Air Fryer Breaded Shrimp: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

Making breaded shrimp in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get that fried food fix without the mess or unhealthiness of deep frying. It's also a great way to cook shrimp for those who are new to cooking. The air fryer breaded shrimp is perfectly seasoned, golden, crispy, and seriously delicious. The key to getting that crunchy texture is to use panko breadcrumbs and, optionally, grated parmesan cheese.

How to prepare the shrimp

Preparing the shrimp is a straightforward process, but it does require a few steps. Here's a detailed guide on how to prepare the shrimp for your air fryer:

Firstly, you'll need to ensure your shrimp are ready for breading. If you're using frozen shrimp, make sure to thaw them first. You can do this by placing them in the refrigerator overnight or by rinsing them in cold water for 2-3 minutes until they're completely defrosted. It's also a good idea to pat the shrimp dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture, which will help the breading stick better.

Next, you'll need to set up a breading station. Prepare three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, combine all-purpose flour with your desired seasonings. You can use a simple combination of salt and pepper, or get creative with seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, cayenne, or Italian seasoning. In the second bowl, beat a couple of large eggs. The eggs will act as a binding agent for the breading. In the third bowl, place your breadcrumbs. Japanese-style panko breadcrumbs are an excellent choice for a super crispy texture, but regular breadcrumbs will also work.

Now it's time to bread the shrimp. Start by dredging the shrimp in the flour mixture, making sure to coat both sides evenly. Then, dip the shrimp into the beaten egg, followed by the breadcrumbs. Make sure to press the breadcrumbs onto the shrimp gently to ensure they adhere well and form a nice, thick coating. Repeat this process for all your shrimp.

Once your shrimp are breaded, it's a good idea to place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they're not overcrowded. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the shrimp in batches. Give the shrimp a light coating of non-stick cooking spray, which will help them crisp up nicely.

Finally, preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, which is typically around 375°F to 400°F. Cook the shrimp for 7 to 10 minutes, or until they're golden brown and cooked through. You may need to adjust the cooking time depending on the size of your shrimp and your air fryer model.

And that's it! You're now ready to serve your delicious, crispy air-fried shrimp. Don't forget to pair them with your favorite dipping sauces!

How to make the breading

To make the breading for your air-fried shrimp, you'll need to set up a breading station with three bowls.

In the first bowl, mix together flour, seasoning, and other dry ingredients like salt and pepper. You can also add spices like paprika, dried parsley, garlic powder, or cayenne pepper for extra flavour.

In the second bowl, add beaten eggs. You can use one or two eggs, depending on the number of shrimp you're preparing.

The third bowl should contain breadcrumbs. Japanese-style panko breadcrumbs are recommended for a superior crunch, but regular breadcrumbs will also work. You can also add some grated Parmesan cheese to the breadcrumbs for extra flavour.

Now that your breading station is set up, it's time to start breading the shrimp.

First, dredge the shrimp in the flour mixture, making sure to coat both sides evenly.

Next, dip the shrimp into the beaten egg, shaking off any excess.

Finally, coat the shrimp thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture, pressing the breadcrumbs onto the shrimp to help them adhere.

Place the breaded shrimp in the air fryer basket, making sure they're not overcrowded. Lightly spray the tops with cooking spray, and they're ready to be cooked!

How to cook the shrimp

To cook packaged breaded shrimp in an air fryer, start by preheating your air fryer to 400°F. While the air fryer is preheating, prepare your shrimp by patting them dry with paper towels.

Next, set up your breading station. You will need three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, mix together flour, seafood seasoning (such as Old Bay), paprika, salt, parsley, and black pepper. In the second bowl, place your beaten eggs. In the third bowl, add your breadcrumbs. Working with one shrimp at a time, coat them with the seasoned flour, then dip them in the beaten eggs, and finally, coat them with the breadcrumbs. Make sure to press the breadcrumbs well on both sides of the shrimp to help them adhere and give a nice crunch.

Once your shrimp are breaded, place them in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd the basket. Lightly coat the tops of the shrimp with non-stick cooking spray.

Cook the shrimp in the preheated air fryer for 7 to 10 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. There is no need to flip them over during cooking.

Serve your air fryer breaded shrimp immediately with your favorite dipping sauce, such as cocktail sauce, tartar sauce, or spicy sriracha mayo.

How to reheat the shrimp

If you have any leftover breaded shrimp, you can reheat them in the air fryer to revive the crispy coating. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F to 400°F and place the shrimp inside in a single layer. Reheat for 2 to 4 minutes for crispy shrimp, turning them halfway through. You can also reheat in the microwave, but this may result in a soggy exterior.

If you are reheating frozen, pre-cooked shrimp, place them in the air fryer basket and set the temperature to 375°F. Reheat for 6 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.

For leftover fried shrimp, you can also use an oven to reheat. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees for at least 10 minutes. Place the shrimp on a cooling rack over a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes. If you don't have a cooling rack, place the shrimp directly on a baking sheet and turn them over halfway through to avoid sogginess.

What to serve with the shrimp

There are many options for what to serve with your air-fried breaded shrimp. You could serve it as an appetiser with a dipping sauce such as cocktail sauce, tartar sauce, or spicy sriracha mayo.

If you're looking for something more substantial, you could serve the shrimp with rice or pasta dishes, or in tacos with a simple slaw. You could also serve it with roasted vegetables, such as asparagus, or a salad, such as a Greek salad or a mango and avocado salad.

For a real American comfort food experience, you could serve the shrimp with French fries or sweet potato fries.

Frequently asked questions