Air-Fried Shrimp: Crispy, Quick, And Easy!

Making crispy shrimp in an air fryer is a quick and easy process that can be done in under 30 minutes. The shrimp can be coated in a variety of seasonings and sauces, such as lemon pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and onion powder, and cooked in the air fryer for around 8 minutes. This method of cooking shrimp is healthier than deep-frying and can be served as a tasty appetizer, side dish, or salad topping.

Choosing the right shrimp

Type of Shrimp:

• Fresh or Frozen: You can use either fresh or frozen shrimp for this recipe. If you opt for frozen shrimp, ensure they are thoroughly thawed and drained before cooking.
• Size: While you can use different sizes of shrimp, larger shrimp are generally recommended for this cooking method. Look for "large" or jumbo shrimp in the market.
• Peeled and Deveined: It is preferable to get shrimp that have already been peeled and deveined. This saves you time in the preparation process.
• Tails: You can choose to keep the tails on or remove them. Leaving the tails on can provide a handy "handle" for eating, but removing them may make the shrimp easier to bread and eat.

Quality and Source:

• Source: When buying shrimp, look for a reputable source or brand. This can include well-known seafood companies or your trusted local fishmonger.
• Wild-Caught vs. Farmed: Consider whether you prefer wild-caught or farmed shrimp. Wild-caught shrimp may have a more natural flavor, while farmed shrimp can be more readily available and affordable.
• Freshness: Always select shrimp that appear fresh and have been properly stored. Look for firm, shiny shrimp with clear, moist flesh. Avoid shrimp with dry or discolored flesh.

Preparation and Cleaning:

• Cleaning: Before cooking, rinse the shrimp in cold water and pat them dry with paper towels. This step is crucial, as it removes any excess moisture that can affect the breading process.
• Defrosting Frozen Shrimp: If using frozen shrimp, allow them to defrost completely before cooking. You can place them in a bowl of cold water for about 20 minutes or leave them overnight in the refrigerator. Ensure they are thoroughly thawed and dried before proceeding.

By following these guidelines and selecting the right shrimp for your air fryer recipe, you'll be well on your way to creating delicious and crispy shrimp dishes.

Preparing the shrimp

Defrosting and Drying:

Start by checking if your shrimp are frozen. If they are, it's important to defrost them before proceeding. Place the frozen shrimp in a bowl of cold water for about 20-30 minutes, changing the water every 15 minutes, until they are completely thawed. This step ensures that your shrimp are ready for the next steps and that any ice or frost is removed.

Once your shrimp are defrosted, it's crucial to dry them thoroughly. Use paper towels to pat them dry and ensure no moisture is left on the shrimp. This step is essential because it helps the flour or breading adhere better to the shrimp during the next steps.

Breading the Shrimp:

Set up a dredging station with three separate bowls or dishes. In the first bowl, place the flour and any desired seasonings. You can season the flour with salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, Old Bay Seasoning, Cajun seasoning, or any other spices you prefer. The flour mixture will create a base for the breading and help the other coatings stick to the shrimp.

In the second bowl, whisk or beat the eggs. You can add a couple of tablespoons of water to thin out the eggs and create a more fluid egg wash. The egg wash acts as a binding agent and helps the breadcrumbs adhere to the shrimp.

The third bowl will contain the breadcrumbs. You can use plain or seasoned breadcrumbs. If using plain breadcrumbs, season them with salt, pepper, garlic, smoked paprika, or any other spices of your choice. Panko breadcrumbs are a popular choice for a crunchier texture.

Now, you will dredge the shrimp in the following order: flour, egg wash, and then breadcrumbs. Make sure each shrimp is thoroughly coated at each step. After coating, place the breaded shrimp on a plate or parchment paper.

Refrigerating the Breaded Shrimp:

Once all your shrimp are breaded, it's a good idea to place them in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes. This step helps the breading adhere even better to the shrimp and makes them easier to handle when placing them in the air fryer.

Preheating the Air Fryer:

Before cooking your shrimp, preheat your air fryer to ensure the best results. Set the temperature to 390-400°F and preheat for about 5 minutes. This step ensures that your air fryer is ready to cook the shrimp evenly and effectively.

Cooking the Shrimp:

Place the breaded shrimp in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don't overlap. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might need to cook the shrimp in batches. Lightly coat the tops of the shrimp with non-stick cooking spray or olive oil spray.

