Air frying frozen butterfly shrimp is a quick and easy way to make crispy, crunchy shrimp at home. Air frying uses super hot, circulating air to cook food, resulting in a crispy exterior while keeping the interior moist and tender. Unlike deep frying, air frying shrimp requires only a small amount of oil, making it a healthier cooking method. Air fried shrimp turns out perfectly cooked in just minutes, with no thawing, breading or complicated steps required. Whether you are cooking for a quick weeknight dinner or entertaining guests, learning how to properly air fry shrimp ensures it turns out perfect every time.
Benefits of Air Frying Shrimp
There are many benefits that make air frying one of the best cooking methods for frozen shrimp:
- It’s fast – Shrimp cooks in less than 10 minutes in an air fryer with no need to thaw beforehand.
- Crispy exterior – The hot air circulating around the shrimp gives it a delightfully crispy, crunchy coating.
- Juicy interior – The inside stays moist and tender thanks to the short cook time.
- Versatile – Plain, breaded or sauced shrimp all turn out great when air fried.
- Healthier – Only a small amount of oil is needed compared to deep frying.
- Easy cleanup – Air fryers have a nonstick basket that’s easy to wipe clean after cooking.
With all these benefits, it’s easy to see why air frying has become a popular way of cooking frozen shrimp.
What You’ll Need
Air frying shrimp requires just a few simple ingredients and tools:
- Air fryer
- Frozen raw, peeled and deveined butterfly shrimp
- Olive oil or avocado oil spray
- Salt, pepper, spices or breading (optional)
An air fryer uses super hot air circulated around food to produce a crispy exterior. Models range from small 2-quart air fryers perfect for singles and couples up to 5-quart or larger family-sized models. Pick an air fryer size that can accommodate the amount of shrimp you plan to cook.
Butterfly shrimp has the shell removed but the tail left on for presentation. The shrimp is cut open down the back to butterfly it so it lays flat. Using butterfly shrimp helps the shrimp cook evenly. Raw, peeled, deveined frozen shrimp works best to ensure it’s not overcooked. Thawed or precooked shrimp can turn out rubbery in an air fryer.
Oil is needed to lightly coat the shrimp to prevent sticking and help conduct heat. An oil spray such as olive oil or avocado oil works well to lightly coat the shrimp.
Breading or seasoning the shrimp before air frying adds extra flavor and crunch. Use plain breadcrumbs, panko, cornmeal or flour to bread shrimp before air frying. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika or an all-purpose Cajun seasoning.
How to Air Fry Frozen Shrimp
Follow these simple steps for perfect air fried shrimp every time:
- Pat shrimp dry – Blot frozen shrimp with paper towels to remove any ice crystals. This helps them get crispy.
- Coat with oil – Lightly spray both sides of the shrimp with oil. Use olive, avocado or vegetable oil spray.
- Season (optional) – Sprinkle with salt, pepper, onion powder, paprika or other spices. For extra crunch, dredge in flour, panko or breadcrumbs.
- Air fry at 400°F – Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, flipping shrimp halfway through, until opaque and crispy.
- Toss with sauce (optional) – Toss cooked shrimp with melted butter, cocktail sauce, remoulade or other sauce.
Let’s look at each of these steps in more detail:
1. Pat Shrimp Dry
It’s important to start with frozen shrimp that is blotted dry. This helps remove any ice crystals or moisture so the shrimp gets crispy when cooked. Simply place the frozen shrimp on a paper towel-lined plate and gently press another paper towel on top to absorb moisture.
2. Coat Shrimp with Oil
Spraying the shrimp lightly with oil allows it to get crispy and prevents sticking. Pour a small amount of olive oil or avocado oil into a spray bottle or use a pre-filled oil mister. Hold the spray 6 to 8 inches above the shrimp and mist both sides with oil until lightly coated. Re-spray the basket if needed between batches to prevent sticking.
3. Season the Shrimp
One of the benefits of air frying is that you can customize the flavor. Plain shrimp with just salt and pepper is delicious. Or kick up the flavor with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder or paprika. For extra crunch, you can dredge the oiled shrimp in flour, panko breadcrumbs or plain breadcrumbs before air frying.
4. Air Fry at 400°F for 5 to 7 Minutes
Air fry the shrimp at 400°F for best results. This high temperature helps ensure the exterior gets ultra crispy while the interior stays moist. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, shaking the basket or flipping the shrimp halfway through, until shrimp are opaque and reach an internal temperature of 145°F. Thicker jumbo shrimp may take a minute or two longer. Watch closely to avoid overcooking.
