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Homemade copycat Popeyes popcorn shrimp—crispy, golden, and perfectly seasoned bite-sized shrimp on a plate with dipping sauce.

Copycat Popeyes Popcorn Shrimp Recipe

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Author: Laurie Fleming
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings

Description

Recreate the famous Popeyes Popcorn Shrimp at home with this easy, crispy, and flavorful copycat recipe. Perfect for a quick, delicious meal!

Ingredients 

  • 1 pound Raw Shrimp, peeled, deveined, and tails removed
  • 1/4 cup Flour
  • 1 tablespoon Onion Powder
  • 1 tablespoon Garlic Powder
  • 1 1/2 tablespoon Sea Salt
  • 1 1/2 tablespoon Ground Black Pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon Ground White Pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper, to taste
  • 2 teaspoons Paprika, to taste
  • 2 teaspoons Oregano
  • 2 teaspoons Thyme
  • 6 large Eggs
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs, (panko breadcrumb

Instructions

  • Rinse and pat dry the 1 pound Raw Shrimp with paper towels to ensure they are dry for the batter to stick.
  • Create a breading station by placing three shallow bowls:
  • First bowl: Put f1/4 cup Flour and season with 1 tablespoon Onion Powder, 1 tablespoon Garlic Powder, 1 1/2 tablespoon Sea Salt, 1 1/2 tablespoon Ground Black Pepper, 1 tablespoon Ground White Pepper, 1 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper, 2 teaspoons Paprika, 2 teaspoons Oregano, and 2 teaspoons Thyme.
  • Second bowl: Beat the 6 large Eggs until smooth.
  • Third bowl: Place the 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko breadcrumbs for extra crunch work great) and season with salt, pepper, or herbs if desired.
  • Working one shrimp at a time, coat the shrimp in the following order:
  • Dredge the shrimp in the flour, ensuring it’s fully covered, then shake off the excess.
  • Dip the flour-coated shrimp into the beaten egg, allowing the excess egg to drip off.
  • Coat the shrimp in the breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure they stick. For an extra crispy texture, you can double coat by repeating the egg and breadcrumbs steps.
  • Once battered, you can fry, bake, or air fry the shrimp:
  • Fry: Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat and fry the shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy.
  • Air Fry: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F and cook the shrimp for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
  • Bake: Preheat the oven to 400°F and bake the shrimp for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
  • Remove from heat and serve with a dipping sauce of your choice, such as cocktail sauce, tartar sauce, or spicy mayo.

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Cooking Spray
  • Parchment Paper, optional

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 176kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 15gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 211mgSodium: 1783mgPotassium: 200mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 486IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 100mgIron: 2mg