Description
Crispy and flavorful, this Popcorn Shrimp recipe delivers bite-sized delights perfect for appetizers or snacks. Marinated in buttermilk and coated in a seasoned flour mixture, these shrimp are fried to golden perfection and served with lemon wedges and tartar sauce.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 pound shrimp, medium size, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornmeal
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- Lemon wedges, for serving
- Tartar sauce, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare Shrimp: If the shrimp are not already, peel and devein them. Make sure they are dry by patting them down with paper towels.
- Marinate Shrimp: Place the shrimp in a bowl and cover with buttermilk. Allow them to marinate for about 10 minutes.
- Heat Oil: Fill a deep frying pan or pot with about 2 inches of vegetable oil. Heat the oil to 375°F (190°C).
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.
- Coat Shrimp: Remove a few shrimp at a time from the buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off. Toss them in the flour mixture until they are well coated.
- Fry Shrimp: Carefully add the coated shrimp to the hot oil. Do not overcrowd the pan; cook the shrimp in batches if necessary. Fry for 2-3 minutes or until they are golden brown and crispy.
- Drain Excess Oil: Use a slotted spoon to transfer the shrimp to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.
- Serve Hot: Serve the popcorn shrimp hot with lemon wedges and tartar sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Dry the shrimp well before marinating to help the coating stick.
- Fry the shrimp in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan and maintain oil temperature.
- For a spicier kick, increase the cayenne pepper to taste.
- If you prefer baking, preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and bake for 10-12 minutes until golden and crispy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
