Hey there! As someone who’s literally cooked hundreds of batches of panko shrimp in my air fryer, I’m gonna share exactly how long you should cook these crispy little guys. No fluff, just straight-up practical advice that actually works!
Quick Answer
For perfectly crispy panko shrimp air fry at 400°F for
- Small shrimp (31/35 count): 6-8 minutes
- Medium shrimp (26/30 count): 8-10 minutes
- Large shrimp (21/25 count): 10-12 minutes
- Extra large shrimp (16/20 count): 12-14 minutes
Flip halfway through cooking for best results!
What You’ll Need
Basic Ingredients:
- 1 pound shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 beaten eggs
- 1½ cups panko breadcrumbs
- Salt and pepper
- Cooking spray
Optional Seasonings:
- Garlic powder
- Ground ginger
- Sesame seeds
- Scallions
Step-by-Step Cooking Process
1. Prep Your Shrimp
- Pat shrimp completely dry with paper towels
- Season with salt and pepper
- Set up your breading station with 3 shallow dishes:
- Flour
- Beaten eggs
- Panko breadcrumbs
2. Bread Your Shrimp
- Dredge in flour (shake off excess)
- Dip in egg
- Coat with panko (press gently to stick)
3. Air Frying Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F
- Spray basket with cooking spray
- Place shrimp in single layer (don’t overcrowd!)
- Spray tops lightly with cooking spray
- Cook according to size (see time chart above)
- Flip halfway through cooking
Pro Tips from My Kitchen
Listen, I’ve made every mistake possible when air frying shrimp. Here’s what I’ve learned:
- Don’t Skip Preheating! Your air fryer needs those 3-5 minutes to heat up properly
- Pat Those Shrimp DRY! Like, really dry. Water = enemy of crispiness
- Single Layer Only! I know it’s tempting to stack ’em, but don’t do it
- Check Early: Every air fryer’s different, yo. Start checking 2 minutes before suggested time
Common Problems & Fixes
Help! My Panko’s Falling Off!
- Make sure shrimp are super dry
- Press panko firmly when coating
- Don’t mess with them while cooking
Not Crispy Enough?
- Spritz with more cooking spray
- Add an extra minute or two
- Check if you’re overcrowding
Serving Ideas
We love serving these crispy bois with:
- Spicy remoulade sauce
- Sweet chili sauce
- Sriracha mayo
- Cocktail sauce
Make it a Meal
Turn it into a rice bowl with:
- Steamed rice
- Sliced avocado
- Cucumber
- Mixed greens
- A drizzle of spicy mayo
Storage Tips
Got leftovers? (Though honestly, we never do! )
- Fridge: Store in airtight container up to 2 days
- Reheat: Air fry at 360°F for 3-5 minutes
- Avoid: Microwaving (unless you like soggy panko)
Final Thoughts
Y’all, air fryer panko shrimp is seriously one of the easiest things you can make. Just remember the basic timing rules based on your shrimp size, and you’re golden (literally and figuratively!). Trust me, once you nail the timing you’ll be making these bad boys on repeat!
Now go forth and air fry some shrimp! And if you mess up the first batch no worries – we’ve all been there. Just adjust your timing and try again. Happy cooking! ✨
Would you like me to explain or break down any part of this article further?
Step-by-Step to Crispy Breaded Shrimp in Air Fryer
Gather your ingredients. You’ll need a fresh or frozen medium to large-sized shrimp, peeled and deveined, but with the tails left on for easier handling—and let’s be honest—they look more appealing that way too! If using frozen shrimp, ensure they are fully thawed before proceeding with breading.
Panko breadcrumbs, flour, eggs, salt and pepper to taste, and your choice of seafood seasonings. I used two tablespoons of Old Bay Seasoning. If you don’t have a pre-made shrimp seasoning on hand, you can craft your own by combining a teaspoon of each of these spices and then storing it in the glass jar: Salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, cumin, Celery seed and ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
Prep the shrimp. Rinse the shrimp under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Season them with a pinch of salt and pepper, to taste. This simple seasoning enhances the natural sweetness of the shrimp while setting the stage for our flavorful breading.
Prepare your breading station – a crucial part in achieving that mouthwatering crunch. Set up three shallow bowls: one filled with ¾ cup flour, another containing 2 large eggs whisked together with 2 tablespoons of buttermilk or half-and-half (the choice is yours!), and finally, a third bowl holding one cup of panko breadcrumbs mixed with 2 tablespoons of Old Bay Seasoning. Panko breadcrumbs are particularly important here; their light, airy texture ensures maximum crispiness once cooked.
Coat your shrimp. Dredge each shrimp in flour until fully covered, shaking off the excess. Then dip it into your egg mixture. From there, transfer each coated shrimp into the panko breadcrumbs bowl, pressing gently so every inch is covered. Please see the picture below for reference.
Preheat. While you’re prepping your shrimp, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for three minutes. Arrange the breaded shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd. Lightly spritz with non-stick cooking spray This allows hot air to circulate evenly, ensuring that every shrimp is perfectly crisp. Cook at 400°F for 6-8 minutes, turning halfway through to ensure even cooking. Your shrimp is ready when it’s golden brown and cooked through.
Serving Suggestions and Sauce Pairings
Prepare the dipping sauce: Get the dipping sauce ready while the shrimp cooks. For a quick tartar sauce, mix ½ cup of mayonnaise, 2 teaspoons of finely chopped pickles or sweet relish, 1 teaspoon of lemon juice, ½ teaspoon of Dijon or yellow mustard, and a pinch salt.
Or you can whip up this healthy Avocado Cilantro Dipping sauce by blending avocado, lime juice, garlic, and salt until it’s smooth and creamy.
Once the shrimp is done, serve it hot alongside your chosen dipping sauce. If you’re looking for extra bang-bang, try the shrimp with this Homemade Spicy Chipotle Mayo for a delicious kick that goes great with breaded shrimp.
Salad. Serve your shrimp over a bed of mixed greens for a light and refreshing meal. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice adds brightness and complements the shrimp’s flavors perfectly. Alternatively, serve alongside a hearty pasta or rice dish for a more substantial dinner.
Don’t forget the sides! May I recommend Air Fryer Corn Ribs, Roasted Peppers and Onions, or a crisp coleslaw? They make wonderful complements to the rich flavors of breaded shrimp.
Air Fryer Panko Shrimp Recipe
FAQ
How long to cook panko prawns in an air fryer?
On the Instant Vortex control panel, press Air Fry, then set time to 12 Minutes and temperature to 355ºF (180°C).
How long do you fry panko shrimp?
Dip each shrimp into flour mixture, then into egg, and finally into panko crumbs to coat. Fry a few shrimp at a time in the hot oil until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels before serving.
How long should shrimp be cooked in an air fryer?
Cook shrimp in the air fryer at 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) until shrimp are bright pink on the outside and the meat is opaque, about 8 minutes.Dec 4, 2024
How long to air fry frozen breaded shrimp at 400 degrees?
Spray the tops of the shrimp lightly with cooking spray. Cook in the Air Fryer on 400 for 6-8 minutes, until golden brown.Sep 15, 2022