Introduction

If you’re a lover of seafood and can’t get enough of fried shrimp, then this recipe is for you. Whether you enjoy traditionally fried shrimp or popcorn shrimp, we’ve got you covered.

From the days of going to Red Lobster to cooking at home with the same desired outcome, you just simply can’t pass this recipe up if you have an undeniable craving for that crunchy shrimp texture!

Sometimes, dining out just isn’t an option, especially if you’re craving shrimp and seafood. But, that doesn’t mean you have to struggle at home to make deliciously fried shrimp on your own.

This recipe is for those who enjoy both popcorn and fried shrimp, and it’s easy fried shrimp for beginners. So, even if you’re new to cooking in the kitchen, this quick fried shrimp recipe is sure to be a crowd-pleaser, even with picky eaters!

If you’re searching for even more homemade friend shrimp ideas, but want to skip the frying part, try our Magic Crispy Baked Shrimp as an alternative. This alternative provides a crunchy shrimp without frying or using any form of oil or grease.

Now, let’s move onward with this best fried shrimp recipe so you can enjoy a simple fried shrimp meal any day or night of the week.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 3-5 minutes per batch
Total time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4

This is the perfect recipe for fried shrimp! We could not get enough of it!

Nothing is better than homemade fried shrimp! YUMMY! It came out perfectly!

Scroll to bottom for printable recipe card.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Family-Friendly: This recipe for family friendly fried shrimp is kid-tested and approved. If you have picky eaters, this recipe is sure to change their minds. Both kids and adults typically love fried foods, and this healthy fried shrimp version is perfect for weeknights!
• Simple Ingredients: When it comes to homemade fried shrimp ideas, this recipe is always a winner due to its simplicity. With just 3 ingredients and salt and pepper, you’ll be on your way to deliciously crunchy shrimp in no time.
• Versatility: If you’re not a fan of Lawry’s seasoning salt, you can go for alternatives, such as Creole, Blackened Seasoning, or even “Slap Ya Mama” for a more spicy, Cajun taste.
• Quick: With little prep and cook time, you can make fried shrimp for lunch, dinner, or in a pinch.

Ingredients for Fried Shrimp:

1 lb. Shrimp peeled, deveined and cleaned

2 C. Flour

⅛ C. Lawry’s Season Salt

Pepper to taste

Oil for frying

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

• Swap the Lawry’s Season Salt for garlic powder and/or onion powder with salt and pepper. You can also swap the seasoning salt for Cajun or blackened seasoning for an authentic Louisiana fried shrimp taste. You can also opt for lemon pepper if you’re seeking a zestier flavor for your fried shrimp. The options are endless if you’re a lover of a variety of seasonings and tastes. Try making more than one batch of fried shrimp with different flavor profiles to see which is a hit with your family and friends!
• If you’re not a fan of all-purpose flour or if you have family who are allergic to flour, consider swapping the breading coating with unflavored protein powder, almond flour, or coconut flour.
• If you’re using almond flour, it’s best to break it up and split the almond flour with another alternative, such as coconut flour. This ensures a lighter, airy taste without becoming too gritty or heavy—especially when frying shrimp or fish.

How to Make It

Step 1: Place the flour, season salt, and pepper to taste into a Ziploc bag and shake to combine well. Combining your dry seasonings and ingredients first in a separate bag or bowl is always recommended. This ensures you can incorporate all of your seasonings with the flour before you begin coating your shrimp.

If you mix the flour and seasonings separately, it’s not always easy to spread the flavor. Mixing dry ingredients first is essential if you want to maximize the spread of flavor without leaving any of your shrimp out.

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Step 2: Add the shrimp to the bag and shake to coat the shrimp in the breading. If you do not want to add the shrimp into the bag, you can use your hands to coat them for less batter.

However, if you’re seeking a crunchier shrimp, we recommend placing them into a Ziploc bag and shaking the batter onto the shrimp until you reach your desired consistency.

Step 3: Heat approximately 3 inches of oil in a deep-sided skillet on the stove over medium-high heat.

Step 4: Add the shrimp to the hot oil and fry for 3–5 minutes. Do this with each batch until golden brown.

Step 5: Remove the shrimp and set them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Allowing your shrimp to sit as the oil is absorbed will add to the crunchiness the seasoning and flour coating provides.

Step 6: Serve with your favorite sauce for dipping. We recommend tartar or cocktail sauce. If you have picky eaters in the home, consider making your very own garlic butter as a delicious and savory dipping side.

Enjoy!

Tips for Success

• Always pat your shrimp dry before adding them to your batter. This will ensure your batter remains dry, and not chunky or thick, which can prevent you from coating the remainder of your shrimp.
• Write down your favorite seasonings that go well with your batter for future use!

Storage & Reheating

Store your crispy fried shrimp in an airtight container for up to 3 days in your refrigerator. You can also choose to freeze your shrimp for up to 2 months (thawing before reheating in an air fryer is best).

Once your fried shrimp is out of the refrigerator or freezer (and thawed), you can reheat using your oven at 350 degrees for just 10-15 minutes. You can also use your air fryer to reheat thawed shrimp at 350-400 degrees for 5-8 minutes, depending on your preferences and how crispy you want your shrimp to taste!

Serving Suggestions

• Serve this healthy fried shrimp version with tartar or cocktail sauce for a classic taste.
• For extra flavor, mix up the seasonings and add a bit of cayenne pepper, paprika, or Cajun seasoning to pack a spicier punch.
• Serve fresh asparagus, mashed potatoes, or green beans as a delicious and healthy side option when cooking fried shrimp as your main course.
• If you’re feeling extra creative in the kitchen, you can also make your very own melted butter or garlic butter with the use of garlic salt or in some cases, even freshly chopped and fried garlic.

Notes

• When purchasing raw shrimp, search for deveined and tail-off shrimp for a quicker prep time. Not only will this save time, but it will also help you enjoy the process of preparing this quick fried shrimp recipe.
• Allow your shrimp to come close to room temperature after seasoning them so the shrimp cooks perfectly without hardening too much or tasting too dry.

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Fried Shrimp

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 servings

4.50 from 2 votes

Review Recipe

Ingredients 

• 1 lb. Shrimp peeled, deveined and cleaned
• 2 C. Flour
• ⅛ C. Lawry’s Season Salt
• Pepper to taste
• Oil for frying

Instructions

• Place the flour, season salt and pepper to taste into a Ziploc bag and shake to combine well.
• Add the shrimp to the bag, and shake to coat the shrimp in the breading.
• Heat about 3 inches of oil in a deep sided skillet on the stove over medium high heat.
• Add the shrimp to the hot oil and fry for 3-5 minutes each batch until golden brown.
• Remove the shrimp and set them on a paper towel lined plate to drain.
• Serve with your favorite sauce for dipping.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 395kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 239mg | Sodium: 4121mg | Fiber: 2g

Author: Marta

Check some of my best seafood recipes below:

Grilled Garlic Herb Shrimp

Lemon Butter Baked Shrimp

Cheese Shrimp Penne Pasta and Spinach

Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo