Arthur Treacher’s Fried Shrimp Recipe brings you that signature golden crunch and tender shrimp flavor right at home. Perfect with tartar sauce, it’s a seafood classic worth making any night of the week.

Golden, crispy Arthur Treacher’s fried shrimp served with tartar sauce on a plate.
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If you grew up loving Arthur Treacher’s, you know their fried shrimp was the star of the show—perfectly golden, crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside.

This recipe recreates that nostalgic fast-food favorite right in your own kitchen, no drive-thru required.

With a simple seasoned batter and quick fry, you’ll get that signature crunch and fresh seafood flavor that made Arthur Treacher’s famous. Pair it with Arthur Treacher’s Tartar Sauce Recipe, and you’ve got yourself a restaurant-worthy plate in minutes.

Golden, crispy Arthur Treacher’s fried shrimp served with tartar sauce on a plate.

Why You Will Love This Recipe!

  • Crispy Perfection – That golden, crunchy coating delivers satisfying texture in every bite.
  • Restaurant Taste at Home – Enjoy the same nostalgic flavor without leaving your kitchen.
  • Quick to Make – From prep to plate in under 30 minutes.
  • Customizable Seasoning – Easily tweak spices to match your taste.
  • Pairs with Anything – Perfect with fries, coleslaw, or your favorite dipping sauces.

Arthur Treacher’s Fried Shrimp Ingredients

Ingredients needed for Arthur Treacher’s Fried Shrimp Recipe on kitchen table.
  • Shrimp: Use raw shrimp
  • Flour: Use all-purpose flour, gluten-free flour, coconut flour, or almond flour
  • Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix: Or another brand
  • Corn starch
  • Egg: Use a large room-temperature egg
  • Panko Breadcrumbs: You can also use gluten-free panko bread crumbs, or for the keto-friendly recipe, use crushed pork rinds
  • Seasonings and Spices: Italian Seasoning, Garlic Powder, Cajun Seasoning, Onion Powder, Old Bay Seasoning, Black Pepper, and Garlic Salt.

How To Make Arthur Treacher’s Fried Shrimp Recipe

Large bowl filled with flour, corn muffin mix, cornstarch, seasonings, and egg being mixed into batter.

Step One: Thaw the shrimp, skip if you using fresh shrimp, then preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F, for 3-5 minutes.

Step Two: In a large bowl prepare your flour mixture, mix flour, water, corn muffin mix, cornstarch, seasonings, and the egg, and mix well.

Step Three: In a smaller bowl and the bread crumbs, are set aside.

Small bowl filled with bread crumbs set aside for coating shrimp.

Step Four: Holding it by the tail, dip shrimp into the batter, letting any excess batter drip off. And then dip it into the breadcrumb bowl.

 Air fryer basket sprayed with oil and filled with breaded shrimp in a single layer, not touching.

Step Five: Spray your air fryer basket with cooking spray. Then place each shrimp in a single layer, making sure they don’t touch or overlap.

Step Six: Melt about 1 Tsp of butter in the microwave. Then drizzle a tiny bit of melted butter on the top of each shrimp, you can also brush on olive oil, use an avocado oil sprayer, and spray the tops of the shrimp. Place the air fryer basket in the air fryer and cook the shrimp for about 6-8 minutes or until golden brown.

Step Seven: Serve with lemon wedges, tartar sauce, lime juice, cocktail sauce, or remoulade.

Golden, crispy Arthur Treacher’s fried shrimp arranged on a plate with tartar sauce.

Arthur Treacher’s Fried Shrimp Recipe Tips

  • Pat Shrimp Dry — Make sure your shrimp are thoroughly dried before coating to help the batter stick better and get extra crispy.
  • Don’t Overcrowd the Air Fryer — Give each shrimp some breathing room to ensure even cooking and maximum crunch.
  • Use Fresh Seasonings — Freshly ground pepper and quality spices make a noticeable difference in flavor.
  • Adjust Cook Time by Size — Smaller shrimp may cook faster, so keep an eye to avoid overcooking and drying them out.
  • Serve Immediately — Fried shrimp tastes best hot and crispy, so plan to serve right after cooking for maximum enjoyment.

