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National French Fried Shrimp Day

Food · December 21

A food day for French fried shrimp: shrimp coated in batter or breadcrumbs and deep fried until golden, crisp outside and tender inside.

National French Fried Shrimp Day falls on Monday, December 21, 2026. That is 55 days away.

French fried shrimp are shrimp dipped in batter or breading and deep fried until the coating turns golden. The tail is often left on, which gives you a handle and leaves a neat little pile on the plate when you are done.

The appeal is contrast. The shell of coating crackles, and the shrimp inside stays sweet and a little springy. Cooks argue quietly about the coating. Some like a thin, airy batter, some want a craggy crust of breadcrumbs or cracker meal, and some butterfly the shrimp first so it fries flat and wide and cooks fast.

You will find them at seafood shacks, diners and family restaurants, usually in a basket with fries, coleslaw and a lemon wedge. Cocktail sauce and tartar sauce are the usual companions. At home, the main trick is keeping the oil hot enough that the coating sets quickly instead of soaking up grease, and frying in small batches so the pan does not cool down.

Shrimp cook in very little time, so they go from translucent to pink and opaque in a minute or two. Pull them early and let the heat finish the job, and serve them right away, while the crunch is still loud.

Ways to celebrate

• Order a fried shrimp basket at a local seafood spot or diner.
• Try butterflying shrimp and frying a small batch at home.
• Mix your own cocktail sauce from ketchup, horseradish and lemon.
• Compare a light batter against a breadcrumb coating side by side.

Dates

All national days on December 21

Also on December 21

• National Crossword Puzzle Day
• National Coquito Day
• Humbug Day
• Winter Solstice
• Don't Make Your Bed Day
• National Flashlight Day
• Look on the Bright Side Day

Categories: Food days