This air fryer popcorn shrimp dish is easy to make when you need something quick from the freezer. The air fryer will do the rest. All you need is your favorite brand of frozen popcorn shrimp and a few minutes.
I love breaded popcorn shrimp and I remember always ordering them at restaurants when I was younger. As an adult with a family of my own, it’s easier for me to just take them out of the freezer and put them in the air fryer. You get that same fresh crispy taste as you do at your favorite restaurants!.
The air fryer is great for cooking frozen foods because of how it moves and works. This Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp dish is one of my quick and easy go-to recipes. Its perfect for college students, too.
For instance, a deep fryer needs a lot of oil and heat, and the food you make with it has more fats and calories.
A fan moves hot air from a heating element around the air fryer while it’s in use. This helps cook and crisp food evenly. Its a much healthier choice than deep frying.
Plus, air-frying takes less time than baking, so you won’t have to warm up the oven for this popcorn shrimp recipe.
This article has over 15 of our favorite air fryer shrimp recipes that you might like if you like this shrimp recipe.
Crispy golden popcorn shrimp fresh out of the air fryer is one of the best snacks out there. The combination of the crunchy breaded exterior with the tender shrimp inside is irresistible. Air frying makes it so easy to achieve this texture straight from the freezer – no thawing required!
But to get ideal results when cooking frozen popcorn shrimp in an air fryer, you need to know the proper time. Undercooking leaves you with raw shrimp, while overcooking leads to dry, rubbery shrimp. So how long exactly should you set the air fryer timer for perfectly cooked popcorn shrimp?
In this article, I’ll share my tips for nailing the cook time for frozen popcorn shrimp in an air fryer based on testing different brands and sizes. Read on to learn how long you should air fry popcorn shrimp to get ideal texture and safety.
Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp Cook Times
When air frying any frozen food cook times can vary quite a bit depending on several factors
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Size of shrimp – Jumbo shrimp take longer than smaller popcorn shrimp
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Breading thickness – Heavier breading increases cook time.
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Brand of shrimp – Each brand uses slightly different recipes.
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Amount of shrimp – More shrimp = longer cook time.
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Air fryer model – Performance can vary between models.
With all those variables, it’s impossible to give an exact universal time for how long to cook frozen breaded shrimp in an air fryer. But I can provide a general time range based on testing different brands and sizes.
For Popcorn Shrimp
For frozen popcorn shrimp (the small bite-sized ones), the air fryer cook time is typically 7-9 minutes at 400°F. I like to shake the basket halfway through to promote even cooking.
Here are air fryer cook times for some popular brands of frozen popcorn shrimp:
- SeaPak – 7-8 minutes
- Van de Kamp’s – 8-9 minutes
- Gorton’s – 7-8 minutes
- Chicken of the Sea – 8-9 minutes
So you can see it ranges by about 2 minutes depending on the specific product. Always refer to the package instructions and adjust the time as needed in your particular air fryer model.
For Jumbo Shrimp
Larger jumbo shrimp often need 1-2 minutes longer than popcorn shrimp to fully cook in an air fryer due to their size. General guidelines:
- Peeled, deveined jumbo – 9-11 minutes
- Breaded jumbo butterfly shrimp – 10-12 minutes
Again, cooking times vary between brands. Thicker jumbo shrimp may take 12-14 minutes. The key is checking for doneness, not just relying on a cooking chart time.
Check Internal Temperature
To confirm your air fried shrimp are fully cooked, you need to verify the internal temperature reaches 145°F for shrimp.
Use a food thermometer to test the center of the thickest part of a shrimp. Cooking until this safe temperature is especially important with jumbo shrimp to ensure the inside is not raw.
If the temperature is lower than 145°F, continue cooking the shrimp for 1-2 more minutes until it reaches the proper internal temp. Checking temperature is the best way to prevent undercooked or overcooked shrimp.
Signs of Properly Cooked Shrimp
In addition to verifying the temperature, you can look for these visual cues that frozen shrimp is ready:
- Breaded coating is crispy and golden brown
- Shrimp flesh turns opaque and pinkish
- Shrimp separates easily from tail shell
The shrimp should not appear translucent or mushy when properly cooked. Follow my recommended air fryer times, then confirm doneness with a thermometer and visual checks.
Tips for Air Frying Frozen Shrimp
Here are some top tips to ensure you achieve perfectly cooked, crispy air fried shrimp every time:
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Don’t overcrowd shrimp in the basket. Cook in batches if needed.
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Flip or shake basket halfway for even browning.
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Brush basket with oil for crisper breading.
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Work in 1-2 minute increments if shrimp are very thick.
