Air-Fryer Shrimp: Perfect Timing For Tender Bites

Air fryer shrimp is a quick and easy meal to prepare, with most recipes taking under 10 minutes to cook. The air fryer yields tender and juicy shrimp, with a delicious flavour and great texture – just by pressing a few buttons. It is also a healthier alternative to deep frying, pan frying or baking shrimp, as it requires very little oil.

How to cook shrimp in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Shrimp (fresh or frozen)
• Oil (olive or avocado)
• Lemon juice
• Seasonings (e.g. garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper)
• Breadcrumbs (optional)
• Eggs (optional)

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F/200°C.
• Clean and dry the shrimp, removing the shells and veins.
• In a separate bowl, mix your chosen oil and seasonings.
• Coat the shrimp with the seasoning mixture.
• Place the shrimp in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they do not overlap.
• Cook for 4-8 minutes, depending on the size of your shrimp. Smaller shrimp will take around 4-5 minutes, while larger shrimp may take up to 8-9 minutes.
• Serve immediately.

Tips

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking.
• Flip the shrimp halfway through cooking for crispness on both sides.
• Frozen shrimp can be used, but must be thawed and dried before cooking.
• Breaded shrimp can be made by dipping the shrimp in egg wash and then into a breadcrumb mixture before air frying.

How long to air fry shrimp

Air fryer shrimp is a quick and easy meal that can be ready in less than 10 minutes. It is also a versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer, in tacos, on a salad, or with pasta or rice.

How to Cook Shrimp in an Air Fryer

First, peel and devein the shrimp, leaving the tails on or off depending on your preference. Then, rinse and dry the shrimp with paper towels. Preheat your air fryer to 400ºF/200ºC and place the shrimp in the basket in a single layer to ensure even cooking. Cooking time will depend on the size of your shrimp and your air fryer, but it should take between 4 to 9 minutes. For smaller shrimp, check on them around the 4- to 5-minute mark, and for jumbo shrimp, they will likely need 7 to 9 minutes.

Tips for Cooking Shrimp in an Air Fryer

• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the shrimp in batches if necessary.
• Flip the shrimp halfway through cooking to ensure they are crispy on both sides.
• If using frozen shrimp, make sure they are completely thawed and patted dry before cooking.
• You can experiment with different seasonings, but a simple mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper is a good place to start.

How to Know When Shrimp Are Done

When raw, shrimp are a dull grey and white color. When they are fully cooked, they will be pink/orange and form a 'C' shape. They should also offer a little resistance when pierced with a fork but still be tender.

Storing and Reheating Shrimp

You can store leftover shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, place the shrimp in the air fryer at 300-350ºF until warmed through. You can also freeze cooked shrimp for up to 3 months and reheat them in the air fryer directly from frozen.

Air fryer shrimp recipes

Air fryer shrimp is a quick, easy, and tasty dish to make, with most recipes taking under 10 minutes to cook. It's a versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer, a light dinner, or used in tacos, pasta, or salads. Here are some recipes and tips to help you make the perfect air fryer shrimp.

Ingredients

Most air fryer shrimp recipes require the following ingredients:

• Shrimp (fresh or frozen)
• Oil (olive, avocado, or grapeseed)
• Seasonings (garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, lemon juice)
• Breadcrumbs (optional)
• Eggs (optional)

Preparation

Before cooking, you'll need to peel, devein, and clean the shrimp. If using frozen shrimp, make sure to thaw them first. You can do this by placing them in the refrigerator overnight or running them under cold water for a few minutes. Once thawed, pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. This will help the oil and seasonings stick to the shrimp during cooking.

Cooking

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F/200°C. In a separate bowl, mix the oil and seasonings, then coat the shrimp with this mixture. You can also dip the shrimp in an egg wash and then into a breadcrumb mixture for a crispy coating. Place the shrimp in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don't overlap. Cook for 4-8 minutes, depending on the size of your shrimp. For larger shrimp, you may need to increase the cooking time by 1-2 minutes.

Serving

Air fryer shrimp can be served as an appetizer with a dipping sauce, or as a main dish with sides such as roasted potatoes, pasta, rice, or vegetables. They can also be used in tacos, salads, or pasta dishes.

Tips

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking.
• Flip the shrimp halfway through cooking to ensure they are crispy on both sides.
• If using frozen shrimp, make sure to pat them dry before cooking.
• Adjust the cooking time depending on the size of your shrimp.
• Marinate the shrimp in the oil and seasonings for up to 2 days ahead of time for extra flavor.

What to serve with air-fried shrimp

Air-fried shrimp is a versatile dish that can be served in many ways. Here are some ideas on what to serve with air-fried shrimp:

Tacos

You can wrap the shrimp in corn tortillas and top them with cilantro and a creamy lime sauce. You can also season the shrimp with Latin spices, like chili powder and cumin, or make lettuce wraps for a low-carb option.

Bowls

Create a hearty bowl by filling it with quinoa or rice, your choice of vegetables, and a drizzle of fresh lemon juice.

Salads

Top any salad with air-fried shrimp for an extra protein boost.

Main Dish

Serve the shrimp with roasted broccoli rabe, butternut squash, carrots, or any other side dish of your choice.

Tostadas

Layer a tostada shell with refried beans, guacamole, salsa, and shrimp for a tasty and satisfying bite.

Sandwiches

For a quick and easy meal, sandwich the shrimp between two pieces of bread with butter lettuce and tartar sauce.

Sides

Air-fried shrimp pairs well with sides like homemade coleslaw, mac and cheese, or a slice of jalapeno cornbread. It also goes well with leafy greens such as air-fried asparagus, sauteed green beans, garlic sauteed spinach, or a simple raw cabbage salad.

Dips

Serve air-fried shrimp with a variety of dips, such as spicy honey, creamy homemade butter, classic buffalo sauce, or a simple ranch.

Pasta

Stir the shrimp into your favourite pasta dish for an easy protein boost. Shrimp goes particularly well with cream-based pasta, such as spaghetti aglio e olio, carbonara, or potato gnocchi.

Appetizers

Air-fried shrimp makes a great appetizer on its own, served with your favourite sauces. Try it with hot honey sauce, garlic yoghurt sauce, or ketchup.

How to store and reheat leftover shrimp

How to Store Leftover Shrimp

Leftover shrimp should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, place the shrimp in a ziplock bag and store it in the freezer for up to 2 months.

How to Reheat Shrimp in an Air Fryer

To reheat shrimp in an air fryer, follow these steps:

• Set the air fryer to 300°F-350°F.
• Spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with oil or line it with parchment paper.
• Place the shrimp in a single layer inside the basket.
• Reheat for 2-3 minutes on each side or until warmed through.

Other Ways to Reheat Leftover Shrimp

In addition to using an air fryer, there are several other methods you can use to reheat leftover shrimp:

• Oven: Preheat the oven to 300°F-350°F. Place the shrimp on a wire rack with a baking sheet underneath. Cook for about 5-10 minutes, checking occasionally to ensure they don't overcook.
• Stovetop: Heat a splash of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Place the shrimp in the skillet without overcrowding and heat for about 2 minutes on each side or until warmed through.
• Steamer: Fill a pot with water and place a steamer basket inside. Place the shrimp in a single layer in the basket, ensuring it doesn't touch the water. Cover and place on high heat. Once the water boils, steam the shrimp for 2 minutes or until desired heat is reached.
• Microwave: Place the shrimp in a single layer in a microwave-safe container and sprinkle with a tiny bit of water. Seal the container and microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, checking regularly to avoid overcooking.

Frequently asked questions