Air-Fried Panko Shrimp: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Panko shrimp is a tasty and healthy dish that can be prepared in a matter of minutes using an air fryer. Air fryers use hot air to cook food, eliminating the need for heavy oil and resulting in a crispy, light, and healthy dish. This recipe combines succulent shrimp with crispy panko breadcrumbs, creating a mouth-watering flavour and texture.

How to prepare shrimp for air frying

Preparing shrimp for air frying is a simple process, but there are a few key steps to ensure the best results. Here is a detailed guide on how to prepare shrimp for air frying:

Firstly, it is important to start with the right type of shrimp. Look for raw, deveined shrimp, with the option of leaving the tails on or off depending on your preference. The size of the shrimp is also important; larger shrimp are generally easier to work with and provide a better presentation. If using frozen shrimp, ensure they are completely thawed and patted dry before proceeding.

The next step is to create a dredging station. This involves setting up separate bowls of dry and wet ingredients that will be used to coat the shrimp. For the dry ingredients, combine panko breadcrumbs with seasonings such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, or Italian seasoning. You can also add Parmesan cheese to the mixture for extra flavour. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs and a small amount of water to create the wet mixture.

Now you are ready to begin the dredging process. Holding the shrimp by the tail, coat it first in the dry ingredients, then dip it into the egg mixture, and finally, back into the dry ingredients, ensuring it is completely coated. Repeat this process for all the shrimp.

Once all the shrimp are coated, it's time to arrange them in the air fryer basket. Lightly spray the basket with cooking oil or spray, then place the shrimp in a single layer, making sure they are not overcrowded. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the shrimp in batches.

Finally, it's time to air fry the shrimp. Preheat your air fryer to between 350- 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The cooking time will vary depending on the size of your shrimp, but on average, it should take around 8-10 minutes for the shrimp to turn golden brown and crispy. There is no need to flip the shrimp during cooking.

By following these steps, you will have perfectly prepared shrimp that are ready for air frying. Enjoy!

How to make the panko coating

To make the panko coating, you will need panko breadcrumbs, eggs, and flour. Some recipes also call for seasonings such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, ginger, and cayenne pepper.

First, prepare three separate bowls for dredging. In the first bowl, combine the flour with your chosen seasonings. In the second bowl, whisk the eggs. In the third bowl, add the panko breadcrumbs.

Next, take each shrimp and dredge it in the flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip the shrimp into the egg mixture, followed by the panko breadcrumbs. Be sure to coat the shrimp thoroughly at each step.

Finally, place the breaded shrimp into the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overcrowded. Spray the shrimp with cooking spray or oil, and cook at 390-400°F for 8-15 minutes, depending on the size of your shrimp and your desired level of crispiness.

How to cook the shrimp in the air fryer

Now that you have cleaned, deveined, and defrosted your shrimp, it's time to cook them in the air fryer! Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Prepare your dredging station: Set up three wide-mouthed bowls for the dredging process. In the first bowl, combine flour, salt, pepper, and any desired seasonings like garlic powder or Italian seasoning. In the second bowl, whisk eggs with a little water. In the third bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs with Parmesan cheese or other seasonings like cayenne pepper or dried herbs. You can also add cornstarch to the first bowl if you want an extra crispy coating.
• Dredge the shrimp: Holding the shrimp by the tail, coat it well in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Then, dip it into the egg mixture, ensuring the egg adheres to the flour. Finally, place the shrimp into the panko mixture and pat to coat evenly on all sides.
• Prepare the air fryer basket: Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or oil to prevent sticking. Place the breaded shrimp in a single layer in the basket, making sure they don't overlap. Leave some space between each shrimp to ensure even cooking.
• Air fry the shrimp: Set the air fryer temperature to between 350-400°F. Cook the shrimp for 8-15 minutes, depending on their size and your desired level of crispiness. For smaller shrimp, cook for 8-10 minutes. For larger shrimp, cook for 10-15 minutes. No flipping is required as the shrimp will brown evenly on both sides.
• Make a dipping sauce (optional): While the shrimp are cooking, you can prepare a dipping sauce. A simple combination of mayonnaise, sriracha, and lime juice makes a delicious spicy mayo. Alternatively, you can serve the shrimp with cocktail sauce, honey mustard, garlic aioli, or an Asian dipping sauce.
• Serve: Remove the shrimp from the air fryer and serve immediately. They are best enjoyed fresh and crispy. Pair them with French fries, coleslaw, corn on the cob, roasted vegetables, rice, pasta, or grits. They also make excellent fillings for tacos or toppings for salads.

