Can You Air Fry Shrimp With the Shell On? Everything You Need To Know

Air frying has become an increasingly popular way to cook meals quickly and easily while reducing fat and calories compared to deep frying. But can you air fry shrimp with the shell on? The short answer is yes, absolutely!

Air frying shrimp with the shell on has several advantages. The shell helps seal in moisture flavor, and juices while allowing the shrimp to cook evenly. It also creates a crispy exterior without needing to bread or heavily coat the shrimp. Read on to learn all about air frying shrimp with shells, from why you should cook them this way to tips for perfect air fried shrimp every time.

Why Air Fry Shrimp with the Shell On

There are a few reasons why leaving the shell on is the best way to air fry shrimp:

• Moisture and flavor – The shell forms a protective barrier, sealing in the natural juices and taste of the shrimp as it cooks. Shrimp cooked without shells can quickly dry out and lose flavor.

• Even cooking – The shell distributes heat more evenly around the shrimp, preventing overcooking on the outside before the inside is done.

• Texture – The shell becomes ultra crispy in the hot air fryer, giving you that crunchy exterior without having to coat in breadcrumbs or batter.

• Easier prep – Not having to peel raw shrimp saves time with meal prepping. Just toss the shrimp in the air fryer basket and go!

• Less mess – Leaving shells on contains the shrimp juices instead of them leaking everywhere, keeping your air fryer cleaner.

So by leaving shells on, you’ll get plump, moist shrimp with a satisfying crispy shell and all the natural seafood flavor locked in. It’s an easy, no-fuss way to cook shrimp perfect every time.

How to Air Fry Shrimp with Shells On

Air frying peeled vs unpeeled shrimp may not seem very different, but there are some tips for success when cooking shell-on shrimp:

• Choose larger shrimp – The bigger the shrimp, the better they will hold up in the air fryer. Jumbo, colossal, and tiger shrimp work great.

• Use a single layer – Overcrowding the air fryer basket causes uneven cooking. Give shrimp space in a single layer.

• Brush with oil – Lightly coating the shells in oil helps them get uber crispy. Any high heat oil like avocado or grapeseed oil works well.

• Season simply – Let the shrimp flavor shine through with simple spices like Old Bay, lemon pepper, or Cajun seasoning.

• Spray shells – Mist shells with cooking spray to stop them from sticking together in the air fryer.

• Flip halfway – Turn shrimp over about halfway during cooking for an evenly crisped shell.

Follow these tips and your air fried shrimp will come out perfectly cooked with tender meat and crunchy shells every time!

How Long to Air Fry Shrimp with Shells On

The air fryer allows for super fast cooking. Jumbo shrimp only need about 4-6 minutes per side at 400 ̊F to turn out juicy and crispy. Use these general guidelines for air fryer times:

• Extra colossal (16/20 per pound): 6 minutes
• Colossal (21/25 per pound): 5 minutes
• Extra jumbo (26/30 per pound): 4 minutes

The thicker the shrimp, the longer they will need. Adjust time up or down a minute or two for your preferred doneness. For frozen shrimp, add 1-2 minutes to the cook time.

Check for doneness by looking for an opaque, pinkish color throughout the shrimp. They should feel firm when squeezed.

Best Shrimp for Air Frying

You can air fry any shrimp, but as mentioned larger shrimp hold up best. The top choices include:

• Tiger shrimp – Named for their stripes, they have a sweet mild flavor and firm texture.

• Black tiger shrimp – A variant of tiger shrimp with a very hardy shell that gets ultra crispy.

• Jumbo shrimp – A classic choice, these are the largest shrimp available with a tender bite.

• Colossal shrimp – One step up from jumbo in size, with a meaty texture and robust flavor.

For the optimal crispy shells and properly cooked interiors, opt for extra colossal or colossal shrimp sized 16/20 to 26/30 per pound.

Marinade and Season Shrimp Before Air Frying

A marinade or dry seasoning blend is key for adding lots of flavor since the shells stay on.

Marinade ideas:

• Lemon garlic butter – Melted butter with minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper

• Chili lime – Olive oil, lime zest and juice, minced garlic, chili powder

• Herb vinaigrette – Olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, basil, parsley

Seasoning mixes:

• Old Bay seasoning
• Lemon pepper
• Cajun seasoning
• Jerk spice rub
• Chili powder and cumin

Let the shrimp marinate 15-30 minutes before air frying so the flavors penetrate into the meat.

What to Serve with Air Fried Shrimp

Air fried shrimp with shells make fantastic appetizers and main dishes. Here are some tasty ways to serve them:

• Tacos – In soft tortillas with cabbage, avocado, and spicy mayo

• Buddha bowls – Over mixed greens, quinoa, and vegetables

• Pasta – Tossed with linguine, olive oil, tomatoes, and parmesan

• Salad – On top of mixed greens or pasta salad

• Sandwiches – In a baguette or po’ boy with lettuce, tomato, and remoulade

• Skewers – Alternate shrimp and vegetables on skewers for easy dipping

• Fritters – Chop and mix into corn fritter batter for shrimp cakes

However you choose to serve them, air fried shrimp with shells stay juicy and flavorful so they pair well with any meal.

FAQs

Can you cook frozen shrimp with shells in an air fryer?

Yes, it is safe to air fry frozen shell-on shrimp. Allow a couple extra minutes of cook time and be sure shrimp are in a single layer, not touching.

Do you need to turn shrimp over during air frying?

Flipping the shrimp halfway through is recommended so both sides of the shell get evenly crispy.

Should shrimp shells be removed before eating?

That’s personal preference! The shells do soften during cooking. Many people enjoy eating the whole thing shell and all.

How long does cooked air fried shrimp last in the fridge?

Store air fried shrimp covered in the refrigerator 3-4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

Make Perfect Air Fried Shrimp at Home

Air frying shrimp with the shell on is a fast and easy way to get tender, flavorful shrimp with crispy shells. Brush shells with oil, season or marinate, then cook 4-6 minutes per side at 400 ̊F. Tailor cook times as needed for frozen or larger shrimp. Serve shells-on shrimp in tacos, over salad, with pasta, or dipping in sauce. Air frying helps bring out the natural sweetness of shrimp without any heavy breading or frying mess.