For the best quick and easy healthy air-fried seafood recipe, try Air Fryer Bang Bang Panko Breaded Fried Shrimp. It comes with bread crumbs, sweet chili, and Sriracha dipping sauce. This post will outline how to fry shrimp in the air fryer. You can even use frozen or grilled shrimp! If you want to cut back on carbs, make this dish without breading it.
Hey there, Air Fryer Bang Bang Fried Shrimp recipe! Can you tell I’m excited? I’m not trying to hide it. I first had bang bang shrimp years ago at Bonefish Grill Restaraunt. I have not been to the restaurant in ages. At the time the shrimp was their most popular appetizer. This still may be the case, I am not sure.
I couldn’t wait to try cooking seafood in the Air Fryer again after making my 3 Ingredient Catfish.
Since I had already cooked chicken and fish in the air fryer, I thought of this recipe. I had to add shrimp! Plus, shrimp is very rich in protein. Because the shrimp are air-fried, each serving has about 40 grams of protein and only 1 gram of fat. Can you believe that?.
Crispy panko breaded shrimp fresh out of the air fryer is a quick and easy meal that tastes like you spent all day fussing over the stove The air fryer gives the shrimp an incredibly crunchy exterior while keeping the interior juicy and tender
But knowing exactly how long to cook panko shrimp in an air fryer can make the difference between undercooked shrimp and perfectly golden seafood bliss.
In this article, I’ll go over everything you need to know to master air fryer panko shrimp, including
- Factors that affect shrimp cook times
- Recommended cooking times based on shrimp size
- Tips for ensuring perfectly cooked shrimp
- How to tell when shrimp is done
- Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Follow these air fryer panko shrimp cooking guidelines and you’ll have restaurant-worthy results every time!
What Impacts Shrimp Cook Times in an Air Fryer?
Several key factors determine exactly how long panko shrimp needs to cook in the air fryer:
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Shrimp size – The larger the shrimp, the longer the cook time. Jumbo shrimp take longer than medium or small.
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Breading thickness – Thicker panko coatings increase cook time. Lighter breading cooks faster.
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Air fryer wattage – Lower-wattage models may require longer cook times. Higher wattages cook faster.
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Quantity of shrimp – Cooking a large batch slows cook times slightly. Smaller amounts cook faster.
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Frozen vs. thawed – Thawed shrimp cooks much quicker than frozen.
Taking these variables into account will help you dial in the right cook times.
Recommended Air Fryer Cook Times for Panko Shrimp
Here are general air fryer cooking guidelines for panko shrimp based on shrimp size:
- Small shrimp (41-50 count per pound) – 7-9 minutes at 380°F
- Medium shrimp (31-40 count per pound) – 8-10 minutes at 380°F
- Large shrimp (21-30 count per pound) – 9-11 minutes at 380°F
- Jumbo shrimp (16-20 count per pound) – 10-12 minutes at 380°F
For frozen shrimp, add 2-3 extra minutes to the cook times above.
These times are for a lightly breaded coating. Increase times by 2-3 minutes for heavier panko coverage.
Start checking shrimp for doneness at the lower end of the time range. Adjust cooking time as needed based on your specific air fryer model.
5 Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Panko Shrimp
Follow these tips for extra crispy, juicy panko shrimp straight from your air fryer:
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Pat shrimp dry before coating to help the panko adhere better.
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Use an egg wash or buttermilk soak to help the panko stick.
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Press the breading onto the shrimp to create an even coating.
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Arrange shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer, not overlapping.
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Lightly spray shrimp with oil before cooking for optimal crispness.
Proper shrimp prep and coating sets you up for the best end results.
How to Tell When Panko Shrimp is Done
It’s important not to over or undercook your air fried shrimp. Check for these signs of doneness:
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The panko coating is evenly golden brown.
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The shrimp flesh is opaque and white throughout when cut.
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The internal temperature reaches 145°F.
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The shrimp separates easily from the tail when gently pulled.
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The texture is firm but still juicy when bitten into.
