Crunchy Air Fryer Shrimp is going to become one of your new favorites to make in your air fryer. This air fryer shrimp recipe comes out crispy on the outside and they stay juicy on the inside. The process of making air fryer shrimp is simple. These shrimp are delicious and crunchy and it takes just 7 minutes to cook up this air fryer shrimp recipe.
This fried shrimp in the air fryer is the best. I wish I tried to make air fryer shrimp sooner. These shrimp are as good as some restaurant versions of fried shrimp I have had. I like that this is healthy and delicious. I can this air fryer shrimp dinner on the table in 20 minutes.
If you have a larger family air fryer shrimp is great because a lot of shrimp fit in the basket. Once you make this air fryer breaded shrimp I am sure that this fried shrimp recipe will be in your regular rotation. This is one of the yummiest air fryer shrimp recipes. I love being able to make air fryer breaded shrimp this good at home.
Jump to:
- What Type of Shrimp to Use When Making Air Fryer Shrimp?
- Can I Use Frozen Shrimp in Air Fryer?
- How to Thaw Frozen Shrimp?
- How to Make Fried Shrimp in Air Fryer
- How Long to Cook Shrimp in the Air Fryer?
- How to Reheat Shrimp in the Air Fryer?
- Frozen Fried Shrimp in Air Fryer?
- Other Air Fryer Recipes For to Enjoy
- Kitchen Essentials and Items Used
- FAQ
- Related Recipes
- Fried Shrimp in Air Fryer
What Type of Shrimp to Use When Making Air Fryer Shrimp?
There is many different types of shrimp available at the market. I always use Key West Shrimp or Argentenian Wild Shrimp that I buy frozen at Trader Joes or Wild Fork Foods. They are peeled and deveined shrimp. These two brands of raw shrimp are what I always use for this air fryer fried shrimp recipe.
Can I Use Frozen Shrimp in Air Fryer?
I use frozen shrimp a lot of the time because I always have them in my freezer. The important thing is to make sure they are dried really well with paper towels before breading and cooking the shrimp.
How to Thaw Frozen Shrimp?
Place frozen shrimp in a bowl of cold water large enough for the water to cover the shrimp. It takes about 25-30 minutes for shrimp to defrost. Change the water every 15 minutes until thawed.
Ingredients
- Shrimp ( Fresh or Frozen)
- Panko Breadcrumbs (Seasoned or Plain)
- Flour
- Eggs
- Water
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic
- Paprika
- Olive Oil
- Ranch Dressing, Tartar Sauce or Cocktail Sauce
Full Ingredients List and Directions in Recipe Card Below
How to Make Fried Shrimp in Air Fryer
I am going to walk you through making this crispy fried shrimp recipe step-by-step. I make this quick and simple. Lets have some fun making delicious fried shrimp in the air fryer.
Don’t forget the condiments like cocktail sauce, tartar sauce or the way I like it which is ranch dressing. The shrimp are good with any dipping sauces that you enjoy.
Step 1 – Defrost the Shrimp
If you are using frozen raw shrimp you were going to want to defrost them in a bowl of cold water for about 20 minutes. You are going to want to make sure that they are completely defrosted before moving forward to the next step.
TIP: Make sure that the shrimp have been dried well. I use paper towels to do this thoroughly so the is no moisture on the shrimp.
If fresh shrimp are being used make sure they have been peeled and deveined. If you have a Trader Joe’s in your area their wild frozen raw shrimp are great for this recipe.
Step 2 – Breading the Shrimp
Breading the shrimp is an easy process. The best way to do this is by setting up what I call a “dredge station.” This is done by setting up an assembly line of the process in the order of flour, egg wash, and breadcrumbs.
Place each ingredient in a separate bowl. In the order of flour, egg wash and then bread crumbs. I like my shrimp breaded with Panko bread crumbs. If your not familiar with them they are much more coarse Japenese bread crumbs that add a great texture to things like fried shrimp. These bread crumbs are what I used for this recipe and they are available at most supermarkets.
Make a seasoned flour with some salt and black pepper and if using plain Panko breadcrumbs season them with some salt, pepper, garlic, and paprika. If you want exact measurements they are in the recipe card below.
Beat the eggs and add a couple of tablespoons of water to thin them out a bit. Once that is done we are ready to proceed.
Make sure that the shrimp fairly dry. A bit damp is fine and we want the flour to stick to the shrimp.