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Let shrimp rest 1-2 minutes after cooking for easier peeling.
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Adjust cook time down if using pre-cooked shrimp.
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Add sauce or spices to breading for extra flavor.
Frozen Shrimp Brands to Try
I’ve had great results with these brands of frozen shrimp in my air fryer:
- SeaPak Popcorn Shrimp – classic crispy breading
- Trader Joe’s Butterfly Shrimp – huge shrimp with light panko
- Gorton’s Crispy Battered Shrimp – ultra crunchy cornmeal coating
- Aqua Star Coconut Shrimp – tender shrimp in a sweet coconut breading
Test out a few varieties to find your favorites! Just follow my air fryer cooking guidelines to achieve the ideal cook time for any frozen breaded shrimp.
More Delicious Air Fryer Shrimp Recipes
Once you’ve mastered the basics of air frying frozen shrimp, try out these easy shrimp recipes:
- Lemon Pepper Shrimp – herb panko crusted shrimp
- Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp – crisp coconut coated shrimp
- Air Fried Bang Bang Shrimp – spicy mayo shrimp
- Air Fryer Garlic Shrimp – butter, garlic, and Parm shrimp
- Crispy Cajun Shrimp – blackened spicy shrimp
The possibilities are endless for quick and tasty air fried shrimp appetizers and meals!
So next time you’re craving popcorn shrimp, you’ll know exactly how long to set the air fryer timer for tender, perfectly cooked results. Checking temperature and visual cues as you air fry guarantees your shrimp turn out crispy and golden without being overdone. Adjust the time as needed to account for size, amount, and thickness. In just 7-12 minutes, you’ll be enjoying crunchy, juicy air fried shrimp straight from the freezer.
How to Make Frozen Breaded Popcorn Shrimp in the Air Fryer
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Once the air fryer is hot, wipe down the basket with nonstick cooking spray or parchment paper if you need to.
- On a baking sheet, spread out the frozen popcorn shrimp in a single layer.
- Toss the popcorn shrimp around once during the 10 minutes that they are cooking in the air fryer.
- Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
TIP: To make the frozen popcorn shrimp a little more crispy, spray them with a little oil before air-frying them.
There are also different brands of frozen breaded shrimp to choose from. I love to use Seapak shrimp, Gortons popcorn shrimp, and my grocery store brand as well.
NOTE: This recipe was made using a basket style 5. 8 qt Cosori Air Fryer. If you’re using a different brand of air fryer, you might need to change the cooking time to match the wattage of your machine. All air fryers cook a little differently. It is always a good idea to cook a small test batch to see how your air fryer might cook differently and if you need to make any small changes to the way you cook.
How do I serve air fryer frozen popcorn shrimp?
Popcorn shrimp can be served in several different ways. Use your favorite cocktail or dipping sauce to serve it. You can eat it as an appetizer or as a main dish with french fries. You can also make them as yummy shrimp tacos. Or you can serve them on a bed of lettuce as a salad with your favorite salad dressing. I love having popcorn shrimp on a hoagie bun with fresh lettuce, tomato, and tartar or remoulade sauce. It’s called a “Shrimp Po Boy.”
Air Fryer Frozen Popcorn Shrimp – How To Cook Frozen Popcorn Shrimp In Air Fryer – So Crispy!
Can You air Fry frozen popcorn shrimp?
Air Fryer Frozen Popcorn Shrimp are a delicious breaded treat. Ready in just minutes, these snackable shrimp are a great seafood appetizer and very easy to dip! Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the air fryer is hot, add the frozen popcorn shrimp into the air fryer tray in one even layer.
How long do you cook frozen popcorn shrimp in an air fryer?
Depending on the capacity of your air fryer it might be more or less for you. Cook the shrimp until fully cooked and crispy on the outside. Cook the frozen popcorn shrimp for 7-9 total minutes until fully cooked through and crispy on the outside. Gently shake the air fryer basket halfway through the cooking time to help with even crisping.
What is the best way to cook frozen popcorn shrimp?
Air fryer is the best way to cook frozen popcorn shrimp! Once you try air frying popcorn shrimp, you’ll never make it any other way! Air fried popcorn shrimp comes out so crispy, it tastes just like popcorn shrimp from a restaurant! Crunchy breading on the outside, tender juicy shrimp inside – air fryer makes best popcorn shrimp ever!
Can you cook SeaPak popcorn shrimp in an air fryer?
You can cook Seapak popcorn shrimp in the air fryer or any other frozen breaded shrimp in the air fryer with these directions with great results. Whether you’re making a quick meal for the family or an appetizer for New Year’s, air fryer breaded shrimp is an easy choice everyone will love. Save This Recipe!