Air-Fryer Prawns: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

Air fryers are a great way to cook prawns, and it only takes about 10 minutes! Not only do they give your prawns a crispy texture, but they also cut down on oil and calories. It's a quick and easy way to cook prawns without having to fuss around with pans and stoves. You can use fresh or frozen prawns, but make sure they are thoroughly defrosted and that any extra liquid is blotted off. Before cooking, clean the prawns by removing the shells and veins, then pat them dry with paper towels. You can then season the prawns with your choice of spices and oil before placing them in the air fryer for 6-8 minutes.

How to prepare prawns for the air fryer

Preparing prawns for the air fryer is simple and only takes a few minutes. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare the Prawns

Firstly, decide whether you want to remove the shell or not. Leaving the shell on can add extra flavour to the prawns, but it may be easier to eat them without. If you choose to remove the shell, you can do this by peeling it away from the body of the prawn.

Next, you will need to devein the prawns. This is a crucial step as you do not want to eat the "poop shoot". Use a small, sharp knife to make a cut along the back of the prawn (the outside curve). Be careful not to cut too deep, as you don't want to split the prawn in half. Once the cut has been made, remove the vein with your knife.

Step 2: Marinate the Prawns (Optional)

If you want to add extra flavour to your prawns, you can marinate them before cooking. Place the prawns in a bowl and add your chosen marinade. For a simple option, you can use a mixture of olive oil, garlic, onion, and parsley, along with some salt and pepper to taste. You could also try other combinations such as garlic salt and paprika, or a tandoori marinade. Leave the prawns to marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 20 minutes for more intense flavour.

Step 3: Dry the Prawns

Whether or not you choose to marinate your prawns, it is important to ensure they are dry before placing them in the air fryer. Use paper towels to pat them down and remove any excess moisture. This will help the oil and seasonings stick to the prawns and encourage them to become crispy when cooked.

Step 4: Season the Prawns

If you did not marinate your prawns, you will need to add some oil and seasoning before cooking. Place the prawns in a bowl and drizzle with a small amount of oil. You can use olive oil, vegetable oil, or another type of cooking oil. Toss the prawns to ensure they are coated in oil, then add your chosen seasoning. You can use a simple combination of salt and pepper, or try something more adventurous like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cumin, or chilli powder.

Step 5: Preheat the Air Fryer

Most air fryer recipes recommend preheating your appliance to ensure even cooking. Check the instructions for your particular model, but as a general rule, preheat your air fryer to around 200°C/400°F.

Step 6: Arrange the Prawns in the Air Fryer

Place the prawns in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overcrowded. If you have a lot of prawns, you may need to cook them in batches. Depending on your air fryer model, you may be able to use skewers or a stacking shelf to fit more prawns in at once.

Step 7: Cook the Prawns

The cooking time for prawns in the air fryer will depend on the size and thickness of the prawns, as well as the temperature of your air fryer. As a guide, medium-sized prawns will take around 5-8 minutes to cook at 375°F/190°C. Larger prawns may take a little longer, up to 10-12 minutes. Prawns are done when they turn pink and opaque throughout. You can also use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature has reached 145°F/63°C.

And that's it! You're now ready to enjoy your delicious, crispy air-fried prawns. Serve them with a squeeze of lemon juice, or try them with rice, salad, or tacos.

How long to cook prawns in the air fryer

Yes, you can cook prawns in an air fryer. The cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of the prawns, as well as the temperature setting of your air fryer.

As a general rule, you can cook medium-sized prawns in the air fryer for about 5-8 minutes at 375°F (190°C). However, if your prawns are larger or thicker, you may need to increase the cooking time accordingly. For example, one source recommends cooking king prawns for 6 minutes at 200°C/390°F.

It's important to note that prawns cook very quickly and can easily become overcooked, resulting in a rubbery texture. To prevent overcooking, some sources suggest cooking prawns for 4 minutes at 200°C/390°F, or even less time if they are smaller prawns.

