Air Fryer Frozen Breaded Shrimp: Timing Perfection

Frozen breaded shrimp in an air fryer is a quick and easy meal that can be ready in under 10 minutes. The air fryer cooks the shrimp evenly, ensuring each piece is crispy and golden brown. The breading stays crispy, and the shrimp is juicy and tender. The exact cooking time will depend on the size of the shrimp and the amount being cooked, but generally, it will take between 5 and 14 minutes to cook frozen breaded shrimp in an air fryer.

How long to cook frozen breaded shrimp in an air fryer

Frozen breaded shrimp is a quick and easy meal to make in your air fryer. It's also very versatile—you can serve it as an appetizer with a dipping sauce, as a main dish with sides, or even in tacos. The best part? It's ready in under 20 minutes!

How to Cook Frozen Breaded Shrimp in an Air Fryer

The first step is to preheat your air fryer to 375-400°F. While it's heating up, you can prepare your frozen shrimp. If you bought pre-breaded shrimp, simply give them a quick rinse in water and then toss them in olive oil. If you're breading the shrimp yourself, pat them dry with paper towels, then coat them with a flour and egg mixture, and finally, dredge them in breadcrumbs. Make sure to press the breadcrumbs onto the shrimp so that they adhere well and give a nice, thick coating.

Once your shrimp are ready and your air fryer is preheated, it's time to cook! Place the shrimp in the air fryer basket in a single layer—don't overcrowd the basket as this will affect the cooking time and crispiness. Depending on the size of your shrimp and the number you're cooking, the cooking time will vary. For a whole bag of frozen shrimp (about 1 pound), air fry for 12-14 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. For a single serving of popcorn shrimp (less than a layer in the basket), air fry for 7-10 minutes. If you're cooking jumbo shrimp, arrange 4-14 shrimps in a single layer and air fry for 8-10 minutes.

To get that extra crispy coating, give the basket a generous coating of non-stick cooking spray. You can also double up on the coating halfway through cooking. Check your shrimp for doneness and crispiness after the recommended cooking time. If they need more time, cook in 3-minute increments until they're golden brown and sizzling.

Tips for Making Frozen Breaded Shrimp in an Air Fryer

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket—this will affect the airflow and prevent the shrimp from cooking properly.
• For an extra crispy coating, give the shrimp a double coating of cooking spray—once at the beginning and again halfway through cooking.
• If you want to add some extra flavor to your shrimp, try tossing them with Cajun seasoning, lemon pepper, or another seasoning blend before cooking.
• Serve your shrimp with a delicious dipping sauce like cocktail sauce, tartar sauce, or sweet chili sauce.

The best temperature to cook frozen breaded shrimp in an air fryer

The ideal temperature to cook frozen breaded shrimp in an air fryer is between 375°F and 400°F.

Cooking Frozen Breaded Shrimp in an Air Fryer

The air fryer is a fantastic option for cooking frozen breaded shrimp, as it requires no oil and produces a crispy, crunchy texture. The cooking time is also relatively short, taking between 7 to 14 minutes, depending on the size and quantity of shrimp.

For example, for a single layer of frozen popcorn shrimp in the air fryer, set the temperature to 375°F and cook for 7-10 minutes. If you're cooking a whole bag of frozen shrimp (about 1 pound), stick to the same temperature but increase the cooking time to 12-14 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.

Tips for Cooking Frozen Breaded Shrimp in an Air Fryer

• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure proper airflow and even cooking.
• For extra flavor, try tossing the shrimp with Cajun seasoning, lemon pepper, or blackened seasoning before cooking.
• Serve with a variety of dipping sauces such as tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, or sweet chili sauce.
• For reheating, use the air fryer at 375°F for a few minutes to maintain crispiness.

Air Fryer Settings for Different Types of Frozen Shrimp

The cooking time and temperature settings may vary slightly depending on the type of frozen shrimp you're using:

• For jumbo/butterfly shrimp, cook at 375°F for 8-10 minutes.
• For medium-sized shrimp (31 to 40 count), cook at 400°F for 5-6 minutes.
• For large shrimp (21 to 25 count), cook at 400°F for 7-8 minutes.

Final Thoughts

Cooking frozen breaded shrimp in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to enjoy crispy and juicy shrimp without the mess of deep frying. By following the recommended temperature and cooking time settings, you can achieve perfectly cooked shrimp every time.

How to reheat frozen breaded shrimp in an air fryer

Preparation

Before reheating your frozen breaded shrimp in an air fryer, you should ensure that they are evenly coated in breadcrumbs. You can do this by tossing the shrimp in a thin batter and then dredging them in breadcrumbs. Make sure to pat the shrimp dry with paper towels before coating them. You can also add extra seasonings to the batter, such as Cajun seasoning, lemon pepper, Italian seasoning, paprika, cayenne, or chili powder.

Cooking Instructions

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F to 400°F. Place the frozen breaded shrimp in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Spray the shrimp with non-stick cooking spray or a generous coating of cooking spray. Air fry for 6 to 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the shrimp are hot, golden brown, and crispy.

Serving Suggestions

Frozen breaded shrimp can be served as an appetizer with a dipping sauce, such as cocktail sauce, tartar sauce, or spicy sweet shrimp dip. They can also be served as a main dish with sides such as rice or roasted vegetables, or used in tacos or skewers. For an extra touch of flavor, serve with a squeeze of lemon.

How to cook homemade frozen breaded shrimp in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Frozen breaded shrimp
• Non-stick cooking spray
• Lemon (optional)
• Dipping sauce of your choice (optional)

Utensils

• Air fryer
• Air fryer basket

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
• Place the frozen breaded shrimp in the air fryer basket.
• Spray the shrimp with non-stick cooking spray.
• Cook the shrimp for 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
• Check the shrimp for crispiness. If needed, cook for an additional 3 minutes at a time until they are ready. The exact cooking time will depend on the size of the shrimp and the amount being cooked.
• Serve with a squeeze of lemon and a dipping sauce on the side, if desired.

What to serve with frozen breaded shrimp

Frozen breaded shrimp cooked in an air fryer can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas to elevate your dish:

Dipping Sauces

A tangy and spicy cocktail sauce is a classic choice to serve with shrimp. You can also try a zesty garlic aioli, a creamy garlic yogurt dill sauce, or a remoulade sauce with chopped pickles, shallots, roast garlic, thyme, parsley, and capers. Other options include tzatziki sauce, sweet and spicy Sriracha chili sauce, tartar sauce, or sweet chili sauce.

Side Dishes

For a well-rounded meal, serve your shrimp with a side of cilantro lime rice and some roasted asparagus. You could also pair it with potato salad, roasted vegetables, and rolls.

Main Dishes

Create a shrimp po' boy sandwich by placing the shrimp in a soft bun with lettuce, tomato, and your choice of sauce. Alternatively, add the shrimp to a seafood pasta dish or use them as a pizza topping. For a lighter option, serve the shrimp over a bed of fresh salad greens for a flavorful shrimp salad.

Tacos

Breaded shrimp tacos are another delicious option. Add your favorite sauce (chipotle, Thai bang bang, avocado sour cream, or ranch), cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, or shredded cabbage to a soft shell tortilla.

Other Ideas

• Add to nachos
• Skewers
• Shrimp scampi

Frequently asked questions