Popeyes is known for offering excellent crispy fried popcorn shrimp. They are fresh, crunchy, and delicious. Who wouldn’t love crispy shrimp loaded with rich spices and followed by Southern-style breading? Making these flaky Popeyes popcorn shrimps at home is a cakewalk. Get to know more further in this article!
The Popeyes menu is known for its delectable and classic chicken dishes. However, their seafood menu is not the one to miss out on either. The popcorn shrimps are one of the popular seafood dishes served at Popeyes. The recipe of popcorn shrimps will surely make you try this in your kitchen.
Perfectly roll the raw shrimp, coat, and fry. Recreate the copycat recipe by first dipping the raw shrimps into egg batter, then coating them with the dry rubs, and finally deep-frying. The breading spices will result in the flavorful, crispy, and flakey texture of the popcorn shrimps. Serve them with your choice of dips and sauces.
If you are craving well-spiced, crunchy, and tender popcorn, then follow the entire recipe. Make the Popeyes popcorn shrimps by following the detailed list of equipment, ingredients, nutritional information, and step-by-step instructions. But before getting the instructions, check out our other copycat recipes below.
Equipment Required
- Saucepan: To heat the oil, I am using a saucepan.
- Kitchen Spiders: I am using kitchen spiders to take out the batch of fried shrimps from the oil.
- Bowl: To make the batter and mix it all up, I am using a medium-sized bowl.
- Paper Towels: I like to soak excess oil off my shrimp using paper towels, so I keep them handy.
Popeyes Popcorn Shrimp Ingredients & Substitutions
Note: The ingredients in this recipe can serve up to 2 people. You can increase or decrease the quantities to adjust the portions.
- 1⁄2lb Peeled Shrimp:
- 6 Cups Vegetable Oil Or 6 Cups Olive Oil, For Frying
- 2⁄3 Cup All-Purpose Flour: If you don’t have all-purpose flour in the store, you can also use rice wheat flour for this recipe.
- 1 Tablespoon Salt
- 2 Tablespoons White Pepper: I am using white pepper, but you can also use ground black pepper for this recipe.
- 1 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- 2 Teaspoons Paprika
- 3 Eggs
- 1 Teaspoon Cajun Seasoning (Optional)
Preparation And Cooking Time
| Preparation Time | Cooking Time | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Minutes | 15 Minutes | 20 Minutes |
How To Make Popeyes Popcorn Shrimp At Home
Step 1
In a bowl, combine flour, white pepper, and salt.
Step 2
Then, add smoked paprika and cayenne pepper.
Step 3
Finally, add a teaspoon of Cajun seasoning to the flour mix and combine it evenly.
Step 4
First, dip the pieces of shrimp into the egg batter, then generously coat them with the dry spices.
Step 5
Drop the coated shrimp into the hot oil. Fry for 15 minutes at 350 degrees F. Repeat the same to fry the batches of shrimps.
Step 6
Dust the Cajun seasoning on the top and serve hot with your favorite dips and sauces.
Expert Tips That I Recommend
- I ensure that the shrimps are dried well before coating them with the batter. This will allow the coating to stick to the shrimp properly. You can use a paper towel or let it dry off completely before adding it to the coating.
- Keep in mind that there are tons of shrimp varieties available in the market. Hence, the cooking time will vary depending on the kind and size of shrimp you go for.
- If you are using frozen shrimp, make sure to thaw them at room temperature before cooking, as cold shrimp will increase the cooking time.
- I avoid adding too many shrimps at the same time to the pan. This is because it will alter the cooking time, resulting in a batch of overcooked and undercooked shrimp, rendering all your efforts futile.
- Shrimps do not take too long to cook. Keep a close eye on them since they turn golden brown in colour within 2 minutes.
- I also suggest using a kitchen thermometer to check the temperature of the oil. This is because extremely hot oil will make the shrimp burn, while moderate oil will result in soggy shrimps.
- More is not better in this case because if you have a heavy batter on the shrimps, they will become soggy. In the worst-case scenario, the outer layer might get cooked, but the shrimp inside can remain uncooked.
- For the best results, I like to follow the double-dipping method. For this, I want to coat the shrimp with the batter first, follow it up with the egg wash, dip it in the batter again, and then add it to the oil. The double-dipping method will always give you the crunchiest results.
- To enjoy that extra crunch, you can also add cornmeal or breadcrumbs after dipping it in the batter.
FAQ About Popeye Shrimp Popcorn
Nutritional Information Per Serving
As much as I love these Popeyes popcorn shrimp, I have to agree that they are not a healthy option. Being high in calories and fats, they should be consumed in moderation. To have a more detailed insight, take a look at the nutritional chart below.
| Calories | 183 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 26 g |
| Protein | 9 g |
| Fat | 5 g |
| Saturated Fat | 1 g |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1 g |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2 g |
| Trans Fat | 0.02 g |
| Sodium | 2390 mg |
| Potassium | 130 mg |
| Cholesterol | 164 mg |
| Fat | 9 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Vitamin A | 947 IU |
| Vitamin C | 6 mg |
| Calcium | 45 mg |
| Iron | 3 mg |
Some good news about this recipe is that it is entirely soy-free, nut-free, and gluten-free. Hence, people following different diets can have it without any restrictions.
Recipe Variations For Different Diets
- Gluten Free Diet: So you want to make Popeyes Popcorn Shrimp in gluten-free style? Use tapioca flour or almond flour to make the batter and enjoy without worrying about any gluten-containing ingredients.
