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

Cooking frozen shrimp in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a delicious meal. It's perfect for those busy weeknights when you don't have time to thaw the shrimp or for when you're craving a tasty appetizer. The best part is that you can cook the shrimp straight from frozen, and it only takes about 10 minutes to get crispy, juicy, and tender shrimp. You can season them with your favourite spices or sauce, or enjoy them as they are. So, if you're looking for a convenient and tasty option, air fryer frozen shrimp is the way to go!

How to make frozen shrimp in an air fryer

Seasoning options: Cajun, lemon pepper, or Old Bay

There are several seasoning options you can choose from to make delicious frozen shrimp in an air fryer. Here are some detailed instructions for each:

Cajun Seasoning

According to Fork to Spoon, you can make a quick and easy air fryer Cajun shrimp with just a few simple ingredients. Start by preparing the shrimp: combine the peeled and deveined shrimp with olive oil in a bowl, tossing to coat. Sprinkle Cajun seasoning over the shrimp and mix well to ensure they are evenly coated. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes. Place the seasoned shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 6-8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. The shrimp should be pink and opaque when cooked through. If needed, cook for an additional minute or two.

Serve immediately with lemon wedges for squeezing over the top. This recipe can be served with rice, pasta, or salads, or as an appetizer with dipping sauces.

Lemon Pepper Seasoning

For this option, you can follow a recipe from Allrecipes. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). In a bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, lemon pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Add the shrimp and toss to coat them evenly with the seasoning mixture.

Place the shrimp in the preheated air fryer and cook until they are bright pink on the outside and the meat is opaque, which should take about 6 to 8 minutes. Serve with lemon slices. This dish can be served as an appetizer or with salad, rice, or pasta.

Old Bay Seasoning

Old Bay seasoning is a popular blend of spices made for seafood, but it also goes well with chicken and vegetables. You can make tasty air fryer shrimp with this seasoning. Start by preheating your air fryer to 375°F. In a mixing bowl, combine the shrimp, olive oil, Old Bay seasoning, and garlic powder. Toss to coat the shrimp evenly.

Arrange the shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket brushed with olive oil or sprayed with cooking spray. Air fry the shrimp for 5-6 minutes, flipping them halfway through. They should turn pink and opaque when cooked through.

While the shrimp are cooking, mix melted butter and lemon juice in a small bowl. Once the shrimp are done, transfer them to a bowl and pour the butter and lemon sauce over them, tossing gently to coat. Garnish with lemon wedges and parsley, and serve immediately.

This Old Bay shrimp can be served over rice or quinoa, in a shrimp bowl with roasted vegetables, or as a shrimp pasta.

Cooking times: 10 minutes for raw shrimp, 5 minutes for cooked shrimp

Cooking times for shrimp in the air fryer will vary depending on the size of the shrimp and whether they are raw or pre-cooked.

For raw shrimp, it is recommended to cook them for 10 minutes at 400°F. The shrimp should be placed in a single layer in the air fryer basket and shaken halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking. The shrimp are done when they are pink and crispy, and no longer opaque.

For pre-cooked shrimp, the cooking time is reduced to 5 minutes at 400°F. Again, the shrimp should be placed in a single layer and shaken halfway through.

It is important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the size and model of your air fryer, so it is always a good idea to keep an eye on your shrimp as they cook to avoid overcooking.

No need to defrost

The great thing about cooking frozen shrimp in an air fryer is that you can go straight from freezer to fryer! There's no need to defrost the shrimp beforehand. This makes cooking shrimp a quick and easy process, perfect for a last-minute meal.

Steps to Follow

• Preheat the air fryer: Most recipes recommend preheating your air fryer to 400°F (200°C or 204°C). However, one recipe suggests setting it to 325°F.
• Prepare the shrimp: Separate any shrimp that are stuck together. This will ensure they cook evenly. Some recipes suggest knocking off any ice crystals with a spoon. You can also pat the shrimp dry before adding any spices.
• Add oil and seasoning: Drizzle or spray the shrimp with a neutral oil, such as avocado, olive, or vegetable oil. Then, add your chosen seasoning. You can use a simple combination of salt and pepper, or try something more complex like Old Bay seasoning, Cajun seasoning, or a Mexican spice mix.
• Cook the shrimp: Place the shrimp in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space for air to circulate. Cook for 5-10 minutes for pre-cooked shrimp, or 10-11 minutes for raw shrimp. Shake the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. The shrimp are done when they are pink and crispy on the outside, and no longer opaque.

Tips

• If your shrimp are frozen together, let them thaw slightly until you can separate them.
• Preheat your air fryer for best results.
• Avoid stacking the shrimp in the basket. Cook in batches if necessary.
• Shake the basket or flip the shrimp partway through cooking.

Use an oil spray to prevent sticking

Using an oil spray is a great way to prevent your shrimp from sticking to the air fryer basket. You can use an oil spray bottle filled with oil, such as avocado oil, olive oil, or vegetable oil. Avoid using canned cooking spray.

Coating the basket with oil is not necessary, but it is recommended to prevent sticking. You can also spray the tops of the shrimp with oil about 2 minutes before the cooking time is up. This will help keep the shrimp crispy.

Serve with a dipping sauce

There are many ways to serve air-fried shrimp with a dipping sauce. Here are some ideas:

As an appetizer

You can serve the shrimp as an appetizer with a cocktail sauce or your favourite dipping sauce, such as remoulade or tartar sauce. For an extra kick, try serving with a spicy sauce like sriracha mayo.

As a main dish

Air-fried shrimp can be served as a main dish in shrimp tacos, with chopped lettuce, tomatoes, and a creamy jalapeno sauce. You could also add them to pasta recipes like fettuccine alfredo or lemon butter pasta.

With a side dish

Shrimp can be served with a variety of side dishes, such as roasted bell peppers, broccoli, green beans, mushrooms, or roasted broccolini. They also go well with garlic mashed potatoes, sauteed shredded Brussels sprouts, or steamed carrots.

In a salad

Air-fried shrimp is a great addition to a salad, providing some extra protein. Try serving them on top of a lettuce salad or a chipotle shrimp salad.

Other ideas

You can also add shrimp to shrimp cocktail, ceviche, or fajitas. For a low-carb option, serve them with zoodles and a creamy garlic sauce.

Frequently asked questions