Lots of crispy breading encasing juicy jumbo shrimp make this a real treat. Usually a thick coating of crunchy batter carries a payload of oil and fat. And that means a bunch of calories and fat grams, a no-no for most of us. How long it takes: 15 minutes Equipment you’ll need: air fryer, whisk, bowls, tongs Servings: 4 Try “frying” your shrimp in your air fryer and it’s a total game changer. Crispy breaded shrimp without any of the guilt. Bring it on! It’s pure genius. These air fryer shrimp make a delicious main course. Serve them with a simple lemon arugula salad and roasted sweet potatoes. Shrimp always is a popular appetizer too. Don’t forget your favorite dipping sauces. I like this lemon dill tartar sauce or homemade homemade Thousand Island dressing.
About this breaded shrimp
This tasty shrimp is battered and breaded. Wow! No wonder it’s so good. It’s a two step process but it’s easy to do and the pay-off is worth it. Here’s a quick summary of how to make the best breaded shrimp.
What you’ll need
Shrimp: Look for large or jumbo (16-20) raw shrimp, peeled, deveined, with the tails on. Frozen shrimp are super convenient and can be thawed under running cold water. All-Purpose Flour: Flour is seasoned with Old Bay Seasoning, Garlic Powder, and a dash of Cornstarch. An Egg, lightly beaten and mixed with water, is added to the flour to make a light batter. Panko Bread Crumbs: Panko, with its large airy crumbs, makes a better breading for the shrimp than regular bread crumbs.
How to make This Recipe
Thaw your shrimp if it’s still frozen. This can be easily accomplished by putting it in a colander and running cold water over it. Frozen shrimp can be such a life-saver when it comes to meal time. It thaws in a matter of minutes and cooks so quickly. Keep reading for lots more shrimp recipes. Okay, next prepare the two stations you’ll need to batter and bread the shrimp. Find two fairly large shallow bowls. Mixing bowls, pasta, or salad bowls work great. In the first bowl, mix the flour with the seasonings. Add the egg and water and whisk until combined. That’s the batter. In the second bowl, mix the panko with a little Old Bay seasoning. That’s the breading. Grab a shrimp by the tail and dip it into the batter, letting the excess drip off. If the batter seems a little thick, add a bit more water. If it’s too thin, whisk in a little more flour. Still holding on to the tail, gently roll the shrimp in the bread crumbs, making sure the shrimp is well-coated, with crumbs adhering to all sides (except the tail). Discard any leftover batter or breading when all the shrimp have been coated. Arrange the shrimp on the rack of your air fryer (spray it with a little oil first). They can be close together but not touching. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may have to do them in batches. Fry until they are golden brown, curled and firm. It only takes five minutes or so. Serve the shrimp immediately. They taste best hot out of the air fryer.
Make It Your Own
Add your own favorite seasonings! Onion powder, smoked paprika, dried green onion, and Cajun seasoning are all great options. Just add a ½ teaspoon to the flour mixture. Can’t find panko? Use regular bread crumbs or make your own panko. Learn how to make homemade breadcrumbs or panko. It’s super easy and you can use day-old bread. Prefer tempura fried shrimp? Skip the panko and fry the shrimp with just the batter coating.
Make Ahead Ideas
Prepare the shrimp except for frying. Arrange them in a single layer on a plate or tray, cover and refrigerate for up to 3 hours. If you prefer, instead of refrigerating the prepared shrimp, freeze them in a single layer. Once they’re frozen, put them in a tightly sealed container with parchment between layers. Cook as directed, adding a couple minutes for frozen shrimp.
Storage & Reheating Suggestions
Cooked breaded shrimp are really best eaten right away. If you have leftovers, store them in the fridge for one day. To reheat, put them back into the air fryer for a couple of minutes. You can also reheat them in the oven or toaster oven. Microwaving is not recommended.
Leftover Love
Pull the tails off leftover shrimp and put them on a sandwich or a salad.
More shrimp recipes
Convenient, quick-cooking, and so tasty, a bag of shrimp is so handy to have in your freezer. It’s perfect for meals like these:
Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp Lemon Pepper Shrimp – super easy recipe! Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas Grilled Shrimp Kabobs with Pineapple Pasta with Shrimp, Brussels Sprouts, & Wine Sauce Shrimp Salad with Mango and Avocado Sweet and Sour Shrimp Lettuce Wraps Crunchy Kale Salad Recipe with Popcorn Shrimp
