You can cook frozen shrimp in the air fryer without having to thaw them. The shrimp comes out tender and plump. In less time than it takes for frozen shrimp to thaw, you can bake or fry them.
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Cooking frozen shrimp can seem daunting. After all, shrimp are notoriously easy to overcook. But with a few simple tips and tricks, you can cook frozen shrimp to tender, juicy perfection right from the freezer. Keep reading to learn the best methods for cooking frozen shrimp so you can enjoy delicious shrimp meals and appetizers anytime.
Thawing Shrimp Before Cooking
For best results, thaw frozen shrimp before cooking Thawing helps prevent overcooking and allows seasonings to better penetrate the shrimp. Here are a few safe ways to thaw shrimp
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Place frozen shrimp in a bowl and put in the refrigerator overnight. This gradually thaws shrimp.
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Submerge a bag of frozen shrimp in a large bowl of cold water. Place a plate on top to keep shrimp under water. Shrimp will thaw in about 20 minutes.
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Run cold water over frozen shrimp in a colander until thawed About 10-15 minutes
Once thawed, pat shrimp dry with paper towels before cooking to remove excess moisture.
Cook Frozen Shrimp on the Stovetop
You can cook frozen shrimp right on the stovetop with great results. Here’s how:
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In a skillet over high heat, cook frozen shrimp 1-2 minutes just until they start to turn pink and release liquid.
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Remove shrimp from pan and set aside. Reserve cooking liquid in pan.
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Use the shrimp-infused cooking liquid to make sauce or broth for your dish instead of plain water or stock.
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Once sauce is made, add cooked shrimp back in to gently reheat and absorb flavors.
Cooking shrimp quickly first prevents frozen shrimp from watering down a recipe. Plus, you get extra flavor by incorporating the released juices into the dish.
Bake Frozen Shrimp in the Oven
Baking frozen shrimp in the oven helps them thaw gently while infusing flavor. Follow these easy steps:
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Place frozen shrimp on a baking sheet and sprinkle with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder and olive oil.
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Bake at 400°F for 6-9 minutes until shrimp turn opaque and pink.
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Toss cooked shrimp with pasta, rice or salad. Or enjoy with cocktail sauce.
Baking gives you hands-off shrimp cooking with delicious results. Adjust cooking time as needed based on shrimp size.
Air Fry Frozen Shrimp for Quick Meals
Air frying makes cooking frozen shrimp fast and easy with no thawing required. Simply:
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Toss frozen shrimp with seasonings like Cajun spice, lemon pepper or Italian dressing.
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Air fry at 400°F for 5 minutes for cooked frozen shrimp. 8-10 minutes for raw.
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Shake basket halfway through. Spritz shrimp with oil to prevent drying out.
Air frying yields tender shrimp in just minutes. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or appetizers on the fly.
Boil Frozen Shrimp for Shrimp Cocktail
Boiling is a simple and classic way to cook frozen shrimp for appetizers and shrimp cocktail. Just:
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In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil with lemon, bay leaves and Old Bay seasoning.
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Add frozen shrimp and cook 1-2 minutes just until pink.
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Drain and immerse in an ice bath to stop cooking.
Boiling shrimp quickly infuses lots of flavor for an easy appetizer any time.
Tips for Cooking Frozen Shrimp
Follow these handy tips for foolproof frozen shrimp every time:
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Always thaw or cook frozen shrimp straight from freezer, avoid letting shrimp sit at room temperature.
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Cook frozen shrimp in small batches to prevent overcrowding which can cause uneven cooking.
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Frozen shrimp will release liquid as it cooks. Reserve this for flavor but don’t overthin sauces.
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Undercook slightly, as shrimp will continue cooking once removed from heat source.
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Check shrimp at minimum recommended cooking time. It should be pink/white and curled.
With the right technique, you can enjoy tender, juicy, flavorful shrimp dishes even when starting with frozen shrimp. Next time you have a bag of frozen shrimp on hand, try air frying, baking or boiling for easy appetizers and meals your family will love.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cooking Frozen Shrimp
Can you cook frozen shrimp without thawing?