Immediately remove fully cooked shrimp from the hot air fryer to prevent overcooking.
Common Panko Shrimp Air Fryer Mistakes
It can take a few tries to perfect your air fryer panko shrimp technique. Here are some common pitfalls and how to avoid them:
Undercooked Shrimp
The panko coating may appear browned before the shrimp interior is fully cooked. Use a thermometer and cut into a few shrimp to test for doneness. Increase cook time if needed.
Uneven Cooking
Overcrowding and overlapping can lead to uneven cooking. Arrange shrimp in a single layer with space between each piece. Cook similar size shrimp together.
Soggy Coating
Too much moisture from thawing or wet ingredients creates a soft panko coating. Pat shrimp very dry before breading. Let any wet dip coatings fully drip off.
Burnt Coating
Cooking at too high of a temperature or for too long can burn the panko. Lower the temp and closely monitor cook times.
Tough, Rubbery Shrimp
This happens when shrimp is overcooked. Remove immediately once the internal temp reaches 145°F and the flesh is opaque.
Adjusting cooking times and following proper air fryer shrimp techniques will help avoid these common problems.
For Perfectly Cooked Shrimp, Use a Thermometer
The best way to ensure your panko shrimp cooked through fully without overdoing it is to use an instant read thermometer. Simply insert it into the thickest part of a few shrimp to check for a minimum internal temperature of 145°F.
This takes the guesswork out of getting air fryer shrimp cooked just right every time. Investing in a good thermometer is a game changer!
Enjoy Your Crispy Air Fried Panko Shrimp 3 Different Ways
Aside from the addictively crunchy coating, one of the best parts of cooking shrimp in the air fryer is how quick and easy it is. You can enjoy your freshly cooked panko shrimp in lots of delicious ways:
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Serve as an appetizer with cocktail or tartar sauce for dipping.
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Pile shrimp on salads, tacos, pasta, or rice bowls.
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Stuff into sandwiches or wraps for a protein punch.
With the right techniques, air fryer panko shrimp comes out tender and juicy inside and fantastically crispy outside. Adjust cook times based on size and thickness, and use a thermometer for guaranteed perfection.
How to Thaw Frozen Shrimp
Place the frozen shrimp in a large bowl of cold water. The shrimp will thaw within minutes and will be ready to peel.
How to Fry Shrimp with No Breading
Simply omit the panko breadcrumbs in this recipe. The cook time will remain the same.
- As big shrimp or prawns as you can find are the best for this recipe.
- For bang bang shrimp, you fry shrimp until they are crispy and then toss them in a spicy, sweet chili sauce. I chose to make a separate dipping sauce instead of putting the shrimp in the sauce. This will keep the shrimp as crunchy as possible for as long as possible.
- To make up for it, I also added plain, low-fat Greek yogurt to the dipping sauce. Greek yogurt also provides an additional boost of protein.
- Plain breadcrumbs will work if you don’t have panko breadcrumbs on hand.
CRUNCHY Air Fryer Shrimp (100% as Delicious as Fried Shrimp!)
How to air Fry Panko shrimp?
To make the air fried panko shrimp you will need: Follow this recipe to make the perfect airfryer panko shrimp: Start by preheating the air fryer to 400F (200C). Then, place the shrimp in a bowl, add the seasonings, and mix well. Add the flour, panko crumbs, and egg whites to three different bowls.
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.
What is Panko shrimp air fryer?
Panko shrimp air fryer is a Japanese dish that consists of crispy breaded shrimp. But, instead of deep frying the prawns, you can use an air fryer to quickly cook them and make them extra crunchy. This recipe makes the perfect appetizer that’s guaranteed to be loved by everyone who tries it.
How to cook shrimp in air fryer?
Add the flour, panko crumbs, and egg whites to three different small bowls. Dip the shrimp in the flour (coat it evenly), then lightly dab in the egg whites, and finally coat it with panko bread crumbs. Spray the shrimp with cooking oil. And now for the easy part. Place the coated shrimp in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 4-5 minutes.