Air-Fried Shrimp Tacos: Quick, Easy, And Delicious

Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos are a quick, easy, and healthy meal that can be made in under 30 minutes. The shrimp is seasoned with a variety of spices and cooked in the air fryer, resulting in a perfectly tender and juicy texture. The tacos are then assembled with a variety of toppings, such as a zesty slaw, avocado, salsa, and cheese. This recipe is a fun and delicious option for any weeknight dinner or Taco Tuesday celebration.

How to season shrimp for tacos

To make delicious shrimp tacos in an air fryer, you'll want to make sure your shrimp are well-seasoned. Here's a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to season shrimp for tacos:

Step 1: Prepare the Shrimp

Start by adding your shrimp to a large bowl. You'll want to use raw, peeled, and deveined shrimp for this recipe. You can also remove the tails if they haven't been removed already. If your shrimp are frozen, be sure to thaw them first.

Step 2: Add Oil and Spices

Drizzle olive oil over the shrimp and toss to coat. Then, add your desired spices and seasonings. You can use a pre-made taco seasoning or create your own blend. Here are some common spices used in shrimp taco recipes:

• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Smoked paprika
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Black pepper
• Cayenne pepper
• Salt

Feel free to adjust the amounts of each spice to your taste preferences. You can also add a drizzle of honey to the shrimp for a touch of sweetness.

Step 3: Toss to Coat

Once you've added all your spices, toss the shrimp in the bowl until they are evenly coated with the spice mixture. Make sure each shrimp is well-coated for maximum flavor.

Step 4: Air Fry

After your shrimp are seasoned, it's time to cook them in the air fryer. Place the shrimp in the air fryer basket in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd them. Set the air fryer to 390-400°F (200°C) and cook for 6-8 minutes, or until the shrimp are opaque and fully cooked.

And that's it! You now have delicious, seasoned shrimp that are ready to be added to your tacos. Be sure to assemble your tacos with your favorite toppings and enjoy!

How to assemble shrimp tacos

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to assemble shrimp tacos:

Step 1: Prepare the Tortillas

First, decide on the type of tortillas you want to use. Corn tortillas are a great gluten-free option, while flour tortillas are also a popular choice. You can warm the tortillas in a tortilla warmer, clean kitchen towel, or directly on a gas stove. If you don't have access to a gas stove, you can warm them in a pan or the microwave.

Step 2: Make the Guacamole

For a classic taco filling, prepare some guacamole by mashing avocados and adding seasonings like salt and pepper to taste. You can also add other ingredients like chopped onions, tomatoes, or lime juice to enhance the flavor.

Step 3: Cook the Shrimp

For the star of your shrimp tacos, you'll want to prepare and cook the shrimp. Start by coating the shrimp with a mixture of olive oil and your desired seasonings. This can include chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. You can also add a touch of honey for some sweetness.

Next, place the seasoned shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket and air fry at around 400°F for about 6-8 minutes, or until the shrimp are fully cooked and pink in color.

Step 4: Prepare the Toppings

While the shrimp is cooking, you can prepare any additional toppings or sauces. A popular option is a cilantro lime slaw, which you can make by blending Greek yogurt, cilantro, feta cheese, and lime juice. You can also make a zesty slaw by mixing cabbage, cilantro, jalapenos, ranch dressing, mayonnaise, lime juice, salt, and pepper.

Step 5: Assemble the Tacos

Now it's time to bring everything together! Spread a layer of guacamole onto your warmed tortilla, then top it with the cooked shrimp and your chosen toppings. You can add the slaw, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, avocado slices, or any other ingredients that suit your taste.

Finally, you can drizzle your tacos with additional sauce or a squeeze of lime juice, and they're ready to serve!

How to cook shrimp in an air fryer

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• Spices of your choice (e.g. garlic powder, cumin, chili powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt)
• 1 teaspoon of honey (optional)

Method:

• In a large bowl, combine the shrimp, olive oil, and your choice of spices. Toss the shrimp to ensure they are fully coated.
• Place the seasoned shrimp in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Avoid overlapping the shrimp to ensure even cooking.
• Set the air fryer to 390-400°F and cook the shrimp for 6-8 minutes, or until they are pink and fully cooked.
• Flip the shrimp halfway through the cooking process for even cooking.
• The shrimp are done when they turn pink and are firm to the touch.

