The best way to cook frozen popcorn shrimp is in an air fryer. Once you try it, you’ll never make it any other way!
Seapak popcorn shrimp cooked in an air fryer results in the crispiest crunchiest popcorn shrimp you’ve ever had! Using an air fryer to cook frozen breaded shrimp makes it taste like you ordered takeout from a restaurant.
As someone who loves hosting game nights and get-togethers, having easy appetizer recipes up my sleeve is a must. Popcorn shrimp is a crowd-pleasing favorite, but achieving that perfect crunch factor without deep frying can be tricky. That’s why I was so excited when I discovered how air frying makes the best popcorn shrimp ever!
In this guide, I’ll walk through my foolproof method for air frying Seapak popcorn shrimp straight from frozen. I’ll also share serving ideas and tips to elevate your popcorn shrimp experience. Let’s dive in!
Why Air Frying Beats Other Cooking Methods
I’ve tried making popcorn shrimp in the oven and microwave many times over the years. However, the results were always disappointing:
-
Microwave: Shrimp came out rubbery with soggy breading that lacked any crunch. Total popcorn shrimp fail!
-
Oven Took forever to preheat, shrimp were dry in spots, breading was hit or miss on crispiness
Enter the air fryer – a game changer! Air frying keeps the breading incredibly crispy while the inside cooks gently. Here are the main benefits:
-
No preheating – Frozen shrimp go right into the hot air fryer.
-
Even cooking – The spinning air fryer basket circulates hot air all around.
-
Quick cooking – Frozen shrimp cooks up crunchy in just 8 minutes!
-
Crispy breading – The constant high heat airflow crisps better than an oven.
Once I tried air frying popcorn shrimp, I was hooked! The crunchy texture and juicy shrimp were amazing.
Step-By-Step Instructions for Air Frying Seapak Shrimp
Air frying frozen shrimp couldn’t be easier. Here’s exactly how I do it:
Ingredients:
-
1 bag Seapak frozen popcorn shrimp (or your favorite brand)
-
Nonstick cooking spray
Directions:
-
Pre-heat air fryer to 400°F.
-
Spray air fryer basket with nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
-
Add frozen shrimp to air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between each.
-
Air fry for 4 minutes at 400°F.
-
Shake basket gently to flip shrimp.
-
Air fry 4 more minutes until crispy and golden brown.
That’s really all there is to it! The frozen breaded shrimp cooks up tender, juicy, and super crunchy in less than 10 minutes.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
Popcorn shrimp makes a tasty appetizer or main dish. Here are my favorite ways to serve it:
-
Sprinkle with grated Parmesan, lemon wedges, and parsley.
-
Offer as a pre-dinner snack with creamy cocktail sauce for dipping.
-
Toss in buffalo wing sauce for spicy popcorn shrimp bites. Provide blue cheese dressing for dipping.
-
Mix into shrimp tacos or lettuce wraps with pico de gallo, avocado, lime juice.
-
Scatter over garden salads or wedge salads for a protein punch.
-
Serve alongside fresh coleslaw, potato salad, pasta salad for summertime meals.
You really can’t go wrong when serving these crispy morsels! Kids and adults alike will devour them.
Pairings and Sides
Round out your popcorn shrimp meal with these delicious accompaniments:
-
Steamed broccoli, carrots, cauliflower
-
Corn on the cob with butter
-
Coleslaw or potato salad
-
Dipping sauces – cocktail, tartar, sweet chili
-
Tortilla chips and fresh salsa
-
Cornbread, biscuits, or rolls
-
Rice pilaf or risotto
With so many options, you can create a totally customized popcorn shrimp experience. Play around with fun flavor combinations.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Got extra crunchy shrimp left over? Here are some storage and reheating tips:
-
Let shrimp cool completely before storing.
-
Place cooled shrimp in a sealed container. Refrigerate up to 4 days.
-
To reheat, place shrimp in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake at 400°F for 4-5 minutes until hot and crispy.
The breaded coating will soften over time, so aim to eat leftovers within a couple days.
Favorite Popcorn Shrimp Recipes
Once you master the art of air frying popcorn shrimp, try out these fun flavor twist recipes:
Cajun Popcorn Shrimp
-
Toss cooked shrimp in Cajun seasoning.
-
Serve with spicy mayo dipping sauce.
Parmesan Popcorn Shrimp
-
Toss hot shrimp with melted butter, parsley, and Parmesan.
-
Add lemon wedges and marinara sauce for dipping.
Bang Bang Popcorn Shrimp
-
Toss shrimp in sweet chili sauce and creamy sriracha sauce.
-
Garnish with sesame seeds, scallions.
Popcorn Shrimp Po’ Boys
- Pile crispy shrimp on hoagie rolls with lettuce, tomato, remoulade sauce.
FAQs About Air Frying Popcorn Shrimp
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
Should I spray the air fryer basket first?
Yes, always lightly spray the basket with oil before adding breaded foods. This prevents sticking.
Do I need to preheat the air fryer?
No, there’s no need to preheat when cooking frozen shrimp. Simply turn on and set temp as you add the shrimp.
What temperature should I use to air fry?
I recommend 400°F for crispy breaded shrimp. Adjust down slightly if it browns too quickly.
How long does it take to cook 1lb shrimp?
At 400°F, expect 1lb of frozen shrimp to cook in 7-8 minutes, shaking halfway.
Can I make a bigger batch for a party?
Absolutely! Just cook in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.
Enjoy Restaurant-Quality Popcorn Shrimp at Home
With my easy air fryer method, you can skip the deep fryer and make the crispiest popcorn shrimp ever in less than 10 minutes. Whip up a quick batch for weeknight dinners or impress guests at your next party.
Air Fryer Instructions For Seapak Popcorn Shrimp
The only thing you need is frozen popcorn shrimp. The air fryer will cook it from frozen, so you don’t even have to let it thaw.
To make the popcorn shrimp cook evenly, put them in the air fryer and set it to 400F for 8 minutes. During that time, shake the basket every so often. That’s all there is to it!.
After cooking the popcorn shrimp, put it in a dish to serve and eat it right away, while it’s still hot! Yum!
What To Serve With Popcorn Shrimp
You can serve popcorn shrimp as a starter or as a main dish. If you serve it as a starter, try these homemade dipping sauces:
Popcorn shrimp is amazing sprinkled with some Parmesan cheese!
If serving as a main dish, here are some recipes that go really well with popcorn shrimp:
Serve popcorn shrimp with these easy salads for a balanced meal!
Popcorn shrimp tastes great with potatoes. You can use your air fryer to make potatoes or sweet potatoes from scratch, or you can just buy frozen french fries.
Here are some ideas of vegetables you can serve with popcorn shrimp:
You can add popcorn shrimp to rice and pasta dishes as a protein!
Warm and tasty bread is always welcome! Serve bread with popcorn shrimp and enjoy!
