Air Fryer Frozen Breaded Shrimp: Quick And Easy?

Frozen breaded shrimp can be cooked in an air fryer in less than 10 minutes, making it a quick and easy meal. You can use any type of frozen breaded shrimp, from plain to coconut, and serve it with your favourite dipping sauce.

To cook frozen breaded shrimp in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 375-400°F. Place the frozen shrimp in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with no overlapping. Cook for 7-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the shrimp are golden brown and sizzling. For crispier shrimp, add an additional 1-2 minutes.

How long to cook frozen breaded shrimp in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook frozen breaded shrimp in an air fryer. The cooking time will depend on the size of the shrimp and how many you are cooking at once.

For a whole bag of frozen breaded shrimp (about 1 pound), cook for 12-14 minutes at 375°F, shaking the basket halfway through. For a single layer of frozen shrimp in the air fryer basket (about half a bag), cook for 7-10 minutes at the same temperature, or until golden brown and sizzling.

For jumbo shrimp, you will need to cook 4-14 shrimp in a single layer in the basket for 8-10 minutes at 375°F.

If you want your shrimp to be extra crispy, you can add more time in 1-minute increments until you are happy with the texture.

It is important to note that different air fryers may vary in terms of cooking time and temperature, so you may need to adjust the settings depending on your particular air fryer brand.

Can you cook frozen shrimp in an air fryer?

Yes, you can cook frozen shrimp in an air fryer! It's a quick, easy, and delicious way to cook shrimp, and you don't need to defrost them beforehand. The air fryer makes the shrimp crispy, and you can cook them in large batches to serve a crowd.

To cook frozen shrimp in an air fryer, first preheat your air fryer to 375-400°F. Then, add the desired amount of frozen shrimp to the air fryer basket. You can use any type of frozen shrimp, such as breaded, unbreaded, tails on or off, precooked, or raw. If you're using breaded shrimp, try to avoid adding too many crumbs to the air fryer.

The cooking time will depend on the size and quantity of shrimp you're cooking. For example, a single layer of frozen popcorn shrimp will take around 7-10 minutes, while a whole bag of frozen shrimp (about 1 pound) will take 12-14 minutes. If you're cooking jumbo shrimp, arrange them in a single layer and air fry for 8-10 minutes.

Once the shrimp are golden brown and sizzling, they're ready to serve! You can enjoy them as a main dish, appetizer, or add them to tacos, salads, pasta dishes, or bowls.

You can also season the shrimp before cooking to add extra flavour. Try seasoning options like garlic parmesan, spicy Mexican, lemon pepper, Old Bay, Italian seasoning, or Cajun seasoning. Simply toss the shrimp in a mixing bowl with your chosen seasoning, avocado oil or melted butter, and then place them in the air fryer basket.

So, if you're looking for a quick and easy way to cook shrimp, give the air fryer a try! It's a convenient and tasty way to prepare shrimp without the need for thawing or excessive oil.

What temperature to cook frozen shrimp in an air fryer

Yes, you can put frozen breaded shrimp in an air fryer. In fact, you can cook any type of frozen shrimp in an air fryer, including raw, cooked, breaded, battered, coconut-breaded, popcorn, or jumbo butterfly shrimp.

The ideal temperature to cook frozen shrimp in an air fryer is 400°F (200°C).

How long to cook frozen shrimp in an air fryer:

The cooking time will depend on the type of shrimp you are using, the quantity, and the power of your air fryer. Here is a general guide:

• Frozen raw shrimp: 10 minutes at 400°F.
• Frozen cooked shrimp: 5 minutes at 400°F.
• Frozen breaded shrimp: 7-10 minutes at 400°F for one serving (about half a bag). For a whole bag (about 1 pound), cook for 12-14 minutes.
• Frozen popcorn shrimp: 7-10 minutes at 375°F for one serving. For a whole bag, cook for 12-14 minutes.
• Frozen jumbo shrimp: 8-10 minutes at 375°F for 4-14 shrimps in a single layer.