Close the air fryer and cook the shrimp for 2 minutes. Then, open the air fryer, flip the shrimp, and cook for an additional 2-4 minutes. Keep an eye on the shrimp, as the cooking time may vary depending on their size. The shrimp are done when they turn golden brown and are opaque and cooked through.

Tips and Serving Suggestions:

• If you're using frozen shrimp, make sure they are completely defrosted and dried before breading and cooking.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the shrimp in batches if needed to ensure even cooking.
• The cooking time may vary depending on the size of your shrimp and your air fryer, so keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.
• Serve your crispy shrimp with dipping sauces like cocktail sauce, tartar sauce, ranch dressing, chipotle aioli, or any other sauce you prefer.
• Air fryer shrimp go well with sides such as potatoes, roasted vegetables, or mac and cheese.

Breading the shrimp

For the flour, you can use regular all-purpose flour and season it with some salt and pepper. If you want to get creative with the spices, feel free to add some garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, or dried parsley and oregano. For the egg wash, simply beat a couple of eggs and add a few tablespoons of water to thin it out. As for the breadcrumbs, Panko breadcrumbs are highly recommended due to their coarse texture, which adds a great crunch to the shrimp. If you're using plain Panko, be sure to season them with salt, pepper, garlic, and paprika. You can also use seasoned breadcrumbs, which have additional flavour and a finer texture that coats the shrimp more evenly.

Now that your dredging station is set up, it's time to start breading the shrimp. Make sure the shrimp are dry, as this will help the flour stick to them. You can use paper towels to pat them dry thoroughly. Next, coat each shrimp with flour and give them a gentle shake to remove any excess. Then, dip the shrimp into the egg wash, followed by the breadcrumbs. Make sure to coat each shrimp liberally with the breadcrumbs. Repeat this process until all your shrimp are well-coated.

Once all the shrimp are breaded, place them on a plate or a piece of parchment paper and put them in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes. This step will help the breading stick to the shrimp even better and make them easier to handle.

That's it! You've successfully breaded your shrimp and are now ready to cook them in your air fryer.

Cooking the shrimp

Now that you've prepared your shrimp and have your air fryer preheated to the desired temperature, it's time to cook!

Place your shrimp in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overlapping. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the shrimp in batches. Once they're in the basket, spritz or spray the shrimp with cooking spray or olive oil spray.

Air fry for 2 minutes, then remove the basket and flip the shrimp with tongs. Return to the air fryer and cook for an additional 2-4 minutes, or until the shrimp are opaque, cooked through, and have reached your desired level of crispness. The total cooking time will depend on the size of your shrimp and your air fryer, but it typically ranges from 6-10 minutes.

If you are cooking a larger batch of shrimp, you can keep the first batch warm in an oven preheated to 200°F while you finish cooking the remaining shrimp.

Your shrimp are now ready to be enjoyed! Serve them as an appetizer with your favourite dipping sauces, or incorporate them into a main dish like tacos, pasta, or a salad.

Serving suggestions

Air fryer shrimp is a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Appetizers and Snacks: Air fryer shrimp makes a great appetizer or snack. Serve it with a trio of sauces like teriyaki, honey mustard, or chipotle aioli for dipping. You can also serve it with melted butter, ghee, spicy avocado sauce, or marinara sauce.
• Salads: Add some protein to your salad by tossing in a few air fryer shrimp. They pair well with shaved Brussels sprouts salad or a simple salad with your favourite greens and veggies.
• Pasta: Shrimp is also a tasty addition to pasta dishes. Try it with kale pesto zoodles, garlic zucchini noodle pasta, or sun-dried tomato pesto pasta.
• Tacos: Air fryer shrimp tacos are a fun and delicious option. Toss the shrimp in a yummy sauce, like bang bang shrimp sauce, and serve in a flour or corn tortilla.
• Weeknight Meals: Shrimp is a quick and easy protein to add to any weeknight meal. Pair it with side dishes like roasted veggies, potatoes, or mac and cheese.
• Sandwiches: Turn your air fryer shrimp into a scrumptious sandwich. Try a shrimp po'boy or add it to a salmon croquette sandwich.
• Grits: For a Southern-inspired dish, serve your shrimp with grits. Try it with skinny Cajun shrimp and grits for a flavourful and satisfying meal.

When it comes to serving suggestions, the possibilities are endless! Get creative and experiment with different flavours and dishes to find your favourite combinations.

Frequently asked questions