This delectable Air Fryer Shrimp Recipe is a cinch to make with simple ingredients in about twenty minutes. They are incredibly crispy without all the added oil and calories from deep frying. You will be so pleasantly pleased with how well these cook up in the air fryer.
We leave the tails on to avoid the dreaded breading fingers and for ease in dipping and munching. My daughter and I are the shrimp nuts around here and this is of our favorite dishes. Grilled Shrimp Kebabs, Hot Shrimp Dip, Shrimp Salad, and this recipe are just a few of our favorites.
How to make Air Fryer Shrimp
Start by peeling and deveining the shrimp but leave the tails intact. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Then set up three bowls. One with the flour and spices, one with the beaten egg, and one with the breadcrumbs. Then simply dredge the shrimp into the flour mixture, then into the beaten egg, and finally into the breadcrumbs. Preheat the air fryer for several minutes. Next spritz the shrimp with a little olive oil or cooking spray. Then arrange the shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket leaving a little room in between the shrimp. Cook for about 5 minutes or until lightly browned.
Recipe notes and helpful tips
- Use fresh or frozen shrimp.
- Leave the tails intact to help avoid the dreaded breading fingers and to make them easy to dip and eat.
- Work in batches and don’t overcrowd the air fryer.
- Every air fryer cooks at a different pace so check on the shrimp a couple of times. If not brown and crispy continue air frying for 1-2 more minutes.
- These shrimp are best enjoyed right after being air-fried. That being said if you need to reheat them place them in the air fryer and cook for a couple of minutes. That is one of the best things about an air fryer. Just put it back in the air fryer and it reheats and crisps back up in no time.
- Serve these delicious shrimp with Southern Comeback Sauce or Boom Boom Sauce.
- Store leftover shrimp in the fridge in a zipper storage bag or airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer for about 2 minutes.
How to prepare Air Fryer Shrimp in advance and freeze
To prepare this recipe in advance and freeze the shrimp, bread the shrimp according to the directions. Then simply place the breaded shrimp in a single layer not touching on baking sheets covered with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Then put them in the freezer until frozen. This process is known as flash freezing.
Once frozen transfer to heavy duty zipper freezer bags. Store frozen for up to 4 months. To cook add the frozen shrimp to the air fryer and cook for about 8 minutes. To do this safely the shrimp must be defrosted in the refrigerator not under cold water or in the microwave.
More finger food you will love!
Air Fryer Shrimp
Ingredients
- 1 lb large shrimp peeled deveined, tails intact
- 1/4 cup flour
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
- ½ teaspoon Cajun Seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 1 large egg beaten
- 3/4 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- Cooking spray or vegetable oil
Instructions
- Mix flour, onion powder, garlic powder, Old Bay Seasoning, Cajun seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Add beaten eggs to another bowl. Add breadcrumbs to a another bowl.
- Dredge the shrimp into the mixed flour mixture, then into the beaten egg, and then into the breadcrumbs.
- Preheat the air fryer for 3-4 minutes. Spritz the shrimp with vegetable oil or cooking spray. Arrange the shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket leaving a little room in between the shrimp. Cook for 5 minutes or until lightly browned.
Notes
- Use fresh or frozen shrimp.
- Leave the tails intact to help avoid the dreaded breading fingers and to make them easy to dip and eat.
- Work in batches and don't overcrowd the air fryer.
- Every air fryer cooks at a different pace so check on the shrimp a couple of times.
- These shrimp are best enjoyed right after being air-fried. That being said if you need to reheat them place them in the air fryer and cook for a couple of minutes. That is one of the best things about an air fryer. Just put it back in the air fryer and it reheats and crisps back up in no time.
- Store leftovers in the fridge in a zipper storage bag or airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer for about 2 minutes.
Nutrition
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Anjali
I love this healthier version of fried shrimp!! I had no idea you could even make shrimp in the air fryer – and now I can’t wait to try this recipe!!
AISilva
My daughter is a picky eater but if there’s one thing she likes it’s fried shrimp. I can’t wait to try this air fryer shrimp recipe, thank you!
Denay
I’m in love with this recipe for air fryer shrimp! They came out tasty and delicious. I’ll be making this again for Game Day gatherings.
Sara
Was craving seafood and stumbled across this recipe and had to give it a try! So glad that I did; it was quick, easy, and perfectly flavored! Loved every bite!
Diane Benson
These came out perfect!! I am definitely making this again!
Sam
Finally found an Air Fryer Shrimp that works wonderfully. The coating is delicious and the shrimp was perfectly cooked. This recipe is a winner!