If you love shrimp, you HAVE to try this recipe. You will really enjoy cooking this frozen shrimp in the air fryer. The outside is very salty and crispy, and it gives the shrimp a nice bite. And when you pair it with the perfect dipping sauce you’ll have no regrets whatsoever.
Breaded shrimp is a classic appetizer found on menus across America. Who can resist the crispy crunchy coating surrounding tender shrimp? Frying up breaded shrimp takes time and can make a mess in your kitchen. But I discovered an easier way to enjoy this favorite—just cook it in the air fryer!
The air fryer gives you all that crispy breaded goodness without the hassle or excess oil of deep frying I’m going to walk you through exactly how to cook breaded shrimp in an air fryer. With just a few simple steps, you’ll have restaurant-quality shrimp ready in minutes.
What is an Air Fryer?
Before we get cooking, let’s go over what an air fryer is for anyone unfamiliar with this handy kitchen appliance. An air fryer is a compact, countertop convection oven that uses super hot air to crisp up breaded foods. The high heat quickly cooks the food while the circulating air makes the coating ultra crispy.
Air fryers use little to no oil compared to deep frying. Just a light mist of oil gives you the same crispiness but with way less fat and calories. Air frying makes breaded shrimp crunchy on the outside and moist on the inside!
Benefits of Cooking Breaded Shrimp in an Air Fryer
Using an air fryer to cook breaded shrimp has lots of advantages:
- Much less oil needed – Makes it a healthier cooking method
- Crispy coating without deep frying – Gives great texture
- Quick cooking time – Shrimp is ready in 10 minutes or less
- Easy clean up – No dealing with messy frying oil
- Even cooking – Hot air circulates for uniform crispness
I love how easy it is to make breaded shrimp in the air fryer. The shrimp turn out consistently delicious each time. Let’s get into the step-by-step method!
Ingredients Needed
To make crunchy breaded shrimp in the air fryer you will need:
- Shrimp (peeled, deveined)
- Breadcrumbs – Panko or Italian-style
- Egg
- Flour – All-purpose or rice flour
- Oil or oil spray
- Salt and pepper
- Lemon wedges for serving
The key is using large shrimp since smaller ones can dry out. I recommend using jumbo shrimp if you can find them. Now let’s get to breading and frying!
How to Bread Shrimp for the Air Fryer
Breading shrimp is a quick three-step process:
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Set up breading station – Place flour, beaten egg, and breadcrumbs into separate shallow dishes. Season flour with salt and pepper.
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Coat shrimp – Dredge shrimp in flour, dip in egg, then press into breadcrumbs so they are evenly coated.
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Let sit 5 minutes – This helps the coating adhere before cooking.
Make sure each shrimp is completely covered in breadcrumbs so it gets ultra crispy in the air fryer.
Air Fryer Cooking Instructions
Once your shrimp are breaded, it’s time to fry! Here are the simple steps:
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Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Use a light coating of oil or oil spray on the fryer basket.
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Cook shrimp in batches – Avoid overcrowding for even cooking. Cook time depends on amount of shrimp.
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Cook 5-6 minutes per batch – Flip shrimp halfway through. Cook until golden brown.
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Check internal temp – Shrimp should reach an internal temperature of 145°F.
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Let rest 1 minute – This helps keep the coating crispy once removed from the air fryer.
The whole process takes just 10-15 minutes for a full batch. Monitor closely to avoid overcooking the shrimp.
Tips for Extra Crispy Air Fryer Shrimp
Follow these tips for the crispiest air fried breaded shrimp:
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Use panko breadcrumbs – They stay extra crunchy.
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Mist shrimp with oil before cooking – Helps browning.
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Don’t overcrowd – Let air circulate evenly.
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Cook at 400°F – Higher heat = crispier crust.
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Pat off excess moisture before breading – Keeps the coating crispy.
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Let shrimp rest before serving – Maintains the crunch factor.
