Southern Fried Shrimp 2 cups flour 3 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons shortening 1 1/2 cups milk 1 to 3 pounds shrimp Oil (for frying) Shell and de-vein shrimp. Combine all ingredients except shrimp. Mix well. This makes a thick batter. Add 3 or 4 shrimp at a time, making sure each shrimp it coated well. Drop shrimp into hot cooking oil and cook until golden brown on both sides.