When cooking prawns in an air fryer, it's important to preheat the air fryer, arrange the prawns in a single layer, and avoid overcrowding the basket. Spraying or brushing the prawns with oil before cooking will help them achieve a crispy texture.

How to store and reheat leftover prawns

Prawns are a delicious treat, but what happens when you have leftovers? Here is a guide on how to store and reheat them safely.

Storing Leftover Prawns

Leftover prawns should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to three days. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them. To prevent them from freezing together, spread them out on a tray and freeze them before transferring them to a container or bag.

Reheating Leftover Prawns

You can reheat prawns in an air fryer, oven, stovetop, or microwave. Here are some detailed instructions for each method:

• Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (180°C). Place the prawns in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 3-5 minutes or until heated through and crispy.
• Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Spread the prawns on a baking sheet, drizzle with oil or butter, and bake for 5-10 minutes on each side or until heated through.
• Stovetop: Warm butter or oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the prawns and heat for 3-5 minutes on each side, depending on their size, or until heated through.
• Microwave: Place the prawns on a microwave-safe plate and cover them with a damp paper towel. Reheat in 30-second intervals, flipping each time, until the prawns are heated through.

Tips for Reheating Prawns:

• Reheat only once to avoid foodborne illness.
• Ensure prawns reach an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) before consuming.
• Avoid overcrowding the prawns during reheating to ensure even heating.
• Add moisture when reheating in the microwave to prevent the prawns from drying out.
• Skip the microwave for breaded or fried prawns, as it can make the coating soggy.

The difference between shrimp and prawns

Yes, you can cook prawns in an air fryer. A quick online search will yield several recipes for air-fried prawns.

Now, here's the difference between shrimp and prawns:

Shrimp and prawns are two distinct species of decapod crustaceans, meaning they have 10 legs and exoskeletons. However, they are often used interchangeably, especially in the US and the UK, which can be confusing. While they are very similar in appearance and taste, there are some differences between them.

Firstly, they differ in their biology. Shrimp have a flexible, bendy shell with a membrane between the segments, while prawns have stiffer, overlapping segments that restrict their movement. Shrimp carry their fertilised eggs on their abdomen, while prawns release their eggs into the water.

Secondly, they are found in different types of water. Most shrimp varieties are found in saltwater, while most prawn varieties live in freshwater. However, both can be found in either type of water.

Thirdly, they have different physical features. Prawns tend to be larger than shrimp, and they have longer legs and bigger pincers in relation to their body size. Prawns have claws on three pairs of legs, while shrimp have claws on just one pair.

Finally, they differ in variety and taste. There are more varieties of shrimp, and they come in a wider range of sizes. Prawns often taste sweeter than shrimp, but this can vary between different types of shrimp and prawns.

How to get crispy prawns in the air fryer

Preparation

Firstly, ensure your prawns are raw, peeled, and deveined. If you are using frozen prawns, run them under water until any surface ice has been removed. Then, dry them thoroughly.

Next, prepare a seasoning mix. You can use any combination of salt, garlic salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, oregano, black pepper, chilli flakes, or cumin. You can also add a squeeze of citrus juice.

Place the prawns in a bowl and drizzle over a tablespoon of oil and your chosen seasoning. Toss the prawns to ensure they are evenly coated.

Cooking

Preheat your air fryer to 200°C. Place a heatproof bowl or dish into the air fryer basket to bring the prawns closer to the heat source.

Arrange the prawns in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with a little space around each one. Spray the top of the prawns with a little more oil.

Cook the prawns for 6-8 minutes at 200°C, turning them halfway through so that both sides crisp up.

Serving

For best results, serve the prawns immediately. They go well with rice, avocado, salad, or a squeeze of lemon juice.

Tips

• Prawns cook very quickly, so keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.
• Don't overcrowd the basket.
• Spray or brush the prawns with oil or melted butter before cooking to ensure they crisp up.
• Check the prawns are cooked by using a meat thermometer to ensure they have reached an internal temperature of 145°F. They should also be pink and opaque throughout.
• You can reheat leftover prawns in the air fryer by cooking them for 3-5 minutes at 350°F.

Frequently asked questions