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

Popeyes Popcorn Shrimp (Copycat)

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Author: Laurie Fleming
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 3 minutes
30 minutes
Total Time: 43 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings

Description

Popeyes popcorn shrimp copycat — the buttermilk marinade and cornmeal coating that makes it taste like the restaurant. Deep fry, air fryer, or oven. Troubleshooting, sauce guide, and make-ahead tips included.

Ingredients 

The Shrimp

  • 1 pound small shrimp, 41/50 or 51/60 count, peeled, deveined, tails removed

The Buttermilk Marinade

  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 tablespoon hot sauce, Louisiana brand or Crystal — not Tabasco
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

The Cajun Seasoning Blend

  • 1½ teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon white pepper
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

The Coating

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup fine cornmeal, not coarse grits — fine cornmeal

For Frying

  • Vegetable Oil, canola, or peanut oil — enough to fill 2 inches deep in a heavy pot or Dutch oven

To Finish

  • Kosher salt for dusting while hot
  • Lemon wedges
  • Dipping sauces, see section below

Instructions

  • Marinate 1 pound small shrimp in 1 cup buttermilk1 tablespoon hot sauce, 1 teaspoon kosher salt for 30 minutes in fridge.
  • In a small mixing bowl, mix together 1½ teaspoons smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon white pepper, ½ teaspoon dried oregano, ½ teaspoon dried thyme, and ½ teaspoon kosher salt.
  • Whisk 1 cup all-purpose flour,½ cup fine cornmeal, and Cajun blend in a wide bowl.
  • Remove shrimp from buttermilk one at a time. Dredge in flour-cornmeal mixture, press gently, shake off excess. Rest on wire rack 5 min.
  • Deep fry: Heat oil to 350°F. Fry in batches of 10–12 for 2–3 minutes until golden. Drain on wire rack. Salt immediately.
  • Air fryer: Preheat 400°F. Single layer in sprayed basket. Spray tops. Air fry 4 min. Flip, spray again. Air fry 3–4 more min.
  • Serve immediately with Dipping sauces, Lemon wedges, Blackened Ranch, tartar sauce, or cocktail sauce.

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Cooking Spray
  • Parchment Paper, optional

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 333kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 30gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 189mgSodium: 1159mgPotassium: 526mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 588IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 161mgIron: 3mg