Air-Fryer Shrimp: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious

Air fryers are a quick and easy way to cook shrimp. The process is simple: pat the shrimp dry, season, and place in the air fryer basket in a single layer. The shrimp should be cooked for around 5-8 minutes at 400°F, depending on the size of the shrimp and the brand of the air fryer.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for shrimp in an air fryer will depend on the brand of the air fryer, the size of the shrimp, and how crispy you like them.

The general consensus is to preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200-205°C). Once the shrimp are prepared and coated in oil or butter, they should be cooked for 5 to 8 minutes. It's important not to overcrowd the air fryer basket, so you may need to cook the shrimp in batches. Check the shrimp after 5 minutes, and continue cooking until they are cooked through and lightly crispy.

If you like your shrimp very crispy, you can cook them for up to 10 minutes, but be sure to check on them regularly to avoid overcooking.

Seasoning and coating

For a breaded shrimp, you can then dip the shrimp in beaten egg and coat with seasoned flour. Place the shrimp in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overlapping or touching. You can lightly coat the shrimp with non-stick cooking spray at this stage, or wait until they are cooked and spray any chalky spots before serving.

How to serve

Once you've cooked your shrimp in the air fryer, it's time to serve them up! Here are some ideas on how to do that:

• Serve the shrimp immediately. The average cooking time is 8 minutes, but this can vary depending on the brand of your air fryer and the size of your shrimp.
• If you're looking for a crispy texture, air fry for 5 to 8 minutes at 400°F. This will give your shrimp a lightly crispy coating.
• For a breaded shrimp dish, pat the shrimp dry, then dip them in beaten eggs and seasoned flour. Place them in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't touch each other. Lightly coat the tops with nonstick cooking spray and cook for 4 minutes. Remove the lid and spray any chalky spots, then continue cooking for about 3 more minutes or until the desired crispness is reached.
• If you want to add some extra flavour, toss the shrimp with melted butter or olive oil before cooking. You can also season them with garlic powder, cumin, salt, and pepper, or use your favourite seasoning blend.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the shrimp in batches to ensure even cooking.
• Enjoy your shrimp as a main course or appetizer, paired with your favourite sides. They can be served on a bed of rice or quinoa, with roasted vegetables, or as a topping for salads or pasta dishes.

Air fryer size and overcrowding

When cooking shrimp in an air fryer, it's important to consider the size of your air fryer and to avoid overcrowding the basket. Overcrowding can cause uneven cooking and leave you with overdone shrimp.

Air fryers come in a variety of sizes, and the size of your air fryer will determine how many shrimp you can cook at once. If you have a smaller air fryer, you may need to cook your shrimp in batches to avoid overcrowding. A good rule of thumb is to leave some space between each shrimp and not to overlap them in the basket. This will allow the hot air to circulate properly and ensure even cooking.

For example, if you have a 6-quart air fryer, you can preheat it to 400°F (205°C) for 5 minutes and then arrange the shrimp in a single layer, making sure they are not touching each other. This will help ensure that the shrimp cook evenly and don't stick to the basket.

If you're using a larger air fryer, such as the Phillips air fryer, you may be able to cook more shrimp at once. However, it's still important to avoid overcrowding and to check on your shrimp regularly to ensure even cooking. As a general guide, the average cooking time for shrimp in an air fryer is around 8 minutes, but this can vary depending on the brand and size of your air fryer, as well as the size of your shrimp.

So, when cooking shrimp in an air fryer, remember to consider the size of your air fryer and to avoid overcrowding the basket. By leaving some space between each shrimp and cooking in batches if necessary, you'll ensure even cooking and perfectly crispy shrimp every time.

Preheating

Firstly, pat the shrimp dry using paper towels. This step helps to remove any excess moisture, which can affect the cooking process.

Next, season the shrimp. Add the shrimp to a bowl and toss with olive oil, chilli powder, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Make sure the shrimp is evenly coated. Alternatively, you can toss the shrimp with melted butter to coat.

Now, it's time to preheat the air fryer. Set the temperature to 400°F (200-205°C) and preheat for about 5 minutes. This temperature range is ideal for cooking shrimp, ensuring they are cooked through and lightly crispy.

While the air fryer is preheating, prepare the shrimp for cooking. Place the shrimp in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overlapping or touching each other. This step is crucial to ensure even cooking and prevent overcrowding, which can lead to unevenly cooked shrimp.

Once the air fryer has preheated, you can proceed to cook the shrimp. Depending on the size of your shrimp and the brand of your air fryer, the cooking time may vary. On average, it takes about 7 to 8 minutes to cook shrimp in an air fryer. However, it is important to keep an eye on them and adjust the cooking time as needed.

Frequently asked questions