Air-Fried Shrimp: A Tasty, Healthy Treat

Air fryers are a convenient and healthy alternative to deep frying, pan-frying, or baking shrimp. They are also a great way to cook shrimp quickly and efficiently, with most recipes taking less than 10 minutes to prepare and cook.

Air-fried shrimp can be used in a variety of dishes, including salads, sandwiches, tacos, and pasta. They can also be served as an appetizer or party dish with various dipping sauces.

To make air-fried shrimp, simply coat the shrimp in a breading or spice mixture and cook in the air fryer for a few minutes until they are golden brown and cooked through. Some recipes also recommend using a dry brine or egg wash to help the breading stick to the shrimp.

So, if you're looking for a quick, easy, and delicious way to cook shrimp, an air fryer is definitely worth considering!

How long to air fry shrimp

Air-fried shrimp is a quick and easy meal that can be ready in under 10 minutes. The cooking time depends on the brand of the air fryer, the size of the shrimp, and the number of shrimp being cooked.

To prepare the shrimp for air frying, start by patting them dry with a paper towel. Then, add the shrimp to a bowl and toss them with olive oil and your desired seasonings. You can use a variety of seasonings such as lemon juice, kosher salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, or parsley. You can also experiment with different combinations of spices, such as lemon pepper, Cajun seasoning, or Old Bay seasoning.

Once the shrimp are seasoned, arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure they are not overcrowded, as this will affect the cooking time and evenness. If you have a large number of shrimp, you may need to cook them in batches.

For large or jumbo shrimp, air fry at 200C/400F for 7-8 minutes. For smaller shrimp, reduce the cooking time by a minute or two. Halfway through the cooking time, shake the basket or flip the shrimp to ensure even cooking and crispiness on both sides.

You'll know the shrimp are done when they turn pink/orange and form a clear 'C' shape. Overcooked shrimp will become rubbery, so it's important to keep an eye on them and not overcook them.

Once they're done, serve the shrimp immediately. You can enjoy them as is or use them in salads, tacos, pasta, or sandwiches.

How to make shrimp salad

Yes, you can make fried shrimp in an air fryer! Here is a recipe for making shrimp salad using an air fryer:

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of large or extra-large shrimp
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1/2 tablespoon of lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon of pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning

Instructions:

• Pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel.
• In a mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil and lemon juice. Add the seasonings and mix well. Toss the shrimp in the seasoning mixture.
• Place the shrimp in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded.
• Air fry the shrimp at 200C/400F for 7-8 minutes, flipping them halfway through for even cooking.
• Serve the shrimp immediately.

You can serve the shrimp over your favourite greens or use them in a shrimp salad. They can also be added to tacos, sandwiches, pasta, or served with sauces as an appetizer.

Some tips to keep in mind:

• Do not overcrowd the air fryer to ensure even cooking.
• Flipping the shrimp halfway through will ensure they are crisp on both sides.
• You can experiment with different seasonings, such as lemon pepper, Cajun seasoning, or Old Bay seasoning.
• For extra crispiness, you can sprinkle some panko bread crumbs and/or parmesan cheese on the shrimp before air frying.

How to make a shrimp sandwich

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of large or extra-large shrimp
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1/2 tablespoon of lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1/2 teaspoon of pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning
• Bread for the sandwich
• Butter lettuce
• Tartar sauce
• Optional: Spicy mayo, lettuce, and tomatoes

Method:

Pat dry the shrimp with a paper towel. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil and lemon juice. Add the seasonings and mix well. Toss the shrimp in the seasoning mix. Air fry the shrimp at 400°F/200°C for 7-8 minutes.

You can serve the shrimp immediately, but if you want to eat them in a sandwich, let them cool down first. Then, place the shrimp in a sandwich with butter lettuce and tartar sauce. You can also add spicy mayo, lettuce, and tomatoes if you like.

Storage:

You can store the shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To freeze, place the shrimp in a ziplock bag and store it in the freezer for up to 2 months. To reheat, thaw and then put on a baking sheet or in the air fryer basket until crispy.

How to make shrimp tacos

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make shrimp tacos:

• Shrimp (large or jumbo)
• Olive oil
• Lemon juice
• Spices (e.g. garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, chili powder, cumin, sweet paprika, dried parsley, salt)
• Tortillas (corn or flour)
• Toppings of your choice (e.g. shredded cabbage slaw, cotija cheese, sour cream, guacamole, avocado, cilantro, lime wedges, salsa)

Method

Step 1: Prepare the shrimp

• Place the shrimp on a plate and pat them dry with paper towels.
• Transfer the shrimp to a large mixing bowl.
• Drizzle olive oil over the shrimp and sprinkle with your desired spices. Toss until the shrimp are well coated.

Step 2: Cook the shrimp in the air fryer

• Place the shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching each other. You may need to cook them in batches.
• Air fry the shrimp at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 6-8 minutes, or until they are fully cooked and pink in color.

Step 3: Prepare your toppings

While the shrimp are cooking, you can prepare your chosen toppings. For example, you could make a cilantro-lime dressing by blending Greek yogurt, cilantro, feta cheese, and lime juice together. You could also warm your tortillas by wrapping them in tinfoil and placing them in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes.

Step 4: Build your tacos

• Spread a layer of mashed avocado onto your tortilla.
• Add your chosen toppings, such as coleslaw, shredded cabbage slaw, or salsa.
• Place the cooked shrimp on top.
• Drizzle with additional dressing and garnish with a lime wedge, if desired.

Tips

• You can use frozen shrimp, but make sure it is fully thawed before adding the spices.
• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the shrimp in a single layer and in batches if necessary.
• Flipping the shrimp halfway through will ensure they are crisp on both sides.
• You can experiment with different seasonings and toppings to suit your taste.

How to make shrimp pasta

Yes, you can make fried shrimp in an air fryer. Here is a recipe for how to make shrimp pasta using an air fryer:

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of large or extra-large shrimp
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1/2 tablespoon of lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1/2 teaspoon of pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning
• Your choice of pasta

Instructions:

• Pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel.
• In a mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil and lemon juice. Add the seasonings and mix well. Toss the shrimp in the seasoning mixture.
• Air fry the shrimp at 200C/400F for 7-8 minutes.
• Cook your pasta according to the package instructions.
• Toss the cooked shrimp with your favourite pasta and enjoy!

You can also add vegetables or a sauce of your choice to the pasta for extra flavour.

Frequently asked questions