Air Fryer Butterfly Shrimp: The Perfect Quick Frozen Treat

Butterfly shrimp is a quick and easy meal to make in an air fryer. It is a versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer, a main course, or even as a topping for salads and tacos. The best part about cooking butterfly shrimp in an air fryer is that it requires minimal preparation and no defrosting. Simply add the frozen shrimp to the air fryer basket, season with your desired spices, and cook for around 6 to 11 minutes, depending on the size of the shrimp and your desired level of crispiness. The result is juicy, tender shrimp with a crunchy, golden-brown exterior that can be paired with various dipping sauces for added flavor.

Cooking Frozen Butterfly Shrimp in an Air Fryer

Pre-cooking preparation

Before you start cooking your frozen butterfly shrimp in an air fryer, there are several steps you should take to ensure the best results. Firstly, decide on the quantity of shrimp you wish to prepare, taking into account the size of your air fryer and the number of servings required. Most recipes recommend using medium to large-sized shrimp, with the specific quantity varying based on your needs.

Once you have the desired amount of shrimp, it's important to break apart any shrimp that are stuck together. This step ensures that the shrimp will cook evenly in the air fryer. Then, depending on your preference, you can choose to remove the shells or leave them on. Removing the shells beforehand can make it easier to eat, but keeping them on during cooking can result in juicier shrimp and easier handling.

After addressing the shrimp themselves, it's time to focus on the seasonings. The beauty of cooking shrimp in an air fryer is that you can experiment with various seasonings to find your favorite flavor combinations. Basic options include salt and pepper, but you can also get creative with spices like paprika, garlic powder, oregano, cumin, chili powder, and black pepper. You can even try out specific blends like Cajun seasoning, lemon pepper, or Old Bay seasoning.

To apply the seasonings, toss the frozen shrimp with a small amount of oil, such as avocado oil or olive oil, and then sprinkle your chosen seasonings over them. You can also add other ingredients to enhance the flavor, such as butter, lemon juice, or minced garlic. Ensure that the shrimp are well-coated with the seasoning mixture before placing them in the air fryer.

Lastly, prepare your air fryer by preheating it to the recommended temperature, which is typically around 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit for cooking shrimp. You can also spray the air fryer basket or tray with a non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking and promote crispiness.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for frozen butterfly shrimp in an air fryer depend on several factors, including the size of the shrimp, the amount being cooked, and the desired level of crispness. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you achieve the best results:

Preheat the Air Fryer:

First, preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature. Most recipes recommend preheating the air fryer to between 350 degrees Fahrenheit and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. A higher temperature will result in crispier shrimp, but be careful not to overcook them.

Prepare the Shrimp:

Break apart any frozen shrimp that are stuck together. This step ensures that the shrimp will cook evenly. You can also pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel before proceeding to the next step.

Season the Shrimp:

This is where you can get creative and experiment with different flavours. Place the shrimp in a large bowl and toss them with your desired seasonings. You can use a simple combination of salt and pepper, or try something more complex like Cajun seasoning, lemon pepper, Old Bay seasoning, or a blend of your favourite spices. Don't be afraid to add some oil or butter to help the seasonings stick and promote crispness.

Cook the Shrimp:

Place the seasoned shrimp directly into the air fryer basket in a single layer. This ensures even cooking and prevents overcrowding, which can affect the cooking time and crispness. Close the basket and air fry at your desired temperature for 6 to 11 minutes, depending on the size and amount of shrimp. For smaller shrimp, 6 to 8 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit should suffice. For larger shrimp, cook for 8 to 11 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Shake or flip the shrimp halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking and browning.

Check for Doneness:

After the initial cooking time, carefully open the air fryer and check the shrimp for doneness and crispness. They are ready when they are opaque all the way through and have a nice pink colour on the outside. If they need more time, cook in additional 3-minute increments until they are cooked to your desired level of doneness and crispness.

Serve:

Once the shrimp are cooked to your liking, remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately. They go well with a variety of side dishes, such as roasted vegetables, garlic mashed potatoes, or rice. Don't forget to squeeze some lemon on top and serve with your favourite dipping sauce, such as cocktail sauce, tartar sauce, or a creamy garlic sauce.

Seasoning and spices

Butterfly shrimp can be cooked in an air fryer with a variety of seasonings and spices. The first step is to coat the shrimp with oil, butter, or both. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, or any other oil of your choice.

For seasoning, you can use Old Bay, seafood seasoning, or a combination of spices such as paprika, salt, parsley, and black pepper. You can also add garlic powder, onion powder, or both to the flour mix for extra flavor. If you want a spicier dish, add some cayenne pepper to the mix.

Once the shrimp are coated in oil and seasoning, place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer with no overlapping pieces to ensure even cooking. You can cook the shrimp in batches if you are preparing a large quantity.

After cooking, you can serve the shrimp with a dipping sauce such as cocktail sauce, or pair them with sides like cilantro lime rice and roasted asparagus.

Dipping sauces

Butterfly shrimp can be cooked in an air fryer from frozen in as little as 6 minutes, or up to 12 minutes depending on the recipe. While the shrimp is cooking, you can prepare some dipping sauces to elevate the flavor of the shrimp.

• Cocktail Sauce – A classic spicy dipping sauce served with shrimp.
• A creamy avocado and cilantro dip.
• A savory aioli with herbs.
• A creamy Louisiana-style remoulade with a squeeze of lemon juice.
• A creamy avocado dip for coconut shrimp.
• A smoky chipotle dip.
• A creamy garlic yogurt dill sauce.
• A simple combination of olive oil and lemon juice or white wine vinegar.

Side dishes

Butterfly shrimp cooked in an air fryer can be served as an appetizer or a main dish. If you want to serve it as a main meal, here are some side dishes that will go well with it:

• Rice: Coconut rice, cilantro lime rice, or seasoned rice.
• Potatoes: Everything roasted potatoes or rustic garlic mashed potatoes.
• Salads: Lettuce salads, shrimp can be added to a chipotle shrimp salad, or a taco salad with shrimp, avocado, and salsa.
• Pasta: Fettuccine alfredo, lemon butter pasta, or shrimp can be tossed with creamy alfredo pasta.
• Vegetables: Roasted asparagus, green beans, mushrooms, roasted broccolini, sautéed shredded Brussels sprouts, steamed carrots, or cornbread muffins.
• Dips and Sauces: Chick-fil-A sauce, cocktail sauce, or a creamy jalapeno sauce.
• Guacamole: Pineapple guacamole.

If you are serving the butterfly shrimp as an appetizer, you can pair it with a dipping sauce. Some options include:

• Crab Rangoon dip
• Cocktail sauce
• Creamy garlic yogurt dill sauce
• Chick-fil-A sauce

Frequently asked questions