Air-Fryer Butterfly Shrimp: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious

Frozen butterfly shrimp in the air fryer is a quick and easy recipe that transforms frozen shrimp into a golden, crispy, and restaurant-quality dish in just 10 minutes. This method delivers maximum flavour with minimal effort, straight from your freezer to your plate. The air fryer ensures even cooking and a satisfying crunch in every bite. There's no need to defrost the shrimp or add any oil, which makes it a hassle-free cooking experience.

Butterfly shrimp preparation

Butterfly shrimp is a great, quick and easy meal to make in an air fryer. It is a versatile dish that can be served as a main course, appetiser, or even as a salad topping. The best part? You can cook it straight from frozen!

Ingredients and Tools:

• Frozen butterfly breaded shrimp
• Air fryer
• Scissors
• Spatula
• Plate
• Non-stick cooking spray (optional)
• Lemon (optional)

Step-by-Step Guide:

Start by opening the package of frozen butterfly shrimp with a pair of scissors. There is no need to defrost the shrimp before cooking. Place the shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking.

Set the air fryer temperature to between 390-400°F and cook for 7-10 minutes. The exact temperature and time will depend on your air fryer model and the number of shrimp you are cooking, so adjust accordingly.

Once the timer goes off, check if the shrimp are golden brown and crispy. If not, cook for an additional 1-3 minutes until they reach the desired level of crispiness.

Use a spatula to carefully remove the shrimp from the air fryer basket to avoid breaking the crispy coating. Serve the shrimp immediately on a plate for the best taste and texture.

Tips:

• No need to defrost the shrimp before cooking.
• Arrange the shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking.
• Some air fryer models may require cooking spray to prevent sticking.
• Serve with a variety of dipping sauces, such as cocktail sauce, tartar sauce, or spicy mayo.
• For extra flavour, sprinkle your favourite seasoning on the shrimp before air frying.

Storage and Reheating:

Leftover shrimp can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, use the air fryer at 350°F for 3-6 minutes to maintain crispiness.

Variations:

For a gluten-free option, choose gluten-free breaded shrimp. If you prefer a lighter version, opt for shrimp with a thinner breading or a panko coating. You can also make your own homemade shrimp by coating raw shrimp in breadcrumbs and freezing them before air frying.

Air fryer settings

The air fryer is a great way to cook frozen butterfly shrimp without the hassle of defrosting them first. The settings you use will depend on the model of your air fryer, the quantity of shrimp you are cooking, and your personal preference for how crispy you like them. Here are some general guidelines to help you get the best results:

• Preheat your air fryer to 390-400°F (some recipes suggest 375°F).
• Place the frozen shrimp in the air fryer basket in a single layer to ensure even cooking. Overlapping them may result in uneven cooking, with some shrimp less crispy than others.
• For a standard-sized bag of butterfly shrimp (around 1 pound), cook for 12-14 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
• For a smaller batch of 10-15 shrimp, cook for 7-9 minutes.
• Check the shrimp for doneness and crispiness after the recommended cooking time. If they need a little longer, cook in additional increments of 1-3 minutes until they are done to your liking.
• Some recipes suggest spraying the shrimp with cooking spray or oil to promote crispiness, but this is not necessary as most frozen breaded shrimp already contain oil in the breading.
• If you are cooking a large batch, you may need to do so in multiple rounds to ensure even cooking.
• If your air fryer tends to stick, you can lightly mist the basket with non-stick spray before adding the shrimp.

Cooking time

The cooking time for frozen butterfly shrimp in an air fryer varies depending on the quantity of shrimp being cooked, the size of the shrimp, and the model of the air fryer.

For a single layer of frozen butterfly shrimp, the cooking time is typically between 7 and 10 minutes. If you are cooking a larger quantity of shrimp, it may take up to 14 minutes. It is important to ensure that the shrimp are arranged in a single layer in the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking. Overlapping the shrimp may result in uneven cooking, with some shrimp less crispy than others.

Additionally, it is recommended to shake or flip the shrimp halfway through the cooking process to ensure even browning. The shrimp are done when the breading is golden brown and crispy, and the internal temperature reaches 145°F.

It is worth noting that air fryer models vary, so it is advisable to keep an eye on the shrimp during the first attempt at cooking them. If they don't turn out golden and crispy after the recommended cooking time, they can be cooked for an additional 1-2 minutes, and the process can be adjusted accordingly for future attempts.

Serving suggestions

Frozen butterfly shrimp cooked in an air fryer is a versatile dish that can be served as a snack, appetiser, or main course. Here are some serving suggestions:

• Dipping sauces: Butterfly shrimp pairs well with various dipping sauces, such as cocktail sauce, tartar sauce, spicy mayo, or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. You can also get creative and make your own sauce, like a creamy garlic yogurt dill sauce.
• Salads: Add a satisfying crunch to your salad by tossing in some crispy butterfly shrimp. They go well with quinoa or arugula salads.
• Rice bowls: Create a hearty and delicious meal by pairing the shrimp with rice or cilantro lime rice bowls.
• Tacos: Use the butterfly shrimp as a topping for fish or shrimp tacos. They can also be used as a filling for wraps to make a fun and flavourful handheld meal.
• Pasta: Butterfly shrimp can be served with arugula pasta for a complete dinner option.
• Platter: Arrange the shrimp on a platter with lemon wedges and fresh herbs for an elegant party appetiser.
• Sides: Butterfly shrimp can be served with various side dishes, such as baked mac and cheese, garlic parmesan sweet potato fries, or baked zucchini fries.
• Casserole: Turn your cooked shrimp into a casserole by making a shrimp and grits casserole.
• Stir-fry: Add the cooked shrimp to a stir-fry with your choice of vegetables and noodles.

Reheating and storage

Leftover butterfly shrimp can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three or four days. They can also be refrozen and kept for another three to six months.

To reheat, place the shrimp back in the air fryer at 350°F for three to five minutes, or until they are hot and crispy again. Alternatively, reheat in the oven at 375°F for seven to ten minutes, or use a microwave, though this may affect their crispiness.

Frequently asked questions