Air-Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

Bacon-wrapped shrimp is a delicious and easy dish to make in an air fryer. It can be served as an appetiser, a light lunch, or a main course. The recipe is simple and requires only a few ingredients, such as shrimp, bacon, and seasoning. The shrimp are wrapped in bacon and then cooked in the air fryer until crispy. This dish is full of flavour and can be served with a variety of dipping sauces, such as barbecue sauce, ranch, or honey mustard.

Choosing the right shrimp

You can use fresh or frozen shrimp, but it's important to defrost the shrimp before wrapping them in bacon and air frying. If you're using raw shrimp, be sure to peel, devein, and pat them dry before proceeding. Leaving the tails on is a good idea, as it gives you something to hold onto when dipping or eating the shrimp.

When selecting your shrimp, look for thin-cut bacon. Thicker bacon will take longer to cook and may lead to overcooking the shrimp. You can use center-cut bacon or go for a regular variety, depending on your preference. If you're feeling adventurous, you could even try turkey bacon.

Picking the perfect bacon

When it comes to picking the perfect bacon for your air fryer bacon-wrapped shrimp, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, you'll want to use thin-cut bacon instead of thick-cut bacon. Thin-cut bacon will cook through more quickly and help prevent your shrimp from overcooking while you wait for the bacon to crisp up.

Next, look for bacon with a good amount of fat marbling. This will help ensure that your bacon cooks up nice and crispy, which is what you're aiming for in this dish. You'll also want to avoid bacon that has too much water content, as this can lead to a soggy final product.

When preparing your bacon for wrapping, cut the slices in half lengthwise. This will make it easier to wrap the shrimp and help ensure that the bacon cooks evenly. You can also try par-cooking the bacon before wrapping, which will help it hold its shape and not overcook in the air fryer. Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) and roast the bacon until both sides are slightly browned but not yet crisp. Then, let it cool and wrap your shrimp.

Finally, when wrapping your shrimp, start at the tail and overlap the first piece of bacon to help secure it in place. Then, wrap the bacon up and around the shrimp with as little overlap as possible. This will help ensure even cooking and a nice presentation.

Seasoning and coating

Choosing the Right Shrimp:

Select large or jumbo shrimp for this recipe. The larger size ensures they don't overcook while the bacon is crisping. You can use fresh or frozen shrimp, but make sure they are raw, peeled, and deveined. Leaving the tails on is optional but provides a handy grip for dipping.

Selecting the Perfect Bacon:

Thinly sliced bacon is ideal for wrapping shrimp. Center-cut or thin-cut bacon works best and avoids the need for lengthy cooking times. You can also use regular, thick-cut, or turkey bacon, but be mindful that thicker bacon may require a slightly longer cooking time.

Now, for the fun part! There are endless possibilities for seasoning and coating your bacon-wrapped shrimp. Here are some mouth-watering options:

• Basic Seasoning: Keep it simple with a light sprinkle of Cajun seasoning or Old Bay Seasoning on the shrimp before wrapping. This adds a subtle kick without overwhelming the natural flavours.
• Sweet and Savory: Combine brown sugar, smoked paprika, chili powder, and garlic powder to make a delicious rub. Coat the shrimp with this mixture before wrapping them in bacon. The brown sugar adds sweetness, while the spices bring a savoury kick.
• Spicy Kick: If you like it hot, add some cayenne pepper or extra chili powder to your seasoning blend. This will give your shrimp a nice spicy punch.
• Tangy Twist: For a tangy flavour, don't hold back on the garlic powder. You can also add onion powder to the mix for an extra zesty zing.
• Herbal Delight: Infuse some herbal freshness into your shrimp by adding thyme and parsley to your seasoning blend. It's a subtle yet refreshing touch.
• BBQ Bliss: Brush your bacon-wrapped shrimp with your favourite BBQ sauce before air frying. This adds a sweet and smoky flavour that complements the bacon beautifully.
• Maple Magic: For a sweet and salty sensation, create a maple glaze by mixing maple syrup, soy sauce, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Brush this glaze on both sides of the bacon-wrapped shrimp for a mouth-watering flavour explosion.

Remember, the key to successful seasoning and coating is to be creative and experiment with different flavours. Don't be afraid to mix and match seasonings and coatings to find your perfect combination. Happy cooking!

Wrapping the shrimp

Firstly, prepare your shrimp and bacon. You will need raw jumbo shrimp, and it is recommended to use thin-cut bacon. Cut the bacon slices in half lengthwise. You can also cut them into thirds if you prefer, but cutting them in half lengthwise makes it easier to wrap the shrimp.

Now you are ready to start wrapping. Take one shrimp and one piece of bacon. Start by placing the bacon just above the tail of the shrimp. Overlap the first piece of bacon to help secure it in place. From there, carefully wrap the bacon up and around the shrimp, ensuring there is as little overlap as possible. You want to wrap the shrimp tightly, and you can use a toothpick to secure the bacon if needed. Repeat this process until all your shrimp are wrapped.

Once your shrimp are wrapped, place them on a baking sheet, seam-side down. If your shrimp are not staying wrapped, you can use toothpicks or skewers to secure the bacon. You can also gently tuck the bottom of the bacon underneath the shrimp to keep it in place.

At this point, you can season your shrimp. You can sprinkle them with Old Bay Seasoning, Cajun seasoning, or steak seasoning. You can also chill the shrimp in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes to help set the bacon.

Air-frying technique

Air-frying is a quick and easy way to cook bacon-wrapped shrimp, with most recipes taking less than 15 minutes. The key to success is preparing the shrimp correctly, using the right temperature, and not overcrowding the air fryer basket.

Firstly, prepare the shrimp by peeling and deveining them, leaving the tails on if desired. Then, wrap each shrimp with a strip of bacon, starting at the tail and securing it with a toothpick if needed. Some recipes suggest chilling the shrimp at this stage to help the bacon stick. You can also season the shrimp before wrapping, or marinate them in a sauce such as BBQ sauce or honey.

Next, preheat your air fryer to around 400 degrees Fahrenheit, or 390 degrees if you prefer. You can also add olive oil or non-stick cooking spray to the basket to prevent sticking.

Place the shrimp in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between each one. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the shrimp in batches.

Cook the shrimp for around 10 minutes, flipping them halfway through. The shrimp are done when the bacon is crispy and the shrimp are opaque and firm.

Finally, serve the shrimp immediately with your choice of dipping sauce. Enjoy!

Frequently asked questions