Coat the shrimp in flour and then give them a shake to get off the excess and then dip the shrimp into the egg wash. After the egg wash go right to the bread crumbs and coat them well. Repeat until the remaining shrimp are coated well like the shrimp in the image below.
It helps to have a piece of parchment paper or a plate nearby to place the breaded shrimp on . When all the remaining shrimp are breaded I like to place them in the refrigerator for 10 minutes or so. This makes the breading stick to the shrimp even better and makes them easier to handle.
Step 3 – Cooking the Shrimp
Cooking the shrimp in the air fryer it’s a quick and easy process. Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees for 5 minutes. Be sure to place your breaded shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
Place the breaded shrimp in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook shrimp for two minutes. After 2 minutes open the air fryer and spray the shrimp with cooking spray or olive oil spray. I find the results are better if you let the shrimp air fry for a couple minutes before spraying them with oil.
Air fry the shrimp a few minutes more until they start to turn golden brown. Then flip the shrimp and cook for 3 to 4 minutes longer. I find that in my air fryer for medium sized shrimp it takes 7 to 8 minutes total and the shrimp are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
TIP: If your shrimp are bigger or smaller adjust the time accordingly by 1 or 2 minutes total cooking time. Popcorn shrimp cook quicker.
The shrimp in the image below had a total cooking time of 8 minutes flipping them halfway through. These shrimp are fantastic. I think they are as good as deep frying.
How Long to Cook Shrimp in the Air Fryer?
Preheat air fryer to 390 Degrees Fahrenheit.
Place shrimp in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
Air fry shrimp 7-8 minutes. Flip shrimp halfway through cooking time.
How to Reheat Shrimp in the Air Fryer?
Set the air fryer temperature to 375° and reheat the shrimp into minute increments until they are hot. Of course shrimp are best served right after they’re cooked but they are also delicious reheated.
Frozen Fried Shrimp in Air Fryer?
Frozen fried shrimp can be cooked in an air fryer. Preheat air fryer to 400 Degrees Fahrenheit. Place frozen shrimp in the air fryer basket and air fry shrimp for 5 minutes. Shake basket and cook the shrimp for an additional 5 minutes.
Other Air Fryer Recipes For to Enjoy
Air Fryer Frozen French Fries
Air Fryer Sausages
Meatballs in the Air Fryer
Oven Roasted Tri Tip
Kitchen Essentials and Items Used
Alexia Smart Classics Frozen French Fries
FAQ
Yes frozen shrimp can be used. Defrost in a bowl of cold water for 25-30 minutes changing water every 15 minutes until thawed.
Shrimp in the air fryer should be cooked at 390 Degrees Fahrenheit. Air fry for 7-8 minutes.
Air fryer shrimp should be cooked at 390 Degrees Fahrenheit.
Place shrimp in air fryer basket. Set temperature at 400 Degrees Fahrenheit. Air fry for 8-10 minutes. If seasoning the shrimp season after a few minutes cooking time.
Related Recipes
Fried Shrimp in Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1/2 Pound Medium Shrimp Peeled and Deveined
- 1/2 Cup All Purpose Flour
- 3/4 Cup Panko Bread Crumbs (Plain or Seasoned)
- 2 Eggs Beaten with 2 Tbsp. Water
- 2 tsp Salt (Divided)
- 1 tsp Black Pepper (Divided)
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1/2 tsp Olive Oil or Cooking Spray
Instructions
Breading the Shrimp
- It helps to have three separate bowls. In the bowls do you want to place flour, egg wash, breadcrumbs in that order.
- Season the flower with half the salt and pepper. Season the breadcrumbs with the other half of the salt and pepper and also the garlic and smoked paprika.
- Make sure that your shrimp are fairly dry. Dredgeneach shrimp and flour and then dip in the egg wash and then the Panko breadcrumbs. Coat each shrimp liberally with Panko.Repeat until all shrimp are done. Place completed shrimp on a plate.
- Place shrimp in refrigerator for 10 minutes. This makes the breading adhere better.
Cooking the Shrimp
- Preheat air fryer 5 minutes 390 Degrees
- Place shrimp in air fryer in single layer. Cook 2 minutes
- Open air fryer and spray shrimp with cooking spray or olive oil spray. Cook 3 minutes more.
- Flip Shrimp and cook remaining 3 minutes or until preferred doneness.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Join Our Facebook Groups
Instant Pot Recipe Spot
Air Fryer Recipe Spot
Vegan and Vegetarian Plant Based Recipes