Tips for cooking frozen shrimp in an air fryer:

• Preheat your air fryer before adding the shrimp.
• Shake the basket or toss the shrimp halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.
• For crispier shrimp, add 1-2 minutes to the cooking time.
• No need to defrost the shrimp before cooking.
• You can use any type of frozen shrimp, including raw or cooked, with or without the tail.
• Season the shrimp before or after cooking, or serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

How to season frozen shrimp for the air fryer

You can definitely cook frozen breaded shrimp in an air fryer. It's super easy and convenient, and you don't need to defrost the shrimp beforehand. Here's how you can season your shrimp to take it to the next level:

Garlic Parmesan Shrimp

Add a little bit of chopped garlic, a sprinkle of parmesan, and some Italian seasoning to your shrimp for a flavourful dish.

Spicy Mexican Shrimp

With a couple of dashes of chilli and cumin powder, you can make the perfect shrimp tacos.

Lemon Pepper Shrimp

Use a couple of fresh lemons and cracked black pepper to add a zesty, bright flavour to your shrimp.

Cajun Shrimp

Try tossing your shrimp with Cajun seasoning for a spicy kick.

Lemon Shrimp

Add a squeeze of lemon to your shrimp for a hint of zest.

Spicy Sweet Shrimp

Mix together mayonnaise, sweet chilli sauce, and Sriracha for a sweet and spicy dip for your shrimp.

Seafood Seasoning Shrimp

Combine melted butter with seafood seasoning and cayenne pepper, and brush this mixture onto your shrimp.

Cocktail Sauce Shrimp

Serve your shrimp with cocktail sauce for a classic pairing.

Tartar Sauce Shrimp

Tartar sauce is a great option for a dipping sauce.

Boom Boom Sauce Shrimp

Try something different by serving your shrimp with boom boom sauce.

Sweet Chilli Sauce Shrimp

Dip your shrimp in sweet chilli sauce for a sweet and spicy treat.

Sriracha Mayo Shrimp

Add a kick to your shrimp by serving it with sriracha mayo.

Yum Yum Sauce Shrimp

Yum yum sauce is another unique option for a dipping sauce.

Vinaigrette Shrimp

Prepare a salad with a lovely vinaigrette to go with your shrimp.

Lemon Garlic Aioli Shrimp

Serve your shrimp with a tasty lemon garlic aioli for a refreshing flavour.

Teriyaki Sauce Shrimp

Add teriyaki sauce to your shrimp and serve over noodles for an Asian-inspired dish.

Hawaiian Style Garlic Shrimp

Try this unique spin on garlic shrimp for a tasty treat.

Lemon Garlic Shrimp Scampi

This classic combination is always a good choice.

Remember, when cooking frozen shrimp in an air fryer, preheat your air fryer to 400°F, cook the shrimp for 7-10 minutes (depending on the size and amount of shrimp), and flip them halfway through. Enjoy your delicious, crispy shrimp!

What to serve with frozen shrimp

Frozen shrimp is a versatile dish that can be served in many ways. Here are some ideas on what to serve with frozen shrimp:

As a Main Course

Frozen shrimp can be served as a main course with a variety of side dishes. Some options include:

• Potato salad and roasted vegetables
• Noodles with teriyaki sauce
• Creamy polenta or steamed rice
• Creamy pasta such as garlic shrimp linguine or shrimp scampi
• Grain salads
• Grits
• French fries
• Surf and turf
• Corn on the cob
• White rice

As a Starter or Appetizer

Frozen shrimp also makes a great starter or appetizer, and can be served with:

• Dipping sauces such as shrimp cocktail sauce, sweet chilli sauce, or a spicy sweet shrimp dip made from mayonnaise, sweet chilli sauce, and Sriracha
• A cool, creamy sauce

In a Salad

Salads are a great option for a light and healthy meal. Some ideas for shrimp salads include:

• Asian shrimp salad with traditional Asian flavours like ginger, soy sauce, and garlic
• Citrus shrimp salad with oranges, blood oranges, grapefruit, and avocado

In a Taco

Tacos are a fun and tasty option for a casual meal. Some ideas for shrimp tacos include:

• Grilled shrimp tacos with Mexican slaw and spicy mayo
• Shrimp tacos with pineapple salsa
• Shrimp tacos with a simple slaw

Other Options

There are also several other ways to serve frozen shrimp:

• In a soup, such as Brazilian shrimp soup
• In a stir-fry with broccoli and other vegetables
• In a curry, such as coconut shrimp curry
• On a tostada with guacamole

Frequently asked questions