By following these steps, you'll have perfectly cooked, crispy, and delicious panko shrimp prepared in your air fryer!

How to make a dipping sauce

Panko shrimp is a versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer or the main course. It can be paired with a variety of dipping sauces, ranging from spicy and tangy to creamy and mild. Here are some ideas for dipping sauces to serve with your air-fried panko shrimp:

Spicy Mayo

Combine mayonnaise, sriracha, and lime juice to make a zesty and spicy dipping sauce. This sauce adds a kick to your shrimp and complements the crispiness of the panko coating.

Sweet Chilli and Sriracha Dipping Sauce

For those who enjoy a sweet and spicy combination, mix sweet chilli sauce with Sriracha. This sauce provides a nice balance of flavours and ensures that the shrimp remain crunchy as you dip them.

Louisiana-Style Remoulade

This creamy and perfectly spiced dipping sauce is inspired by Louisiana cuisine. It includes mayonnaise, ketchup, stone-ground mustard, lemon juice, Tabasco hot sauce, sweet paprika, and garlic powder. It's a versatile sauce that goes well with not just shrimp but also other seafood, fries, or sandwiches.

Cocktail Seafood Sauce

A classic and punchy sauce, the cocktail seafood sauce is tangy and savoury. It typically includes ingredients like tomato ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard (powder or prepared), onion powder, garlic powder, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and sometimes horseradish.

Thai Chilli Lime Sauce

For those who prefer a break from mayonnaise-based sauces, this Thai-inspired sauce is a perfect choice. It combines sweet chilli sauce, fresh lime juice, olive oil, garlic, sugar, and coriander/cilantro leaves. The flavours of this sauce pair beautifully with the shrimp.

Marie Rose/Thousand Island Sauce

This is a basic pink sauce made with mayonnaise and ketchup, along with some seasonings. It has a very neutral flavour, allowing the taste of the shrimp to shine through.

Tartar Sauce

Tartar sauce is similar to the Marie Rose sauce but with a fresher taste. It often includes ingredients like mayonnaise, gherkins/cornichons, dill, parsley, capers, eschalot/onion, Worcestershire sauce, and Tabasco.

When serving your air-fried panko shrimp, consider providing two contrasting dipping sauces to offer a variety of flavours for your guests. Enjoy experimenting with these sauces and finding your favourite combinations!

How to serve the shrimp

Panko shrimp is a versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer, a main course, or even as a tasty addition to salads or tacos. Here are some ideas on how to serve this delicious dish:

Appetizers and Sides

Panko shrimp makes a great appetizer or side dish, especially when served with a tasty dipping sauce. Some sauce options include:

• Spicy mayo: combine mayonnaise with sriracha and a splash of lime juice.
• Sweet chili and Sriracha dipping sauce: mix together sweet chili sauce, plain non-fat Greek yogurt, and Sriracha.
• Cocktail sauce, honey mustard, garlic aioli, or an Asian dipping sauce.
• Spicy sriracha mayo, tartar sauce, remoulade sauce, or bang bang sauce.

Main Course

For a more substantial meal, try serving panko shrimp with:

• Rice bowls: serve the shrimp in a bowl with rice, greens, avocado, and cucumbers to mimic a poke bowl.
• Tacos: wrap the shrimp in a tortilla with your favorite toppings and sauces.
• Salads: toss the shrimp on a bed of mixed greens with your favorite vegetables and dressing.
• Pasta: try serving the shrimp with your favorite pasta and sauce.
• Shrimp scampi: serve the shrimp over a bed of spaghetti squash for a tasty and unique take on this classic dish.
• Sides: serve the shrimp with French fries, coleslaw, corn on the cob, roasted vegetables, or grits.

Frequently asked questions