Description
Golden, crunchy, and perfectly seasoned—these bite-sized popcorn shrimp are deep-fried to perfection and make for an irresistible appetizer or party snack.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 lb raw shrimp, peeled and deveined (small size)
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornmeal
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- Chopped parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Rinse and pat the shrimp dry. Place them in a bowl with buttermilk and let marinate for 15–20 minutes.
- In another bowl, mix flour, cornmeal, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper.
- Heat oil in a deep skillet or fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Remove shrimp from the buttermilk, letting excess drip off. Dredge in the flour mixture until fully coated.
- Fry shrimp in batches for 2–3 minutes, until golden brown and crispy. Do not overcrowd the pan.
- Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
- Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- For extra crunch, double-dip shrimp by repeating dredging step.
- Serve with cocktail sauce, spicy mayo, or tartar sauce.
- Keep fried shrimp warm in a low oven while finishing batches.
- Use a thermometer to maintain consistent oil temperature.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 170mg