5. Toss with Sauce (Optional)
Air fried shrimp tastes fantastic on its own, but you can also toss it with a sauce to add extra flavor. Melt a few tablespoons of butter and toss with lemon juice and parsley. Or mix equal parts mayo and ketchup for quick shrimp cocktail sauce. Remoulade, buffalo sauce, roasted red pepper sauce or teriyaki sauce also pair well with crispy air fried shrimp.
Tips for the Best Results
Use these tips for perfectly cooked air fried shrimp:
- Don’t overcrowd – Cook shrimp in a single layer, avoid overcrowding.
- Adjust cook time as needed – Cook times can vary based on size. Watch closely.
- Pat dry before seasoning – Shrimp needs to be dry so seasonings stick.
- Use a light hand with oil – Only a misting is needed, don’t overdo it.
- Flipping helps cook evenly – Flip shrimp over halfway during cooking.
- Check internal temp – Shrimp is done at 145°F.
- Avoid overcooking – Remove immediately when opaque to prevent rubbery shrimp.
- Let rest 1 minute – Letting shrimp rest helps prevent overcooking.
Following these simple tips results in tender, juicy shrimp encased in an ultra crispy coating every time you air fry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should shrimp be thawed before air frying?
No, shrimp does not need to be thawed before air frying. Air frying works well with frozen shrimp since the high heat quickly cooks the exterior while the short cook time doesn’t overcook the interior. Thawing first can lead to mushy, overcooked shrimp.
What temperature do you air fry shrimp at?
400°F is the best temperature to air fry shrimp. This high heat crisps the exterior properly without drying out the inside. Adjust cook times slightly for larger jumbo shrimp, but otherwise 400°F works perfectly.
How long do you cook frozen shrimp in an air fryer?
Cook frozen shrimp at 400°F for 5 to 7 minutes, shaking halfway. Smaller shrimp may take only 5 minutes while jumbo shrimp can take up to 7 minutes. Check for doneness by cutting into a shrimp to make sure it’s opaque throughout and cooked to 145°F.
Do you flip shrimp when air frying?
Yes, flipping the shrimp over halfway through the cook time is recommended. This helps the shrimp cook evenly and prevents just the underside from getting crispy.
Is air fried shrimp healthy?
Yes, air fried shrimp is a healthy cooking method. With just a mist of oil instead of being submerged in oil like deep frying, air frying results in a lighter calorie and lower fat dish. The small amount of oil used helps shrimp get crispy with less oil than other cooking methods.
Can you bread shrimp before air frying?
Yes, shrimp can be breaded or dredged in flour, panko or breadcrumbs before air frying. Breading adds extra crunch and flavor. Just be sure to spritz the breaded shrimp with oil so it gets crispy and browns properly when air fried.
What oil do you use to air fry shrimp?
Olive oil and avocado oil work best for air frying shrimp. The high smoke point ensures the oil doesn’t burn at air frying temperatures. Use a spray bottle to lightly mist the shrimp with just enough oil to coat the surface.
Air Fried Shrimp Recipes
Once you get the basic technique down, experiment with different seasonings and sauces using these delicious air fried shrimp recipe ideas:
Lemon Pepper Shrimp
Season air fried shrimp with lemon pepper seasoning and serve with fresh lemon wedges.
Garlic Parmesan Shrimp
Toss crispy air fried shrimp in melted butter, garlic and parmesan cheese.
Bang Bang Shrimp
Toss air fried shrimp in bang bang sauce – typically mayo, sriracha, garlic powder and ginger.
Cajun Shrimp
Rub shrimp with Cajun seasoning before air frying for spicy Cajun flavor.
Coconut Shrimp
Roll shrimp in shredded coconut and breadcrumbs, then air fry until golden brown.
Shrimp Tacos
Fill warmed tortillas with crunchy air fried shrimp, cabbage slaw, avocado and tangy sauce.
Conclusion
Air frying frozen shrimp delivers juicy, tender shrimp in a crispy coating in minutes with hardly any effort or cleanup. With just your air fryer and a few basic ingredients, you can enjoy restaurant-quality shrimp right at home. Experiment with different seasonings and sauces to put your own spin on this easy air fried shrimp recipe. In no time, you’ll be serving up platters of perfectly cooked, crispy shrimp that everyone will love.