Copycat Hooters Buffalo Shrimp

Hooters' Buffalo Shrimp is an iconic dish for good reason. The shrimp are perfectly coated in a crispy batter and tossed in a buttery buffalo sauce that is seriously lip-smacking delicious. The tanginess of the sauce paired with the crisp and succulent shrimp is a match so perfect, it becomes addictive!

When the location closest to us closed many years ago, I had to take matters into my own hands and recreate the recipe. I’ve made several recipes over the years that were very close, but this new recipe beats all the rest! This is perfect for a lighter lunch or dinner, but also works well as an appetizer or small plate, too.

If you’re like me and on a weight loss journey, this is the perfect dish to keep you on track. Yes, you can eat real food that will keep you full and lose weight! Shrimp is a super low calorie, protein-packed powerhouse and the breading is light and doesn’t add a ton of calories. I love making this buffalo shrimp with veggie sticks on the side or even homemade potato wedges in the air fryer. This would also be tasty in a wrap with lettuce and some homemade ranch dressing! The other best part? This comes together in less than 20 minutes!

Copycat Hooters Buffalo Shrimp

Yield: 1 serving

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 10 minutes

Total time: 15 minutes

4 ounces shrimp, peeled and deveined

1/3 cup all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1 large egg, beaten

2 3/4 Tablespoons Buffalo sauce

Avocado oil spray for cooking

1. Preheat the air fryer at 400 degrees for 5 minutes.
2. Mix the flour, paprika, pepper, salt and garlic powder and place in a Ziploc bag.
3. Add 1 tablespoon buffalo sauce to egg.
4. Dip the shrimp into the egg, into the flour, then back in the egg, and back into the flour.
5. Spray with avocado oil spray and cook for 7-8 minutes, depending on how big your shrimp are.
6. Toss in the remaining buffalo sauce.

While I used the air fryer for this recipe, you could use a traditional oven (just add 5 minutes to the cook time) instead, or also a fryer. If using a fryer, fry at 350 for only about three minutes until golden. I like to use the air fryer because for a lot of people, it’s the easiest and least messy option! These turned out perfect using the air fryer.

Any time I cook shrimp, I feel a sense of Southern comfort. Shrimp and grits is another favorite shrimp dish of mine, and you can check that one out here! If you enjoy a Southern comfort meal as much as I do, check out The Chopping Block’s Hands-On Southern Comfort class coming up on Thursday, July 18 at 6pm. You’ll make these delicious comfort classics:

• Roasted Chicken Thighs with Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce
• Four Cheese Skillet Mac-n-Cheese 
• Creamy Cabbage Slaw 
• Seasonal Fruit Cobbler with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream  

Yum! Our staff is super fun, and you’ll gain skills that you can use at home to impress your friends and family so join us!