For the best quick and easy healthy air-fried seafood recipe, try Air Fryer Bang Bang Panko Breaded Fried Shrimp. It comes with bread crumbs, sweet chili, and Sriracha dipping sauce. This post will outline how to fry shrimp in the air fryer. You can even use frozen or grilled shrimp! If you want to cut back on carbs, make this dish without breading it.
Hey there, Air Fryer Bang Bang Fried Shrimp recipe! Can you tell I’m excited? I’m not trying to hide it. I first had bang bang shrimp years ago at Bonefish Grill Restaraunt. I have not been to the restaurant in ages. At the time the shrimp was their most popular appetizer. This still may be the case, I am not sure.
I couldn’t wait to try cooking seafood in the Air Fryer again after making my 3 Ingredient Catfish.
Since I had already cooked chicken and fish in the air fryer, I thought of this recipe. I had to add shrimp! Plus, shrimp is very rich in protein. Because the shrimp are air-fried, each serving has about 40 grams of protein and only 1 gram of fat. Can you believe that?.
Crispy panko shrimp is a favorite appetizer for many people. The combination of plump, juicy shrimp encrusted in flaky panko breadcrumbs and fried to golden perfection is hard to resist! However deep frying can be messy and unhealthy. Luckily your air fryer can produce amazingly crunchy panko shrimp without all the excess oil.
In this article, I’ll explain how easy it is to make mouthwatering air fryer panko shrimp at home. With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you’ll have restaurant-quality shrimp with that irresistible crunch you crave. Let’s get started!
Benefits of Air Frying vs Deep Frying
Why choose air frying over deep frying for crispy panko shrimp? Here are some excellent reasons
- Uses little to no oil for healthier eating
- Reduces unwanted calories from oil
- Quick and convenient cooking at home
- No oil splatters or messy cleanup
- Foods come out crispy and delicious
- Maintains more nutrients than deep frying
By using an air fryer and panko breadcrumbs, you can slash fat and calories while still enjoying the crispy texture you love. It’s a win-win!
Picking the Best Shrimp for Air Frying
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Go for raw, peeled and deveined shrimp. This ensures you get plump, juicy shrimp after cooking.
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Opt for large or jumbo shrimp if possible – bigger shrimp hold up better to air frying.
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Use thawed shrimp if starting with frozen. Defrost in the fridge overnight for best results.
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Pat shrimp dry before breading to help the coating stick.
Nearly any size shrimp works, but the key is making sure they’re raw and patted dry before cooking. Now let’s talk about that crispy coating.
Why Use Panko Breadcrumbs?
Panko breadcrumbs are a must for achieving the perfect crunchy texture on air fried shrimp Here’s why they’re ideal
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Panko has a light, flaky texture that fries up extra crispy.
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The coarse crumbs provide more surface area for getting super crunchy.
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Panko doesn’t absorb as much oil during cooking.
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The crumbs stay crisp longer compared to regular breadcrumbs.
For the ultimate crispy crunch, panko is a must. No other breadcrumb can compare! They provide an irresistible crispy shell around the succulent shrimp.
Tips for Coating Shrimp with Panko
Breading shrimp with panko takes just a few simple steps:
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Set up a breading station with flour, beaten egg, and panko.
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Pat shrimp completely dry. Damp shrimp won’t be as crunchy.
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Coat shrimp in flour first, then egg, then press into panko crumbs.
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Use one hand for the dry ingredients and one for the wet to avoid clumping.
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Press panko onto the shrimp well to help them adhere.
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Let coated shrimp rest 5 minutes before air frying for best results.
Properly coating the shrimp leads to the crispiest results. Now we’re ready to fry!
How to Air Fry Panko Shrimp to Perfection
Air frying panko shrimp takes just a few minutes for tender, juicy shrimp encased in a crunchy golden crust. Here’s a simple process:
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Preheat air fryer to 400°F. This high heat helps crisp the coating.
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Mist the shrimp with oil to help browning. Avoid excessive oil.
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Air fry 6-8 minutes, flipping shrimp halfway through.
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Check for doneness. Shrimp should be opaque and coating crispy.
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Air fry in batches to avoid overcrowding for even cooking.
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Let shrimp rest 1-2 minutes before serving.
In less than 10 minutes, you’ll have restaurant-worthy crunchy panko shrimp ready to enjoy!
Helpful Air Fryer Tips and Tricks
To become an air fryer pro, keep these handy tips in mind:
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Use a light coat of oil spray – Avoid drowning foods in oil.
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Flip or toss foods halfway during cooking for even browning.
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Don’t overcrowd – Cook in smaller batches for crispiest results.
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Adjust cook times as needed based on your model.
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Brush oil on thicker breadings to help them brown.
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Let fried foods rest before eating so the coating can set.
With a little practice, you’ll be churning out perfect air fried foods. Your family and friends will be impressed!