- Keto Free Diet: For a keto-friendly version of Popeyes Popcorn Shrimp, I use avocado oil for frying and tapioca flour while making the batter.
Storing & Reheating This Recipe
Storing
- Counter Top: After my Popeyes Popcorn Shrimp is ready, I do not like to leave it on the countertop for long. Hence, after half an hour to an hour, it goes straight to the fridge for further storage.
- Refrigeration: When I have leftover Popeyes Popcorn Shrimp, I like to store it in the fridge for 3-4 days. However, always pack it in an air-tight container to prevent your shrimp from coming in contact with moisture, which can ruin its texture.
- Freezing: To extend the shelf life of the shrimps even further, I like to freeze them for 3 months by transferring them to a freezer-friendly bag first.
Reheating
- Deep Frying: One of the best ways to reheat Popeyes Popcorn Shrimp is by deep-frying it again. I like to heat oil in a saucepan and then add the remaining Popeyes popcorn shrimp to it. Fry it for 2-3 minutes in the oil and serve it once done.
- Oven: When I have large batches of Popeyes Popcorn Shrimp left, then I place them on the baking tray and add them to a preheated oven at 350 degrees F. Let it cook for about 5 minutes and enjoy it with your choice of pairings.
- Air Fryer: You can also use your fancy air fryer to heat leftover Popeyes popcorn shrimp. Heat it to 180 degrees F and then spray oil on the air fryer basket. Line up your shrimps without overcrowding the casket and heat it for 2-3 minutes.
- Microwave: I am not a big fan of reheating Popeyes popcorn shrimp in the microwave since it makes them soggy. But if you keep a close eye, then it might be a success. Start by transferring the leftovers to a microwave-friendly plate and covering the shrimp with a paper towel. Please set up your microwave to 50% power and heat it with a 10-second burst. Once it is hot enough, serve it immediately and enjoy.
What To Serve With This Recipe
Whenever I am having Popeyes Popcorn Shrimp, I like to stick to the snack menu and add French Fries along with it. It is the perfect snack platter that you can serve at home. If you love potatoes, then having them with hash browns and potato wedges also works.
On the other hand, if you want to make it a bit healthier and more nutritious, have it with a bowl of Salad on the side. You can also have it with Corn On The Cob or Grilled Veggies.
Other popular food items that go with Popeyes popcorn shrimp are Dirty Rice, Pasta, and Zucchini Alfredo. If you want a nice dressing that goes with Popeyes popcorn shrimp, try cocktail sauce, as this combination is globally renowned.
Printable Version
Popeyes Popcorn Shrimp Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ lb Peeled Shrimp
- 6 Cups Vegetable Or Olive Oil For Frying
- ⅔ Cup All-Purpose Flour
- 1 Tablespoon Salt
- 2 Tablespoons White Pepper
- 1 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- 2 Teaspoons Paprika
- 3 Eggs
- 1 Teaspoon Cajun Seasoning
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Kitchen Spiders
- Bowl
- Paper Towels
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine flour, white pepper, and salt.
- Then, add smoked paprika and cayenne pepper.
- Finally, add a teaspoon of Cajun seasoning to the flour mix and combine it evenly.
- First, dip the pieces of shrimp into the egg batter, then generously coat them with the dry spices.
- Drop the coated shrimp into the hot oil. Fry for 15 minutes at 350 degrees F. Repeat the same to fry the batches of shrimps.
- Dust the Cajun seasoning on the top and serve hot with your favorite dips and sauces.
Notes
- I ensure that the shrimps are dried well before coating them with the batter. This will allow the coating to stick to the shrimp properly. You can use a paper towel or let it dry off completely before adding it to the coating.
- Keep in mind that there are tons of shrimp varieties available in the market. Hence, the cooking time will vary depending on the kind and size of shrimp you go for.
- If you are using frozen shrimp, make sure to thaw them at room temperature before cooking, as cold shrimp will increase the cooking time.
- I avoid adding too many shrimps at the same time to the pan. This is because it will alter the cooking time, resulting in a batch of overcooked and undercooked shrimp, rendering all your efforts futile.
- Shrimps do not take too long to cook. Keep a close eye on them since they turn golden brown in colour within 2 minutes.
- I also suggest using a kitchen thermometer to check the temperature of the oil. This is because extremely hot oil will make the shrimp burn, while moderate oil will result in soggy shrimps.
- More is not better in this case because if you have a heavy batter on the shrimps, they will become soggy. In the worst-case scenario, the outer layer might get cooked, but the shrimp inside can remain uncooked.
- For the best results, I like to follow the double-dipping method. For this, I want to coat the shrimp with the batter first, follow it up with the egg wash, dip it in the batter again and then add it to the oil. The double-dipping method will always give you the crunchiest results.
- To enjoy that extra crunch, you can also add cornmeal or breadcrumbs after dipping it in the batter.
Nutrition
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Conclusion
While making Popeyes Popcorn Shrimp at home, I had two goals. One was to make it crispy, and the other was to make it delicious. Luckily, this recipe ticks off both boxes.
If you haven’t been lucky with crispy foods at home, hopefully, my tips and tricks will help you make these shrimps crunchy and perfect. This copycat version has the exact flavors as the food chain, and you are free to customize it as per your liking.
Share your cooking experience with us in the comments section below.
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