Air fryer fried shrimp is amazing! With a light breading, no egg & tons of flavor theyโre crispy to perfection in just a few minutes. Make with fresh, defrosted, or cook air fryer frozen shrimp this way.
We are kindaโ obsessed with seafood so air fryer fried shrimp was on our list to try this week. It came out more amazing than I had imagined! If you love air fryer recipes we have a lot on The Typical Mom site to try beyond this one. (affiliate links present)
Air Fryer Shrimp Recipe
If you have never cooked frozen raw shrimp breaded you will be obsessed. One thing that is most important for the breading to stick is to dry your seafood off so it will stick well. You can make them spicy too if you like with some red pepper flakes or dry sriracha.
in Ninja Foodi
I know you are going to love these as much as we have! You can make them as an Ninja Foodi recipe, Cosori recipe or any brand you have. With a โsecret ingredientโ that takes this breading over the top from great to absolutely delicious, get ready for YUM.
How much time to air fry shrimp?
You canโt really use wet breading in this machine but this is as close as youโre going to get, and itโs amazing yโall. Whether they have a crunchy coating or stay naked, 5 minutes is all you need for jumbo size, smaller would take less time. It is best to add sauce like for our air fryer bang bang shrimp when done.
Like our air fryer wings and air fryer zucchini chips, this air fryer shrimp recipe is quite healthy as it isnโt deep fried. BUT it sure does taste like they have been! The outside comes out super crispy, yet the meat inside is still tender.
Of course you can throw these right into your basket just tossed with olive oil and seasonings until pink. We do this often, serve it over rice for a really healthy and simple meal. Occasionally we want to go all the way though and make them breaded like you see here.
Ingredients
- Shrimp โ We used Jumbo so timing is appropriate for that size. Shrimp were defrosted, shells removed, and deveined before being battered.
- Italian bread crumbs work the best to coat the outsides
- Taco seasoning โ seriously!
- Garlic salt gives it even more flavor
- Butter is better than oil to get breading to stick
- Olive oil cooking spray helps to get them extra crispy
- Salt and pepper to taste is optional
I know, sounds kindaโ funny to put taco anything on shrimp but wow did it ever give it a wonderful flavor. I asked my husband (who says he doesnโt like taco seasoning period, even for tacos) after he finished an entire plate of these what he thought.
He said โthey were so good!โ, then I told him what I used to make them. Yep, had to admit he may be wrong about that spice. ๐
How to Cook Air Fryer Breaded Shrimp
Step 1 โ Defrost shrimp if theyโre frozen. Lay on paper towels to remove water on the outside. I prefer leaving the tails on.
Step 2 โ Melt butter in a bowl and dry ingredients in another. Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees so it is hot the whole time. Dip each piece in the butter, then in bread crumbs.
Step 3 โ Add shrimp into air fryer basket and cook in a single layer, do not overlap. Spray with olive oil and cook for 5 minutes or until as crispy as youโd like. Enjoy as is or with this killer bang bang shrimp sauce on top!
with pre cooked shrimp
Cooking any sort of breaded frozen shrimp in a hot air machine would follow this same timing with slight variations depending on the size of them. Place a single layer of frozen popcorn shrimp into your air fryer basket. Cook at 375 degrees for 7-9 minutes, flipping halfway through the cook cycle
Should you cook Fried Shrimp with Shell On?
NO. You can buy them with or without the shell. I prefer off or else when you peel the outside off all of your seasoning are going to go to the way side with it. Everything is on the surface so they will likely be rather bland underneath but your choice.
How do you know when fried shrimp is done?
The exterior should be pink with red tails. Flesh will be slightly opaque and white in color. You do not want to overcook these or they will easily dry out. Underdone is better than over if you ask any one of us.
The best side dish we love is air fryer cauliflower you see here. I will cook air fryer frozen chicken nuggets for the kiddos.
- Now enjoy, and try our air fryer scallops next!!
- Air fryer pickles are an out of this world combo
- Our easy roll recipe is great if you want some bread with this
- We have a bunch of other air fryer fish recipes here too.
Air Fryer Fried Shrimp Recipe
Equipment
- 1 air fryer
- 1 Bowl
- 1 plate
Ingredients
- 17-20 shrimp, defrosted, we used jumbo, shells removed, deveined, tails attached
- 1 c bread crumbs, Italian
- 1 tbsp taco seasoning
- 1 tbsp garlic salt
- 4 tbsp butter, melted
- olive oil spray
Instructions
- Melt butter in a small bowl in microwave for about 30 seconds. Take shells off shrimp, devein them and pat each one down WELL with paper towels to remove water from outside (this will make them crispy).
- In a bowl mix bread crumbs and seasonings. Preheat air fryer now for 5 minutes at 400 degrees.
- One at a time dip your shelled deveined jumbo shrimp into the butter, then into the bread crumb mixture. Use a spoon to completely cover the shrimp (keep tails out of mix). Carefully shake off excess crumbs and put into preheated air fryer.
- Fill basket with as many as possible without overlapping them. Spray all of them with olive oil spray.
- Close lid or push in basket and cook at 400 degrees for 5 minutes (for jumbo, smaller would not take as long). I did a round flipping them and one where I didn't. I think not flipping came out better as breading stayed in tact better.
- Enjoy immediately for best taste.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Loved, love, love this recipe! The shrimp were crispy and perfectly cooked. Will absolutely make again!
Easy to make, delicious and will make them again. I followed the recipe and they came out crispy.
Love this! The air fryer fried shrimp recipe is a healthier alternative to traditional fried shrimp, with the same crispy and crunchy texture.
This is such an easy and delicious recipe, I cannot wait to make it again!
So delicious and EASY!!