Air frying breaded shrimp is a quick and easy way to enjoy juicy, crispy shrimp at home. With an air fryer, you can cook breaded shrimp to golden brown perfection in just minutes. But exactly how long does it take? The air fry time for breaded shrimp can vary based on a few factors.
What impacts the air fry time for breaded shrimp?
There are three main things that impact how long it takes to cook breaded shrimp in an air fryer:
- Size of the shrimp
- Amount being cooked
- Strength/power of the air fryer
Larger shrimp or more densely packed batches will naturally take a bit longer to cook than smaller or fewer shrimp. Additionally, less powerful air fryers may require a couple minutes longer than very powerful models.
Shrimp Size
The size of the shrimp is one of the biggest factors determining air fry time. Here are rough guidelines for how shrimp size impacts cooking time:
| Shrimp Size | Cook Time |
|---|---|
| Small (36-40 per pound) | 5-7 minutes |
| Medium (31-35 per pound) | 6-8 minutes |
| Large (26-30 per pound) | 7-9 minutes |
| Colossal (21-25 per pound) | 9-11 minutes |
As you can see, the air fry time can range quite a bit depending on the size of the shrimp. The smaller the shrimp, the less time needed. Jumbo shrimp may take up to 11 minutes to reach an internal temperature of 145°F.
Amount of Shrimp
In addition to size, the total amount of shrimp you’re cooking also impacts air fry time. The more breaded shrimp you add to the basket, the longer it will take for all of them to cook through and become crispy. Here are some estimates based on amount:
| Amount of Shrimp | Cook Time |
|---|---|
| 6-8 shrimp | 5-7 minutes |
| 12-16 shrimp | 7-9 minutes |
| 24-30 shrimp | 10-12 minutes |
| 36-40 shrimp | 12-14 minutes |
For context, most single serving air fryer shrimp recipes call for between 12-16 shrimp. But if you’re cooking shrimp for the whole family, you’ll need to increase the cook time accordingly.
Air Fryer Power
Lastly, the power or capacity of your air fryer will impact results. Standard air fryers range from about 800-1500 watts. More powerful models over 1500 watts will cook foods slightly faster than weaker models. The difference is normally 1-3 minutes.
So if cooking a large batch of jumbo shrimp in a weaker 800 watt fryer, you may need 13-14 minutes. The same amount in a powerful 1500+ watt fryer may only need 10-12 minutes to crisp up nicely.
What temperature should you air fry breaded shrimp?
Most recipes will call for air frying breaded shrimp at 400°F. This high heat helps the coating get ultra crispy and brown without overcooking the shrimp.
Some people may recommend going slightly lower, around 380°F, if you want juicier shrimp. The slightly lower temp gives the interior more time to cook without burning the outside.
You can also try starting at a higher temp like 420°F to jumpstart crisping, then reducing to 380°F midway through. Just monitor closely so the coating doesn’t burn.
Should you flip breaded shrimp during air frying?
Flipping the breaded shrimp halfway through air frying helps ensure even browning and cooking. If you don’t flip the shrimp, the underside pressed against the basket may end up pale and soggy.
Gently turn the shrimp over about halfway into the cook time. Use tongs for easy flipping without damaging the crispy coating.
Then return them to the air fryer basket underside up and finish cooking until the center is opaque and meat reaches 145°F.
How to tell when breaded shrimp is done air frying
Breaded shrimp is fully cooked when:
- The coating is golden brown and crispy
- The shrimp meat is opaque and flakes easily with a fork
- The internal temperature reaches 145°F
An instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a shrimp should read between 140-145°F. At this point, the shrimp is safely cooked through.
Also check that there are no translucent sections left inside the shrimp meat. Opaque, pearly shrimp means it’s cooked through and safe to eat.
Don’t Overcook Shrimp
It’s important not to overcook shrimp in the air fryer, as it can quickly become rubbery and dry. As soon as it reaches 140-145°F internally, remove it from the hot air fryer.
Undercooked shrimp is unsafe to eat, but you want to avoid tough, overcooked shrimp as well. Use a timer and frequent checking.
Tips for the Best Air Fried Breaded Shrimp
Follow these tips for perfectly crispy, juicy air fried shrimp every time:
- Pat shrimp dry before breading to help the coating stick.
- Use light, crunchy breadcrumbs like panko.
- Spray shrimp with oil before air frying for even browning and extra crispiness.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket.
- Flip shrimp halfway through.
- Brush thinly coated shrimp with melted butter near the end for extra richness.
How to Bread Shrimp for Air Frying
Breading is key for adding crispy texture and flavor to air fried shrimp. Here are two easy methods for breading shrimp before air frying:
Basic Air Fryer Breaded Shrimp
Ingredients:
- 1 pound peeled, deveined shrimp
- 1/2 cup flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
Instructions:
- Pat shrimp dry. Season with salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning.
- Place flour, beaten eggs, and panko into separate bowls.
- Coat shrimp in flour, tapping off excess. Dip in egg, allowing excess to drip off.
- Finally, place shrimp in panko and press gently to adhere breading.
- Arrange breaded shrimp in a single layer on air fryer basket.
- Air fry at 400°F for 7-10 minutes until crispy, flipping halfway.
Crunchy Panko and Parmesan Shrimp
Ingredients:
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 cup flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
Instructions:
- Pat shrimp dry and season. Dredge in flour, dip in egg, then panko mixture.
- Arrange in a single layer in air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd.
- Spray shrimp with oil or brushed with melted butter.
- Air fry at 400°F for 6-9 minutes until golden brown.
- Flip shrimp halfway during cooking.
Breaded Shrimp Air Fryer Recipes
Here are a few tasty breaded shrimp air fryer recipes to try:
Crispy Coconut Shrimp
For a tropical twist, coat shrimp in shredded coconut and breadcrumbs before air frying. Serve with a mango dipping sauce.
Breaded Lemon Pepper Shrimp
Season shrimp with lemon pepper seasoning before coating in panko and parmesan. The bright citrus flavor pairs perfectly with the crunchy coating.
Nashville Hot Air Fryer Shrimp
Breading shrimp in spicy seasoned flour gives it some heat before air frying. Top with creamy ranch for a cool contrast.
Garlic Sriracha Air Fryer Shrimp
Mix sriracha into the breadcrumb coating to give shrimp a spicy kick. Garnish with fresh cilantro.
Conclusion
Air frying lets you enjoy restaurant-quality breaded shrimp fast, without all the oil and mess of deep frying. Perfectly cooked and crispy fried shrimp can be ready in as little as 5 minutes thanks to hot air circulation.
Monitor shrimp closely as they air fry, and use an instant read thermometer to ensure they reach the safe internal temp of 140-145°F. Adjust cook times based on the amount and size of your shrimp as well as your model air fryer’s power.
With the right technique, air fryers let you quickly crisp up breaded shrimp for tacos, pasta, salads, and more. Just avoid overcrowding and overcooking for the juiciest results.