This shrimp in the air fryer only takes 8 minutes to make and always comes out tender and juicy. It only needs a few simple ingredients and goes well with a lot of different dishes.
Who loves using their air fryer for everything? I’ve been making main meals for my family with it, mostly seafood. Our favorites include air fryer salmon, air fryer tilapia, and now, juicy shrimp.
You see, shrimp can be hard to work with because they are so easy to overcook or undercook. Not like deep-frying, pan-frying, or baking shrimp, though, my air fryer shrimp recipe always makes the shellfish perfectly cooked. Table of Contents.
How Long to Air Fry Cooked Shrimp for Perfect Results Every Time
Cooking shrimp in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to enjoy this delicious seafood. The air fryer allows you to cook shrimp with minimal oil, resulting in shrimp that is crispy on the outside while retaining juiciness on the inside. But figuring out exactly how long to cook shrimp in an air fryer can be tricky. Undercook it and the shrimp will be mushy and unsafe to eat. Overcook it and you’ll end up with rubbery, dried out shrimp.
So how long should you set your air fryer timer for to achieve perfect, juicy shrimp every time? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to master cooking shrimp in the air fryer.
Factors That Affect Air Fryer Shrimp Cook Times
Several key factors impact how long it takes to cook shrimp in the air fryer
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Size of the shrimp – The cooking time can vary significantly based on whether you are cooking small, medium, or jumbo shrimp. Larger shrimp require longer cook times.
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Thickness of the shrimp – Thicker, plumper shrimp will take longer to cook through than thinner shrimp.
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Frozen vs. thawed – Frozen shrimp adds extra time to the cooking process, while thawed shrimp will cook faster.
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Amount of shrimp – When cooking a large batch, you may need to increase cook time and shake the basket periodically for even cooking.
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Air fryer model – Different air fryer models heat up and circulate air differently, impacting cook times. Get to know your appliance.
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Flavorings/coatings – Breading, spicy rubs, or sauce-coated shrimp may require adjusting the cook time.
Keep these factors in mind as you determine the best air fryer shrimp cook time for your specific ingredients and appliance.
How to Tell When Shrimp is Done in the Air Fryer
It can be challenging to tell when shrimp is fully cooked through in the air fryer without overcooking it. Here are some tips for determining doneness:
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Color – The shrimp will turn from translucent gray to opaque pink/white when fully cooked.
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Texture – Cooked shrimp should be firm with a “snap” when you bite into it. It should not be mushy or rubbery when squeezed.
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Shape – Properly cooked shrimp will curl into a “C” shape.
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Internal temperature – Use an instant read thermometer to check that the thickest part of the shrimp has reached an internal temperature of 145°F.
If in doubt, always err on the side of slightly undercooked rather than overcooked. You can then pop the shrimp back in for 1-2 minutes if needed.
Air Fryer Cook Times for Different Shrimp Sizes
Here are some general air fryer cooking guidelines based on shrimp size:
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Colossal shrimp (10 shrimp per pound or less) – 12-14 minutes at 370°F
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Jumbo shrimp (11-15 shrimp per pound) – 8-12 minutes at 370°F
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Extra large shrimp (16-20 per pound) – 7-10 minutes at 370°F
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Large shrimp (21-25 per pound) – 5-7 minutes at 370°F
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Medium shrimp (36-45 per pound) – 4-6 minutes at 370°F
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Small shrimp (51-60 per pound) – 3-5 minutes at 370°F
These cook times are based on thawed, peeled shrimp with the tails on. Add 2-3 minutes for shrimp coated in breading or sauce. For frozen shrimp, add 3-5 minutes to the cook time.
Always check shrimp at the lowest recommended time and adjust accordingly. Times may vary based on your air fryer model.
Tips for Cooking Shrimp Perfectly in the Air Fryer
Follow these tips for air fryer shrimp perfection:
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Pat shrimp dry before cooking to maximize browning and crispness in the air fryer.
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Organize shrimp in a single layer on the air fryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd.
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Spray shrimp lightly with oil or toss in a bit of oil for even browning.
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Flip or shake the shrimp halfway through cook time for even cooking.
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If breading shrimp, let the breading set 5-10 minutes after coating before air frying.
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Don’t forget to preheat the air fryer before adding the shrimp.
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Track cook times and make adjustments as needed for your particular appliance.
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Brush cooked shrimp with melted butter, herbs, or other sauce right when done cooking.
Mastering the ideal air fryer shrimp cook time for your tastes and ingredients takes some experimentation. But once you discover that sweet spot, you’ll be enjoying restaurant-quality crispy air fried shrimp at home on the regular.
Frequently Asked Questions About Air Frying Shrimp
- Should you flip shrimp during air frying?
Yes, flipping or shaking the basket halfway through the cook time ensures the shrimp brown and cook evenly on both sides.
- Is it better to cook shrimp with the shell on or off in the air fryer?
This comes down to personal preference, but leaving the shell and tail on can add flavor and help the shrimp retain more moisture. Peel the shrimp if you want maximum surface area for crisping.
