Air Fryer Breaded Shrimp: A Quick, Crispy Treat

If you're looking for a quick and easy way to cook shrimp, look no further than your air fryer! In this article, we'll show you how to make delicious breaded frozen shrimp using this handy kitchen appliance. The best part? You don't have to spend time thawing the shrimp beforehand. Simply preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, arrange the frozen shrimp in the basket, and cook for 8-10 minutes. It's as easy as that!

How to Make Breaded Frozen Shrimp in an Air Fryer Oven

How to make frozen breaded shrimp in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Frozen breaded shrimp
• Cooking spray (optional)
• Dipping sauce (optional)

Utensils

• Air fryer
• Air fryer basket
• Meat thermometer (optional)

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
• Take the frozen breaded shrimp out of the packaging and place them in the air fryer basket. Make sure they are arranged in a single layer and not overcrowded.
• Place the basket into the air fryer and cook for 8–10 minutes. Flip the shrimp halfway through to ensure even cooking.
• Check if the shrimp are cooked by cutting into one. It should be an opaque pink or orange colour and have a crispy, golden-brown coating. The internal temperature should be 145°F (63°C).
• Once cooked, remove the shrimp from the air fryer and let them rest for a minute before serving.

Serving Suggestions

• Pair with a tangy cocktail sauce or a zesty garlic aioli for dipping.
• Serve over a bed of fresh salad greens for a light and flavorful shrimp salad.
• Create a shrimp po' boy sandwich by placing the crispy shrimp in a soft bun with lettuce, tomato, and your favorite sauce.
• Add them to a seafood pasta dish or use them as a pizza topping.

How to make the spicy sweet shrimp dip

To make the Spicy Sweet Shrimp Dip to accompany your breaded shrimp, you'll need the following ingredients:

• Mayonnaise
• Sweet chili sauce
• Sriracha

This dip is simple to make and is a great addition to your breaded shrimp. Simply mix together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and Sriracha. For two people, the recommended ratio is 2 parts sweet chili sauce to 1 part Sriracha, which will give you just under 1/2 a cup of dip. This quantity can be scaled up or down depending on how much dip you want.

This dip is sweet and spicy and perfect for dipping your breaded shrimp. It's also great for drizzling on shrimp tacos!

If you're looking for something a little more complex, you could try a Spicy Shrimp Dip. To make this, you'll need:

• 1 1/4 pounds of fresh medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 tablespoon of butter
• 1/2 cup of diced red bell pepper
• 3 green onions, white and green parts sliced
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 2 teaspoons of Creole or Cajun seasoning, divided
• 1 (8-ounce) package of cream cheese, softened
• 1/3 cup of mayonnaise
• 1 1/2 teaspoons of lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/3 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 1/2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese

To make this dip, start by preheating your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly greasing an 8x8-inch baking dish. Cut the shrimp into bite-sized pieces, leaving 3 shrimp with the tails on to garnish the dip.

Add butter to a large nonstick pan and place over medium-high heat. Add the red bell pepper and cook for 2 minutes, then add the green onion, shrimp, and garlic. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of Creole seasoning and cook for about 2-3 minutes. The shrimp should be slightly undercooked as it will cook more in the oven. Transfer the mixture to a bowl to cool. Return the 3 whole shrimp to the pan and cook until fully cooked.

In a large bowl, mix together the cream cheese, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce until smooth. Add the remaining Creole seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, shrimp mixture, and both cheeses, and mix together.

Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes. Garnish with the 3 whole shrimp and serve with toasted baguette slices or tortilla chips.

How to reheat breaded shrimp in an air fryer

If you have leftover breaded shrimp, you can easily reheat them in an air fryer to regain some of their crunch. Here is a detailed guide on how to reheat breaded shrimp in an air fryer:

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. While the air fryer is preheating, take your leftover breaded shrimp out of the refrigerator and place them in the air fryer basket. It is okay to stack the shrimp when reheating, so you don't have to worry about arranging them in a single layer.

Once the air fryer has preheated, place the basket with the shrimp inside and reheat for about 6 minutes, giving the basket a good shake halfway through. The shrimp are done when they are hot and crispy again.

Reheating breaded shrimp in an air fryer is a quick and convenient way to bring them back to life, ensuring you can still enjoy their delicious taste and texture.

How to cook different sizes of shrimp in an air fryer

Cooking Large or Jumbo Shrimp

Pat dry, peel, and devein the shrimp. Then, add your chosen seasonings and oil. For example, a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, garlic, smoked paprika, and Italian seasoning. You can also use garlic powder, sweet paprika, dried parsley, and salt.

Arrange the shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Air fry at 400°F/200°C for 7-8 minutes. Flip the shrimp halfway through to ensure even cooking and crispness on both sides.

Cooking Popcorn Shrimp

For smaller shrimp, like popcorn shrimp, the cooking time will be shorter. Follow the same preparation steps as above, but cook for 5-6 minutes at 400°F/200°C.

Cooking Frozen Breaded Shrimp

If you are using frozen breaded shrimp, there is no need to thaw them first. Simply place them in the air fryer basket and cook at 400°F/200°C for 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Check the shrimp for crispiness and cook for additional time in 3-minute increments if needed.

Tips for Success

• Do not overcrowd the air fryer to ensure even cooking. Cook the shrimp in batches if necessary.
• For extra crispiness, sprinkle some panko breadcrumbs and/or Parmesan cheese on the shrimp before air frying.
• You can serve air-fried shrimp as an appetizer with a dipping sauce, or as a main dish with sides like cilantro lime rice and roasted asparagus.

Enjoy your perfectly cooked shrimp!

How to cook frozen battered shrimp in an air fryer

If you're looking for a quick and easy way to cook frozen battered shrimp, then an air fryer is your best friend! Here's a step-by-step guide to help you achieve crispy and delicious shrimp every time.

Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer and Shrimp

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). This temperature will ensure your shrimp cooks evenly and develops a nice golden colour. While the air fryer is preheating, take your frozen battered shrimp out of the packaging. If you're using shrimp with the tails on, feel free to keep them on as a handy handle, or remove them if you prefer.

Step 2: Arrange the Shrimp in the Air Fryer Basket

Place the shrimp in the air fryer basket in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking, so give them a little room to breathe!

Step 3: Cook the Shrimp

Place the basket into the preheated air fryer and cook for approximately 8-10 minutes. For the best results, flip the shrimp halfway through the cooking process to ensure even crispiness on both sides.

Step 4: Check for Doneness

Cut into one of the shrimp to check if it's cooked. The internal temperature should have reached 145°F (63°C), and the coating should be golden brown and crispy.

Step 5: Rest and Serve

Once your shrimp are cooked to perfection, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for a minute before serving. This step helps to retain their crunchiness.

Serving Suggestions:

• Pair with tangy cocktail sauce or a zesty garlic aioli for dipping.
• Serve over a bed of fresh salad greens for a light and tasty shrimp salad.
• Create a shrimp po' boy sandwich by placing the crispy shrimp in a soft bun with lettuce, tomato, and your favourite sauce.
• Add them to a seafood pasta dish or use them as a tasty pizza topping.

So, there you have it! A simple and hassle-free way to cook frozen battered shrimp in an air fryer. Enjoy your crispy, golden shrimp!

Frequently asked questions