Cooking shrimp in the air fryer is super easy. You will spend more time cleaning the shrimp than cooking it. I recommend using raw, fresh or defrosted raw shrimp for the recipes included here. I have not tried air frying cooked shrimp because that just doesn’t make sense to me. However, I have seen recipes for frozen cooked shrimp and frozen mixed vegetables for a quick weeknight “stir-fry” dinner that does sound interesting.
Shrimp is a bit tricky to cook just right. Some recipes call for cooking shrimp in the air fryer for at least 10 minutes at around 375°F. This seemed a bit long, but I tried it just to see what would happen. I can report that this resulted in shriveled shrimp that resembled the texture of tires. I couldn’t even chew through the shrimp. A lot depends on how hot your air fryer gets.
I did find that simply seasoned shrimp will cook super-fast, just a couple of minutes. However, if the shrimp is breaded or battered, the cook time might be double that of bare shrimp. The batter or breading needs to cook through and form a crisp coating. Hence, the longer cooking time. You will need to experiment a little.
Nutrition and Preparation of Shrimp
Shrimp has plenty going for it nutritionally. It is a lean protein with few calories. 3 ounces of shrimp has just 76 calories, 15 grams of protein, 1 gram of fat, and 1 gram of carbohydrates. Shrimp is a good source of vitamin B-12, calcium, potassium, and omega-3 fatty acids.
The way shrimp is prepared makes a huge difference in the health benefits of this tasty crustacean. Steaming, baking, or grilling shrimp are good ways to keep the calories down. Breading shrimp and deep frying it can easily double or triple the calories and fat. Cooking shrimp in an air-fryer is the best way to keep the calories and fat in check, even if it is breaded.
The recipes here include simply prepared shrimp for a salad. There is also one for coconut shrimp with a gluten frees option and one for popcorn shrimp. You can make a large batch of basic air fried shrimp and eat if for a couple of different meals. Serve it chilled with a cocktail sauce, toss it with cooked pasta, or add it to a light and refreshing salad. It is a very versatile protein.
Easy Air Fryer Seasoned Shrimp for Salad
There are 2 parts to this recipe. The first part is for easy air-fryer shrimp that can be eaten as is or tossed with pasta. This recipe is keto, paleo friendly, and gluten free. The second is for a salad that uses the cooked shrimp that is also keto friendly and gluten free. It can be made with soy-free mayo for a paleo version. Be very mindful of the cook time and do a taste test to get the cook just right.
Ingredients:
Shrimp
- 2 pounds large cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 TBS extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tsps fresh lemon juice
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 tsp freshly ground pepper
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
Salad
- 2 pounds large shrimp cooked in the air fryer (see above)
- 1 cup good mayonnaise
- 1 TBS dry white wine
- 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1-1/2 cups minced celery
- 1/2 cup minced red onion
- 3 TBS minced fresh dill leaves
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Total time:17 min – Prep time:15 min – Cook time:2 min – Serves:6 people
Author: Nick
Directions:
Shrimp
1. In a large bowl, combine the oil, lemon juice, garlic, pepper, and salt. Add the shrimp and toss to coat completely. Set this aside for a few minutes.
2. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F for 3 minutes with the timer set to 30 minutes for making a few batches.
3. Place the shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket or on the crisper plate. Cook for 1-1/2 to 3 minutes or until the shrimp is pink and just opaque. Taste one for texture and doneness. Remove the cooked shrimp to a platter. Continue to air fry in batches until all the shrimp are cooked.
Salad
1. In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, wine, and mustard. Add the celery, onion, dill, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine well.
2. Add the cooked shrimp to the bowl and toss to coat all the shrimp with the dressing and vegetables. Cover and refrigerate for a couple of hours or overnight.
3. Serve the shrimp salad over butter lettuce leaves or as is.
Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp with Sweet & Spicy Dipping Sauce (Gluten Free option)
Normally, coconut shrimp is deep fried in plenty of hot oil. While this is delicious, it is also dense in calories and fat. Coconut shrimp in an air fryer makes these treats light and crunchy. However, you must be mindful while cooking shrimp in the air fryer, so as not to overcook it or dry it out. Keep an eye on the first batch so you get the feel of how your air fryer cooks shrimp.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup orange or apricot marmalade
- 1/3 cup Thai chili sauce (use sweet chili sauce if preferred)
- 1 pound large raw shrimp, peeled, deveined, and tails left on
- 1/2 cup all-purpose or gluten-free flour blend (or tapioca flour)
- 2 eggs lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut shreds or flakes
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs or gluten-free chickpea crumbs
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- Vegetable oil spray
Total time: 17 min – Prep time: 10 min – Cook time: 7 min – Serves: 4 people
Directions:
1. In a small bowl, mix together the marmalade and Thai chili paste. Set aside.
2. dry your cleaned shrimp on paper towels and set aside.
3. Set up 3 shallow bowls. Place the flour in the first. The eggs go in the second. And, the coconut, breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper get combined in the third bowl.
4. Preheat your air fryer to 360°F for about 3 minutes.
5. Working in this order, dip the shrimp in the flour, followed by the eggs, and finished with the coconut and breadcrumb mixture. Prepare only enough to fit in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
6. Spray the fryer basket or crisper plate with enough vegetable oil to coat thinly.
7. Place the shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket or on the crisper plate. Give a light spray of oil over the top of the shrimp. Cook for 3 minutes. After 3 minutes, flip the shrimp and continue to cook for an additional 3 minutes or until the coconut is crisp and the shrimp is pink. Continue to air fry in batches, spraying a little more oil each time, until all the shrimp is cooked.
8. Place the shrimp in a parchment or butcher’s paper lined basket with dipping sauce on the side.
Air Fryer Popcorn Shrimp with Cocktail Sauce
These crispy air-fried popcorn shrimps are great for appetizers or a snack. Using smaller shrimp provides for 1 bite treats. Traditional cocktail sauce is all you need for dipping into.
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup ketchup
- 2 TBS prepared horseradish
- 2 TBS fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp hot sauce
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 TBS milk
- 1-1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- Vegetable oil spray
Total time: 22 min – Prep time: 15 min – Cook time: 7 min – Serves: 4 people
Directions:
1. in a small bowl, combine the ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, hot sauce, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Mix together. Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator to chill.
2. dry your cleaned shrimp on paper towels and set aside.
3. Set up 3 shallow bowls. Place the flour in the first. The eggs and milk go in the second. And, the breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper get combined in the third bowl.
4. Preheat your air fryer to 360°F for about 3 minutes.
5. Working in this order, dip the shrimp in the flour, followed by the egg mixture, and finished with the seasoned breadcrumbs. Prepare only enough to fit in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
6. Spray the fryer basket or crisper plate with enough vegetable oil to coat thinly.
7. Place the shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket or on the crisper plate. Give a light spray of oil over the top of the shrimp. Cook for 3 minutes. After 3 minutes, flip the shrimp and continue to cook for an additional 3 minutes or until the coconut is crisp and the shrimp is pink. Continue to air fry in batches, spraying a little more oil each time, until all the shrimp is cooked.
8. Place the shrimp in a parchment or butcher’s paper lined basket. Serve with the cocktail sauce on the side.
can Pam spray work on the shrimp instead of oil