchy, crispy seafood snack. You can recreate this popular fast food at home, so you can enjoy shrimp as tasty as those you get at restaurants. They are made with seasoned flour and perfectly cooked shrimp.

How to make popcorn shrimp in the style of Popeyes from scratch.

Ingredients

Shrimps:

• Peel and devein 1 lb medium shrimp or large shrimp (tail on or not, your choice).
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon of onion powder
• Paprika, 1 tablespoon
• Cayenne pepper, 14 teaspoons (adjust according to your taste).
• Half a teaspoon of salt
• Black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon
• Lemon juice, 1 tablespoon
• 1 egg (for binding)
• Buttermilk, 1 cup

For the breading:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• Cornstarch, 1 tablespoon (for extra crispiness).
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• Paprika, 1 tablespoon
• Cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon (for extra heat).
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• Black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon
• Baking powder: 1/2 teaspoon (helps make the coating crispy and light).

Frying:

• Vegetable Oil (for Frying)

Optional Dipping sauce:

• 1/2 cup cocktail sauce or a spicy dipping sauce like sriracha mayo or tartar sauce.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Shrimp First, prepare your shrimp. You can either leave the tails attached to give your shrimp a classic look, or you can remove them, then be sure to peel and devein the shrimp.

Combine the lemon juice, salt, pepper, black and cayenne in a large bowl, then add garlic powder. Mix everything to evenly coat the shrimp with the seasoning. Allow the shrimp to marinate for 10-15 minutes in the seasoning so that the flavors can absorb.

Step 2: Prepare Buttermilk Mixture. In a separate bowl, whisk buttermilk and eggs together, so this mixture will be used as a wet batter to coat the shrimp and help the breading adhere.

Step 3: Prepare Breading In a shallow third dish, combine the flour, cornstarch and all of the other ingredients, so this includes paprika powder, cayenne, salt, pepper, baking powder, and garlic powder. Mix all ingredients until they are well combined, then this mixture gives the shrimp their signature crispy coating.

Step 4: Coat Shrimp Dip each shrimp into the buttermilk-egg mixture and let any excess drip off. Next, immediately coat the shrimp with the flour mixture by pressing gently, so you can coat the shrimp in flour and buttermilk a second time for an extra crisp texture.

Place the shrimp on a platter and set aside while you fry them.

Step 5: Heat Oil. In a deep pan or fryer over medium heat, heat about 2-3 inches of vegetable oil. Oil should be heated to 350degF (or 175degC). If the oil is not hot enough, you can test it by dropping a little flour in the oil.

Step 6: Fry Shrimp. Carefully drop the shrimp coated in the hot oil. Be careful not to crowd the pan. If necessary, fry the shrimp in batches to ensure that they cook evenly.

The shrimp should be fried for approximately 2-3 minutes. Turn them halfway through to get a golden brown color, so the shrimp must be fully cooked and reach an internal temperature between 165degF (74.2degC).

Remove the shrimp from the oil once they are done, and place them onto a plate lined with paper towels to drain the excess oil.

Step 7: Enjoy and Serve Your popcorn shrimp made at home in the style of Popeyes is now ready! The crispy and flavorful shrimp can be dipped in spicy mayo or cocktail sauce, so serve as an appetizer or snack with fries, coleslaw and a dipping sauce.

Popcorn Shrimp Tips:

• Use small or medium-sized shrimp to achieve the classic popcorn shrimp appearance, so the crispier the coating, the smaller the shrimp.
• Double-dipping: If you want a thicker coating on your shrimp, double-dip them by coating the shrimp in buttermilk and breading, so this will give your crust an extra crisp.
• Frying in Batches. Don’t crowd the pan. Frying in batches will ensure that all shrimp are crispy and golden without becoming soggy.
• The oil temperature must be maintained at the correct temperature, so if the oil is too hot, shrimp will burn. If it’s too cool, they’ll absorb extra oil and become greasy.

Why This Recipe Works:

This recipe creates the signature Popeyes Popcorn Shrimp Crunch by creating an outer coating that is crispy and seasoned while keeping the shrimp tender and juicy. Buttermilk ensures the shrimp remains moist and flavorful, while paprika and cayenne give them the spicy kick Popeyes is famous for.

This version can be made at home, is customizable to your taste, and is perfect for any event, so these crispy shrimp are great as an appetizer, snack or main course.