These Air Fryer Shrimp are simple and delicious.
Let’s talk about shrimp, shall we? We all love ’em, and if I say battered fried shrimp, I bet your mouth’s already watering. Well, this post is all about treating ourselves to some garlicky battered shrimp, but with a twist – we’re using the air fryer.
Shrimp are versatile little critters, good with everything and for everything. I whip up this recipe pretty often for my husband. Picture this: a small plate with 8 large shrimp, carefully arranged, paired with a nice white wine. That’s our Friday night special when we’ve had a good month. It’s one of those little pleasures we like to indulge in. But don’t get me wrong, I make these exact same shrimps for tacos or to toss in a salad too.
Why should you try Air Fryer Shrimp?
Now, I’m not going to sit here and tell you this recipe is super low in Weight Watchers points, extremely healthy, or dirt cheap because it’s none of those things. But what it is, is an absolute treat – a little indulgence that’s worth every bite.
Besides the exquisite taste (which, let’s be honest, is reason enough to make it every now and then), this dish comes together incredibly fast. And in the air fryer? Even quicker.
Lastly, if you think traditionally fried shrimp are good, wait till you try them air fried. They come out dry and firm, with a satisfying crunch, and you’ll hardly notice any grease. It’s like magic, I tell you.
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 8-10 minutes
Servings: 4
Serving size: About 6-8 shrimp (depending on size)
3 WW Points Per Serving. You can view the recipe on the WW App here. (WW login required.)
Ingredients:
- 1 pound (450 g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1/4 cup (30 g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (40 g) breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) oil
Instructions:
- Begin by thoroughly cleaning the shrimp. If they’re not already peeled and deveined, do so now. Pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Mix the spices: In a small bowl, mix the minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Sprinkle this mixture over the shrimp and gently toss to ensure even coating.
- Set up your breading station with three shallow dishes. In the first dish, beat the egg. In the second dish, place the flour. In the third, add the breadcrumbs.
- Dip each shrimp first in the beaten egg, allowing any excess to drip off. Then, coat it in the flour, shaking off any excess. Finally, dredge it in the breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure the crumbs adhere well.
- As you bread each shrimp, place them on a clean plate or tray. Make sure they’re not touching each other to prevent sticking.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes.
- Lightly brush or spray the air fryer basket with a teaspoon of oil. This will help prevent sticking and promote even browning.
- Arrange the breaded shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure they’re not overcrowded or touching each other. You may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Cook the shrimp for 3-4 minutes, then carefully flip them over and cook for another 3-4 minutes. The exact cooking time may vary depending on the size of your shrimp.
- The shrimp are done when they turn pink and the breading is golden brown and crispy. The internal temperature should reach 145°F (63°C).
- Once cooked, carefully remove the shrimp from the air fryer and let them cool for a minute or two before serving. Repeat the process with any remaining shrimp.
- Serve your crispy air fryer shrimp hot with your favorite dipping sauce, such as cocktail sauce, or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Enjoy your delicious, crispy shrimp that’s healthier than deep-fried versions but just as tasty!
Variations and Substitutions
- Seasoning swap: Don’t be afraid to play around with your seasonings. I used a simple blend of garlic, salt, and pepper, which works great, but you could try Old Bay seasoning for a classic flavor. Or go bold with Cajun spice for a nice kick. For an Asian-inspired twist, consider using five-spice powder.
- Breading options: While I used traditional breadcrumbs, which work well, you might want to try panko for extra crunch. For a gluten-free version, crushed pork rinds make a surprisingly good substitute.
- Seasoning swap: Don’t be afraid to play around with your seasonings. I love a classic Old Bay seasoning, but Cajun spice can add a nice kick. Or go Asian-inspired with some five-spice powder.
- Breading options: While I usually use panko for that extra crunch, regular breadcrumbs work too. For a gluten-free version, crushed pork rinds make a surprisingly good substitute.
- Dipping sauce: Cocktail sauce is classic, but why not try a spicy mayo, garlic aioli, or even a tangy mango chutney?
- Size matters: I usually go for large shrimp, but medium ones work just as well. Just remember to adjust your cooking time accordingly.
- Naked shrimp: Sometimes, I skip the breading altogether and just season the shrimp directly. It’s a lighter option that’s still packed with flavor.
Tips and Tricks for Making Air Fryer Shrimp
- Pat ’em dry: Before you do anything else, make sure your shrimp are as dry as possible. This helps the breading stick and ensures maximum crispiness.
- Don’t overcrowd: Give those shrimps some breathing room in the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if needed – trust me, it’s worth it.
- Flip halfway: About halfway through cooking, give your shrimp a flip. This ensures even cooking and all-over crunch.
- Watch the clock: Shrimp cooks fast, especially in the air fryer. Keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.
- Serve immediately: These babies are best served hot and crispy. Have everything else ready to go before you start cooking the shrimp.
Air Fryer Shrimp
Ingredients
- 1 pound 450 g large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1/4 cup 30 g all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup 40 g breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon 5 ml oil
Instructions
- Begin by thoroughly cleaning the shrimp. If they’re not already peeled and deveined, do so now. Pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Mix the spices: In a small bowl, mix the minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Sprinkle this mixture over the shrimp and gently toss to ensure even coating.
- Set up your breading station with three shallow dishes. In the first dish, beat the egg. In the second dish, place the flour. In the third, add the breadcrumbs.
- Dip each shrimp first in the beaten egg, allowing any excess to drip off. Then, coat it in the flour, shaking off any excess. Finally, dredge it in the breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure the crumbs adhere well.
- As you bread each shrimp, place them on a clean plate or tray. Make sure they’re not touching each other to prevent sticking.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes.
- Lightly brush or spray the air fryer basket with a teaspoon of oil. This will help prevent sticking and promote even browning.
- Arrange the breaded shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure they’re not overcrowded or touching each other. You may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Cook the shrimp for 3-4 minutes, then carefully flip them over and cook for another 3-4 minutes. The exact cooking time may vary depending on the size of your shrimp.
- The shrimp are done when they turn pink and the breading is golden brown and crispy. The internal temperature should reach 145°F (63°C).
- Once cooked, carefully remove the shrimp from the air fryer and let them cool for a minute or two before serving. Repeat the process with any remaining shrimp.
- Serve your crispy air fryer shrimp hot with your favorite dipping sauce, such as cocktail sauce, or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Enjoy your delicious, crispy shrimp that’s healthier than deep-fried versions but just as tasty!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
