Season the shrimp, coat them in bread crumbs, and then cook them in an air fryer until they are golden, crispy, and seriously tasty! Serve with cocktail sauce, tartar sauce, or warm marinara for a tasty appetizer that everyone will love!
I didn’t like the grease, the weight, the oil, or the splatters if you make it at home. So I just opted out.
And so when the Air Fryer hit the shelves and was all the rage, I jumped right in.
(To note, I normally hate getting on board with the new popular thing. Maybe it’s my stubborn side. But the promise of this appliance was just too much for me to resist. ).
Now I love air-frying everything to get my fried food fix without the mess or the bad habits.
Air Fryer mozzarella sticks are a favorite appetizer, as are Air Fryer zucchini sticks for a veggie app. And these air-fried ravioli are a hit with my kids. They can be served as an appetizer or as a main dish.
You can also get protein from these Air Fryer BBQ chicken legs, which are delicious, and everyone loves Air Fryer chicken tenders.
Yes, this easy southwest Air Fryer shrimp recipe is just what you need if you want to cook shrimp in the Air Fryer without breadcrumbs or a coating.
However, today we’re covering our shrimp in a tasty, thick breading that gets really crispy in the air fryer, with lots of little browned bits all over for a lot of crunch.
Before being dipped in egg, these shrimp are dredged in seasoned flour. Then they are covered in a seasoned Panko breadcrumb mixture, which makes them extra crispy.
Then they are golden brown, hot and ready to serve with your favorite dipping sauce. Everyone will go crazy for these!.
Here are some notes and tips on how to make breaded shrimp that is crispy in an air fryer. Just tryin’ to be helpful.
If you want to get to the recipe, just scroll down through the rest of the text. The recipe card is near the bottom of the page, above the comments section.
Season the shrimp, coat them in bread crumbs, and then cook them in an air fryer until they are golden, crispy, and seriously tasty! Serve with cocktail sauce, tartar sauce, or warm marinara for a tasty appetizer that everyone will love!
Shrimp: I used a pound of extra large shrimp, which come 26-30 a pound. You can substitute another size shrimp, but you’ll need to adjust your cooking time.
Frozen shrimp: For this recipe, the shrimp need to be cleaned, peeled, and deveined (more on that in a minute). Please plan accordingly. (You can ask your seafood counter to prep these for you if needed. Or buy the deveined easy-peel frozen shrimp that are almost ready to go. ).
Shrimp tails: You can leave the tails on if you prefer. It adds some extra flavor while cooking, but can be a bit more fussy for eating. Up to you.
You should use Panko breadcrumbs because they make these really crispy, so don’t use regular breadcrumbs instead.
Spicy: Would you like it hot? Add a pinch of cayenne and/or serve this with a sauce that is also hot.
Leftovers: Leftover cooked shrimp, once cooled, can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
To reheat, put the shrimp in the Air Fryer tray and set it to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for two to three minutes.
Fried shrimp is one of life’s great indulgences. That crispy golden coating encasing the plump juicy shrimp inside is pure magic. However, leftover fried shrimp often suffers a soggy demise in the fridge, leaving you disappointed the next day. But there is a way to revive that crispy texture and bring your fried shrimp back to its former glory – the air fryer!
Air frying is the perfect way to reheat fried shrimp without compromising on that oh-so-satisfying crunch. But exactly how long should you put those leftover fried shrimp in the air fryer? Read on for tips, tricks, and timing to get the best reheating results.
How the Air Fryer Works Its Magic
Before we dive into timing, it’s helpful to understand why the air fryer does such a stellar job of reheating fried foods like shrimp. The air fryer uses rapid air circulation to mimic the effects of deep frying. As hot air rapidly circulates around the food it dries out the exterior resulting in a crispy outer layer without the need for submerging in oil.
This makes the air fryer the ultimate tool for reheating anything breaded or coated to revive its texture The circulating air quickly dries out any sogginess that may have developed on refrigerated leftovers and ensures your shrimp get crispy again
Factors that Affect Reheating Time
When reheating fried shrimp in the air fryer, the time required will vary depending on a few factors:
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Size of shrimp – Larger shrimp will take longer than smaller shrimp. Jumbo shrimp may need 1-2 minutes more than medium or small.
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Breading thickness – Thicker breading will require more time to crisp up again. Lightly breaded shrimp will reheat faster.
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Quantity – The more shrimp you’re reheating, the longer it will take to get them all hot and crispy again. Work in batches for best results.
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Air fryer wattage – Lower-wattage air fryers may require a minute or two longer. Check your manual for guidance.
Keeping these factors in mind will help you gauge the best reheating time for your leftover shrimp.
