Air-Fried Popcorn Shrimp: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Popcorn shrimp is a quick and easy dish to make in an air fryer. It is a healthier alternative to deep-fried shrimp as it requires little to no oil and takes less time than baking. You can use frozen, pre-breaded shrimp or make your own from scratch using raw shrimp. The shrimp is cooked in the air fryer for around 8-10 minutes, depending on the brand and wattage of your air fryer, and is served with a variety of dipping sauces.

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures that your food will cook evenly and efficiently. Here are some detailed instructions and tips for preheating your air fryer to 400°F when making popcorn shrimp:

First, it is important to note that not all air fryers are the same. Some models may require preheating, while others, like the Philips XXL air fryer, do not. Always refer to your air fryer's user manual for specific instructions and guidelines.

If your air fryer requires preheating, follow these steps:

• Set the temperature: Adjust the temperature setting on your air fryer to 400°F. This temperature is ideal for cooking popcorn shrimp, as it will give them a nice crispy texture without overcooking them.
• Allow time for preheating: Depending on your air fryer model, it may take a few minutes for the appliance to reach the desired temperature. Most air fryers will have an indicator light or a beep to signal when it is preheated.
• Prepare the air fryer basket: While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare the air fryer basket by lining it with parchment paper or spraying it with nonstick cooking spray. This step will help prevent your shrimp from sticking to the basket and make cleanup easier.
• Don't rush the preheating process: It's important to give your air fryer enough time to reach the desired temperature. Skipping or rushing the preheating step may result in uneven cooking or a less-than-perfect crispy texture for your shrimp.
• Adjust for altitude: If you live in a high-altitude area, you may need to make adjustments to the preheating time or temperature. The air pressure at higher altitudes can affect the performance of your air fryer, so refer to your user manual or consult the manufacturer's guidelines for specific instructions.
• Consider the quantity of food: If you are cooking a large batch of popcorn shrimp, you may need to increase the preheating time slightly to ensure that your air fryer reaches the desired temperature. Again, refer to your air fryer's instructions for guidance.

By following these instructions and tips, you'll be able to properly preheat your air fryer to 400°F, ensuring that your popcorn shrimp turns out perfectly crispy and delicious every time!

Prepare the air fryer basket

Before you start cooking, it's important to prepare your air fryer basket. This will ensure that your shrimp cooks evenly and doesn't stick to the surface. Here are the steps you should follow:

First, lightly spray the air fryer basket with a bit of oil or nonstick cooking spray. This step is optional but can help to ensure that your shrimp doesn't stick to the basket. You can also use olive oil spray if you prefer.

Next, place the shrimp in the basket. Make sure that you only cook a single layer of shrimp at a time to ensure even cooking. If you are using frozen shrimp, place them in the basket in a single layer. If you are using fresh shrimp, coat them in flour, then dip them in a beaten egg, and finally, toss them in a mixture of panko breadcrumbs and seasonings before placing them in the basket.

Once the shrimp are in the basket, give them a light mist of cooking spray or oil. This will help to ensure that they cook evenly and don't dry out.

At this point, your air fryer basket should be prepared and ready to go! You can now move on to the next step of cooking your popcorn shrimp.

Place the shrimp in the basket

Once you've prepared the shrimp, it's time to place them in the air fryer basket. It's important to ensure that the shrimp are in a single layer and not stacked on top of each other. This is to allow for even cooking and to ensure that they get nice and crispy. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the shrimp in batches.

Before placing the shrimp in the basket, you can lightly spray them with oil to get them extra crispy. You can also spray the basket with a bit of oil if you like. This is optional but can add a bit of extra flavour and texture to the shrimp.

Depending on the recipe you are following, you will then cook the shrimp for around 4 to 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. For example, one recipe suggests cooking pre-made breaded shrimp at 400°F for 8 minutes, shaking the basket at the halfway mark. Another recipe recommends cooking fresh or frozen shrimp at 390°F for a total of 10 minutes, shaking the basket and spraying the shrimp with oil after the first 5 minutes.

If you are cooking a large batch of shrimp, you may need to cook them in multiple batches to ensure they cook evenly. Simply repeat the process until all the shrimp are cooked.

Air fry for 6-10 minutes

Now, it's time to air-fry your shrimp! Place the shrimp in the air fryer basket in a single layer to ensure even cooking. Set the air fryer to 390-400°F and cook for 6-10 minutes, shaking the basket and spraying the shrimp with oil halfway through.

For example, one recipe recommends cooking the shrimp at 400°F for 8 minutes, shaking the basket at the halfway mark. Another suggests cooking at 390°F for 10 minutes, tossing the shrimp after 5 minutes. A third option is to cook at 360°F for 8 minutes, turning the shrimp once during cooking.

Regardless of the specific temperature and timing you choose, the key is to ensure the shrimp are cooked through and have a crispy, golden coating. You may need to adjust the cooking time depending on the wattage of your air fryer, so it's a good idea to keep an eye on them during cooking and adjust as needed.

Once they're done, remove the shrimp from the air fryer and enjoy!

Serve with sauce

There are many sauces and dips that go well with popcorn shrimp. Here are some ideas:

• Honey Sriracha Sauce
• Spicy Cajun Dipping Sauce
• Ketchup
• Chipotle Mayo
• Spicy Mayo
• Honey Dijon
• Creamy Garlic
• Plum Sauce
• Tartar Sauce
• Cocktail Sauce
• Lemon Wedges
• Remoulade Sauce
• Salsa
• Guacamole
• Ranch Dressing
• Blue Cheese Dressing
• Honey Lime Sauce
• Chipotle Sauce

You can also serve popcorn shrimp with chips, on a bed of rice or noodles, or as a salad with your favourite dressing.

Frequently asked questions