Frozen Popcorn Shrimp in an Air Fryer is a quick and easy snack or meal option that's both delicious and healthier than traditional deep-frying. The air fryer ensures that the shrimp is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
My family loves shrimp. You'll find shrimp on the menu once a week. If I'm not making my sauteed shrimp, you'll find me making popcorn shrimp. I love to keep a box on hand in my freezer at all times, so that I can have a quick meal at any given moment. Thanks to my Air Fryer the tiny shrimp cook up in minutes, and the Air Fryer ensures that the shrimp is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
Whether you want to make popcorn shrimp as a snack, appetizer, or maybe a main entree your sure to have a delicious and easy-to-make meal.
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Why this Recipe Works
Cooking frozen popcorn shrimp in an air fryer is a convenient and delicious option. Here are three reasons to consider using an air fryer for this purpose:
- Crispy Texture: Air frying provides a hot circulating airflow that helps achieve a crispy and golden brown exterior for your popcorn shrimp. This method ensures that your shrimp remains crunchy and doesn't turn soggy, unlike traditional oven baking or microwaving.
- Quick and Efficient: Air fryers preheat quickly and cook food faster than traditional ovens. This means you can have a batch of crispy popcorn shrimp ready in a matter of minutes, making it an excellent choice for a quick and easy snack or meal.
- Healthier Option: Air frying requires very little oil compared to deep frying, making it a healthier choice for cooking frozen popcorn shrimp. You can achieve that desirable crispy texture with just a light spray of cooking oil or even without any oil at all, reducing the overall calorie and fat content of the dish.
Ingredients
- Frozen Popcorn Shrimp - Any brand frozen popcorn shrimp will work for this recipe.
- Oil - You need a little non-stick cooking spray for the basket.
How to Cook Air Fryer Popcorn Shrimp
First, preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Spray the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray.
Add the frozen breaded popcorn shrimp to the air fryer -- do not overcrowd work in batches if needed. Cook for 8 minutes. At the half way point, using tongs, flip over each piece and then cook the additional time.
Cook the remaining popcorn shrimp if needed. I have a larger air fryer and can get an entire 18 ounce box of frozen popcorn shrimp in the air fryer. Once your popcorn shrimp is done you'll want to serve immediately with cocktail sauce.
Recipe FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions for cooking frozen popcorn shrimp in an Air Fryer.
Yes, you can. Breaded shrimp cooks well in an air fryer and turns out crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The cooking time and temperature may vary depending on the brand and size of the shrimp.
Yes, you can. Simply place the frozen shrimp in the air fryer basket, spray with cooking spray, and season with your desired spices or herbs. Cook for 10-12 minutes at 400°F, shaking the basket halfway through.
Yes, you can. Preheat the oven to 400°F and place the shrimp on a baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
Here are a few of my favorite tips and tricks when making Frozen Popcorn Shrimp in the Air Fryer.
- Preheat your air fryer: It's important to preheat your air fryer before cooking to ensure that the shrimp cooks evenly and turns out crispy on the outside.
- Shake the basket: Shake the basket halfway through the cooking time to ensure that the shrimp cooks evenly and turns out crispy on all sides.
- Don't overcrowd the basket: Make sure to leave enough space between the shrimp in the basket to allow for even cooking and crispy results.
- Use cooking spray: Spray the shrimp with cooking spray or lightly brush with oil to help them crisp up in the air fryer.
- Serve immediately: Serve the popcorn shrimp immediately after cooking to enjoy the crispy texture.Try different spices and herbs: Experiment with different spices and herbs to add flavor to your shrimp. Paprika, garlic powder, and cumin are all great options.
With these tips and tricks and some experimentation, you can enjoy delicious and crispy popcorn shrimp in your air fryer in no time.
What goes with Popcorn Shrimp
Here are a few side dishes that I like to serve alongside popcorn shrimp. You can also check out my sides for shrimp guide that gives even more ideas!
- Air Fryer French Fries
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
- How to Make the Best Tartar Sauce
- Homemade Cocktail Sauce
- Mandarin Orange Coleslaw
If you make this Air Fryer Popcorn Shrimp recipe, I would be honored and love for you to take the time to leave a ⭐ star rating and comment! I spend hours developing and testing these recipes, and always love to hear feedback and user experience!
Frozen Popcorn Shrimp in Air Fryer
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Tongs
Ingredients
- Non-stick cooking spray
- 1 pound Frozen Popcorn Shrimp
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Spray the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray.
- Add the frozen breaded popcorn shrimp to the air fryer -- do not overcrowd work in batches if needed. Cook for 8 minutes. At the half way point, using tongs, flip over each piece and then cook the additional time.
- Cook the remaining popcorn shrimp if needed. Serve immediately with cocktail sauce.
Notes
- Preheat your air fryer: It's important to preheat your air fryer before cooking to ensure that the shrimp cooks evenly and turns out crispy on the outside.
- Shake the basket: Shake the basket halfway through the cooking time to ensure that the shrimp cooks evenly and turns out crispy on all sides.
- Don't overcrowd the basket: Make sure to leave enough space between the shrimp in the basket to allow for even cooking and crispy results.
- Use cooking spray: Spray the shrimp with cooking spray or lightly brush with oil to help them crisp up in the air fryer.
- Serve immediately: Serve the popcorn shrimp immediately after cooking to enjoy the crispy texture.Try different spices and herbs: Experiment with different spices and herbs to add flavor to your shrimp. Paprika, garlic powder, and cumin are all great options.
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