Hey there! I’m super excited to share my tried-and-tested guide for cooking breaded shrimp in the oven. After tons of kitchen experiments (and yes, some fails!), I’ve figured out the perfect timing for crispy, juicy shrimp every time.
Quick Answer
For the impatient cooks (like me sometimes!), here’s the quick timing guide at 400-425°F:
- Small/Popcorn shrimp: 10-12 minutes
- Medium shrimp: 12-15 minutes
- Jumbo/Extra Large shrimp: 15-20 minutes
The Perfect Temperature Setting
I’ve found that setting your oven between 400°F and 425°F works best. This high temp gives you that awesome crispy coating while keeping the shrimp nice and juicy inside. Trust me, I’ve tried lower temps and they just don’t give you that same satisfying crunch!
Step-by-Step Cooking Guide
1. Prep Work
- Preheat oven to 400-425°F
- Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper
- Pro tip: Use a cooling rack on top of the baking sheet for extra crispiness
2. Arrange Your Shrimp
- Place shrimp in a single layer (don’t crowd them!)
- Leave some space between each piece
- If using frozen shrimp, no need to thaw (how awesome is that?)
3. Seasoning Options
Mix these into your breadcrumbs for extra flavor
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne (if ya like it spicy!)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
4. The Cooking Process
- Put your shrimp in the preheated oven
- Set your timer based on shrimp size (see quick answer above)
- Important: Flip them halfway through cooking
- Check internal temp should reach 145°F
Pro Tips from My Kitchen to Yours
- For Fresh Breaded Shrimp:
- Brown the breadcrumbs first (game-changer!)
- Use this breading station setup:
- Bowl 1: Flour + seasonings
- Bowl 2: Beaten egg + 1 tbsp water
- Bowl 3: Breadcrumbs
- For Frozen Breaded Shrimp:
- Don’t thaw – cook straight from frozen
- Spray lightly with oil for extra crispiness
- Use a meat thermometer to check doneness
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Listen we’ve all been there! Here are some oopsies to watch out for
- Overcrowding the pan (shrimp need their space!)
- Forgetting to flip (nobody wants unevenly cooked shrimp)
- Overcooking (rubbery shrimp = sad dinner)
Serving Suggestions
Make your meal complete with these yummy sides:
- Spicy mayo (my fave!)
- Fresh lemon wedges
- Tartar sauce
- French fries
- Coleslaw
- Rice pilaf
Storage Tips
Got leftovers? Here’s what to do:
- Store in airtight container
- Keep in fridge up to 2 days
- Reheat in oven (not microwave!) to maintain crispiness
Final Thoughts
Cooking breaded shrimp in the oven is seriously one of the easiest things you can do! Just remember the basic timing rules, don’t overcrowd your pan, and you’ll have restaurant-quality shrimp right at home.
And hey, if your first batch isn’t perfect, no worries! Cooking is all about practice and finding what works in your kitchen. Trust me, I’ve had my share of kitchen fails before getting it just right!
Why This Recipe Works
Large shrimp (26 to 30 shrimp per pound) are essential here. Lay’s Kettle Cooked Original is our favorite brand of potato chips. Panko is a Japanese-style bread crumb available in most grocery stores. Instant polenta is available in the international section of most supermarkets.
Adjust oven rack to upper position and heat oven to 500 degrees. Toss bread crumbs, polenta, paprika, cayenne, 1 teaspoon salt, and oil in microwave-safe bowl until well coated. Microwave crumb mixture until golden brown and crisp, 1 to 3 minutes, stirring halfway through cooking time. Stir potato chips into crumb mixture, then transfer to shallow dish. Spread flour in second shallow dish. In third shallow dish, whisk eggs until evenly combined.
Pat shrimp dry with paper towels and season with salt. One at a time, coat shrimp lightly in flour, dip in egg mixture, then dredge in crumbs, pressing gently to adhere. Arrange breaded shrimp ½ inch apart on wire rack set inside rimmed baking sheet. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.
Spray shrimp with cooking spray and bake until crumbs are deep golden brown and shrimp are just cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes. Serve.
How to Make Crispy Shrimp in the Oven | Delicious Oven Baked Breaded Shrimp Recipe
FAQ
How long do shrimp need to be in the oven?
Bake in the preheated oven until shrimp are bright pink, 20 to 25 minutes; don’t overcook, the shrimp will get hard.Jan 4, 2020
How long to cook fried shrimp at 350 degrees?
Heat 2 inches oil in a large, heavy pot to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Deep-fry shrimp in batches in the hot oil until cooked through, about 1 minute.Jun 28, 2024
How long should I bake frozen breaded shrimp?
Bake for approximately 12-15 minutes, or until they become golden brown and crispy.
How long does it take for frozen shrimp to cook in the oven?
Step 3: Broil frozen shrimp in the oven
Broil for three to four minutes per side or until the shrimp have slightly curled. Editor’s Tip: Turn frozen shrimp into a sheet pan meal by cooking veggies on the sheet pan before adding the shrimp. It’s a great way to prepare one-pan dinners like sheet-pan shrimp fajitas!