Air frying shrimp is a quick and easy way to make crispy, crunchy panko breaded shrimp right at home. The air fryer gives the panko coating a light, crispy texture without needing to deep fry. Kirkland’s large panko breaded shrimp are perfect for cooking up in the air fryer. With just a few simple steps, you can enjoy restaurant-quality shrimp from the comfort of your kitchen.
Benefits of Cooking Shrimp in an Air Fryer
Cooking shrimp in an air fryer has many advantages over other cooking methods:
- Saves time – Shrimp cooks quickly in the hot air, taking only 7-10 minutes.
- Uses less oil – Only a small amount of oil is needed to lightly coat the shrimp.
- Makes crispy panko coating – The circulating hot air perfectly crisps up the panko breadcrumbs.
- Retains moisture – The shrimp stay tender and juicy inside the crunchy exterior.
- Easy cleanup – The air fryer basket goes straight into the dishwasher after cooking.
With an air fryer, you don’t have to deal with the splatter and mess of deep frying. The shrimp come out perfectly cooked and lightly crisp without a lot of added fat and calories.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Kirkland panko breaded shrimp
- 1 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
The main item you’ll need is a 2 lb bag of Kirkland’s extra jumbo panko breaded shrimp. These are peeled, deveined shrimp coated in panko breadcrumbs. They are already fully cooked, so we just need to crisp them up.
You’ll also need a tablespoon or two of oil, like olive oil or avocado oil, to lightly coat the shrimp before air frying. Season with salt and pepper as desired.
Equipment
- Air fryer (at least 5 qt capacity recommended)
- Cooking spray or oil mister
An air fryer with a 5 quart or larger capacity is ideal so you can cook the entire 2 lbs of shrimp in batches. Make sure your air fryer basket is clean and ready to use.
Having a cooking spray or oil mister will make it easy to lightly coat the shrimp with oil before cooking.
You may also want tongs for tossing the shrimp and a sheet pan lined with paper towels for draining any excess oil after cooking.
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. This gets it nice and hot to start crisping the shrimp immediately.
- Coat shrimp with oil. Place half the shrimp in a large bowl (about 1 lb). Spray or drizzle with oil and toss to coat evenly. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper if desired.
- Air fry first batch. Carefully place the oiled shrimp in the hot air fryer basket in an even layer, being careful not to overcrowd. Air fry at 400°F for 5-7 minutes, shaking basket halfway through.
- Drain and crispy. Remove crisp shrimp to a paper towel lined sheet pan to drain excess oil. The panko coating should be light golden brown and crispy.
- Repeat with second batch. Place the other 1 lb of shrimp in the bowl, coat with oil and seasonings. Air fry at 400°F for 5-7 minutes as well until crispy and cooked through. Drain on paper towels.
- Enjoy hot! Serve the Kirkland air fried shrimp immediately while hot and crispy. Enjoy dipping in your favorite sauces like cocktail sauce, sweet chili sauce, or lemon butter.
Tips
- Don’t overcrowd – Cook shrimp in batches to allow air flow and prevent steaming.
- Toss halfway – Shake basket gently halfway through to expose all sides to hot air.
- Check for doneness – Cut to ensure shrimp is heated through.
- Keep warm – If needed, place first batch on a sheet pan in 200°F oven to keep warm while second batch cooks.
- Line pan – Draining on a paper towel lined pan absorbs excess grease for a crispier finish.
Cooking shrimp in the air fryer really couldn’t be much easier! Just be sure not to overcrowd the basket so the shrimp fry up crispy. Let excess oil drain off before serving for the perfect crunch.
Adjust the cook time as needed based on the size of your shrimp and how hot and crispy you prefer them. Air fried Kirkland shrimp make for a quick and tasty appetizer or main dish!
Common Questions
Should the shrimp be thawed or frozen?
The shrimp can go straight from frozen into the air fryer! No need to thaw first. Just add a couple extra minutes to the cook time if starting with fully frozen shrimp.
What temperature should I air fry the shrimp at?
400°F is the ideal air fryer temperature to achieve perfectly crispy panko breaded shrimp. At this high heat, the hot air will rapidly start browning and crisping the coating.
How long does it take to cook Kirkland shrimp in an air fryer?
Cook frozen shrimp for 9-11 minutes, shaking halfway. For thawed shrimp, cook for 5-7 minutes, shaking midway until hot and crispy. Adjust time as needed based on amount and size of your shrimp.
What oil should I use to coat the shrimp?
An oil with a high smoke point, like avocado oil or light olive oil works well. The oil allows the breading to get crispy and browned without burning. Coat the shrimp lightly to avoid excess greasiness.
How can I tell when the shrimp are done?
The panko coating will turn golden brown when done. Check that the shrimp have heated through by cutting into one. Once hot and crispy, they are ready to enjoy!
Recipe Variations
There are lots of ways to adapt this simple air fried shrimp recipe:
- Bread shrimp yourself – Skip the pre-breaded and coat raw peeled shrimp in panko, flour, or cornmeal before air frying.
- Use different seasonings – Season the shrimp with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or cajun seasoning for more flavor.
- Make coconut shrimp – Roll shrimp in coconut flakes instead of panko for a tropical twist.
- Air fry with sauce – Toss cooked shrimp in your favorite sauce like buffalo, barbecue, or Thai chili sauce.
- Skewer shrimp – Thread shrimp onto skewers before air frying for easy flipping and turning.
The possibilities are endless for customize these crispy air fried shrimp! Use your favorite breading, seasoning, and dipping sauces to make them your own.
Conclusion
Cooking Kirkland panko breaded shrimp in the air fryer takes just minutes and results in perfectly crisped, crunchy shrimp. The hot circulating air of the air fryer saves time, oil, and mess compared to deep frying.
Simply coat the shrimp in oil, air fry at 400°F for 5-7 minutes per batch, and enjoy dipped in your favorite sauces. Adjust cook times as needed to reach your preferred level of crispy crunch.
Now you can skip the deep fryer and make your own restaurant-worthy crispy panko shrimp at home any night of the week. Air frying is a fast and easy way to put a tasty spin on frozen Kirkland shrimp.