How To Make Perfectly Crispy Air Fryer Panko Shrimp At Home

Air fryers have become an increasingly popular kitchen appliance in recent years, and for good reason. They allow you to make deliciously crispy foods like fried shrimp using little to no oil. Panko shrimp cooked in the air fryer comes out with a light, crunchy coating and tender shrimp inside. It’s a quick and easy weeknight dinner option that tastes like you spent way more time in the kitchen than you actually did.

If you have an air fryer, making crispy panko shrimp at home is a breeze. And if you don’t have an air fryer yet, this recipe alone might convince you that it’s time to get one! Keep reading to learn everything you need to know to make the best air fried panko shrimp from scratch.

What Is Panko?

Panko breadcrumbs are Japanese-style breadcrumbs known for being light, flaky, and extra crispy. This makes them the perfect breading for air frying since you want the coating to get super crispy in the hot circulating air.

Regular breadcrumbs can work too, but they may not get quite as crispy and airy when cooked in the air fryer. Panko really is best for the job. You can find panko breadcrumbs in the Asian section of most grocery stores or with the rest of the breadcrumbs.

Why Air Fry Panko Shrimp?

There are a few reasons why cooking panko shrimp in the air fryer is ideal

• It’s healthier – Frying shrimp in oil on the stovetop soaks up a lot of extra fat and calories. The air fryer uses little to no oil, keeping it lighter.

• It gets ultra crispy – The hot air circulating around each shrimp crisp up the panko coating perfectly.

• It’s quick and easy – With no messy oil to deal with, air frying shrimp takes just minutes and requires minimal prep work

• You don’t heat up the kitchen – Unlike firing up the stove to pan fry, the air fryer doesn’t make your kitchen hot. It’s great for warm weather meals.

So if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to make restaurant-quality crispy shrimp at home without a lot of added fat and calories, the air fryer is the way to go!

Ingredients For Air Fryer Panko Shrimp

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Shrimp (peeled, deveined)
• Panko breadcrumbs
• Egg
• All-purpose flour
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Pepper
• Cooking spray

That’s it! Most of these are probably ingredients you already have on hand.

For homemade sauces to dip your shrimp in, you could make:

• cocktail sauce
• tangy remoulade
• spicy mayo
• sweet chili sauce

But the shrimp are delicious all on their own too.

How To Air Fry Panko Shrimp – Step By Step

Follow these simple steps for perfectly crispy air fried shrimp every time:

1. Prep the shrimp

Rinse the shrimp under cold water and pat dry thoroughly with paper towels. Make sure no water lingers on the shrimp before breading.

If the shrimp have tails on, leave them for presentation or snip them off with kitchen shears if desired.

2. Set up your breading station

In three separate shallow dishes or bowls, place:

• Flour
• Whisked egg
• Panko breadcrumbs

Season the panko breadcrumbs with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

3. Bread the shrimp

Working with a few shrimp at a time:

1. Dredge in flour, coating both sides
2. Dip in egg, allowing excess to drip off
3. Coat thoroughly in the seasoned panko mixture

Repeat with the remaining shrimp. Place breaded shrimp on a baking sheet or plate.

4. Air fry

Spray the basket of your air fryer with cooking spray. Place shrimp in the basket without overcrowding.

Air fry at 400°F for 6-8 minutes until the panko is golden brown and the shrimp are cooked through.

Flip shrimp halfway during cooking. Spritz the tops with more cooking spray to help crisp if needed.

5. Toss in sauce (optional)

In a large bowl, toss cooked shrimp with your favorite dipping sauce to coat. Enjoy immediately!

And that’s it – crispy air fried panko shrimp made easy. Enjoy this shrimp as a fun appetizer or quick weeknight dinner.

Tips For Perfect Air Fryer Panko Shrimp

• Make sure shrimp are dried thoroughly before breading to help the coating stick. Let sit on a paper towel-lined plate for a few minutes if needed.

• Bread shrimp just before air frying rather than in advance for the crispiest coating.

• Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook shrimp in batches for even browning.

• Adjust cooking time as needed based on shrimp size. Jumbo shrimp may take a minute or two longer.

• Use cooking spray or oil spray brushed on the shrimp between flips for extra crispy results.

• Work quickly when breading to prevent the panko coating from getting soggy.

• Let cooked shrimp rest for 1-2 minutes before saucing or serving to help retain the crispy texture.

Air Fryer Panko Shrimp Troubleshooting

Having an issue getting your shrimp to come out just right? Here are some common problems and how to avoid them:

Panko falling off – Make sure shrimp are dried well and flour is sticking before breading. Use fresh panko, as stale crumbs don’t adhere as well. Press panko into the shrimp firmly to help it adhere.

Breading not crisping – Don’t overcrowd shrimp in the basket. Flip halfway through cooking. Brush on a light coating of oil if needed.

Shrimp is overcooked – Follow suggested cook times and adjust as needed based on size of your shrimp. Check frequently.

Shrimp is undercooked – Increase air fryer temperature and cook time to ensure shrimp are cooked through fully.

Shrimp curls up – This can happen from high heat. Try slightly lower temp (375°F) and cook just until opaque.

Panko Shrimp Air Fryer Recipes To Try

Once you’ve mastered the basic air fried panko shrimp, try one of these fun flavor twist recipes:

• Lemon Pepper Panko Shrimp – Toss panko with lemon zest, lemon pepper seasoning, salt and pepper for a zesty citrus flavor.

• Everything Bagel Panko Shrimp – Mix panko with everything bagel seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder.

• Chili Lime Panko Shrimp – Season panko with chili powder, cumin, lime zest, cayenne, and salt.

• Cajun Panko Shrimp – Use Cajun seasoning to flavor the panko breading for a spicy kick.

• Ranch Panko Shrimp – Mix dried ranch seasoning into the panko for a creamy, herby flavor.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to the flavors you can add to your air fried shrimp! Use your favorite spice blends to change up this basic recipe and keep dinner interesting.

Serving Suggestions For Panko Shrimp

Crispy panko shrimp are delicious on their own for a quick appetizer or meal, but they also pair well with a variety of sides:

• Rice – White, fried, or coconut rice
• Pasta – Buttered noodles or pesto pasta
• Potatoes – Baked, mashed, or fried potatoes
• Vegetables – Steamed broccoli, roasted asparagus or brussels sprouts
• Salad – Tossed green salad, cabbage slaw, or pasta salad

For a complete meal, shrimp goes great over greens or grains along with fresh veggies. Dip the shrimp in your favorite sauce and enjoy!

Air Fryer Panko Shrimp FAQs

Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about making this recipe:

How long does it take to cook shrimp in an air fryer?

Cooking time can vary based on size of the shrimp and power of your air fryer, but average time is 6-8 minutes at 400°F. Start checking at 6 minutes.

Can you bake panko shrimp instead?

Yes, you can bake panko shrimp in the oven instead of the air fryer. Use the same instructions but bake at 450°F for 8-12 minutes, flipping halfway.

Do you have to use egg in the coating?

No, the egg helps with browning and adhesion but