Storing, Freezing & Reheating Instructions

  • Storing: Keep leftover fried shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days to maintain freshness. Avoid leaving them out at room temperature to prevent sogginess and bacterial growth.
  • Freezing: Place cooked shrimp in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze individually before transferring to a freezer-safe bag or container. Properly stored, they can last up to 1 month in the freezer without losing quality.
  • Reheating: Reheat shrimp in an air fryer or oven at 350°F for 3-5 minutes to restore crispiness without drying them out. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the shrimp rubbery and soggy.
Golden, crispy Arthur Treacher’s fried shrimp served on a plate with tartar sauce.

Arthur Treacher’s Fried Shrimp Recipe Faqs

Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe? Yes, but make sure to fully thaw and pat them dry before breading to ensure a crispy coating.

What type of shrimp works best? Medium to large peeled and deveined shrimp without tails work best for even cooking and easy eating.

Can I bake instead of air frying? Absolutely! Bake at 400°F for about 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and cooked through.

How do I make the shrimp extra crispy? Pat the shrimp dry, don’t overcrowd the basket, and lightly spray with cooking oil before air frying.

What sauces go well with this fried shrimp? Classic tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, or a spicy remoulade all complement the flavors perfectly.

Can I prepare the shrimp ahead of time? You can bread them in advance and keep them refrigerated for up to 24 hours before cooking.

Golden crispy fried shrimp plated with tartar sauce and lemon wedges.

More Copycat Arthur Treachers Recipes

Arthur Treacher’s Fish Batter Copycat Recipe

Arthur Treacher’s Po Boy Sandwich

Arthur Treacher’s Cocktail Sauce Recipe

Arthur Treacher’s Tartar Sauce Recipe

Arthur Treacher’s Hush Puppies Copycat Recipe

Arthur Treacher’s Copycat Fish & Chips Recipe

Arthur Treacher’s Remoulade Sauce Copycat Recipe

Arthur Treacher’s Chicken Recipe

Arthur Treacher’s Fried Pickles Copycat Recipe

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Arthur Treacher’s Fried Shrimp Recipe

Arthur Treacher’s Fried Shrimp Recipe

5 from 1 vote
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings

Description

Crispy and flavorful Arthur Treacher’s Fried Shrimp made easy at home. Perfectly battered shrimp with a golden crust, ideal for a quick seafood dinner.

Ingredients 

  • 1 pound shrimp, raw or thawed
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 cup corn muffin mix
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 tablespoon butter, melted and unsalted
  • 1 teaspoon seasonings, black pepper, salt, etc.

Instructions

  • Thaw the shrimp, skip if you using fresh shrimp, then preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees. 
  • In a large bowl prepare your flour mixture, mix flour, corn muffin mix, water, cornstarch, seasonings, and the egg, and mix well.
  • In a smaller bowl and the bread crumbs, are set aside.
  • Holding it by the tail, dip shrimp into the batter, letting any excess batter drip off. And then dip it into the breadcrumb bowl.
  • Spray your air fryer basket with cooking spray. Then place each shrimp in a single layer, making sure they don’t touch or overlap.
  • Melt about 1 Tsp of butter in the microwave. Then drizzle a tiny bit of melted butter on the top of each shrimp, you can also brush on olive oil, use an avocado oil sprayer, and spray the tops of the shrimp. Place the air fryer basket in the air fryer and cook the shrimp for about 6-8 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Serve with lemon wedges, tartar sauce, lime juice, cocktail sauce, or remoulade.

Equipment

  • Cooking Spray
  • Parchment Paper, optional

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 276kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 17gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 119mgSodium: 344mgPotassium: 233mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 108IUVitamin C: 0.03mgCalcium: 91mgIron: 3mg

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