If you like eating shrimp, then you’re in for a treat! This air fryer popcorn shrimp recipe is not only easy to make but also a healthier option compared to the deep-fried version.
With a crispy coating and juicy shrimp, it’s a recipe that’s sure to please everyone at the table.
What’s great about this recipe is that it requires just a few simple ingredients, and the air fryer does all of the work.
The shrimp cook quickly and evenly, and the result is a dish that’s packed with flavor and texture.
But the fun doesn’t stop there! In this post, I also included some important tips to help you achieve the best possible results, as well as some variations to inspire you to get creative in the kitchen.
So, what are you waiting for? try my popcorn shrimp air fryer recipe and enjoy!
Why You Should Try This Recipe
Quick and Easy to Make: it’s super easy and quick to make. All you need is a few simple ingredients, and the air fryer does the rest.
With just 7-8 minutes of cooking time, you can have a tasty snack or appetizer ready in no time.
A Crowd-Pleaser: Whether you’re hosting a party or just having a few friends over, this recipe is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. It’s a classic dish that everyone loves, and the air fryer makes it easy to cook up a large batch.
Fun to Serve in Different Ways: Finally, this recipe is fun to serve in different ways. You can serve it on a platter with a variety of dipping sauces, or you can get creative and serve it in tacos, over a salad, or as a sandwich filling. The possibilities are endless!
👨🍳 Air Fryer Popcorn Shrimp Ingredients
For this popcorn shrimp in air fryer recipe you will need:
- 1 pound (450g) Breaded Popcorn Shrimp (uncooked)
- Cooking Oil Spray (I use olive oil spray)
- Dipping Sauce (your favorite one)
🦐 Popcorn Shrimp Air Fryer Recipe
Air frying popcorn shrimp is super easy! Follow this recipe:
Step 1
Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil to avoid sticking.
Step 2
Add the frozen breaded popcorn shrimp to the air fryer basket. You want to place them in a single layer, so you may need to use half of the package and air fry them in two batches.
Step 3
Air fry the shrimp at 400F for 7-8 minutes. I recommend shaking the basket halfway through for even cooking.
Step 4
Remove them from the air fryer and serve with your favorite dipping sauce. That’s it! Enjoy this easy air fryer popcorn shrimp recipe!
🟢 More Air Fryer Recipes
If you liked this air fryer popcorn shrimp recipe, make sure to also check out these recipes on my blog:
💡 Important Tips
Here are my top tips for this popcorn shrimp in air fryer recipe:
1. Use Cooking Oil Spray
Using a cooking oil spray, such as olive oil, can help prevent the shrimp from sticking to the air fryer basket and create a crispy outer layer.
Be sure to evenly coat the basket with the spray before adding the shrimp to avoid any sticking.
It’s important not to overdo it with the spray, as too much oil can make the shrimp greasy and heavy. Just a light coating should do the trick and help achieve the desired texture and flavor.
2. Shake The Basket
To make sure that the air fryer popcorn shrimp cooks evenly and comes out crispy all around, it’s important to shake the basket halfway through the cooking process.
This will help ensure that both sides of the shrimp get evenly cooked and crispy, and prevent any burning or uneven browning.
Simply remove it from the air fryer and give it a quick shake or toss before returning it to the air fryer.
3. Don’t Overcrowd The Air Fryer Basket
When air frying frozen popcorn shrimp, it’s important not to overcrowd the basket.
This can prevent the shrimp from cooking evenly and getting crispy, as the hot air won’t circulate properly around each piece.
Try to arrange the shrimp in a single layer in the basket, leaving some space in between each piece. If needed, you can cook the shrimp in batches.
4. Serve With Fresh Lemon Wedges
Adding a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to your air fryer popcorn shrimp can help brighten up the flavors and add a tangy contrast to the rich and savory shrimp.
Simply cut a lemon into wedges and serve them alongside the shrimp for a simple and delicious garnish.
5. Serve With A Side Salad
While airfryer popcorn shrimp can be a delicious and satisfying snack on their own, they also make a great addition to a light and refreshing side salad.
Toss together some mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and your favorite dressing for a simple and healthy side dish that will complement the rich and savory flavors of the shrimp.