Recommended Time and Temperature
The ideal temperature for reheating fried shrimp in the air fryer is 350°F to 375°F. This gives you enough heat to make the coating crispy without overcooking the shrimp inside.
For reheating time, 3 to 5 minutes is the typical range. To be more specific:
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Medium or small shrimp with light breading will take 3 to 4 minutes.
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Larger or jumbo shrimp with heavier breading will be closer to 5 minutes.
As always, keep a close eye on your shrimp as they reheat. You want to pull them out as soon as the coating looks crispy again but before the shrimp starts to dry out. Adjust the time up or down as needed based on your specific batch.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps for crispy, crunchy reheated fried shrimp every time:
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Pre-heat your air fryer to 350°F to 375°F.
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Pat any excess moisture off the shrimp with a paper towel. Arrange shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd.
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Reheat for 3 to 5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Track your time based on the size of your shrimp and thickness of coating.
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Check for crispness. If needed, continue cooking in 1 minute increments, shaking between each.
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Serve and enjoy immediately for maximum crunch! Dip in your favorite sauce.
Pro tip: Mist the shrimp very lightly with oil before reheating for extra crispy results.
Handy Time Chart
For easy reference, here is a reheating time chart based on shrimp size:
|Shrimp Size|Time|
|-|-|-|
|Small|3-4 minutes|
|Medium|3-4 minutes|
|Large|4-5 minutes|
|Jumbo|5-6 minutes|
Add a minute or two more for thicker breading.
Other Tips for Crispy Success
Beyond getting the timing right, here are some other air fryer reheating tips for fried shrimp:
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Don’t overcrowd the basket. Leave space for airflow.
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Use a light hand when breading leftovers for reheating. Thick breading takes longer.
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Flip/shake the shrimp midway through cooking for even crisping.
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Brush shrimp lightly with oil before reheating for added crispiness.
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Work in batches to avoid cramming too many shrimp in at once.
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Let cooked shrimp rest 1-2 minutes out of the air fryer before eating.
Enjoy to the Last Bite
One of the draws of air-fried foods is that they stay crispy for a while after cooking. So your shrimp will have a nice window of prime crunchiness after coming out of the air fryer.
But don’t wait too long before digging in! For the best experience, start enjoying your reheated shrimp within 5-10 minutes after removing from the fryer while it’s still crackling.
Dip each morsel in tangy cocktail or tartar sauce to balance the crispy, salty exterior with cool, creamy flavor. A squeeze of lemon adds welcomed brightness.
With the right reheating time and technique, you can look forward to leftover fried shrimp instead of dreading the leftovers. So next time you’re making these crispy morsels, fry up a few extra with the air fryer in mind. Bring on the next day’s shrimp cocktail, po’ boys, or shrimp tacos! Your taste buds and wallet will thank you.
Enjoy Fried Shrimp Any Day
One of the appeals of air-frying is that you can enjoy deliciously crunchy fried foods without having to deep fry or create a mess with hot oil at home. This opens up possibilities for quick and easy crispy shrimp whenever the craving strikes!
So if you don’t have leftovers handy, don’t let that stop you. Just whip up a fresh batch of breaded shrimp and then air fry until golden. Follow the same crispy reheating methods shared here.
In just 10-15 minutes, you can be enjoying a weeknight shrimp feast sans deep fryer. Keep a bag of frozen shrimp on hand and the air fryer will handle the rest!
The air fryer lets you indulge in fried shrimp on busy weeknights, as an impromptu app for guests, or whenever that crispy, crunchy craving calls. Crunchy, golden seafood is just minutes away thanks to modern kitchen magic.
Crispy Shrimp – Any Way You Like It
While this guide focuses on plain breaded shrimp, the air fryer works its reheating wonders on all kinds of crispy shrimp creations. Here are just a few to try:
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Coconut shrimp – Roll in coconut flakes before frying
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Bang bang shrimp – Toss in tangy sweet chili sauce
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Buffalo shrimp – Coat in hot sauce and butter
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Shrimp crunch rolls – With cabbage and carrots wrapped in wontons
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Cajun blackened shrimp – Seasoned with Cajun spices
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Shrimp tempura – Light, Japanese-style batter
No matter how you bread or season your shrimp, the air fryer can revive it to crispy glory. Be sure to adjust cook times accordingly for any thicker sauces or heavier batters.
Get creative with your favorite seasonings and flavors! The possibilities for crispy shrimp creations are endless.
Questions People Often Ask About Reheating Fried Shrimp
Here are some of the most common questions people have about reheating fried shrimp in the air fryer:
How do you keep the breading from getting soggy?
