Air-Fried Shrimp 🍤🔥 Crispy, Juicy, and Guilt-Free

— Fried Shrimp Without the Deep Fry

Air-Fried Shrimp brings the crunch of a deep-fried bite with a fraction of the oil and all of the speed.

Juicy on the inside, golden on the outside — these shrimp cook in under 10 minutes and taste like a weeknight win. Use them for tacos, salads, rice bowls, or dipped straight into sauce.

Ingredients (Serves 2–4)

• 1 lb large shrimp (peeled, deveined, tails optional)
• ½ cup buttermilk or beaten egg
• ½ cup panko or crushed cornflakes
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• Spray oil or olive oil for misting

Optional: Add cayenne, lemon zest, or grated Parmesan for extra flavor in the coating.

Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Shrimp

1. Pat shrimp dry with paper towels.
2. Toss in buttermilk (or beaten egg) and let sit for 5 minutes while you prep coating.

Step 2: Bread the Shrimp

1. Mix panko, flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
2. Dredge shrimp in the coating one by one, pressing to adhere.
3. Place coated shrimp on a tray and lightly mist both sides with spray oil.

Step 3: Air-Fry

1. Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
2. Place shrimp in a single layer (work in batches if needed).
3. Cook for 7–8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crisp.

Step 4: Serve Immediately

Serve hot with lemon wedges and your favorite dip: spicy mayo, cocktail sauce, or garlic aioli.

Flavor Variations

• Spicy Shrimp – Add cayenne and chili powder to the coating
• Coconut Shrimp – Replace half the panko with shredded unsweetened coconut
• Parmesan-Herb – Add 2 tbsp finely grated Parmesan + dried basil or parsley
• Taco-Ready – Use cumin, lime zest, and chipotle powder in the mix

Serving Ideas

• Shrimp tacos with slaw and avocado
• Over rice bowls with sriracha mayo and greens
• In lettuce wraps with pickled onions
• On salads with citrus vinaigrette
• Piled into a po’boy with spicy remoulade

Pro Tips

• Don’t overcrowd — crispness depends on airflow
• Use spray oil before cooking for max golden crunch
• Want extra crispy? Chill breaded shrimp for 10 minutes before air-frying
• Reheat leftovers in the air fryer at 375°F for 2–3 minutes — good as new

Final Thoughts

Air-Fried Shrimp delivers crunchy satisfaction with speed and simplicity. No splatter, no heavy batter, no guilt — just hot, juicy shrimp in every bite.

Bread light. Air-fry crisp. Eat hot. 🍤🔥🥢

🍤 Explore More Great Shrimp Recipes

Versatile, fast, and flavor-packed — these shrimp recipes cover every cooking style, from smoky grills to sizzling stir-fries. Whether you’re going classic or bold, there’s a method for your menu.

🔥 Grilled Shrimp – Lightly charred and perfectly seasoned over open flame.
🍤 Fried Shrimp – Crispy, golden, and straight-up irresistible.
🔥 Baked Shrimp Scampi – Oven-baked in garlicky butter and white wine.
🍽️ Air-Fried Shrimp – Crunchy texture with less oil and no mess.
🥢 Stir-Fried Shrimp – Quick wok-seared shrimp with bold flavors.
🍋 Sautéed Lemon Garlic Shrimp – Bright, buttery, and ready in minutes.
🍷 Shrimp Scampi – Classic stovetop scampi in a silky garlic-wine sauce.
🌶️ Cajun-Style Shrimp – Spicy, smoky, Southern-style perfection.
🧄 Butter Garlic Shrimp – Simple, rich, and loaded with garlic butter.
🍚 Shrimp Fried Rice – Savory wok-fried rice with juicy shrimp and veggies.

🌍 Regional Shrimp Recipes: From buttery Southern comfort to bold Thai curries and island-style garlic shrimp, these recipes bring global flavor to your shrimp game — no passport required.

🌺 Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp – Island-style shrimp in a buttery garlic sauce, just like the food trucks.
🍝 Italian Shrimp Pasta – Savory shrimp tossed with herbs, garlic, and al dente noodles.
🌮 Mexican Shrimp Tacos – Zesty, juicy shrimp with bold toppings and fresh tortillas.
🍤 Southern Shrimp & Grits – Creamy grits topped with saucy, smoky shrimp.
🥢 Asian Shrimp Stir-Fry – Quick, colorful, and loaded with veggies and soy-sesame flavor.
🔥 Cajun Shrimp – Spicy, buttery, and perfect with rice or crusty bread.
🌶️ Bang Bang Shrimp – Crispy shrimp coated in creamy, sweet-heat sauce.
🍱 Teriyaki Shrimp – Sticky-sweet glaze with a savory umami kick.
🍛 Thai Shrimp Curry – Rich coconut curry with lemongrass, chili, and herbs.