Old Bay Southern Fried Shrimp

If I had served these Old Bay southern fried shrimp on a platter I would’ve given them a ’10’ out of 10 possible points. But, served in a basket I give them an ’11’. That’s because baskets make everything taste better. True story. Smash burgers? Better in a basket. Onion rings or fries? Way better in a basket. Ditto fried fish and a host of other foods.

As easy as they were to make, these southern fried shrimp pack serious flavor thanks to one of my favorite seasonings, Old Bay. There’s no such thing as too much Old Bay for me. Make these shrimp and serve them with fries… and then sprinkle the fries with Old Bay and you’ll be happy too.

Old Bay Southern Fried Shrimp

Tail On. Tail Off. Perfect Either Way.

I prefer to keep the tails on when I make Old Bay southern fried shrimp. I like having the handles. And I also like to think that the tails slow me down a bit. Otherwise, I’d just pop them in my mouth like popcorn and the entire basket would be gone before I knew it. The tails increase the time I have to enjoy them because they are GREAT!

Also try my honey hot fried shrimp.

Southern Fried Shrimp
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5 from 1 vote

Old Bay Southern Fried Shrimp

I prefer to keep the tails on when I make southern fried shrimp. I like having the handles.
Course Appetizer or Main
Cuisine American
Keyword deep-fried, shrimp
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 269kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Heat oil in a deep fryer or Dutch oven to 350 F.
  • Peel and devein the shrimp, leaving the tails on if desired.
  • Pour the buttermilk into a bowl.
  • In a shallow dish or baking dish, combine the flour and Old Bay Seasoning.
  • Working in batches, dip the shrimp in the buttermilk. Shake off excess then dredge in the flour mixture, coating well. Shake off the excess. Fry 2-3 minutes or until golden brown, removing to a paper towel-lined plate or wire rack to drain while cooking the remaining shrimp.
  • Serve with cocktail sauce for dipping.

Nutrition

Calories: 269kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 65mg | Potassium: 158mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 138IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 93mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Crispy Fried Shrimp

I can eat an embarrassing amount of crispy fried shrimp. My addiction to these little goodies started as a child. Maybe once every few months we would eat out at Sizzler. I would always get the fried shrimp. I would devour them.

That tradition lives on, believe me. That’s why I make them at home. In bigger batches. These crispy fried shrimp are nice and crispy and have a fantastic lightly savory flavor. No overpowering flavors here, you can still taste the wonderful shrimp.

Crispy Fried Shrimp

Right-Sized Shrimp For The Perfect Bites

I like to use shrimp that aren’t too big or too small when I make crispy fried shrimp. For me, 21-25 count (that means 21-25 shrimp are in a pound) are the perfect size. If I can get them, I use Louisiana Gulf Shrimp. I believe they have the best flavor but you can use whatever you prefer (or can find).

I get out my big deep fryer when it’s time to fry a large batch of food. It comes to temperature quickly and it maintains that temperature perfectly. It has a built-in oil filter and storage unit so I can re-use the oil several times.

You can use pre-shelled and pre-deveined shrimp but give them a once-over before using to make sure that there aren’t any shell pieces or veins left. Just in case.

If you’re looking for something super-simple for dipping your delicious crispy fried shrimp, try my quick cocktail sauce or my Carolina cocktail sauce.

Also try my Cajun fried shrimp and my panko fried shrimp.

Crispy Fried Shrimp
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5 from 1 vote

Crispy Fried Shrimp

These crispy fried shrimp are nice and crispy and have a fantastic lightly savory flavor. No overpowering flavors here, you can still taste the wonderful shrimp.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword crispy, deep-fried, shrimp
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 629kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Remove the shells from the shrimp up to the tail section. Make an incision down the back and remove the vein. Rinse with cold water.
  • In a large bowl or pie plate combine the egg and milk.
  • Place the flour in another large bowl or pie plate.
  • And in another large bowl or pie plate place the bread crumbs, salt, basil, parsley, garlic and onion powders.
  • Heat oil in a large Dutch oven or deep fryer to 350 F.
  • Working in batches, coat the shrimp in the egg mixture. Shake off excess and then roll in flour.
  • Return shrimp to the egg mixture and coat again. Shake off excess and then roll in the bread crumb mixture, coating well.
  • Transfer to hot oil and fry until golden brown, 3-4 minutes. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to let drain before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 629kcal | Carbohydrates: 90g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 385mg | Sodium: 3084mg | Potassium: 390mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 236IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 363mg | Iron: 9mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Southern Fried Shrimp

These southern fried shrimp are darned good shrimp. I love shrimp, cooked any way you can imagine. Fried or boiled are my favorites. One of my favorite ways to devour shrimp is on a po boy sandwich. Tender with just a bit of coating and plenty of spicy flavor, I cannot stop devouring them shrimp after shrimp. I was already a borderline shrimp addict before these came along.

Southern Fried Shrimp

Spicy Crunchy Deliciousness

If you can’t find Tony Cachere’s fish fry in your grocery store you can use other fish fry mixes or just substitute all-purpose flour that has been seasoned with salt and pepper. You want the good stuff for these southern fried shrimp.

If I’m cooking for a crowd, I’ll break out my big deep fryer. But, if it’s just the two of us, I’ll fire up my Fry Daddy fryer. It’s the perfect size for both of us. It fries everything perfectly. And as an added bonus, it doesn’t use a lot of oil, which saves me money.

I get out my big deep fryer when it’s time to fry a large batch of food. It comes to temperature quickly and it maintains that temperature perfectly. It has a built-in oil filter and storage unit so I can re-use the oil several times.

Also try my copycat of Applebee’s Sriracha shrimp, Bayou fried shrimp, coconut fried shrimp and my copycat of Bonefish Grill’s Bang Bang shrimp. Did I mention how much I love fried shrimp?

Southern Fried Shrimp
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Southern Fried Shrimp

These southern fried shrimp are darned good shrimp. I love shrimp, cooked any way you can imagine.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword crispy, deep-fried, shirmp, southern
Prep Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings 3 pounds
Calories 563kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place shrimp into a resealable container or baggie.
  • In a large bowl whisk together the buttermilk and mustard.
  • Pour mixture in with the shrimp, seal, and shake gently to coat.
  • Refrigerate for 1 hour.
  • Whisk together the fish fry mix and cayenne.
  • Heat 3″ of oil in a Dutch oven to 325 F.
  • Working in batches, remove shrimp from container. Shake off excess marinade then transfer to the fry mix. Roll and coat. Shake off an excess coating and place in hot oil.
  • Fry shrimp 1 1/2 minutes per side then transfer to a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate to drain and cool.
  • Serve with your favorite dipping sauce or on a po boy.

Nutrition

Calories: 563kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 98g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 1161mg | Sodium: 3750mg | Potassium: 613mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 822IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 847mg | Iron: 10mg

Nutritional values are approximate.