How to Make Delicious Shrimp Lollies at Home

Shrimp lollies make for a fun and tasty appetizer that both kids and adults will love. These shrimp pops take juicy shrimp and wrap them around a stick, creating an easy finger food to enjoy at parties or as a weeknight treat. While you can find premade shrimp lollies at some stores, it’s actually quite simple to make them at home.

An Overview of Shrimp Lollies

Shrimp lollies, also sometimes called shrimp pops or shrimp skewers, are essentially shrimp on a stick Raw, peeled shrimp are threaded onto skewers and then coated in a flavorful mixture like coconut or fried breadcrumbs before baking The end result is tender shrimp with a crispy coating in a handheld, poppable form.

In addition to the classic breadcrumb coating, the shrimp can also be dipped in tempura batter or other wet batters prior to coating Herbs, spices, citrus zest, and other flavorings are also commonly used to add more flavor to the coating mixture

Part of the appeal of shrimp lollies is they make a fun, interactive appetizer for parties since they can be eaten straight off the stick. They also cook up quickly and can be customized in many ways with different coatings and seasonings.

Shopping List for Shrimp Lollies

Making shrimp lollies at home is easy with just a handful of ingredients:

• Raw, peeled shrimp – opt for large shrimp if using skewers
• Breadcrumbs or panko
• Flavorings – citrus zest, herbs, spices, etc.
• Egg and milk for binding the coating
• Cooking oil spray
• Bamboo skewers

Additional possible coating options include:

• Shredded coconut
• Crushed crackers like Ritz
• Crushed corn flakes
• Flour for batter coating
• Beer batter mix
• Tempura batter mix

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps for crispy, delicious shrimp lollies at home:

1. Prep the Shrimp

Rinse the raw, peeled shrimp under cold water and then pat dry thoroughly with paper towels. Make sure no water remains or it will make the coating soggy.

If using bamboo skewers, slide one skewer through each shrimp lengthwise, starting at the tail and pushing through to the head. Leave the pointed tip of the skewer exposed at the head end.

2. Set Up Breadcrumb Coating

In a shallow dish, combine panko breadcrumbs, citrus zest, and any dried herbs/spices you want to use for flavoring.

In a second shallow dish, beat an egg with 2 tablespoons milk to make an egg wash.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spray lightly with cooking oil.

3. Coat the Shrimp

Working with one shrimp at a time, dip into the egg wash until fully coated. Let any excess drip off.

Then transfer the shrimp to the breadcrumb mixture, spooning the crumbs over the shrimp and pressing gently so they adhere evenly.

Place on the prepared baking sheet and repeat coating process until all shrimp are breaded.

4. Bake the Shrimp Lollies

Bake the breaded shrimp in a 425°F oven for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. The cooking time may vary based on size of shrimp.

Serve shrimp lollies warm right off the skewers for the best texture. Provide small plates for discarding skewers.

Coating Variations

While panko breadcrumbs are my personal go-to for shrimp lollies, you can get creative with different coatings:

• For coconut shrimp, use a mix of shredded coconut, breadcrumbs, and spices.

• For crunchier texture, use crushed crackers or corn flakes.

• For beer batter shrimp, dip in beer batter before breading.

• For tempura shrimp, dip in tempura batter before frying instead of baking.

I recommend trying out a few different coatings to discover your favorites! The basic preparation remains the same.

Serving Suggestions

Shrimp lollies make fantastic appetizers for parties and potlucks. Skewer them ahead of time, then coat and bake just before serving. Here are some serving ideas:

• Provide an assortment of dipping sauces like cocktail sauce, aioli, or sweet chili sauce for dunking.

• Insert lollies into a baked potato or pineapple half to present them in a fun way.

• Skewer lollies on a long platter alongside sliced vegetables and fruits for a shrimp cocktail bar.

• For a tropical theme, serve with grilled pineapple slices and garnish with lime wedges.

Kids and adults alike will love being able to grab and eat these tasty shrimp pops! They disappear fast, so make extra.

Storing and Reheating Shrimp Lollies

If you have leftover uncooked shrimp lollies after breading them, they can be refrigerated on the baking sheet up to overnight before baking as needed.

Once cooked, shrimp lollies are best eaten fresh. But you can refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container up to 3 days.

To reheat, place on a baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 2-3 minutes just until hot. The coating may lose some crispness. For added crunch, spritz lightly with oil before reheating.

Top Tips for Perfect Shrimp Lollies

Follow these tips for the ideal texture and flavor every time you make these shrimp pops:

• Use large shrimp for easier skewering. Leave tails on for a built-in handle.

• Discard any mushy or discolored shrimp; they may be past their prime.

• Pat shrimp very dry after rinsing to prevent a soggy coating.

• Chill coated shrimp in the fridge for 10-15 minutes before baking to help coating adhere.

• Don’t overcook shrimp or they can get rubbery. Check at 5 minutes until you know timing.

• Consider doubling the coating mixture so all shrimp can be coated at once for efficiency.

• Let cooked lollies rest 1-2 minutes before serving so coating crisps up.

Now that you know how easy it is to make shrimp lollies at home, give this fun appetizer a try for your next gathering! The crispy coating and tender shrimp on a stick make a crowd-pleasing party treat.