Have you ever sat down at Applebee’s, ordered their famous Applebee’s Double Crunch Shrimp, and thought to yourself, “I wish I knew how to make this at home”? Well, you’re not alone! I’ve been there too—drooling over that irresistible plate of perfectly golden, crispy shrimp and wondering how they get that signature crunch just right.
Table of Contents
How to make Applebee’s Double Crunch Shrimp
Applebee’s Double Crunch Shrimp is one of the seafood items from their menu — it’s basically crispy, battered shrimp served up with classic sides.
Ingredients
To make Applebee’s Double Crunch Shrimp, you’ll need a handful of basic ingredients:
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tail-on, if preferred)
- Salt and black pepper to season
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch (for extra crunch!)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for a bit of heat)
- 1 cup buttermilk (or regular milk mixed with 1 tbsp lemon juice as a substitute)
- 2 large eggs
- Vegetable oil (or any high-heat neutral oil like canola or peanut oil)
- Cocktail sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- Lemon wedges
- Coleslaw (serve as a side, optional)
- Fries (optional, to make it an authentic combo!)
Instructions
- Prep your shrimp: Rinse your shrimp under cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel. Season lightly with salt and black pepper. This helps enhance the natural flavor of the shrimp.
- Prepare the coating station: In a shallow bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper. In a separate bowl, whisk the buttermilk and eggs together.
- Heat the oil: Pour enough vegetable oil into a deep skillet or Dutch oven to cover the shrimp (about 2–3 inches deep). Heat the oil to 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer to maintain the temperature—this ensures an even fry and golden crispness.
- Coat the shrimp: Dip each seasoned shrimp into the flour mixture, making sure it is evenly coated. Shake off the excess. Next, dip the shrimp into the buttermilk/egg mixture, ensuring it’s fully submerged.
- Return the shrimp to the flour mixture for a second coating, pressing the flour mixture onto the shrimp to create a thick, crunchy layer.
- Fry the shrimp: Carefully place the coated shrimp into the hot oil (work in small batches to avoid overcrowding). Fry for about 2–3 minutes per batch, or until the shrimp are golden brown and crispy. Remove the shrimp and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Serve and enjoy: Plate the crispy shrimp with cocktail sauce and lemon wedges on the side. Pair it with coleslaw and fries for the full Applebee’s experience!
Tips for Perfect Double Crunch Shrimp
- Double the coating for extra crunch: The key to the signature texture is the double-dip method—coating the shrimp in the dry mixture before and after the wet mixture. This creates a thick, ultra-crispy layer.
- Maintain oil temperature: Use a thermometer to keep the oil at 350°F (175°C). If the oil is too hot, the shrimp may burn quickly; if it’s too low, the coating will absorb too much oil and become soggy.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: Fry in small batches to avoid dropping the oil temperature and ensure even cooking on all sides.
- Use fresh or thawed shrimp: Fresh shrimp work best, but if you’re using frozen ones, make sure they’re fully thawed and patted dry before you start. Excess moisture can cause the coating to slip off!
Ingredients Substitutes
There are plenty of ways to substitute the ingredients in Applebee’s Double Crunch Shrimp recipe without sacrificing flavor or crunch.
Shrimp Substitutes
If you don’t have shrimp or want to try something different, consider these options:
Prawns
Why it works: Prawns are very similar to shrimp in flavor and texture. They’re a seamless swap and deliver the same crispy fried results.
How to use: Prepare prawns the same way as shrimp—peel, devein, and coat with batter before frying.
Chicken
Why it works: Chicken strips or chunks coated in the same batter will give you delicious, crispy bites that resemble popcorn chicken!
How to use: Use boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs. Cut into strips or bite-sized pieces, marinate, and then follow the same coating and frying instructions.
Fish
Why it works: Firm, flaky white fish like cod, haddock, or tilapia can mimic the seafood vibe of fried shrimp.
How to use: Cut into bite-sized pieces, then coat and fry as directed. Note that fish cooks faster, so adjust frying time to avoid overcooking.
Vegetarian Options
Cauliflower florets: Coat them with the same batter. Once fried, they turn crispy while maintaining a tender bite inside.
Mushrooms: Button mushrooms or oyster mushrooms are perfect for frying; they absorb flavors well and have a meaty, satisfying texture.
Tofu: Firm or extra-firm tofu holds its shape well when battered. Cut into cubes, marinate in a bit of soy sauce or seasoning, and fry.
Flour Substitutes
All-purpose flour is the base of the crispy coating, but if you’re out of it or need to adjust for dietary reasons, these options can help:
Cornstarch Only
Why it works: Cornstarch adds lightness and crunch to fried foods, and you can use it alone instead of flour for an extra-crispy coating.
How to use: Replace the 1 cup of flour with 1 cup of cornstarch.
Rice Flour
Why it works: A perfect gluten-free alternative, rice flour produces an even crispier texture than regular flour.
How to use: Substitute equal amounts of rice flour for the flour in the recipe.
Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour
Why it works: Most gluten-free flour blends are designed to replace traditional flour 1:1, making them a great option for dietary restrictions.
How to use: Use the same amount of all-purpose flour as the recipe calls for.
Chickpea Flour (Besan)
Why it works: This protein-rich alternative adds a slight nutty flavor to the coating. It’s commonly used in making Indian-style fried snacks.
How to use: Replace all-purpose flour with chickpea flour in a 1:1 ratio.
Final Thoughts
There you have it—a full guide to making Applebee’s Double Crunch Shrimp at home. Once you’ve tried this simple, crowd-pleasing recipe, you might think twice about heading to the restaurant for your next craving.
More Recipes:
Ingredients
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Salt and black pepper to season
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- Vegetable oil
- Cocktail sauce
- Lemon wedges
- Coleslaw
- Fries
Instructions
- Prep your shrimp: Rinse your shrimp under cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel. Season lightly with salt and black pepper. This helps enhance the natural flavor of the shrimp.
- Prepare the coating station: In a shallow bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper. In a separate bowl, whisk the buttermilk and eggs together.
- Heat the oil: Pour enough vegetable oil into a deep skillet or Dutch oven to cover the shrimp (about 2–3 inches deep). Heat the oil to 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer to maintain the temperature—this ensures an even fry and golden crispness.
- Coat the shrimp: Dip each seasoned shrimp into the flour mixture, making sure it is evenly coated. Shake off the excess. Next, dip the shrimp into the buttermilk/egg mixture, ensuring it's fully submerged.
- Return the shrimp to the flour mixture for a second coating, pressing the flour mixture onto the shrimp to create a thick, crunchy layer.
- Fry the shrimp: Carefully place the coated shrimp into the hot oil (work in small batches to avoid overcrowding). Fry for about 2–3 minutes per batch, or until the shrimp are golden brown and crispy. Remove the shrimp and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Serve and enjoy: Plate the crispy shrimp with cocktail sauce and lemon wedges on the side. Pair it with coleslaw and fries for the full Applebee’s experience!