- Pat shrimp dry before reheating
- Use light breading/avoid thick batter
- Mist with oil before air frying
- Don’t overload the air fryer basket
Can you reheat fried shrimp in the oven?
Yes, you can reheat fried shrimp in the oven. Preheat to 400°F and use a wire rack over a baking sheet. Reheat for 4-6 minutes. Check frequently to avoid overcooking.
Is it safe to reheat fried shrimp more than once?
It’s best to only reheat fried shrimp once for food safety reasons. Reheating twice risks drying them out or making them rubbery.
How do you reheat fried shrimp without a fryer?
You can use the oven or stove top. For the oven, use a wire rack at 400°F for 4-6 minutes. For the stove, heat a skillet with oil over medium heat. Cook shrimp 1-2 minutes per side.
**How long do you reheat fried shrimp in the air fry
How long do you cook shrimp in an Air Fryer?
Shrimp between the sizes of 26 and 30 are large and extra-large. They will cook in the air fryer at 400 degrees F for about 6 to 8 minutes. You want them cooked through, but not overdone.
– Smaller shrimp, such as the medium 36-40 size, will be done in 5-6 minutes.
– Check at the earlier side of the time and add an extra minute or two if needed.
And in case you are in the market for an Air Fryer, I highly recommend mine.
I had a small one at first, but it wasn’t big enough for everything I wanted to fry in the Air Fryer.
So I got this one (it’s usually on sale, which is nice) and I’ve loved it. It’s a better fit for families with children, or just if you’re cooking for bigger groups.
Here are all of my Air Fryer recipes for those of you who are as crazy about this machine as I am.
And stay tuned because I have many more Air Fryer recipes planned for you!
If you sign up for my free e-newsletter, all of my new recipes will be sent right to your email box, so you never miss a thing. I’ll even send you my free e-cookbook, Healthy Weeknight Dinners, as a thank you!.
OK, back to today’s recipe.
Only have frozen shrimp? Me too most of the time.
If you don’t live near the coast, shopping for seafood that is frozen is often the best way to get it very fresh. That’s because the seafood is flash frozen right after it’s off the boat, preserving it at peak freshness.
It’s also getting close to the end of its shelf life because some “fresh” seafood at the grocery store counter has already been thawed.
I have a lot of experience with frozen shrimp and seafood, so here are a few ways to thaw it, depending on how much time you have.
Notes on making Air Fryer breaded shrimp:
- Shrimp: I used one pound of extra-large shrimp, which cost between 26 and 30 cents a pound. You can use shrimp of a different size, but you’ll need to change the cooking time.
- Frozen shrimp: For this recipe, the shrimp need to be cleaned, peeled, and deveined (more on that in a minute). Please plan accordingly. (If you need help, you can ask the seafood counter to prepare these for you.) Or, you can buy frozen shrimp that have already been deveined and peeled. ).
- Tails of shrimp: If you’d rather, you can leave the tails on. It makes food taste better when cooked, but it can be a little tricky to eat. Up to you.
- You should use Panko breadcrumbs because they make these really crispy, so don’t use regular breadcrumbs instead.
- Spicy: If you like things hot, you can add a pinch of cayenne to the seasonings or serve this with a spicy dipping sauce.
Really though, you probably have all the ingredients you need for this recipe on hand in your kitchen. And that makes them super easy to throw together!.
Also, because I know this is a go-to question:
How to reheat shrimp in air fryer?
How do you cook fried shrimp in an air fryer?
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F . Place your leftover fried shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket, without overcrowding. Reheat for about 3 to 4 minutes. Check if the shrimp are crispy and golden-brown. If not, cook for another minute or two.
How do you reheat fried shrimp?
Here are the steps to reheat fried shrimp in an oven: Preheat the oven to 300F degrees. Put a baking sheet over a pan. Lay out a piece of aluminum foil. Place the shrimp on top without overlapping them. Cover the shrimps with more aluminum. Bake for 10 minutes. Check the shrimp halfway through. Bake for another 10 minutes. Serve.
How long can you keep fried shrimp reheated?
You can store reheated fried shrimp in the refrigerator for up to three days. If you want to store them in the freezer, do it within two hours after cooking. Reheating fried shrimp to crispy perfection is an art, and with the help of an air fryer, it becomes a breeze.
How do you reheat fried shrimp in a microwave?
Here are the steps to reheat fried shrimp in a microwave: Place a damp paper towel over your fried shrimps, to help your food maintaining its original texture. Microwave on medium power for 5 seconds and check if they’re ready. Heat your fried shrimps at intervals of 5 seconds each. Regularly check the temperature.