Yes, you can cook frozen shrimp without thawing first. Methods like pan frying, air frying, baking or boiling work well with frozen shrimp. Just add a minute or two to the cook time.
Should you rinse frozen shrimp before cooking?
Rinsing frozen shrimp before cooking is not necessary. Shrimp are frozen immediately after harvesting and processing, so there’s no need to rinse. Simply thaw, pat dry if needed, and cook as desired.
How do you know when frozen shrimp is done cooking?
Check frozen shrimp at the minimum recommended cook time. It should turn from translucent gray to opaque white/pink in color and curl into a “C” shape when properly cooked. Discard any shrimp that remain straight.
Can you refreeze thawed shrimp?
It’s best not to refreeze thawed shrimp. Refreezing can compromise texture and flavor. Cook thawed shrimp within 1-2 days and store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
What is the white stuff that comes out of frozen shrimp?
The white substance that can seep out of frozen shrimp is not harmful. It is composed mostly of protein and water released from the flesh during freezing and thawing. Simply pat the shrimp dry and discard the liquid.
Can you cook frozen shrimp in a slow cooker?
It’s best not to cook frozen shrimp in a slow cooker. Thaw them first, as slow cookers may not reach temperatures high enough to safely cook frozen shrimp. Slow cooker temperatures range from 190° to 280°F and shrimp should reach an internal temperature of 145°F.
So go ahead and enjoy that bag of frozen shrimp anytime with these easy cooking methods. In just minutes, you’ll have restaurant-quality shrimp ready to enjoy in all your favorite recipes.
How Long to Cook
The cook time will depend on the size of the shrimp. I use larger shrimp labeled as jumbo shrimp (21-25 per lb. ) and cook for 6 to 9 minutes. The amount of time for large size shrimp (26-35 per lb. ) or medium shrimp (36-50 per lb. ) may be slightly less.
Every air fryer will vary. The first time you make frozen shrimp, monitor the shrimp 2 minutes before the cooking time is up. Adjust the recipe as needed for perfect shrimp.
Shrimp is done when it’s no longer transparent. When it’s cooked, it turns opaque white with speckles of pink and becomes C-shaped.
When overcooked, it becomes chewy and O-shaped. Find out more about how you can tell when the shrimp is cooked.
- Frozen Raw – 6 to 9 minutes
- Frozen Fully Cooked – 4 to 5 minutes
- Thawed Raw – 5 to 8 minutes
- For 7 to 10 minutes, fried frozen shrimp (butterfly shrimp, popcorn shrimp)
- Before putting the shrimp in the basket, spray it with oil.
- Avoid stacking the shrimp. Spread out the frozen shrimp so they don’t touch each other. This lets the hot air move around and cooks the shrimp evenly.
- In the middle of the cooking time, shake the basket or flip the shrimp over.
- With chopped lettuce, tomatoes, and sriracha mayo, the shrimp can be a main dish in shrimp tacos.
- Kick off the meal with shrimp and cocktail sauce, remoulade, or tartar sauce, or your favorite dipping sauce.
- For a quick dinner idea, put it on top of a salad to add protein.
- Squeeze some lemon juice on the shrimp to make it taste cool and sour.
The tips above show how to separate frozen shrimp or let them thaw all the way. If the shrimp are frozen together, let them thaw a bit first.
I used Kroger store brand for this recipe. But you can use different brands.
This recipe was tested using a Cosori air fryer.
Reheating shrimp can cause them to become tough and chewy. But if you end up with leftover shrimp, store them in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat shrimp at 320 degrees F for 2 to 3 minutes.
Breaded frozen butterfly shrimp such as Seapak butterfly shrimp, coconut shrimp, or Gorton’s can be cooked in the air fryer for 7 to 11 minutes at 400 degrees F.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp
- Shrimp
- Cayenne pepper, chili powder, or paprika
- Garlic powder
More details in the recipe card at the bottom of this post