Serving Up Your Air Fryer Shrimp
Your crispy breaded shrimp are ready to enjoy! Here are some tasty ways to serve them up:
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Classic cocktail or tartar sauce for dipping
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Lemon wedges to squeeze over shrimp
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Sprinkled with chopped parsley for color
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On a salad for an easy shrimp salad
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In a pita with lettuce, tomato, and ranch dressing
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Over rice or pasta for a main dish
However you choose to serve them, air fryer breaded shrimp make a delicious appetizer or entree. The air fryer lets you skip frying so you can enjoy the flavor and crunch minus the fat and mess. Give this easy method a try for your next shrimp night!
Frequently Asked Questions About Cooking Breaded Shrimp in an Air Fryer
If you’re new to using an air fryer, you may have some questions about cooking breaded shrimp in this handy appliance. Here are answers to some common FAQs:
Should I thaw the shrimp first or can I cook them frozen?
For best results, thaw raw shrimp before breading and cooking in the air fryer. Air frying frozen shrimp may result in uneven cooking.
Do I need to preheat the air fryer first?
Yes, always preheat your air fryer before cooking anything. This allows the appliance to reach the proper cooking temperature. Preheat to 400°F for breaded shrimp.
How can I prevent the breading from falling off the shrimp?
Let breaded shrimp sit for 5+ minutes before cooking to help the coating adhere. Also be gentle when flipping and removing shrimp from the air fryer basket.
How long does it take to cook breaded shrimp?
At 400°F, breaded shrimp will be fully cooked in 5-8 minutes. Cook time depends on the size/amount of shrimp. Check internal temp to confirm doneness.
Should I spray or oil the shrimp before air frying?
Lightly misting shrimp with oil or using a small amount of oil in the basket helps the breading get extra crispy.
How can I tell when the shrimp are done cooking?
Breaded shrimp are fully cooked when they reach an internal temperature of 145°F. The breading will also be golden brown.
Can I reheat leftover breaded shrimp in the air fryer?
Yes, leftover breaded shrimp reheat well in the air fryer. Cook at 375°F for 2-3 minutes until warmed through.
Enjoy Restaurant-Worthy Breaded Shrimp at Home
With my easy air fryer method, you can skip the takeout and make your own tasty breaded shrimp anytime. Crunchy, golden shrimp are just minutes away thanks to this handy kitchen gadget.
Air Fryer Frozen Breaded Shrimp
People are always telling me what I should look for to cook in the air fryer, and I think I have found something good. I’ve tried so many things; from sweet potatoes to hamburgers to air fried french toast!.
This time, I’m calling all you seafood lovers out there. Fried shrimp is now my favorite way to cook an old favorite. If you don’t have an air fryer, click here to see the one I recommend.
This air fryer shrimp recipe is amazing and incredibly simple to make. All you need is one thing: frozen breaded shrimp. That’s it!.
You can buy breaded shrimp online or use any brand of frozen shrimp. They always turn out great and are ready in less than 10 minutes. No need to thaw!.
However, if you really want to make them from scratch, you can coat shrimp in egg and roll them in bread crumbs.
If you are trying to stay low-carb, you should try cooking this frozen shrimp in the air fryer (no breading needed!)
Don’t like shrimp? You should give this crispy breaded fish a taste. Tender fish fillet with a delicious crispy exterior… to die for!.
What To Serve With Breaded Shrimp
With breaded shrimp, I like to serve them with a sauce that really brings out the flavor of the shrimp. For example, I like to serve baked salmon with this creamy garlic yogurt dill sauce.
These are some of the other dipping sauces I like to add to the rotation:
- Cocktail Sauce is an old-fashioned spicy dip for shrimp. So good!.
- Nice Definitely one of my go-to’s.
- Tzatziki Sauce—This smooth dipping sauce goes well with the crunchy shrimp.
If you want to eat the air-fried shrimp as a meal, I suggest you pair it with cilantro lime rice and some roasted asparagus spears. It’s a perfectly balanced meal!.
