Can You Cook Frozen Shrimp in the Air Fryer? Everything You Need to Know

Cooking frozen shrimp in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a delicious meal with minimal effort As someone who loves seafood but doesn’t always have time to thaw it properly, I was thrilled when I discovered you can toss frozen shrimp straight into the air fryer basket.

I’ve made air fried frozen shrimp several times now, experimenting with different seasonings, cook times, and serving ideas. In this article, I’ll share everything I’ve learned about making this simple yet impressive dish.

Benefits of Cooking Frozen Shrimp in an Air Fryer

Here are some of the biggest benefits of using an air fryer for frozen shrimp

• It’s incredibly fast and convenient. No need to remember to thaw the shrimp in advance or wait hours for it to defrost. Just open the bag and dump the frozen shrimp right into the hot air fryer basket. Dinner can be ready in 10-15 minutes.

• You don’t have to bread or heavily season the shrimp. The circulating hot air crisps up the outside of the shrimp, giving you that crunchy texture without needing a batter. A light brush of oil or melted butter plus a sprinkle of seasoning is all you need.

• The shrimp come out juicy and tender. The air fryer doesn’t dry out the shrimp like some cooking methods can. As long as you don’t overcook them, the results are plump and moist shrimp.

• It requires minimal prep and cleanup. Toss the frozen shrimp in the basket, set the timer, and in just a few minutes you’ll have restaurant-quality shrimp. Since you aren’t frying in oil, there’s minimal mess to clean up afterwards.

• You can customize flavors easily. Although the plain shrimp are delicious on their own, you can easily add any seasonings you like. I’ll share some of my favorite ways to flavor air fried shrimp later in this article.

• It works with any size of shrimp. I’ve cooked everything from medium cocktail shrimp to jumbo shrimp with excellent results. Just adjust the cook time as needed.

Step-By-Step Instructions for Cooking Frozen Shrimp in an Air Fryer

Cooking frozen shrimp in the air fryer couldn’t be much easier. Here are the basic steps:

1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. This takes 3-5 minutes depending on the model.

2. Pat any ice crystals off the shrimp and separate if frozen together.

3. Place the shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Don’t overcrowd.

4. Cook for 5-6 minutes for cooked shrimp or 8-10 minutes for raw shrimp.

5. Flip the shrimp and cook for another 5 minutes until done.

6. Brush with oil or butter and season as desired.

7. Cook for 1-2 final minutes to finish.

8. Enjoy immediately while hot and crispy!

Be sure to shake the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking. It’s also a good idea to check that the shrimp are cooked through and opaque before serving.

How to Tell When the Shrimp are Done

It can be tricky knowing when the shrimp are fully cooked, especially since air fryers cook so quickly. Here are some signs to look for:

• The shrimp flesh will become opaque and white throughout when they are fully cooked. If you see any translucent areas, pop them back in for a minute or two longer.

• Cooked shrimp will turn pinkish on the outside when finished cooking.

• The texture will become firm but still tender and juicy. Overcooked shrimp will be rubbery.

• Use a instant read thermometer to check for doneness. Shrimp are safe to eat at 145°F.

Start checking at least 2 minutes before the minimum cook time and use these visual and texture cues to determine when your batch is done. Remember that larger shrimp will take a bit longer than popcorn shrimp.

Handy Time and Temperature Guidelines

As a general guideline, these cook times work well:

• Frozen cooked shrimp: 400°F for 5-6 minutes
• Frozen raw medium shrimp: 400°F for 8-9 minutes
• Frozen raw jumbo shrimp: 400°F for 10-11 minutes

However, sizes and thicknesses can vary quite a bit from brand to brand. I recommend starting with the minimum cook time and checking frequently until you get a feel for how your shrimps cooks.

Pro tip: Flip the shrimp halfway through the cooking time for more even cooking.

Flavoring Your Air Fried Frozen Shrimp

The simplest way to cook frozen shrimp in an air fryer is plain. A light brush of oil and sprinkle of salt is all you need. However, there are endless possibilities when it comes to seasoning and flavoring. Here are some of my favorites:

• Lemon Pepper – Fresh lemon juice and coarse black pepper
• Cajun – Cajun seasoning goes perfectly with shrimp
• Chili Lime – Chili powder, lime juice, cilantro
• Garlic Butter – Melted butter mixed with minced garlic
• Thai – Thai red curry paste and coconut milk
• Jerk – Jamaican jerk seasoning blended with lime juice
• Taco – Chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, etc.

I like to toss the plain cooked shrimp in a bowl with my desired sauces and seasonings to coat them after air frying. However, you can also brush a bit of oil or melted butter mixed with seasonings over the shrimp before cooking if you want the flavor baked in.

Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp

Air fried frozen shrimp make an easy main dish or app as is. Here are a few of my favorite ways to use them:

• Taco Tuesday shrimp tacos or tostadas
• Shrimp salad with avocado and lemon vinaigrette
• Garlic shrimp pasta or zucchini noodles
• Shrimp slider sandwiches with spicy mayo
• Shrimp fried rice or cauliflower rice
• Shrimp quesadillas or fajitas
• Shrimp lettuce wraps
• Chili lime shrimp bowls with rice and veggies
• Coconut shrimp curry with cauliflower rice
• Shrimp and grits

The possibilities are endless! Air fried shrimp also reheat beautifully, so you can cook a big batch and use them throughout the week.

Pro Tips for the Best Results

Here are some top tips for making phenomenal air fried frozen shrimp every time:

• Brush shrimp with oil – A light coating of oil helps the shrimp get crispy instead of dried out. Olive, avocado, coconut, and ghee work well.

• Don’t overcrowd – Arrange shrimp in a single layer with a little space between each for the air to circulate and cook evenly.

• Pat off ice crystals – Frozen shrimp can develop ice on the outside that can make them steam instead of crisp. Quickly pat off any visible ice before cooking.

• Flip halfway – Flipping the shrimp midway through ensures even browning and cooking.

• Lightly bread if desired – For ultra crispy shrimp with a bit of crunch, coat in a light mixture of corn starch, flour, and spices before air frying.

• Don’t overcook – Shrimp go from tender and juicy to rubbery and dry quickly. Follow recommended cook times.

• Toss in sauce after – Tossing cooked shrimp in flavorful sauces prevents them from getting soggy in the air fryer.

Follow these tips and you’ll be blown away by how quick and easy restaurant-quality shrimp can be!

Air Fried Frozen Shrimp Troubleshooting

Having a few issues with your frozen shrimp not turning out right? Here are some common problems and how to fix them:

Shrimp are dry and chewy: Don’t overcook them. Follow the recommended times and check frequently after the minimum cook time. Also brush with oil before cooking.

Shrimp are soggy: If breaded or sauced, the coating may be preventing the shrimp from crisping. Try coating after cooking instead. Also pat off any ice crystals before cooking.

Shrimp stick to the basket: Lightly oil the basket before adding the shrimp. Don’t overcrowd them in the basket either.

Shrimp aren’t cooked through: Increase cook time and check that insides are opaque. Be sure to preheat air fryer fully before cooking.

Shrimp breading falls off: The breading is likely too thick. Use a light coating and spray with oil before air frying.

With a little trial and error, you’ll get the hang of cooking frozen shrimp to crispy perfection in your air fryer.

Is Air Fried Frozen Shrimp Healthy?

One of the things I love about cooking shrimp in the air