Last Updated on August 2, 2023 by MOe
Cooking frozen shrimp in air fryer may sound unusual, but it’s actually a quick and easy way to enjoy tender, lightly breaded shrimp with less oil and mess than deep frying.
In this detailed guide, we’ll explain how to buy the right frozen shrimp, prep and bread them, and air fry to crispy perfection. With just a few simple tricks, you can make restaurant-quality crispy air fried shrimp at home anytime. Keep reading for pro tips, troubleshooting, serving ideas, and FAQs.
Benefits of Frozen Shrimp in Air Fryer
Air frying takes advantage of super hot, rapidly circulating air to create a crispy, fried finish using little to no oil. Here are some of the biggest benefits of air frying frozen shrimp:
- Uses 70-80% less oil than deep frying, for a lighter calorie meal
- Achieves an evenly crispy, crunchy coating from all sides
- Cooks shrimp fast without thawing first
- Easy cleanup with no draining or disposing of hot oil
- Allows you to bread and flavor shrimp before air frying
- Retains moisture and texture of shrimp better than other cooking methods
The hot air quickly crisps the exterior while gently cooking the shrimp interior without overdrying. In just 10-15 minutes, you can enjoy perfectly cooked, lightly breaded shrimp.
How to Choose Shrimp for Air Frying
Not all frozen shrimp are created equal when it comes to air frying.
Here are tips for selecting the best shrimp:
- Go for raw, not pre-cooked. Raw shrimp will cook best and absorb any flavors you add.
- Choose medium to large shrimp sizes like 26/30 or 16/20 count per pound.
- Avoid tiny shrimp that can dry out.
- Opt for shell-on.
- The shell protects the shrimp moisture and comes off easily after air frying.
- Make sure shrimp are individually quick frozen (IQF) not block frozen for best texture.
- Buy thawed shrimp if air frying right away. No need to thaw frozen shrimp first.
Ideally, look for raw, shell-on IQF shrimp labeled 26/30 or 16/20 count at your local market. This size and quality works perfectly.
How to Prep Shrimp for the Air Fryer
Prepping the frozen shrimp in air fryer takes just a few minutes:
- If using frozen shrimp, run cold water over them until thawed and flexible. No need to thaw completely.
- Peel shells, leaving tail end intact if desired. Rinse thawed shrimp and pat very dry.
- Use a knife to cut along the backs of shrimp and remove the vein if desired.
- Pat shrimp dry again.
- Dryer shrimp will air fry up extra crispy.
- Season shrimp with salt, pepper, and any other spices of your choice.
That’s all the prep needed.
Now the shrimp are ready to coat and air fry!
Best Breading’s for Air Fried Shrimp
One of the keys to extra crisp frozen shrimp in air fryer is applying a light coating before air frying. Try these easy breading options:
Classic Breadcrumb Coating
- Coat shrimp in flour, shaking off any excess.
- Dip in beaten egg, then press into panko breadcrumbs or crushed crackers.
Cornmeal Coating
- For a crispy southern touch, dredge shrimp in seasoned cornmeal flour.
Batter Coating
- For an extra crunchy exterior, dip shrimp in a simple batter of flour, baking powder, salt, pepper, and soda water.
Storebought Options
- Use convenience options like tempura batter mixes or premade breading labeled for frying.
Whichever you choose, the key is applying an even, light coating so the shrimp fry up crispy. Avoid thick coatings that can result in a soggy finish.
How to Air Fry Frozen Shrimp
Once your shrimp are prepped and coated, you’re ready to air fry. Here’s a simple process:
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
- Spray air fryer basket lightly with oil to prevent sticking.
- Place shrimp in a single layer in the basket, not touching.
- Air fry for 4-5 minutes until lightly browned.
- Flip shrimp and air fry 4-5 minutes more until crispy.
That’s all it takes! Adjust time as needed based on size of your shrimp and preferred level of doneness. Enjoy shrimp plain, with dipping sauce, on salads, in tacos, and more.
