How to Make Perfectly Crispy Breaded Shrimp in an Air Fryer

Breaded shrimp is a classic appetizer and meal that everyone loves. The crispy, crunchy coating combined with the sweet juicy shrimp inside is irresistible. However, traditional breaded shrimp is usually deep-fried, which can be unhealthy, messy, and time consuming.

The good news is, you can easily make crispy breaded shrimp right in your air fryer with barely any oil! Air fryer breaded shrimp comes out perfectly golden and crunchy on the outside while keeping the shrimp moist and delicious on the inside. It captures all the flavors and textures of deep fried breaded shrimp without the guilt

In this detailed guide, I’ll walk you through my foolproof method for making the best breaded shrimp in an air fryer With just a few simple ingredients and easy steps, you’ll have restaurant-quality air fryer breaded shrimp ready in under 20 minutes. Let’s get started!

Why Make Breaded Shrimp in an Air Fryer?

Here are some of the biggest benefits of using an air fryer versus deep frying for breaded shrimp:

• Uses little to no oil – Air frying eliminates the need for submerging food in gallons of unhealthy oil. You use a small spritz of oil to air fry rather than deep pools of it.

• Quick and easy – Air frying shrimp takes less than 20 minutes compared to heating and cleaning up all the oil required for deep frying. It’s a fast weeknight dinner solution.

• Crispy results – The hot circulated air mimics deep frying by creating an evenly crispy exterior. Air fryer shrimp comes out super crunchy.

• Versatile machine – An air fryer isn’t just for breaded shrimp. It can make a wide variety of foods from French fries to chicken wings. It’s a multipurpose kitchen gadget.

• Healthier overall – By reducing the amount of oil, air frying results in a lower calorie and lower fat breaded shrimp recipe overall.

Tips for Making Perfect Air Fryer Breaded Shrimp

Follow these tips and tricks for irresistibly crunchy, delicious air fryer breaded shrimp every time:

1. Pat the Shrimp Dry

It’s crucial that the shrimp are dried thoroughly before breading. Any excess moisture will make the coating soggy instead of crispy. Blot the shrimp with paper towels until completely dry.

2. Use Panko Breadcrumbs

For the crunchiest coating, use coarse panko breadcrumbs rather than regular breadcrumbs. Panko breadcrumbs will become light and extra crispy when air fried.

3. Dip Shrimp in Egg Wash First

Before dredging in breadcrumbs, dip the shrimp in beaten egg. This helps the breading adhere evenly and seals in the shrimp juices.

4. Press the Breading On

Don’t just toss the shrimp in the crumbs. Firmly press the panko coating onto the shrimp to form a thick layer for added crunch.

5. Cook in a Single Layer

Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Cook the breaded shrimp in a single layer for even crispness. Work in batches if needed.

6. Spritz Oil Over Shrimp

Mist the breaded shrimp with cooking spray or brush with oil before air frying. Oil helps facilitate browning and prevents sticking.

7. Check Halfway Through

Peek in midway during cooking to check on progress. If any spots look dry, give them another spray of oil for optimum crispness.

Step-by-Step Guide for Making Air Fryer Breaded Shrimp

Now let’s walk through the entire step-by-step process of how to make crunchy, delicious air fryer breaded shrimp from start to finish:

Ingredients Needed

• Shrimp (peeled, deveined)
• All-purpose flour
• Egg
• Panko breadcrumbs
• Oil (for misting or brushing)
• Seasonings (salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, etc.)

Instructions

1. Pat shrimp dry – Lay shrimp flat on paper towels and press firmly to absorb all moisture. Thoroughly dry shrimp is critical.

2. Set up breading station – Place flour and seasonings of choice in one shallow bowl. Beat egg in a second bowl. Put panko in a third bowl.

3. Coat shrimp in flour – Drop 4-5 shrimp into the flour mixture and coat evenly, shaking off any excess flour.

4. Dip in egg wash – Transfer shrimp from flour directly into the beaten egg bowl. Turn to coat shrimp fully in egg.

5. Press into panko crumbs – Working one piece at a time, lift shrimp from egg bowl and press into panko, coating both sides.

6. Place in air fryer basket – Arrange all breaded shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overcrowding.

7. Mist with oil – Use an olive oil mister or brush to lightly coat the tops of the breaded shrimp with oil.

8. Air fry at 400°F – Cook at 400°F for 5-8 minutes based on shrimp size, until golden brown.

9. Flip and mist again – Halfway through cooking, flip the shrimp over and mist the second side with oil too.

10. Check for doneness – Shrimp should be opaque and cooked through. The breading should be crispy.

11. Serve immediately – Enjoy the crunchy breaded shrimp right away for maximum crispness!

And that’s it! Just follow these easy steps for tender, juicy shrimp encased in a deliciously crispy, golden air fried coating.

Cooking Times for Air Fryer Breaded Shrimp

The air frying time can vary slightly depending on the size of your shrimp. Follow these general guidelines:

• Jumbo shrimp (16-20 per pound) – Cook 7-9 minutes
• Extra large shrimp (21-25 per pound) – Cook 6-8 minutes
• Large shrimp (26-30 per pound) – Cook 5-7 minutes
• Medium shrimp (31-35 per pound) – Cook 4-6 minutes

Check the shrimp halfway through cooking and add a minute or two more if needed until the coating is crispy and the shrimp are opaque. Better to slightly undercook rather than overcook the shrimp.

Flavor Variations for Breaded Shrimp

The basic breading recipe above makes delicious plain breaded shrimp, but you can also spice it up with different seasonings. Here are some flavor variations to try:

• Old Bay – Add 2 tsps of Old Bay seasoning to the flour for extra zing.

• Lemon Pepper – Mix 2 tsps lemon pepper into the flour/seasoning blend.

• Cajun – Use 1-2 tsps of Cajun seasoning instead of plain salt and pepper.

• Italian – Add dried basil, oregano, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes to the flour.

• Southwest – Mix in chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.

Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Breaded Shrimp

Breaded shrimp right out of the air fryer tastes amazing on its own, but here are some tasty serving ideas:

• Serve with cocktail or tartar sauce for dipping.

• Sprinkle with fresh lemon juice and parsley.

• Make shrimp tacos or po’ boys with slaw and remoulade sauce.

• Toss into pasta with lemon, olive oil, and parmesan.

• Layer on mini buns for slider sandwiches.

• Pile shrimp on top of mixed greens for an entree salad.

• Enjoy as an appetizer with chilled white wine or beer.

Storage and Reheating Leftovers

Here are some tips for storing and reheating any leftover breaded shrimp:

• Let cool completely, then refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 3 days.

• To reheat one or two pieces, use the microwave for 20-30 seconds.

• For big batches, put back in the air fryer at 375°F for 4-5 minutes until hot and crispy.

• Don’t keep reheated shrimp at room temp for more than 2 hours.

More Air Fryer Shrimp Recipe Ideas

Once you master the technique for basic breaded shrimp, get creative with these other easy air fried shrimp dishes:

• Coconut Shrimp – Roll shrimp in coconut flakes instead of breadcrumbs.

• Bang Bang Shrimp – Toss cooked shrimp in spicy mayo-sriracha sauce.

• Garlic Butter Shrimp – Sauté seasoned shrimp in garlic butter.

• Shrimp Scampi – Make lemony,