Shrimp (fresh or frozen) tossed in a seasoned panko coating and then “fried” in the air until golden and crispy. This makes me remember the best days of high school: fried popcorn shrimp day.
Most days I brought my own lunch, but when the cafeteria served popcorn shrimp, I risked my hard-earned minimum wage.
When I was in high school, I didn’t always make the healthiest food choices. If I forgot my lunch, I’d eat French fries and a big Rice Krispy treat.
Now, I try to make my weeknight meals pretty healthy, but I still really like fried shrimp like I did in high school.
With the air fryer (this is the model I have), you don’t need much oil to make crispy, crunchy shrimp that remind me of those much-anticipated fried shrimp lunches but taste and stay fresh much better.
With the air fryer, it’s easy to make appetizers like Air Fryer Egg Rolls, Air Fryer Chicken Wings, or Air Fryer Meatballs that will impress a crowd at a party or on game day.
Air fryers have become one of the most popular kitchen appliances in recent years Their ability to make foods crispy and crunchy without submerging them in oil makes air frying a healthier cooking method. Air fryers can cook anything from french fries to chicken wings, and they also do a fantastic job of cooking shrimp
When cooking shrimp in the air fryer, getting the cook time right is key. Undercook them and they’ll be rubbery and raw. Cook them too long and they’ll be dry and chewy. So how long should shrimp go in the air fryer for optimal texture and flavor?
Factors That Affect Air Fryer Shrimp Cook Time
There are a few factors that impact how long shrimp need to cook in the air fryer
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Shrimp size – Smaller shrimp cook faster than jumbo or colossal shrimp
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Frozen vs. thawed – Frozen shrimp take longer since they need to thaw first. Thawed shrimp cook more quickly.
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Breaded or unbreaded – Breaded shrimp require more time to crisp up the coating.
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Quantity – The more shrimp you cook, the longer the cook time since it takes longer for the interior to heat.
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Arrangement – Shrimp crowded together may not cook as evenly.
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Air fryer model – Different air fryer models have variations in power and airflow that affect cook time.
Recommended Cook Times
Taking all of these factors into account, here are some general air fryer shrimp cook time guidelines:
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Small shrimp (36-45 per pound) – 4-5 minutes at 380°F
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Medium shrimp (31-35 per pound) – 5-6 minutes at 380°F
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Large shrimp (26-30 per pound) – 6-7 minutes at 380°F
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Jumbo shrimp (16-20 per pound) – 7-8 minutes at 380°F
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Extra jumbo/colossal shrimp (10-15 per pound) – 8-9 minutes at 380°F
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Frozen shrimp – Add 2-3 minutes to the cook time above
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Breaded shrimp – Add 1-2 minutes to the cook time above
These times are based on cooking 1 pound of shrimp spread out in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Adjust the time up or down if cooking more or less shrimp.
Also keep in mind that different air fryer models vary in power. Your cook time may be a minute or two different. Always check shrimp for doneness before removing them from the air fryer.
How to Tell When Shrimp Are Done
The best way to test doneness of air fried shrimp is to check their color and texture:
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Color – Shrimp will turn from translucent gray to solid opaque pink/white when fully cooked.
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Texture – Properly cooked shrimp will be firm yet still juicy. They should not be rubbery or mushy.
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Opacity – Check the center of the thickest part of the shrimp. It should look solidly opaque, not see-through.
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Curl – As they cook, shrimp will curl into a C-shape.
Air fried shrimp cook quickly so be sure to set a timer and check them often to avoid overcooking. It’s better to slightly undercook and then give them an extra minute if needed.
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Shrimp
Follow these tips for perfection when making air fryer shrimp:
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Pat shrimp dry before cooking to maximize browning and prevent steaming.
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Coat shrimp lightly in oil before air frying to make them crispy.
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Season shrimp with salt, pepper, spices, herbs or sauces for extra flavor.
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Don’t overcrowd the basket. Arrange in a single layer for even cooking.
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Flipping shrimp halfway through allows both sides to cook evenly.
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Spritz breaded shrimp with oil to help the coating get ultra crispy.
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For frozen shrimp, run cold water over them until pliable before air frying.
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Brush cooked shrimp with melted butter, lemon juice or extra seasoning after air frying.
Delicious Air Fryer Shrimp Recipes to Try
Once you’ve mastered the basics, try out these insanely delicious air fryer shrimp recipes:
Simple Air Fryer Shrimp
- Shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Lemon wedges
Toss shrimp with oil, salt and pepper. Air fry at 380°F for 5-8 minutes depending on size. Squeeze lemon juice over top when done.
Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp
- Shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Unsweetened shredded coconut
- All-purpose flour
- Egg
- Coconut oil
- Pineapple sauce or orange marmalade for dipping
Dredge shrimp in flour, dip in egg, then coat with coconut. Mist with oil. Air fry at 390°F for 6-8 minutes until golden brown. Serve with sweet dipping sauce.
Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp
- Shrimp, peeled and deveined
- All-purpose flour
- Egg
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Bang bang sauce or Thai chili sauce for dipping
Dredge shrimp in flour, dip in egg, then coat with panko. Mist with oil. Air fry at 400°F for 5-7 minutes until crispy. Toss in bang bang or Thai chili sauce to serve.
Air Fryer Cajun Shrimp
- Shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Cajun seasoning
- Lemon juice
- Olive oil
- Lemon wedges
Toss shrimp with Cajun seasoning, lemon juice and olive oil. Air fry at 380°F for 6-8 minutes until done. Garnish with lemon wedges.
So try out these tips and recipes next time you’re cooking shrimp in your air fryer. With the right timing, you’ll end up with tender, juicy shrimp encased in a perfectly crispy golden exterior. Enjoy those crispy crunchy shrimp on tacos, in pasta, over salad, or dipped in sauce!
How to Make Air Fryer Shrimp
This recipe is for air fryer breaded shrimp.
- To make it, the shrimp are dipped twice: first in egg wash, and then in a breadcrumb mixture.
- The egg wash is mandatory. (I know this because I tried this recipe without it and it didn’t work.) The egg makes the breadcrumbs stick, which is what makes air fryer shrimp tempura. Without it, you might as well just fry the shrimp without breading them.
- The breadcrumbs have herbs and Parmesan on them, and they taste great with almost anything. Feel free to create your own custom seasoning blend.
- Shrimp. Shrimp is a great ingredient for healthy dinners because it is easy to use, cooks quickly, and is full of protein. They will also be a hit with everyone, even kids, thanks to the crispy Parmesan breading in this recipe. If you want to eat shrimp in more ways, try my Grilled Shrimp.
- Eggs. Helps the breadcrumb mixture stick to the shrimp.
- Lemon. Both lemon juice and zest add brightness and acidity.
- Breadcrumbs. A tasty breading is very important, just like it is for my Air Fryer Fried Chicken Breast and Air Fryer Chicken Tenders. I used Italian-seasoned whole wheat breadcrumbs, which don’t take any extra work but add extra flavor.
- Parmesan. Parmesan cheese gives the bread crumbs a delicious salty and cheesy taste.
- Spices. Adding garlic powder, dried parsley, dried oregano, salt, and pepper together gives it a great Italian flavor.
- Use paper towels to dry the shrimp, then mix them with oil, lemon zest and juice, and spices. It can be left out at room temperature for 15 minutes or put in the fridge for up to an hour.
- Stir the breadcrumbs and Parmesan together in one dish. Beat the egg in another dish.
- First, dip each shrimp in the egg, and then in the breadcrumb mix.
- Put the shrimp in the air fryer basket and spray them with nonstick spray.
- Cook at 390 degrees F for 2 minutes. Flip the shrimp, then cook for another 2 minutes. Repeat with the remaining shrimp. ENJOY!.
Air Fryer Shrimp Video
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Air Fryer Shrimp
FAQ
How long to warm up shrimp in air fryer?
What is the cooking time for shrimp?
How long does it take to fry shrimp at 350?
How do you cook shrimp in an air fryer?
Preheat air fryer to 400°F if your air fryer requires preheating. In a large bowl, toss shrimp with olive oil, garlic, creole seasoning, pepper and onion powder. Place shrimp in air fryer basket, in an even layer. Cook shrimp at 400°F for 4 minutes. Flip shrimp and continue to cook for 2 minutes more, until shrimp are pink and curled when cooked.
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.
How many shrimp can you cook in an air fryer?
The amount of shrimp you can cook at once in an air fryer will depend on the size of your air fryer basket, but it’s best to cook the shrimp in a single layer to ensure even cooking. Some air fryer accessories are available for certain models of air fryers that allow you to cook multiple layers at once on racks.
How long do you thaw shrimp in an air fryer?
Thaw them in the air fryer for 5 minutes and follow the recipe above, except that you will cook the shrimp for 3 minutes instead of 5 minutes after tossing in the oil/spice mixture. If shrimp is fresh and either raw or pre-cooked, skip the first 5 minutes of this recipe and cook it already tossed in the oil/spice mixture.