Air Fryer Popcorn Shrimp: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious

Air fryer popcorn shrimp is a tasty, quick, and easy snack that can be made in less than 10 minutes. The shrimp is cooked until it is crispy and crunchy, with very little oil required. The air fryer should be preheated to 360°F to 400°F for 2 to 5 minutes, and the shrimp should be cooked for 4 to 10 minutes, depending on the desired level of crispiness. The shrimp can be served with a variety of dipping sauces, such as cocktail sauce, remoulade, or a spicy, smoky sauce.

Preheat the air fryer to 360°F for 2-3 minutes

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. For the best results, preheat your air fryer to 360°F for 2-3 minutes. This will ensure that your popcorn shrimp cooks evenly and efficiently.

While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your shrimp. Start by coating the shrimp with a light layer of cooking spray, flour, eggs, and panko breadcrumbs. You can also add spices to the flour mixture for extra flavor. Try paprika, onion powder, cayenne, or Cajun seasoning.

Once the air fryer has preheated, place the shrimp in a single layer in the basket. Make sure they are not overcrowded, or they won't crisp up properly. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the shrimp in batches.

After cooking the shrimp for about 2 minutes per side, they should be crisp and cooked through. Transfer them to a platter and serve with your favorite dipping sauce. Enjoy!

Preheating your air fryer ensures that your shrimp cooks evenly and efficiently, resulting in a crispy and delicious snack or meal.

Cook shrimp in batches for 8-10 minutes

When cooking popcorn shrimp in an air fryer, it's important to work in batches to ensure even cooking and a crispy texture. By cooking the shrimp in smaller amounts, you allow each piece to have direct contact with the heat source, preventing them from steaming and becoming soggy.

Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to adjust the batch size accordingly. For larger air fryers, you can cook more shrimp at once, while for smaller fryers, you may need to reduce the batch size to a single layer of shrimp. This ensures that the hot air circulates evenly around each piece of shrimp.

The cooking time for each batch of shrimp in the air fryer should be around 8-10 minutes. During this time, the shrimp will cook through and develop a crispy, golden-brown exterior. It's important to keep an eye on the shrimp to avoid overcooking, as the exact cooking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of the shrimp.

To ensure even cooking and browning, it's recommended to shake the basket or flip the shrimp halfway through the cooking process. This helps distribute the heat evenly and prevents the shrimp from sticking to the basket. Additionally, spraying the shrimp with a light coating of oil can enhance the browning and crispness of the final product.

Use fresh or frozen shrimp

You can use either fresh or frozen shrimp to make popcorn shrimp in your air fryer. If you're using frozen shrimp, make sure they are fully defrosted and patted very dry before breading them. The quickest way to thaw them is to place the bag in a bowl of cold or room-temperature water and let it sit. If you're using fresh shrimp, be sure they are peeled and deveined, and fresh. Shrimp has a short shelf life, so it's best to use it no more than one day after purchasing.

Before cooking, preheat your air fryer to 360°F for 2 to 3 minutes. You can also preheat to 390°F or 400°F for 5 minutes if you prefer. You can lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil, but this is optional.

When cooking, work in batches and place the shrimp in a single layer in the basket. This is because overcrowding the air fryer basket will prevent the shrimp from crisping up. Coat the shrimp with cooking spray and cook for about 2 minutes per side, or until crisp and cooked through. Transfer the cooked shrimp to a platter.

If you are using frozen, pre-breaded shrimp, you can air fry them at 400°F for 8 minutes, shaking the basket at the halfway mark. They should look golden and crispy when they are done.

Coat shrimp with flour, egg, and panko

To coat the shrimp with flour, egg, and panko, start by preparing three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, add the flour, salt, and any other seasonings you want to include. You can season the flour coating with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne, or black pepper. In the second bowl, whisk the eggs with a fork. You can also add some water to the eggs, which will help the panko breading stick to the shrimp. In the third bowl, add the panko breadcrumbs. You can also add seasonings to the panko, such as paprika, black pepper, cumin, or garlic powder.

Before coating the shrimp, pat them dry with a paper towel. Then, one by one, coat the shrimp with the flour mixture, then the egg mixture, and finally, the panko mixture. Make sure to shake off any excess coating before moving on to the next step. After coating the shrimp, let them rest for a few minutes while preheating the air fryer.

You can also add the panko coating after placing the shrimp in the air fryer. First, coat the shrimp with flour and egg, then place them in the air fryer basket. Next, spray the shrimp with cooking spray or oil, and then toss them in the panko mixture. This method ensures that the panko coating browns evenly and gives the shrimp a golden brown colour.

Serve with a dipping sauce

Air-fried popcorn shrimp is a tasty snack or light meal that can be served with a variety of dipping sauces. The shrimp is crispy and crunchy, with very little oil required in the cooking process.

You can serve your shrimp with a store-bought cocktail sauce or make your own. For a smoky, spicy kick, try a sauce made with ketchup, chipotle chiles, cilantro, lime juice, and salt. Alternatively, for a creamy, rich complement to the shrimp, stir together a sauce using Old Bay seasoning.

If you're feeling adventurous, you can experiment with different seasonings and dipping sauces. Try adding paprika, onion powder, cayenne, Cajun seasoning, or lemon pepper to your shrimp before cooking, and serve with a remoulade sauce or a simple combination of lemon wedges and cocktail sauce.

Popcorn shrimp is a versatile dish that can be served as a snack, appetizer, or part of a meal. It's a fun party snack and goes well with a side dish or tossed into a salad.

Frequently asked questions