Batter the Shrimp

1. Preheat the oven to 200°F.
2. Combine the Batter ingredients in a medium mixing bowl. Use a whisk to make sure everything is combined well.
3. In a separate large mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients for the breading.
4. Place a wire rack onto a baking sheet. This is where you will lay your shrimp as they are breaded.
5. Working with 1 shrimp at a time – dip the shrimp into the breading to coat, then dip into the batter and allow the excess to drip off.
6. Next, drop the shrimp into the breading again. Roll the shrimp back and forth until thickly coated in the batter. You’ll know it has enough breading when the shrimp is completely coated, and the moist parts of the batter are no longer on the outside. Every bit of the moist batter part should be coated in the breading.
7. As you batter the shrimp, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Once all the shrimp have been battered, place the baking sheet lined with parchment paper in the fridge to chill for 20 minutes. It’s important that the shrimp chill before frying to set the batter and breading properly – this will prevent the batter from falling off when you fry them.

Fry the Shrimp

1. While the shrimp chill in the fridge, heat your oil in a deep pot on the stove – about 2-3 inches of oil. Make sure that the thermometer is attached to the side. You can also use a deep fryer for this – preheat it to 365°F.
2. Place the other baking sheet (wire rack on top) inside the preheated oven. This is where you will place the shrimp to keep warm and crisp while you fry.
3. Once the oil for frying has heated to 360° – 365°F, you can begin frying the shrimp. Try not to let the oil smoke, or your shrimp will burn. Keep a close eye on the thermometer and adjust the heat as you fry to maintain the proper temperature. Something to keep in mind – a deep fryer will help maintain a constant temperature better than a pot of oil on the stove, so if you don’t yet have one, please consider getting one!
4. Fry 6 – 8 shrimp at a time. Do not crowd them. Fry for 3 – 4 minutes each side. Flip only once.
5. As the shrimp are cooked, use a metal mesh strainer to fish each of the shrimp out of the oil and place them into the warm oven on the wire rack. Repeat the frying process until all shrimp have been cooked and are warmed in the oven.

Serve right away with your favorite dipping sauce. We love to use homemade buffalo sauce as a dip for these, but they’re also great served with Burger King copycat zesty onion ring sauce, tartar sauce, or cocktail sauce.

Alternate Cooking Methods

For best results and a wonderfully crispy coating, it’s best to fry these shrimp in oil according to the instructions above. If you’d prefer, you could prepare these using other methods such as in an air fryer or baked in the oven. Below, I share with you how to do it!

Baking Instructions: If you’re looking to cut back on oil but still crave that crispy texture, baking is a fantastic option. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C), line a tray with parchment paper, arrange the battered shrimp on a baking sheet topped with a wire rack, spray the tops with a little cooking spray, then bake until golden brown (around 15-20 minutes). Remember to flip them halfway through for an even cook! 

Air Fryer Instructions: Set the temperature to 375°F (190°C) and cook the shrimp for about 10-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Be sure to use cooking spray or brush the shrimp with a little oil before air frying to achieve that beautiful golden color.