Can You Air Fry Already Cooked Shrimp? The Ultimate Guide

Air frying is one of the quickest and easiest ways to cook shrimp. The high heat circulates around the shrimp, cooking them fast while keeping them juicy and flavorful on the inside. But what if you already have cooked shrimp on hand – can you still air fry them?

The short answer is yes, you absolutely can air fry already cooked shrimp! It takes just a couple minutes to heat them up and impart even more flavor.

I love keeping bags of pre-cooked shrimp in my freezer so I can whip up quick meals any night of the week. From shrimp tacos to shrimp pasta and shrimp salads, the possibilities are endless. But air frying pre-cooked shrimp opens up even more possibilities for easy appetizers, sides, and main dishes.

In this guide I’ll explain everything you need to know about air frying cooked shrimp including

• Benefits of air frying cooked shrimp
• How to do it from fresh, frozen, or thawed shrimp
• Cook times and temperatures
• Flavor ideas and seasonings
• Serving suggestions
• Storage tips

Benefits of Air Frying Pre-Cooked Shrimp

Air frying cooked shrimp has several advantages

• It’s super quick – shrimp only needs 2-3 minutes in the air fryer to heat up.

• Adds extra flavor – you can toss pre-cooked shrimp in spices, herbs, or sauce to intensify the taste.

• Cooks evenly – the circulating hot air cooks the shrimp all over, avoiding cold spots.

• Crisps the outside – air frying gives the exterior a bit of crispness.

• No mess – unlike pan frying in oil, air frying is neat and easy clean up.

• Reheating is fast – leftovers can go right back in the air fryer.

So air frying already cooked shrimp gives you tasty shrimp on demand any night of the week!

How to Air Fry Shrimp from Fresh, Frozen, or Thawed

You can air fry pre-cooked shrimp right from the freezer, after thawing, or fresh out of the fridge. Here are tips for each:

Frozen Pre-Cooked Shrimp

• No thawing time needed – just open bag and air fry frozen.
• Add 1 extra minute to cook time to account for frozen state.
• Cook at a slightly lower temp (380°F) to allow inside to heat through.
• Watch closely to avoid overcooking on outside before inside thaws.

Thawed Pre-Cooked Shrimp

• For best results, thaw overnight in fridge or place sealed bag in bowl of cold water.
• Pat off any excess moisture before seasoning and air frying.
• Follow standard times and cook at 400°F.

Fresh Pre-Cooked Shrimp

• Make sure shrimp are drained well after cooking.
• Toss shrimp with a little cornstarch if extra moisture remains.
• Follow standard cook times and 400°F temperature.

So no matter if your shrimp are frozen, thawed, or fresh you can easily air fry them!

Air Fryer Time and Temperature for Cooked Shrimp

Air frying already cooked shrimp couldn’t be easier. Here are the basic guidelines:

• Temperature: 400°F
• Time: 2-3 minutes

I like to air fry the shrimp in a single layer so they cook evenly. If your batch is large, you may need to work in batches.

Watch closely as air fryer times can vary slightly depending on the model. Smaller shrimp may take 1-2 minutes, while jumbo shrimp are best at 3 minutes.

Check for doneness by looking for a light golden color and slightly crispy texture on the outside.

Seasonings and Flavors for Air Fried Shrimp

One of the best parts of air frying cooked shrimp is that you can add so much flavor. Toss or coat shrimp with your favorite:

• Herb mixes – Italian seasoning, jerk seasoning, ranch seasoning
• Spice blends – smoked paprika, chili powder, curry powder
• Sauce – buffalo, teriyaki, lemon pepper
• Fresh herbs – parsley, cilantro, dill
• Lime, lemon, or orange juice and zest
• Garlic, onions, shallots
• Melted butter for a garlic lemon shrimp.

Get creative with the seasonings! For a Mexican flair use cumin, chili powder, lime juice and cilantro. For a Mediterranean taste combine smoked paprika, oregano, garlic and olive oil.

The options are endless for infusing bold flavors into air fried shrimp.

Serving Suggestions for Air Fried Pre-Cooked Shrimp

My favorite way to serve air fried pre-cooked shrimp is over a salad or grain bowl. The hot shrimp pairs perfectly with cool greens and vegetables. Some fun ideas:

• Shrimp taco salads – top taco-seasoned shrimp over greens, pico de gallo, avocado
• Greek shrimp bowls – shrimp with lemon, feta, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, orzo
• Shrimp caesar salad – crisp shrimp adds extra protein
• Shrimp fried rice – toss cooked rice with shrimp, veggies, eggs, and soy sauce
• Coconut shrimp salad – coat shrimp in a coconut-panko mixture
• Shrimp po’ boy – pile shrimp on a toasted sub roll with lettuce, tomato, remoulade sauce

Air fried shrimp also shines as an appetizer. Serve on skewers, over crispy flatbread, or with a dipping sauce.

However you serve it, air fried pre-cooked shrimp makes an easy and delicious meal!

Storage Tips for Leftover Air Fried Shrimp

Here are some storage tips for leftover air fried shrimp:

• Store in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3-4 days.
• To maintain best quality, eat within a few days.
• Refrigerated shrimp is best served cold in salads or sandwiches.
• To reheat, place in air fryer at 400°F for 1-2 minutes until hot.
• You can also reheat in the microwave in 30 second bursts.
• Do not freeze air fried shrimp (freezing again causes texture issues).
• If reheating in the microwave, add a damp paper towel over the shrimp to prevent rubbery texture.

With proper storage, you can enjoy your leftover batch of air fried shrimp for several meals throughout the week!

Frequently Asked Questions About Air Frying Cooked Shrimp

Can you put raw shrimp in the air fryer?

Yes, absolutely! Raw shrimp works great in the air fryer. Cook at 400°F for 4-5 minutes until opaque. Season raw shrimp before air frying.

Should you bread shrimp before air frying?

Breading is optional – the air fryer will make unbreaded shrimp crispy. If breading, use cornstarch, flour, or panko and spray oil on top. Cook an extra 1-2 minutes.

What oil should you use to air fry shrimp?

You don’t need much oil – 1-2 tsp is enough. Stick to heat-stable oils like avocado, grapeseed, olive, or vegetable oil. Toss raw shrimp in oil before cooking.

Why are my air fried shrimp chewy or rubbery?

This texture happens if shrimp are overcooked. Be sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket and stick to recommended cook times. Reheating leftover shrimp can also cause chewiness – reheat at a lower temp for less time.

Enjoy Fast, Crispy Air Fried Shrimp Any Night of the Week

Air frying cooked shrimp is one of the quickest ways to put a tasty meal on the table any night of the week. Keep your freezer stocked with pre-cooked shrimp so you can air fry a batch whenever the need for a fast dinner arises.

With just 2-3 minutes in the air fryer, you can heat up shrimp and give it so much extra flavor. Then serve it over salads, in tacos, or on its own for an easy appetizer.

So next time you come across a sale on pre-cooked shrimp, stock up so you can enjoy this fast air frying method anytime. Air fried shrimp adds quick protein and makes the perfect topping for entrees and side dishes.