Hey there fellow foodies! I’ve been experimenting with my air fryer lately and I gotta tell you – making popcorn shrimp in it is a total game-changer! After tons of trial and error (and maybe a few slightly overcooked batches ), I’ve finally nailed down the perfect method. Let me share my tried-and-true recipe that’ll give you restaurant-quality popcorn shrimp right at home!
What You’ll Need
- 1 pound frozen popcorn shrimp (straight from the freezer is fine!)
- Cooking spray
- Your favorite dipping sauce (I’m obsessed with COOK’s Thai sweet chili sauce!)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prep Time: Just 2 Minutes!
- Take your air fryer basket out and give it a light spritz with cooking spray
- Dump those frozen shrimp right in – no need to thaw!
- Spread ’em out in a single layer (ya don’t want them all clumped together)
Cooking Time: 8-10 Minutes
- Set your air fryer to 400°F
- Cook for 5 minutes
- Shake the basket (carefully!)
- Cook another 3-5 minutes till they’re golden brown
Pro Tips from My Kitchen to Yours
- Don’t overcrowd! Work in batches if needed
- No extra oil needed – these little guys have enough coating
- If you’re making multiple batches, the second batch might cook faster
- Trust your eyes – when they’re golden brown, they’re done!
Serving Suggestions
We love serving these crispy bites with
- Cocktail sauce
- Remoulade
- Tartar sauce
- Lemon wedges
- As part of a seafood platter
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t thaw the shrimp first – they cook better from frozen
- Skip the extra breading – the original coating is perfect
- Don’t forget to shake the basket!
Storage Tips
- Best eaten fresh (duh!)
- Can keep in fridge for 2 days
- Reheat in air fryer for 2-3 mins at 350°F
Why Air Fryer Popcorn Shrimp is Better
- Uses way less oil than deep frying
- Crispier outside, juicier inside
- Ready in under 10 mins
- Way easier cleanup!
FAQ
Q: Can I use fresh shrimp instead?
A: Stick to frozen popcorn shrimp – they’re specially coated for best results!
Q: My shrimp came out soggy, what went wrong?
A: Probably overcrowding! Make sure they’re in a single layer.
Q: Do I need to preheat?
A: Nah, not necessary with most air fryers!
Listen up, y’all – this recipe is seriously foolproof! I’ve made these bad boys like a million times now, and they turn out perfect every single time They’re my go-to when I want something quick but fancy-feeling Plus, they’re way healthier than the deep-fried version!
So what are you waiting for? Grab that bag of frozen popcorn shrimp from your freezer and let’s get cooking! Trust me, once you try these, you’ll never want to make them any other way!
Would you like me to break down any part of this guide in more detail?
Popcorn Shrimp Serving Size 3oz (85g/about 1 cup) Servings Per Container 8 Amount Per Serving
INGREDIENTS: SHRIMP, BLEACHED WHEAT FLOUR, SOYBEAN OIL, ENRICHED BLEACHED WHEAT FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, IRON AS FERROUS SULFATE, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID), WATER, YELLOW CORN FLOUR, MODIFIED CORNSTARCH, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF THE FOLLOWING: SALT, SUGAR, ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID), DEXTROSE, SODIUM TRIPOLYPHOSPHATE (TO RETAIN MOISTURE), WHEY POWDER (A MILK DERIVATIVE), METHYLCELLULOSE, GARLIC POWDER, YEAST, DISODIUM INOSINATE AND DISODIUM GUANYLATE, LEAVENING (SODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE, BAKING SODA), SODIUM ALGINATE, CITRIC ACID, PAPRIKA OLEORESIN, SODIUM BISULFITE (AS A PRESERVATIVE).
CONTAINS: SHRIMP, MILK, WHEAT. *Please refer to the label on your SeaPak package for the most current nutrition, ingredient and allergen information.
COOKING INSTRUCTIONS
For food safety, quality, and thorough cooking, please follow the instructions below. Keep frozen until ready to prepare. Product is not ready to eat until fully cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F.
CONVENTIONAL OVEN: Preheat oven to 450°F. Arrange product in a single layer on baking sheet and place on middle rack of oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes (for 25oz box, this will be for half the box; for 16oz box, this will be for the full box). For best results, turn product halfway through cooking.
HOME FRYER: Preheat fryer oil to 350°F. Arrange product in a single layer in basket. Fry 30 pieces for 2 minutes 30 seconds to 2 minutes 45 seconds.
COMMERCIAL FRYER: Preheat fryer oil to 350°F. Fry for 2 minutes 30 seconds to 2 minutes 45 seconds (full box of 25oz box).
AIR FRYER: Preheat air fryer to 390°F. Arrange product in a single layer in basket. Air fry 15 pieces for 7-8 minutes. For best results, turn product halfway through cooking.
ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS:
Due to differences in appliances, cooking times may vary and require adjustment.
Caution: Product will be hot! *Please refer to the label on your SeaPak package for the most current nutrition, ingredient and allergen information.