Tips for the Best Air Fried Shrimp
Here are some top tips for unlocking the best air fried shrimp every time:
- Pat shrimp very dry before breading to help the coating stick and fry crisply. Wet shrimp steam instead of frying.
- Space shrimp out in basket. Crowding causes uneven cooking.
- Flip shrimp halfway through air fry time for even browning and cooking.
- For extra crunch, double bread shrimp with flour, egg, and breadcrumb layers.
- Mist shrimp with oil spray when flipping for maximum crispness.
- Don’t overcook. Shrimp overcooks quickly. Check early and often.
- Mix up the breadings and flavors. Cajun, lemon pepper, ranch dressings all make tasty coatings.
With the proper prep and these simple tips, you’ll be air frying restaurant-quality crunchy shrimp in no time.
Serving Ideas for Air Fried Shrimp
Aside from eating frozen shrimp in air fryer on their own, here are delicious ways to serve them up:
- Toss into salads, pasta, or rice bowls
- Make shrimp tacos or lettuce wraps
- Stuff into avocado halves
- Top pizzas, nachos, and baked potatoes
- Mix with cocktail sauce or creamy dips
- Serve over greens for shrimp salad
- Pile on sub sandwiches and burgers
- Skewer for shrimp kabobs
The applications are endless! frozen shrimp in air fryer liven up any dish with their irresistible crunch.
Troubleshooting frozen shrimp in air fryer
Having trouble getting perfect results when air frying shrimp? Here are some quick fixes:
- Shrimp are not crispy – Pat dry thoroughly before coating, use lighter breading, and spray oil on shrimp before air frying.
- Coating falls off – Make sure shrimp are dry. Let sit 5 minutes after breading to help coating adhere.
- Uneven cooking – Don’t overcrowd basket. Flip shrimp halfway through cook time.
- Shrimp are dry – Use larger shrimp, don’t overcook, and check frequently.
- Shrimp stick to basket – Brush basket with oil before cooking.
- Shrimp breading burns – Lower air fryer temperature 25 degrees next time.
With these troubleshooting tips, you’ll be on your way to flawlessly cooked frozen shrimp in air fryer every time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Air Frying Frozen Shrimp
If you’re new to air frying, you probably have some questions about how to do it right. Here are answers to some of the most common air frying shrimp FAQs:
Should I thaw shrimp before air frying?
Thawed shrimp works best to absorb flavors and coatings, but you can also air fry shrimp straight from frozen. Just add a couple minutes to the cook time.
What temperature should I set the air fryer to?
Aim for around 400°F when air frying breaded shrimp. Adjust up or down 25 degrees as needed to prevent burning or undercooking.
How long does it take to air fry shrimp?
Around 4-6 minutes per batch is typical for medium sized shrimp, flipping halfway. Larger shrimp may take closer to 8-10 minutes.
What size shrimp work best in air fryers?
The most ideal shrimp for air frying are 16/20 or 26/30 count per pound. Avoid using tiny popcorn shrimp or jumbo shrimp.
How can I tell when the shrimp are done?
Check for an evenly golden, crispy coating and firm, opaque shrimp flesh. Raw shrimp will be translucent. Don’t rely on cook times as air fryers vary.
Can I reheat leftover frozen shrimp in air fryer?
Yes, leftover frozen shrimp in air fryer can be gently reheated in the air fryer or oven. The texture won’t be quite as crispy once reheated.
Air frying is the perfect quick cooking method for enjoying juicy shrimp with a satisfying crunch. Follow the guidance in this guide for foolproof results.
Useful External Links
Buying and Cooking Shrimp from Allrecipes
Tips for selecting, cooking, and storing different types of shrimp from a popular recipe site.
Air Fryer Frozen Food Settings from CNET
Reference guide with recommended time and temperature guidelines for air frying frozen foods.
Nutrition Facts for Shrimp from SELF Nutrition Data
Overview of calorie, protein, fat, and nutritional content for different shrimp varieties.