Ella Walter
Bacon-wrapped shrimp is a tasty treat that can be made in an air fryer with just a few simple steps. It's a perfect party appetizer or a weeknight meal and can be served as a main course or before dinner. The best shrimp for this recipe are large or jumbo shrimp, which can also be called king prawns. The bigger the shrimp, the better you'll be able to wrap the bacon around it evenly. For the bacon, it's best to use thin-cut bacon, as it will get crispier than a thicker, fattier cut.
Characteristics and Values Table for Cooking Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp in an Air Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Shrimp Size | Large or extra jumbo shrimp are best |
| Shrimp Type | Tail-on or tail-off, deveined, cleaned, shells removed |
| Bacon Type | Thin-cut bacon, not thick-cut; center-cut bacon is recommended |
| Bacon Amount | Half a slice of bacon per shrimp |
| Seasonings | Salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, steak seasoning, chili powder, honey, olive oil, maple syrup, soy sauce, red pepper flakes |
| Sauces | BBQ sauce, honey, clarified butter |
| Air Fryer Temperature | 360-400°F |
| Cooking Time | 7-10 minutes, flipping the shrimp halfway through |
| Calories | 226-783 kcal |
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Shrimp preparation
First, select the shrimp you will use. It is recommended to use large shrimp, as the bigger the shrimp, the better you'll be able to wrap the bacon around it evenly. This will help ensure that the bacon gets crispy throughout. If you can't find large shrimp, it's not a huge problem, as you can adjust the amount of bacon wrapping. Just be aware that you may need to adjust the cooking time.
Next, prepare the shrimp by cleaning, deveining, and removing the shells. You can choose to keep the tails on or off, depending on your preference. If you are using frozen shrimp, be sure to thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before cooking.
Now, it's time to wrap the shrimp in bacon. Cut the bacon slices in half lengthwise, and wrap one piece of bacon around each shrimp, starting at the tail and overlapping the first piece to secure it in place. You can use a toothpick or metal skewer to hold the bacon in place if needed. If you want the bacon to be extra crispy, you can partially cook it in the oven before wrapping the shrimp.
Once the shrimp are wrapped, you can season or glaze them. You can combine spices like kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika, or create a glaze by mixing maple syrup, soy sauce, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Brush the glaze on both sides of the shrimp or use a spoon to stir the shrimp in the glaze until they are fully coated.
Finally, place the shrimp in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them to ensure even cooking. You may need to cook the shrimp in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
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Bacon wrapping
The key to bacon-wrapped shrimp is to ensure the bacon is wrapped tightly around the shrimp. It is recommended to use half a slice of bacon per shrimp, although this will depend on the size of the shrimp. The bigger the shrimp, the better you'll be able to wrap the bacon around it. Start wrapping the bacon just above the tail, and ensure there is minimal overlap so that the bacon stays in place. If you want the bacon to be extra crispy, you can partially cook it in the oven before wrapping it around the shrimp.
It is important to use thin-cut bacon, as thick-cut bacon will not wrap as tightly and will take longer to cook, increasing the risk of overcooking the shrimp. You can use center-cut bacon, which tends to have the least amount of fat and will, therefore, get crispier.
When wrapping the shrimp, you can use a toothpick or metal skewer to secure the bacon in place. You can also brush the shrimp with sauce before wrapping to add extra flavor.
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Sauce and seasoning
While the bacon and shrimp are the stars of this dish, the sauce and seasoning are key to making it shine. The right combination of flavours can take your bacon-wrapped shrimp from good to great.
For a sweet and savoury sauce, combine maple syrup, soy sauce, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. You can also add some honey to your sauce for an extra touch of sweetness. If you're looking for something with a bit more spice, try adding some chili powder or cayenne pepper to the mix.
Alternatively, you can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or get creative with other seasonings like garlic salt, paprika, or steak seasoning. Play around with different combinations to find your perfect flavour profile.
When it comes to applying the sauce, there are a few techniques you can use. Some recipes suggest coating the shrimp in the sauce before wrapping them in bacon, while others recommend brushing the sauce onto the bacon-wrapped shrimp before or after air frying. You can even try a combination of these methods to ensure every bite is packed with flavour.
In addition to sauce, you can also experiment with different dips to serve on the side. Clarified butter is a classic choice, but you could also try something like a spicy mayo or a creamy ranch dressing for a cool contrast to the warm, crispy shrimp.
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$16.42
Air fryer settings
To cook bacon-wrapped shrimp in an air fryer, you will need to preheat your air fryer and then cook the shrimp for a short time. The temperature and duration of cooking will depend on the model of your air fryer, the number of shrimp you are cooking, and your desired level of crispiness.
Firstly, preheat your air fryer. Most recipes suggest preheating to around 360–400 °F (182–204 °C). However, one source recommends preheating to a lower temperature of 370 °F (188 °C).
Once preheated, place your shrimp in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with space around them. If you are cooking a large batch, you may need to cook the shrimp in two batches to ensure even cooking.
Cook the shrimp for 2–4 minutes, and then flip them over. Brush the shrimp with sauce and cook for a further 6–8 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy. If you prefer your bacon extra crispy, you can cook for an additional 1–2 minutes.
If your air fryer has a shrimp option, you can select this and cook at 360 °F (182 °C) for 8 minutes.
For a smaller air fryer, you can bake at 350 °F (177 °C) for 8–10 minutes.
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Cooking time
The cooking time for bacon-wrapped shrimp in an air fryer depends on the temperature you set your air fryer to. If you preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, you should cook the shrimp for 4 minutes, flip them, and then cook for another 6 minutes or until the bacon is crispy. If your air fryer has a shrimp option, you can cook the shrimp at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 minutes. If you don't have a "shrimp" option, you can preheat your air fryer to 370 degrees Fahrenheit for 4 minutes, and then cook the shrimp at the same temperature for an additional 8 minutes.
The size of your shrimp and the cut of your bacon will also affect the cooking time. Larger shrimp will take longer to cook, while smaller shrimp will cook more quickly. If you use thick-cut bacon, it will take longer to cook through, and you risk overcooking the shrimp. Thin-cut bacon will cook more quickly and get crispier. If you want your bacon to be extra crispy, you can partially cook it in the oven before wrapping it around the shrimp. You can also cut the bacon lengthwise into narrow strips to make it easier to wrap around the shrimp and prevent the shrimp from overcooking.
It's important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the model and size of your air fryer. Some air fryers may require you to cook the shrimp in batches to ensure even cooking. Additionally, if you prefer your bacon to be more crispy, you can always cook it for an additional minute or two.
When cooking bacon-wrapped shrimp in an air fryer, it's crucial to leave space between each piece to ensure even cooking. You may also need to flip the shrimp halfway through the cooking process to ensure that both sides are cooked evenly.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need shrimp, bacon, and sauce. For the sauce, you can use a combination of maple syrup, soy sauce, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. You can also use a BBQ sauce or a mixture of garlic salt, chilli powder, Worcestershire sauce, and BBQ sauce.
Cut the bacon slices in half lengthwise. Wrap one slice of bacon around each shrimp, starting at the tail end. You can use a toothpick or metal skewer to secure the bacon in place.
Preheat your air fryer to 370°F to 400°F for 4 minutes. Then, adjust the temperature to 360°F and cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping the shrimp halfway through.
The shrimp is cooked when the bacon is lightly crispy and browned.
