How Long To Cook Popcorn Shrimp In Air Fryer So They Are Crisp & Juicy

Like so many others in the world these days, I have developed a somewhat unhealthy obsession with my air fryer. It is such a versatile appliance that it’s hard to not fall in love with all the opportunities it offers. It can be used to create your own tater tots, cakes, fries, popcorn chicken, and of course, popcorn shrimp to name a few. But my absolute favorite thing to make is popcorn shrimp. Popcorn shrimp can cook for just the right time is juicy on the inside yet crispy on the outside, making my mouth water with every bite.  But how much time is the right time? This post will help you figure out, once and for all, how long to cook popcorn shrimp in an air fryer.

Why Should You Make Popcorn Shrimp?

The main reason you should consider trying popcorn shrimp is that it is delicious. By making the popcorn shrimp in the air fryer you can get the same juicy consistency throughout the whole batch. Give you tasty goodness in every bite.

Secondly, popcorn shrimp is super easy to make. As with most other air fryer recipes, you simply pop it into your fryer basket, set it to air fry at the right time, and watch the magic happen. The only input you do from this point is to shake the basket halfway through, outside of that it is a pretty hands-off process.

On top of that, it’s a quick meal to prepare. Your popcorn shrimp will cook way faster in your air fryer than it would in a traditional oven.

If you haven’t already been convinced, the final reason is that popcorn shrimp goes with virtually anything. It can be enjoyed as with your toast or prepared side for the main course meal or enjoyed alone as a snack or appetizer.

How Long To Cook Popcorn Shrimp In Air Fryer

Your breaded shrimp cook quickly in the air fryer. If cooking from frozen (store-bought or otherwise) your popcorn shrimp will be cooked through within 8 – 10 minutes, depending on the brand of air fryer that you have. If you are making your popcorn shrimp from scratch using fresh shrimp without freezing, your dish should be cooked within 4 – 6 minutes.

Cooking Frozen Popcorn Shrimp

Let’s explore a quick and easy recipe you can follow to cook your store-bought popcorn shrimp at home.

Air Fried Popcorn Shrimp

This delicious dish works well as an appetizer or snack, and be cooked within minutes in your air fryer.

Serves: 2

Time: 8 minutes

Ingredients

• Cooking oil spray
• Popcorn shrimp (625g, breaded, uncooked)

Directions

1. Lightly grease your fryer basket using the cooking oil spray.
2. Transfer your popcorn shrimp to your air fryer basket. Try not to overcrowd the basket as you will need room to shake the basket without your shrimp falling out. Consider cooking in batches if needed.
3. Lightly coat your shrimp in oil using the cooking oil spray and shaking it to ensure all pieces are coated.
4. Set your shrimp to air fry at 400F until beautifully golden and cooked through (about 8 minutes). You will need to shake the basket at the 4-minute mark (halfway through the cooking process).
5. Enjoy hot.

Bonus Air Fryer Shrimp Recipes

Now that you know how to create the perfect plate of popcorn shrimp, let’s explore a few other delicious shrimp dishes that you can create in your Air Fryer.

Bacon Crusted Shrimp

Serves: 2

Time: 20mins

Ingredients:

• Shrimp (1 lb., shelled and deveined)
• Salt (2 tsp., to taste)
• Pepper (1 tsp., to taste)
• Almond Flour (½ cup, for coating)
• Eggs (1, beaten)
• Bacon (1 cups, diced)
• Vegetable Oil (1 tbsp.)

Directions

Set your air fryer to 350 degrees F. Prepare three separate bowls and add your flour, eggs, and bacon into separate bowls. Season your shrimp to taste, then roll in your flour, then eggs, then bacon so that they are evenly coated.

Once coated, carefully place your shrimp in your fryer basket. Allow to cook until golden brown in appearance. Serve, and enjoy.

Keto Air Fryer Shrimp Scampi

Serves: 2

Time: 15mins

Ingredients:

• Butter (2 tbsp.)
• Lemon juice (½ tbsp.)
• Garlic (½ tbsp., minced)
• Red pepper flakes (1 tsp.)
• Dried chives (1 tsp.)
• Dried basil (1 tsp.)
• Chicken stock (1 tbsp.)
• Shrimp (½ lb., defrosted)

Directions:

Set air fryer to 330 degrees F.  Place a 6 x 3-inch metal pan in the air fryer. and allow the air fryer to preheat while all the ingredients are gathered.  Put the butter along with red pepper flakes and garlic in a heated 6” pan and cook for 2 mins.

Stir only once until all the butter has melted. Place all the remaining ingredients in the pan as listed; stir gently.  Let the shrimp cook for 5 mins, stir only once. Combine thoroughly.  Use silicone mitts to remove the inner pan from the air fryer; let it rest on the counter for 1 min. Sprinkle fresh basil leaves and enjoy.

Avocado & Shrimp Crostini

Serves: 2

Time: 17mins.

Ingredients

• Baguettes (1 mini)
• Olive Oil (2 tbsp. + 1 tsp for garnish)
• Avocado (200g, mashed)
• Shrimp (10, medium-sized, cooked, tails on)

Directions

Set your air fryer to preheat to 350 degrees F. Slice into 10 even slices and lay flat onto a lined air fryer basket. Drizzle with oil, season with salt and pepper, then set to air fry until crisp (about 4 – 6 minutes).

Allow to cool, then top evenly with mashed avocado. Top with shrimp, serve and enjoy.

Final Thoughts

Who doesn’t love a serving of crispy popcorn shrimp? Now you can create your own in a matter of minutes using your air fryer. Popcorn shrimp is super easy to make. As with most other air fryer recipes, you simply pop it into your fryer basket, set it to air fry for the right time, and watch the magic happen. The only input you do from this point is to shake the basket halfway through, outside of that it is a pretty hands-off process. So, be sure to grab a bag of popcorn shrimp on your next grocery run.

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