These easy shrimp po boys were an absolute hit at dinner.
Comments at the table included, “Mom, this is seriously one of the best dinners you’ve ever made!” and “Oh wow, how did you make this so good?”
Everyone devoured them in record time.
Some weekends I enjoy spending extra time on recipes, but other times all you want is something quick, simple, and delicious.
Below are a few tips and shortcuts using store-bought ingredients so you can enjoy a fun, flavorful, and EASY seafood night at home.
How to make easy shrimp po boys
No judgment: for speed and simplicity I used frozen, breaded popcorn shrimp. This keeps the recipe fast while still delivering great crunch and flavor.
Cook the shrimp according to the package directions in the oven or in an air fryer. I used my air fryer at 400°F for about 12–15 minutes until golden and crispy.
That yields perfect, crunchy shrimp every time.
For extra brightness and flavor, sprinkle Old Bay seasoning on the shrimp right after cooking and finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon. Don’t skip this — it elevates frozen shrimp into something special.
A small detail that makes a big difference is using very thinly shredded lettuce. Thin strips give a restaurant-quality texture and keep the sandwich light.
I used a mandoline for the lettuce, but a very sharp knife works fine if that’s what you have.
You can toast your sub rolls or use them straight from the package. I opted for lightly toasted King’s Hawaiian mini sub rolls for a touch of sweetness.
To assemble: pile the popcorn shrimp on the bottom bun, add a generous drizzle of remoulade or Old Bay aioli, then top with shredded lettuce and any optional toppings.
I used store-bought remoulade that evening for convenience, but you can easily make a quick Old Bay aioli: combine mayo, garlic powder, lemon juice, Old Bay seasoning, and a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce.
A complete, simple dinner
We served these po boys with air-fried tater tots for a quick, satisfying meal.
Along with the thinly sliced lettuce, feel free to add pickles or tomato slices for extra flavor and texture.
You’d be surprised to learn this plate took almost zero effort and about 15 minutes total. Just be warned: these are messy in the best possible way — as all po boys should be.
If you like easy shrimp po boys, you might also like these recipes…
Hawaiian Roll Cheesy Meatball Sliders
Shrimp Tacos with Mango Slaw
Air Fryer Salmon Avocado Burgers
Coconut Shrimp with Mango Chili Sauce
Follow me on:
TikTok
Instagram
Facebook
Pinterest
And join my Grilling and Smoking Facebook Group!
Easy Shrimp Po Boys
Easy Shrimp Po Boys with a few simple tricks and store-bought shortcuts to make seafood night stress-free and delicious.
Ingredients
Easy Shrimp Po Boys
- 1 12 oz box frozen, breaded popcorn shrimp
- Old Bay seasoning and lemon wedges
- 4 sub rolls (I used King’s Hawaiian Mini Sub Rolls)
- 1 1/2 cups thinly shredded lettuce
- Store-bought remoulade sauce or Old Bay aioli
- Optional toppings: pickles, tomatoes
Old Bay Aioli
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- A few dashes of hot sauce
Instructions
Easy Shrimp Po Boys
- Cook the shrimp in the oven or air fryer according to package directions. I used 400°F in the air fryer for about 12–15 minutes.
- When the shrimp are done, season with Old Bay and squeeze fresh lemon over them.
- Toast the sub rolls if desired. Build each po boy with a bottom layer of popcorn shrimp, remoulade or Old Bay aioli, thinly shredded lettuce, and any optional toppings.
Old Bay Aioli
- Combine all aioli ingredients in a bowl and stir until smooth.
My new cookbook is now available — check it out!
