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.
Popcorn shrimp is a beloved appetizer for good reason – it’s crunchy, tasty, and fun to eat! While deep frying yields the ultimate crispy texture, air frying makes enjoying this snackable seafood at home quick and easy.
Read on for a simple, step-by-step guide to cooking frozen popcorn shrimp in an air fryer for deliciously crispy results every time.
Why Make Air Fryer Popcorn Shrimp
Air frying frozen popcorn shrimp offers several advantages over other cooking methods:
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It’s fast – From freezer to plate in just 8-10 minutes! Minimal prep needed
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Crispy crunch – The air fryer circulates hot air to mimic deep frying and crisp up the breaded coating.
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No oil mess – Only a spritz of oil is needed vs. gallons for deep frying. Clean up is a breeze.
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Convienent – Keep bags of frozen shrimp on hand to enjoy this appetizer anytime.
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Healthier – Air frying cuts calories from oil compared to deep frying
For deliciously crispy popcorn shrimp minus the hassle and mess the air fryer can’t be beat!
Tips for Selecting Frozen Popcorn Shrimp
Not all frozen popcorn shrimp are created equal when it comes to getting ideal results in the air fryer. Here are tips for selection:
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Uncooked shrimp inside – The shrimp itself should be raw, not pre-cooked, so it finishes cooking through.
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Breading – Look for an airy, crunchy breading labeled as “popcorn” style. Avoid batters.
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Uniform pieces – Shrimp should be similar in size for even cooking. Avoid bags with lots of broken bits.
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Reputable brand – Stick to brands known for quality like SeaPak to ensure taste and texture.
Taking a few moments to choose the right shrimp makes a big difference in the end result!
How to Cook Frozen Popcorn Shrimp in an Air Fryer
Cooking frozen popcorn shrimp in an air fryer takes just a few easy steps. Here’s a simple walkthrough:
Step 1: Pre-heat Air Fryer
- Pre-heat air fryer to 400°F. This gets it ready to crisply cook the shrimp.
Step 2: Add Shrimp to Fryer Basket
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Add the still-frozen shrimp to air fryer basket in a single layer, avoiding overlap.
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For a standard-size air fryer basket, 12 oz of frozen shrimp works well. Adjust for your model.
Step 3: Air Fry for 7-9 Minutes
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Air fry the shrimp for 7-9 minutes, until golden brown and crispy.
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For food safety, shrimp must reach an internal temp of 165°F.
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Gently shake basket halfway through to promote even cooking.
Step 4: Enjoy Immediately
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Once air fried, immediately remove shrimp and enjoy while hot and ultra-crispy!
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Serve with dipping sauces like ketchup, ranch or chipotle mayo.
That’s it – crispy popcorn shrimp in less than 10 minutes! Now let’s look at some pro tips and troubleshooting.
Handy Tips for Air Frying Success
Follow these tips and tricks for the very best air fried popcorn shrimp:
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Don’t overcrowd – Leave space between shrimp for ideal crispness. Work in batches for larger amounts.
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Flip halfway – Gently shake basket mid-cook to help shrimp brown evenly.
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Blot oil – Use paper towels to blot off any excess surface oil from shrimp after cooking.
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Try skewers – For easy dipping, thread cooked shrimp onto skewers.
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Re-crisp leftovers – Air fry leftovers briefly to recapture crispy texture.
With just a few easy tips, you’ll be an air fryer popcorn shrimp pro!
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Having trouble getting ideal results? Here are some quick fixes:
Shrimp sticks to basket – Lightly oil basket first and don’t overcrowd.
Breading falls off – Avoid shaking basket too vigorously mid-cook.
Uneven cooking – Flip/rotate shrimp to promote browning on all sides.
Not crispy enough – Increase air fry temp 25°F and cook 1-2 mins longer.
Overly browned – Lower temp 25°F next time and closely watch cook time.
Making small adjustments as needed guarantees tender shrimp inside with a perfectly crispy exterior.
Recipes to Take Your Shrimp Further
While popcorn shrimp is delicious on its own, the fun doesn’t have to stop there! Take your air fried shrimp to the next level with these recipe ideas:
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Shrimp tacos – Chop crisp shrimp and add to tacos with pico de gallo.
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Popcorn shrimp po’ boy – Pile shrimp onto a hoagie bun and top with remoulade.
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Shrimp salad – Toss chilled chopped shrimp with mayo, celery, and seasonings for a tasty salad.
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Shrimp skewers – Alternate shrimp with veggies like zucchini and red pepper for a fun appetizer.
The possibilities are endless for incorporating your air fried popcorn shrimp into entrees, apps, salads and more!
Enjoy Fabulous Popcorn Shrimp Anytime
With the simplicity of frozen shrimp and the speed of the air fryer, you can now enjoy deliciously crispy popcorn shrimp anytime the craving strikes.
In less than 10 minutes, you can be biting into tender shrimp enveloped in an ultra-crispy, golden exterior. It’s sure to become a new favorite snack, app, or meal addition thanks to the magic of the air fryer!
More Healthy Air Fryer Recipes
If you loved this crispy ‘fried’ breaded shrimp recipe, check out some of my other air fryer recipes!
These are my favorite main dish recipes:
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!.
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!