Low-Carb Fried Shrimp (Easy Keto-Friendly Recipe!)
One of my husband’s and my favorite indulgences is fried shrimp. To be honest, we love all kinds of fried food and seafood, so it’s always a win when you put the two together. The only problem? Fried food usually comes with a side of carbs and unhealthy oils.
Since we’ve been trying to stay mostly low-carb, my husband had an idea to use the same method we use for low-carb chicken strips — by breading them with crushed pork rinds or Porq Panko. We gave it a shot, and they turned out super delicious! Crispy, golden, and satisfying, these shrimp taste like your favorite restaurant version but with a fraction of the carbs.
If you’re craving fried goodness without the guilt, this recipe will hit the spot.
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Equipment You’ll Need to Make Low-Carb Fried Shrimp
- Colander to thaw and rinse shrimp
- 2 medium bowls (one for the eggs, one for the pork rinds/Porq Panko)
- Tongs or a fork for coating the shrimp
- Large plate or cutting board to refrigerate coated shrimp
- Large frying pan or skillet
- Tongs for flipping shrimp during frying
Ingredients
- 12 oz medium cooked shrimp, peeled, deveined, tails removed
- 4 eggs, whisked
- 2 cups Porq Panko Crumbs or crushed pork rinds
- 1–2 tablespoons Old Bay seasoning (or seasoning of choice)
- 4 tablespoons avocado oil (or oil of choice for frying)
- Dipping sauce of choice (optional)
How to Make Low-Carb Fried Shrimp
1. Prep the Shrimp
Place shrimp in a colander, thaw if frozen, and rinse under cool water. Pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
2. Set Up Your Coating Station
Line up your coating ingredients for efficiency:
- Shrimp in a colander
- Whisked eggs in a bowl
- Crushed pork rinds or Porq Panko (mixed with seasoning) in a second bowl
- Large plate or cutting board for coated shrimp
3. Coat the Shrimp
Dip each shrimp into the egg wash, then into the pork rind crumbs, pressing lightly to coat. Place on the prepared plate. Repeat until all shrimp are coated. Refrigerate for 1 hour to help the coating stick.
4. Fry the Shrimp
Heat avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot (the oil should sizzle if you flick in a drop of water). Fry shrimp in a single layer for about 3 minutes per side, until golden and crispy. Cook in batches if needed.
5. Serve & Enjoy
Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauces or over a fresh bed of coleslaw for a low-carb twist.
Why You’ll Love This Low-Carb Fried Shrimp
- Simple to make: Just a few ingredients and steps.
- Low-carb & keto-friendly: Breaded with pork rinds instead of flour.
- Kid-approved: Fried foods are always a family hit.
- Customizable: Switch up seasonings and dipping sauces to make it your own.
Storage & Reheating Tips
If you somehow have leftovers (unlikely, but hey 😉), store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days.
- Air Fryer (Best): Reheat at 375°F for 3–4 minutes until crispy.
- Oven: Bake at 375°F for 6–8 minutes.
- Microwave (Last Resort): Heat 30–60 seconds — they’ll be warm but not crispy.
- Air Fryer (Best): Reheat at 375°F for 3–4 minutes until crispy.
FAQ
Can I use raw shrimp instead of cooked?
Yes! Just increase cooking time to about 4–5 minutes per side, depending on shrimp size, until pink and opaque.
Can I bake these instead of frying?
Yes — bake at 400°F for about 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway through. Spray lightly with avocado oil for extra crispiness.
What dipping sauces go best?
Sugar-free cocktail sauce, garlic aioli, or even spicy ranch are all fantastic low-carb options.
Other Low-Carb Recipes You’ll Love
Final Thoughts on Low-Carb Fried Shrimp
If you’ve been craving that crispy, golden crunch of fried shrimp but don’t want the carbs that usually come with it, this recipe is for you! It’s quick, family-friendly, and proof that you don’t have to give up your favorite comfort foods when eating low-carb or keto.
I’d love to hear from you — will you be giving this recipe a try? Leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out, or share your favorite dipping sauce to pair with fried shrimp.
📌 And don’t forget to save this recipe on Pinterest so you can come back to it whenever the fried food craving hits.
Happy cooking, mama! 💛
Low-Carb Fried Shrimp
Ingredients
- 12 oz medium cooked shrimp peeled & deveined
- 4 eggs whisked
- 2 cups Porq Panko Crumbs or crushed pork rinds
- 1-2 tbsp Old Bay seasoning optional
- 4 tbsp avocado oil
Instructions
- Thaw and rinse shrimp. Pat dry.
- Set up coating station with shrimp, egg wash, pork rind crumbs (mixed with seasoning), and plate.
- Dip shrimp in egg, then coat with crumbs. Place on plate.
- Refrigerate coated shrimp for 1 hour.
- Heat oil in skillet over medium-high heat.
- Fry shrimp 3 minutes per side, until golden. Work in batches if needed.
- Serve hot with dipping sauces or over coleslaw.
Notes
- For raw shrimp, cook 4–5 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
- Baking option: 400°F for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for 3–4 days. Reheat in air fryer for best results.
- Save time by using Porq Panko Crumbs instead of crushing your own pork rinds — it’s already finely ground and perfect for breading shrimp.
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