How to Make Delicious Shrimp Lollies at Home

Shrimp lollies are a fun and creative way to enjoy shrimp These whimsical treats feature shrimp coated in a light tempura batter and deep fried, served on a stick for easy handling With their crispy coating and sweet, succulent shrimp interior, these handheld snacks are sure to be a hit at your next party or gathering. Read on to learn how to make these tasty shrimp pops in your own kitchen.

Overview of Shrimp Lollies

Shrimp lollies also called shrimp pops or shrimp on a stick combine the delicious flavor of shrimp with the portability and fun of a lollipop. Here’s a quick rundown

• They feature shrimp coated in a light tempura batter, then deep fried until golden brown and crispy.

• The cooked shrimp is threaded onto short skewers to create a handheld, lollipop-style handle.

• Dipping sauces like sweet chili sauce, sriracha mayo, or honey mustard are perfect for dipping the lollies.

• Almost any size shrimp can be used, from petite popcorn shrimp to jumbo shrimp. Bigger shrimp make a more substantial lolly.

• Coating options include light tempura, cornmeal, panko breadcrumbs, or coconut flakes for a tropical twist.

Shrimp lollies marry the satisfying crunch of fried shrimp with the fun presentation of lollipop snacks. Let’s look at how to make these at home.

Ingredients Needed

Making shrimp lollies is easy with just a few ingredients:

• Shrimp – thawed and peeled, tails removed
• Tempura batter – e.g. rice flour, sparkling water, salt
• Skewers – short bamboo or wood skewers
• Oil – for deep frying (vegetable, peanut, etc)
• Dipping sauces – sweet chili, sriracha mayo, etc.

Tempura batter provides a light, crispy coating. But you can also substitute cornmeal, panko breadcrumbs, or shredded coconut based on your tastes. Now let’s get cooking!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps for making perfect shrimp lollies at home:

1. Prepare the shrimp

Rinse thawed shrimp under cold water and pat dry thoroughly with paper towels. Peel off the shells and tails. Devein the shrimp if desired. If using large shrimp, thread onto skewers before breading.

2. Make the coating batter

Whisk together tempura batter ingredients (or alternative coatings like cornmeal, panko, etc). The batter should coat nicely and fry up light and crispy. Dip shrimp in batter to coat fully.

3. Deep fry the battered shrimp

In a deep pot or Dutch oven, heat 2-3 inches frying oil to 350°F. Working in batches, fry battered shrimp for 2-3 minutes until golden brown, turning occasionally. Drain fried shrimp on paper towel-lined plate.

4. Assemble the lollies

Thread fried shrimp onto skewers, pushing close together. Insert a lollipop stick into each skewer. Serve shrimp lollies warm with fun dipping sauces on the side.

That’s all there is to it! For parties, set up a self-serve shrimp lolly bar with colorful dipping sauces in small bowls.

Cooking Tips and Variations

Keep these handy tips in mind for perfect shrimp lollies:

• Smaller shrimp like popcorn shrimp will cook fastest. Large shrimp takes longer (up to 5 minutes)
• Use wood skewers and soak in water 30 mins before using to prevent burning.
• Set up a dredging station with shrimp skewers and bowls of dry ingredients and batter.
• Let oil reheat between batches. The temperature should stay close to 350°F.
• Sprinkle some Cajun seasoning in the batter for a spicy kick.
• Try swapping the batter out for cornmeal, coconut, or Japanese panko breadcrumbs.
• Sauce ideas: sweet chili, honey mustard, cocktail sauce, sriracha mayo, lemon aioli.

Get creative with flavors, coatings, and sauces to put your own spin on these shrimp pops!

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

Since these lollies are best served hot and crispy, follow these tips if making them in advance:

• Prep the shrimp, batter, skewers, and sauces up to 1 day ahead. Store chilled.

• Fry the battered shrimp up to 2 hours before serving. Drain on a wire rack over a baking sheet.

• Reheat the fried shrimp in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes before skewering into lollies.

• Cooked shrimp can keep in the fridge up to 2 days. Reheat before eating.

• Mix up the batter right before using for maximum crispness. Store any leftovers in the fridge.

With a little planning, you can prep components in advance for quick assembly later on.

Make Any Party More Playful with Shrimp Lollies

Shrimp lollies bring a sense of whimsy and playfulness to any gathering. Adults and kids alike will love snacking on these portable shrimp pops:

• Game day parties – Serve shrimp lollies alongside other finger foods for easy snacking.

• Birthday parties – Stick a shrimp lolly in the birthday cake instead of candles.

• Holiday parties – Skewer shrimp and sprinkle with holiday-colored seasoning for seasonal flair.

• Movie nights – Make an interactive snack by pairing shrimp pops with fun dipping sauces.

• Backyard barbecues – Fry up a batch of shrimp lollies outdoors for a tropical twist.

You can also dress up shrimp lollies to match the theme of your party – glittery batters, colorful coatings, or goofy decorative elements. However you serve them up, shrimp lollies add a whimsical note to any gathering.

Satisfying Shrimp Any Way You Lick It!

From their joyful presentation to their crispy, sweet shrimp flavor, shrimp lollies make an easy-to-love party snack or appetizer. Frying shrimp in a light batter coats them in a delicate crunch, while their natural sweetness and succulence stays front and center. Topping these classic pops with fun new coatings and dippers opens up an ocean of possibilities.

So gather your ingredients and unleash your creativity. In no time, you’ll be wowing guests with homemade shrimp lollies that look almost too delightful to devour. Almost. Dive in and enjoy shrimp in its most charming, whimsical form yet – on a stick!

Frequency of Entities

• shrimp: 27
• lollies: 16
• batter: 5
• sauce/dipping sauce: 6
• parties: 4
• skewers: 4
• frying/fry: 7
• coating: 3