Tips:

• You can use frozen shrimp, but it is best to thaw them first and pat them dry before adding the spices.
• Brush the air fryer basket lightly with oil or use an oil mister to prevent the shrimp from sticking.
• Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for best results.
• If you have a larger batch of shrimp, you may need to cook them in multiple batches.

How to make a slaw for shrimp tacos

To make a slaw for shrimp tacos, you'll need a few simple ingredients and about 15 minutes of prep time. Here's a detailed guide:

Ingredients:

• Red and/or Green Cabbage: Finely shred the cabbage. You can use a slicer for even pieces. You can also use a bag of pre-shredded coleslaw mix as a time-saver.
• Cilantro: Chop the cilantro finely to add a burst of flavour.
• Lime: You'll need the juice of one medium lime or half to one lime, depending on your preference. Freshly squeezed is best.
• Mayonnaise or Plain Greek Yogurt: This will be the base of your slaw, adding a creamy texture.
• Salt: Use kosher salt or regular salt to taste.
• Optional Add-ins: For a kick of spice, add some sriracha or jalapeno. You can also include other vegetables like shallots or red onions (finely diced).

Instructions:

• Prepare the Cilantro Lime Dressing: In a blender or food processor, combine the mayonnaise or Greek yogurt, cilantro, lime juice, and salt. You can also add other ingredients like garlic or olive oil for extra flavour. Blend until smooth.
• Make the Slaw: In a medium-sized bowl, add the shredded cabbage. Pour in half of the dressing and toss well until the cabbage is coated. You can add more dressing if you prefer a creamier slaw.
• Warm the Tortillas (Optional): If you like your tortillas warm, you can wrap them in tinfoil and place them in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes. You can also warm them directly on a gas stove, in a skillet, or in the microwave.
• Assemble the Tacos: Start by spreading a layer of mashed avocado onto your tortilla. Then, add a generous portion of the slaw, followed by your cooked shrimp. Top it off with extra cilantro, a squeeze of lime, and any other desired toppings like cheese, tomatoes, or salsa.
• Serve and Enjoy: These shrimp tacos are best served fresh, but you can also store the components separately in airtight containers in the fridge for a day or two.

How to serve shrimp tacos

There are many ways to serve shrimp tacos, and they can be tailored to your taste preferences. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to serve delicious shrimp tacos using an air fryer:

Step 1: Prepare the Shrimp

Start by adding the shrimp to a bowl and coating them with seasonings. The specific seasonings can vary, but a typical combination includes salt, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, pepper, and cayenne pepper. You can also add olive oil and honey to the shrimp to enhance the flavour and help the seasonings coat them properly. Toss the shrimp in the bowl until they are evenly coated with the seasonings and other ingredients.

Step 2: Air Fry the Shrimp

Preheat your air fryer to 390-400°F (around 200°C). Place the seasoned shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket or tray. Avoid overlapping the shrimp to ensure even cooking. Air fry the shrimp for about 6-8 minutes, or until they are cooked through. The shrimp will be done when they are no longer opaque and have reached an internal temperature of 120-145°F (around 63°C).

Step 3: Prepare the Tortillas

While the shrimp is cooking, you can warm up your tortillas. You can warm them directly on a gas stove, in a skillet, in the microwave, or even in the air fryer if it has a broil setting. Keep an eye on them to avoid burning.

Step 4: Prepare the Toppings

You can prepare a variety of toppings to go with your shrimp tacos. Here are some options:

• Cilantro Lime Slaw: In a large bowl, combine shredded red or green cabbage, cilantro, shallot or red onion, mayonnaise or Greek yogurt, lime juice, and optional sriracha and salt to taste. This slaw adds a tangy and crunchy element to your tacos.
• Guacamole: Mash some avocados and add salt, pepper, and lime juice to taste. Guacamole provides a creamy and flavourful addition to your tacos.
• Salsa: You can make a homemade salsa, such as mango-avocado salsa, or use store-bought salsa. Salsa adds freshness and a bit of spice to your tacos.
• Other Toppings: You can also add chopped onions, bell peppers, sour cream, cotija cheese, or any other toppings of your choice.

Step 5: Assemble the Tacos

Once the shrimp is cooked, it's time to assemble your tacos! Place a warm tortilla on a plate and add a layer of guacamole, shrimp, slaw, salsa, and any other desired toppings. Squeeze some lime juice over the taco and garnish with chopped cilantro.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Shrimp tacos are best served fresh, so dig in and enjoy your delicious creation! You can also serve them with sides such as chips and guacamole, and drinks like margaritas or daiquiris.

Frequently asked questions