✔️ Variations
Air Fryer Popcorn Shrimp Po’ Boys: Fill a French baguette with cooked popcorn shrimp, shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes, and remoulade sauce for a delicious po’ boy sandwich.
Air Fryer Popcorn Shrimp Caesar Salad: Add some cooked popcorn shrimp to your Caesar salad for a delicious and protein-packed meal. Toss with homemade or store-bought Caesar dressing, croutons, and grated Parmesan cheese.
Air Fryer Popcorn Shrimp Tacos: Make soft or hard shell tacos and fill them with cooked air fryer popcorn shrimp, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, and your favorite sauce.
Air Fryer Popcorn Shrimp Alfredo: Cook fettuccine pasta and toss it with a homemade or store-bought Alfredo sauce. Add the cooked popcorn shrimp and top with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley.
Air Fryer Popcorn Shrimp Stir-Fry: Stir-fry some vegetables, such as bell peppers, broccoli, and onions, in a wok or skillet.
Add cooked popcorn shrimp and toss with your favorite stir-fry sauce. Serve over rice or noodles.
Frozen Popcorn Shrimp In Air Fryer
I used frozen popcorn shrimp in my air fryer for a quick and easy meal. But, if you’re looking for a healthier and more flavorful way to prepare them, you can definitely make your own popcorn shrimp.
Use panko or regular bread crumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of cayenne. Mix the ingredients together in a medium-sized bowl until everything is well combined.
Take the shrimp and dip them in a beaten egg before coating with the breadcrumb mixture. Place the shrimp in a single layer on an air fryer rack and cook for 8 minutes at 360°F.
👍 Best Dipping Sauces
If you want to take this popcorn shrimp in air fryer recipe to the next level of deliciousness, you need to serve it with a tasty dipping sauce!
Here are some of the best dipping sauces to serve with this dish:
Tartar Sauce: Tartar sauce is a classic dipping sauce that pairs perfectly with seafood. It’s made from mayonnaise, chopped pickles, capers, lemon juice, and spices.
This creamy and tangy sauce is perfect for dipping your crispy air fryer popcorn shrimp into, and the pickles and capers add a nice crunch to each bite.
Cocktail Sauce: This sauce is another classic dipping sauce that’s perfect for seafood. It’s made from ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce.
Garlic Aioli: Garlic aioli is a creamy dipping sauce that’s made from mayonnaise, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil.
This sauce is great for those who love a little bit of garlic flavor in their food, and it also adds a nice creamy texture to each bite of the popcorn shrimp.
Sweet Chili Sauce: This dipping sauce has a sweet and tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with the crispy texture of the popcorn shrimp.
Lemon Butter Sauce: Lemon butter sauce is a simple and delicious dipping sauce that’s made from butter, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs. It has a tangy and buttery flavor that complements the shrimp perfectly.
👪 FAQ
How long do I need to air fry the popcorn shrimp?
Air fry the shrimp at 400F for 7-8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through for even cooking.
How do I prevent the shrimp from sticking to the air fryer basket?
Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil spray before adding the shrimp to avoid sticking.
Can I cook the entire package of popcorn shrimp in one batch?
It’s important not to overcrowd the air fryer basket, so if the package of popcorn shrimp is too big, it’s best to cook them in batches.
I hope you enjoyed my popcorn shrimp air fryer recipe. These shrimp taste delicious and are so easy to make! The crispy coating is baked to perfection in a fraction of the time and calories it would take to deep fry them.
If you have any questions about air frying popcorn shrimp- feel free to comment below. Make sure to check out other easy and tasty air fryer recipes on my blog!
Air Fryer Popcorn Shrimp
- 1 pound Breaded Popcorn Shrimp (uncooked) (450g)
- Cooking Oil Spray (I use olive oil spray)
- Dipping Sauce (your favorite one)
- Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil to avoid sticking.
- Add the frozen breaded popcorn shrimp to the air fryer basket. You want to place them in a single layer, so you may need to use half of the package and air fry them in two batches.
- Air fry the shrimp at 400F for 7-8 minutes. I recommend shaking the basket halfway through for even cooking.
- Remove them from the air fryer and serve with your favorite dipping sauce. That’s it! Enjoy this easy air fryer popcorn shrimp recipe!
