The best way to make frozen breaded shrimp is to air fry them. Follow these simple steps to get perfectly crispy shrimp every time you air fry frozen shrimp.
Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years as a quick and healthy way to cook delicious crispy foods. One of my favorite things to make in my air fryer is frozen butterfly shrimp. The air fryer gives the shrimp a light crispy coating while keeping the inside tender and juicy.
Cooking frozen butterfly shrimp in an air fryer is so easy and convenient In just 10-15 minutes you can have a tasty appetizer or main dish ready to enjoy, No need to deal with the splatter and mess of deep frying The air fryer gives you all that crispy flavor without the guilt!
In this simple guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to cook frozen butterfly shrimp to crispy, golden brown perfection in your air fryer. Let’s get started!
Benefits of Cooking Frozen Shrimp in an Air Fryer
Here are some of the biggest benefits of using an air fryer for frozen shrimp:
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Quick cooking time – Shrimp cooks fast in the air fryer, usually 10-15 minutes depending on amount. Much faster than baking.
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Crispy exterior – The circulating high heat of the air fryer crisps up the breading nicely.
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Tender, juicy interior – The shrimp comes out juicy and tender inside thanks to the short cook time.
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Healthier – Uses little to no oil compared to deep frying.
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Easy cleanup – With no dealing with hot oil, cleanup is a breeze.
What You’ll Need
Cooking frozen shrimp in the air fryer is simple. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Frozen butterfly shrimp – defrosted or still frozen
- Olive oil or oil spray
- Breadcrumbs – panko or regular
- Seasonings – Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, etc.
Step-By-Step Guide
Follow these easy steps for perfectly cooked air fryer shrimp:
1. Preheat Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F which takes around 3-5 minutes.
2. Prepare Shrimp
Rinse the frozen shrimp under cool water to remove any ice crystals. Pat dry thoroughly with paper towels.
3. Season Shrimp
Season the shrimp on both sides with your favorite spices. I like to use a Cajun seasoning for a little kick.
4. Coat with Oil
Lightly coat the shrimp with olive oil or an oil spray. This helps the breading stick better.
5. Bread Shrimp
Place the oiled shrimp in breadcrumbs and coat well on both sides. Press gently so the crumbs adhere.
6. Arrange in Fryer Basket
Arrange the breaded shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Overcrowding will prevent even cooking.
7. Cook Shrimp
Cook the shrimp at 400°F for 5-8 minutes until golden brown and crispy, flipping shrimp halfway through.
8. Enjoy Immediately
Serve the crispy shrimp immediately while hot and crispy. Enjoy with favorite dipping sauces.
And that’s it! In less than 15 minutes, you can have a batch of perfectly cooked crispy shrimp ready to eat. The air fryer really does make cooking frozen shrimp so fast and easy.
Helpful Tips for Air Frying Frozen Shrimp
To get the best results when cooking frozen shrimp in the air fryer, keep these tips in mind:
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Don’t overcrowd the basket – Arrange shrimp in a single layer for even cooking.
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Adjust cook times as needed – Larger shrimp may take a little longer.
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Let shrimp come to room temp before cooking for more even cooking.
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Flip shrimp halfway during cooking for evenly browned exterior.
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Spray basket with oil to prevent sticking.
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Brush shrimp with melted butter after cooking for extra flavor and moisture.
Cooking Different Types of Frozen Shrimp
While the basic method remains the same, you may need to adjust cook times slightly for different kinds of frozen shrimp:
Butterfly shrimp – Cook for 8-10 minutes at 400°F.
Large shrimp – May need an extra 1-2 minutes. Check for doneness.
Popcorn shrimp – Cook 5-7 minutes until crispy.
Beer battered shrimp – Cook 7-9 minutes until golden brown.
No matter what type of frozen shrimp you have, the air fryer can handle it! Just keep an eye on doneness and adjust cook times as needed. The shrimp is fully cooked when the breading is crispy and the shrimp is opaque throughout.
Serving Suggestions
Crispy air fried shrimp is so versatile and can be served in many ways:
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Appetizer platter with cocktail or tartar sauce for dipping
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In shrimp tacos or po’ boys
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Over salad
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Scattered on top of pizza
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In pasta or stir fry dishes
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As an elevated shrimp cocktail
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On shrimp kabobs
However you choose to serve it, air fried shrimp is sure to be a delicious hit! The crispy texture pairs well with so many flavors.
Favorite Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp Recipes
Once you get the basics down, try out these tasty recipe ideas in your air fryer:
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Cajun Shrimp – Blackened seasoning and spicy mayo
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Thai Chili Shrimp – With sweet chili sauce
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Garlic Parmesan Shrimp – With melty Parmesan
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Coconut Shrimp – With coconut breading
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Buffalo Shrimp – Tossed in spicy buffalo sauce
The possibilities are endless when it comes to flavoring crispy air fried shrimp straight from the freezer.
Common Questions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about cooking frozen shrimp in an air fryer:
Do you have to thaw the shrimp first?
Nope, you can cook frozen shrimp directly in the air fryer from frozen state.
How long does it take?
10-15 minutes usually, depending on amount and size of shrimp.
What temperature should I cook at?
400°F is the ideal air fryer temperature for achieving crispy shrimp.
Do I need to flip the shrimp during cooking?
Yes, flipping halfway during cooking ensures evenly browned and crisped shrimp.
Can I bread the shrimp in advance?
You can bread the shrimp 1-2 hours in advance then refrigerate until ready to cook.
The Takeaway
Cooking frozen shrimp in the air fryer is truly one of the easiest, quickest ways to get tender, juicy shrimp encased in a deliciously crispy coating. In just 10-15 minutes, you can have a appetizer or main dish ready to wow your family and friends.
Air Fried Frozen Shrimp Ingredients
- Frozen shrimp (butterfly shrimp or popcorn shrimp)
Types of Frozen Breaded Shrimp
You can find a few different kinds of frozen breaded shrimp in the freezer section. You can use any of them to make Air Fried Breaded Frozen Shrimp. I haven’t tried this with beer-battered shrimp yet, so I can’t say for sure if it will work the same, but I think it will since the breading is frozen too.
Butterfly shrimp. It takes longer to bread these bigger shrimp because they have to be cut, peeled, deveined, and flattened to make them “butterflies.” These tend to still have the tail left on them. When the larger shrimp are not cut in the butterfly way they are called jumbo shrimp.
Popcorn Shrimp. This refers to the size of the shrimp. They are smaller shrimp that are peeled and while they are full shrimp they are small shrimp. You can cook these in air fryer but the cook time will be shorter then butterfly shrimp.
Beer battered shrimp. This shrimp is coated in a batter that is fluffy when cooked.
Breaded Shrimp. This shrimp is breaded with breadcrumbs and has a more crumbly breading.