Delectable Dipping Sauces
Crunchy panko shrimp begs for a creamy, tangy dipping sauce. Here are some tasty ideas:
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Classic cocktail sauce – Tart and slightly spicy.
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Tangy Greek yogurt sauce – Mix in lemon juice and zest.
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Quick aioli – Blend mayo, lemon juice and garlic.
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Honey mustard sauce – Great sweet and savory combo.
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Sweet chili sauce – For an Asian-inspired kick.
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Ranch dressing – Cool, creamy and full of flavor.
Give your shrimp extra flavor by pairing it with your favorite dip or sauce. Now let’s look at some helpful FAQs.
Common Air Fryer Shrimp Questions
Do I really need an air fryer to make this?
You can bake panko shrimp in a conventional oven, but the air fryer makes them extra crispy. Frying on stovetop defeats the lower fat purpose.
How long does air fried shrimp last in the fridge?
Leftover shrimp will stay fresh 3-4 days refrigerated in an airtight container. Reheat gently before serving.
Can I cook frozen shrimp in my air fryer?
Yes, just adjust cooking time. Thaw first for juicier shrimp. An extra 1-2 minutes may be needed.
Can I use breadcrumbs instead of panko?
Regular breadcrumbs can work, but the texture won’t be quite as crunchy. Panko is best for crispiness.
What size shrimp is ideal for air frying?
Jumbo or extra large shrimp work best. The larger size stands up well to air frying and stays juicy inside.
Should I toss the shrimp in oil before air frying?
A light mist of oil is fine, but don’t soak the shrimp in oil. This defeats the lower fat purpose of air frying.
Enjoy Restaurant-Quality Shrimp at Home
Crispy panko shrimp is a breeze to make at home with your air fryer. Ditch the deep fryer and enjoy all the crunchy flavor and texture with a fraction of the fat and calories.
With the tips in this article, you’ll be able to cook shrimp that rivals your favorite restaurant appetizers. Impress your friends and family with your culinary skills!
Now that you’re an air fryer shrimp pro, try experimenting with other proteins like chicken, fish or pork cutlets. You’ll be amazed how many foods you can air fry for a quick weeknight dinner. The possibilities are endless.
For more recipe inspiration and air frying tips, check out my blog and subscribe to my email newsletter. I share new content weekly with fresh air fryer recipes, product reviews and the latest kitchen gadgets on the market. Thanks for reading and happy air frying!
Frequency of Entities:
https://recipes.net/articles/how-to-cook-panko-shrimp-in-air-fryer/: panko – 7, shrimp – 16, air fryer – 10
https://www.food.com/recipe/air-fryer-crispy-panko-shrimp-538566: panko – 6, shrimp – 24, air fryer – 7
How to Make Air Fryer Shrimp
- Set up a cooking area with panko breadcrumbs, all-purpose flour, and egg whites. Coat each shrimp piece in flour, then egg whites, and finally panko breadcrumbs.
- Spray cooking oil on the shrimp and put them in the air fryer.
- Air fry.
What Type of Shrimp to Use
Shrimp can be found at the grocery store in a few different ways. There is raw, pre-cooked, raw and frozen, deveined, tails on, tails off, etc.
I never use pre-cooked shrimp. There is an obvious difference in taste due to the lack of quality. The shrimp is cooked and then frozen and you have to cook it/warm it up again. This usually overcooks the shrimp. Raw shrimp only takes minutes to make, just buy it raw.
Always look for deveined, that’s my preference. The black vein that runs along the back of the shrimp is the digestive intestinal tract. Is this shrimp poop, yes.
If you want to get rid of the vein, cut a slit down the back of the celery and use the tip of the knife to lift it out. You can buy it already with the vein.
Buy large shrimp. No one likes those baby shrimp and they are harder to fry.
CRUNCHY Air Fryer Shrimp (100% as Delicious as Fried Shrimp!)
How to air Fry Panko shrimp?
To make the air fried panko shrimp you will need: Follow this recipe to make the perfect airfryer panko shrimp: Start by preheating the air fryer to 400F (200C). Then, place the shrimp in a bowl, add the seasonings, and mix well. Add the flour, panko crumbs, and egg whites to three different bowls.
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.
What is Panko shrimp air fryer?
Panko shrimp air fryer is a Japanese dish that consists of crispy breaded shrimp. But, instead of deep frying the prawns, you can use an air fryer to quickly cook them and make them extra crunchy. This recipe makes the perfect appetizer that’s guaranteed to be loved by everyone who tries it.
How to cook shrimp in air fryer?
Add the flour, panko crumbs, and egg whites to three different small bowls. Dip the shrimp in the flour (coat it evenly), then lightly dab in the egg whites, and finally coat it with panko bread crumbs. Spray the shrimp with cooking oil. And now for the easy part. Place the coated shrimp in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 4-5 minutes.