- What temperature should you cook shrimp at in an air fryer?
The ideal air fryer temperature for shrimp is around 370°F. Higher temps risk overcooking.
- How can you tell when frozen shrimp is done in the air fryer?
Increase the cook time by 3-5 minutes over fresh shrimp and check for an opaque color throughout, a firm texture, and an internal temp of 145°F.
- Do you have to preheat an air fryer before cooking shrimp?
Yes, preheating helps the air fryer recover temperature lost when opening the basket to add food. It ensures fast, even cooking.
- Can you put raw shrimp in an air fryer?
Absolutely! Air frying raw, thawed shrimp is a fast and healthy cooking method that yields delicious results.
- Is air fried shrimp healthy?
Yes, air frying shrimp uses little or no added oil compared to deep frying, keeping it a lean protein option. Just avoid heavy breading or sauce.
Make the Perfect Air Fried Shrimp Every Time
Cooking shrimp in the air fryer may take some trial and error based on the size of your shrimp and particular appliance. But once you dial in the ideal cook time, you’ll be rewarded with quick, easy, crispy, and delicious air fried shrimp. Use the tips in this guide to perfectly execute this tasty seafood dish.
Recipe tips and variations
- Do not put too many shrimp in the air fryer at once, or the shrimp will not cook evenly and some sides will be done too early. Instead, cook the shrimp one layer at a time and in groups.
- If you flip the shrimp over halfway through, both sides will be crispy.
- Some fun seasonings to try are lemon pepper, Cajun seasoning, and old bay seasoning. They will change the taste and spices.
- Sprinkle panko bread crumbs and/or parmesan cheese on top if you want to bread it or make it extra crispy.
While delicious on its own, air fried shrimp is delicious to use in a plethora of ways. Here are some of my favorites-.
- Shrimp salad. You can put the cooked shrimp in my shrimp salad or on top of your favorite greens.
- Shrimp sandwich. As a quick and easy way to satisfy my craving for a shrimp burger, I often make myself a sandwich with cold shrimp, spicy mayo, lettuce, and tomatoes.
- Shrimp tacos. Put the shrimp, salsa, and guacamole on soft or hard shell tacos. You can also add the shrimp to my shrimp fajitas and save a lot of work.
- Shrimp pasta. Add air-fried shrimp to your favorite pasta or use shrimp that has already been cooked in a pesto pasta.
- Sauces. This shrimp is great as an appetizer or party dish with fun sauces like hot honey sauce, garlic yogurt sauce (shown), or ketchup if I’m not making it for dinner.
To store: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
If you want to freeze leftovers, put them in a ziplock bag and freeze them for up to two months.
Thaw the food, then put it on a baking sheet or in the air fryer basket to heat it up and make it crispy.
While shrimp may look dull and gray before cooking, it’s very easy to tell when it’s fully cooked. The shrimp should be pink/orange in color and form a clear ‘C’ shape.
Yes, frozen shrimp will work, but you need to make sure it’s been thawed completely. Once it has, I recommend using a paper towel to mop up any excess moisture.
How to cook shrimp in the air fryer
Pat dry the shrimp: Pat dry the shrimp with a paper towel.
Spice up the shrimp: Put the shrimp in a bowl and add the olive oil and spices. Mix the shrimp until they are well covered.
Cook in the air fryer: Air fry the shrimp for 7-8 minutes at 200C/400F.
Serve: Serve the shrimp immediately.
The average cooking time is 8 minutes. However, it depends on the brand of the air fryer and how large the shrimp are.
I use my favorite Phillips air fryer, which fits quite a large air fryer basket, so it cooks perfectly by the 7-minute mark. If yours is larger, it will be a little shorter (check it around the 6-minute mark).
Air Fryer Shrimp
How do you cook shrimp in an air fryer?
Preheat air fryer to 400°F if your air fryer requires preheating. In a large bowl, toss shrimp with olive oil, garlic, creole seasoning, pepper and onion powder. Place shrimp in air fryer basket, in an even layer. Cook shrimp at 400°F for 4 minutes. Flip shrimp and continue to cook for 2 minutes more, until shrimp are pink and curled when cooked.
Can one cook broccoli in an air fryer?
Yes, you can cook broccoli in the air fryer like any other vegetable. You can add a little salt, garlic powder and pepper to enhance the flavor.
How long can you keep cooked shrimp in an air fryer?
The cooking times are approximate and can vary a little bit based on the model of your air fryer. Keep leftover cooked shrimp in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Preheat your air fryer to 300°F (149°C) and arrange the already cooked shrimp in a single layer.
How long do you air Fry shrimp in a crock pot?
Air fry them at 400°F for five to six minutes, shaking the basket halfway. Tacos: Wrap the shrimp in corn tortillas and top with cilantro and a creamy lime sauce. You can even season the shrimp with Latin spices, like chili powder and cumin. Or save on carbs and make lettuce wraps instead.