Crispy Air Fryer Fried Shrimp

Lightly breaded Air fryer fried shrimp with taco seasoning and no egg needed are packed with tons of flavor and crispy in just a few minutes. Make with fresh, defrosted raw Jumbo shrimp or thawed air fryer frozen shrimp for dinner tonight.

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.

Ninja Foodi Fried Shrimp

I know you are going to love these as much as we have! You can make them as an Ninja Foodi recipe with the lid that is attached or make as a Cosori recipe with a “secret ingredient” that takes this breading over the top from great to absolutely delicious, get ready for YUM.

How much time does it take to air fry shrimp?

You can’t really use wet breading in this machine but this is as close as you’re going to get, and it’s amazing y’all. 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 isn’t 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.

Ingredient Notes

As for the Shrimp we used Jumbo, raw, so timing is appropriate for that size. Shrimp were defrosted, shells removed, and deveined before being battered. You really don’t want the frozen – cooked versions to begin with because they will become chewy.

I think that seasoned Italian bread crumbs work the best to coat the outsides so you get a thick coating so they are as crunchy as possible.

The secret is Taco seasoning, seriously, you get the most flavor possible with this bottled seasoning.

1. Garlic salt gives it even more flavor
2. Butter is better than oil to get breading to stick
3. Olive oil cooking spray helps to get them extra crispy
4. Salt and pepper to taste is optional

I know, sounds kinda’ funny to put taco anything on shrimp but wow did it ever give it a wonderful flavor. I asked my husband (who says he doesn’t like taco seasoning period, even for tacos) after he finished an entire plate of these what he thought.

He said “they were so good!”, then I told him what I used to make them. Yep, had to admit he may be wrong about that spice. 😉

How to Cook Air Fryer Breaded Shrimp

Step 1 – Defrost shrimp if they’re frozen. Lay on paper towels to remove water on the outside. I prefer leaving the tails on.

Step 2 – 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 – 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 you’d like.

How long to air fry frozen breaded 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 in 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.

Sauces for Fried Shrimp

Ok the very best sauce you can serve with these is a batch of our homemade bang bang shrimp sauce! Kids may insist on ketchup or Ranch but give them a bit of something new like this or fry sauce is another slight tweak your family will love.

Other easy air fryer recipes you’ll love

The best side dish we love is air fryer cauliflower you see here. I will cook air fryer frozen chicken nuggets for the kiddos.

1. Now enjoy, and try our air fryer scallops next!!
2. Air fryer pickles are an out of this world combo
3. Our easy dinner roll recipe is great if you want some bread with this
4. We have a bunch of other air fryer fish recipes here too.