If you're looking for an easy way to add some seafood to your next meal, frozen shrimp is a great option. And if you have an air fryer, cooking those shrimp is even easier! Here is the simple recipe to air fry frozen shrimp.
You can serve them with your favorite dipping sauce or simply season them with salt and pepper. Air fryer frozen shrimp makes a really easy and quick meal or appetizer option. And I bet if you are fond of seafood, you will love them.
Shrimp is a popular seafood dish that can be cooked in many different ways. One of the quickest, easiest, and healthiest methods is to air fry frozen shrimp.
Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp
If I have a bag of frozen shrimp in the freezer, I don't think about spending hours in making the meal. This quick air fryer shrimp is just good for any of the meals. I love to make shrimp tacos often when in hurry. So easy and quick meal.
The shrimp come out crispy on the outside and tender and plump on the inside in just a few minutes. You can add any flavor of your choice. They taste so good and delicious that you can serve them on any menu, any crowd. Check out my air fryer shrimp recipe on the blog. These are fresh and raw shrimp again.
These are better than the pan-fried or deep-fried shrimp. The air fryer makes it an easier option to make them healthy by cooking with less oil.
This recipe is for frozen raw shrimp and covers all other cooking instructions for frozen cooked shrimp, frozen breaded shrimp, etc.
Why Air Fry The Frozen Shrimp?
- This is great as an appetizer and fit for larger crowd too
- Cooks them perfect and in less time
- makes them perfect crispy outside
- takes less than 10 minutes
- makes a quick side dish or appetizer
- no preparation is required
- no need to thaw the frozen shrimp
What ingredients you will need?
You can make them simple without any of the seasonings and serve them with a yummy dipping sauce. But I love to add my favorite seasonings to the frozen shrimp (halfway through).
Frozen shrimp - Consider large, super large shrimps. Check the label for raw or precooked frozen shrimp.
Seasonings - garlic powder, paprika, oregano, salt & pepper
olive oil - oil spray or 1 tsp oil
Equipments Required
I recommend this air fryer from Cosori. Some other good air fryer are from Ultrean, Crownful, Phillips, Instant Vortex.
How To Cook Frozen Shrimp In The Air Fryer?
Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (for 2 - 3 minutes) and place the frozen shrimp in the basket. No need to thaw the shrimp.
Cook for 5 minutes, or until the shrimp is completely thawed through. Then remove the basket and transfer the shrimp to a mixing bowl. Add the seasonings and drizzle some oil. Toss to mix them well.
Transfer the seasoned shrimp to the basket again. Start the air fryer at 400 F for 5 - 6 minutes.
If you don't want any seasoning in it, straight cook for 10 minutes till the shrimp is cooked completely. They tighten and shrink in size when cooked. Remove once it turns pinkish orange.
Remove to a clean plate. Drizzle some lemon juice over them and some fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro finely chopped.
For an extra crispy coating, you can toss the shrimp in a bit of cornstarch while adding the seasonings to it. Serve with a dipping sauce and enjoy!
Tips for Crispy Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp
- Check the label while buying, it can be frozen cooked or frozen raw, since the timing will be different for both the types. If precooked frozen, it may take 5 - 6 minutes and raw frozen will take 10 - 11 minutes.
Note - Timing may vary by 1 - 2 minutes since not all types of air fryers cook the same.
- No need to thaw the frozen shrimp since that will happen with hot air once placed in the air fryer.
- Skip adding seasonings and cook directly for 10 minutes. If adding seasonings, add it only after it's thawed in completely. It takes 4 - 5 minutes only at 400 F to defrost completely.
- Shake the basket after 5 minutes and make sure the tray or basket is not over-filled. Arrange them in a single layer possibly.
- It shrinks in size and curls up when cooked.
- Remove once it looks pinkish orange and round in shape. Don't overcook the shrimp. They may turn dry and chewy if overcooked.
Frozen Raw Shrimp - 400 F For 10 minutes
Frozen Pre-cooked Shrimp - 400 F For 6 - 7 minutes
Serving Ideas
- Add the air fried shrimp to the warm tortilla and top it with favorite toppings and make shrimp tacos.
- Pair it with roasted vegetables and serve as a delicious side dish.
- Serve with any of your favorite dipping sauce like ranch, sour cream, cilantro crema, buffalo sauce, etc.
F A Qs
Yes absolutely you can cook frozen shrimp in the air fryer. No need to thaw the shrimp. Place them directly into the preheated air fryer basket and cook at 400 F for recommended type. Time may vary for different types and size of shrimp as well as the air fryers.
Frozen Raw Shrimp - 400 F For 10 - 11 minutes
Frozen Pre-cooked Shrimp - 400 F For 5 - 6 minutes
Frozen Breaded Shrimp - Cook at 400F for 8 - 10 minutes till they look golden and crispy. Breaded frozen shrimps are precooked and they don't need any extra oil at all.
Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer
- 1 MIxing Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 lb frozen shrimp (This recipe is for frozen raw shrimp)
- 2 tsp oil or cooking oil spray
Seasonings
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ - ¾ tsp paprika
- ½ - 1 tsp oregano or Italian seasonings
- salt & pepper to taste
- dash of lemon juice
- fresh cilantro leaves finely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 2 - 3 minutes.
- Transfer the frozen shrimp in the air fryer basket. No need to thaw the shrimp.
- Cook for 5 minutes, or until the shrimp is completely defrosted.
- Then remove the basket and transfer the shrimp to a mixing bowl.
- Pat lightly with a paper towel (remember these are hot). This step is optional though but helps seasoning stick well.
- Add the seasonings and drizzle some oil. Toss to mix them well.
- Transfer the seasoned shrimp to the basket again.
- Start the air fryer at 400 F for 5 - 6 minutes more.
- They tighten and shrink in size when cooked. Remove once it turns pinkish orange.
- Remove to a clean plate. Drizzle some lemon juice over them and some fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro finely chopped.
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