Hey there, fellow foodies! I’ve been experimenting with my air fryer lately, and lemme tell you – I’ve cracked the code for the most amazing butterfly shrimp you’ll ever taste! Today, I’m gonna share my foolproof method for cooking SeaPak’s Butterfly Shrimp in an air fryer, plus some awesome tips I’ve learned along the way.
The Quick Answer
For those who’re in a hurry. here’s the short version
- Temperature: 390°F
- Cooking Time: 7-8 minutes
- Quantity: 12 pieces per batch
- Flip: Halfway through cooking for best results
Why Trust My Method?
I’ve been cooking these bad boys for years, and after countless attempts (and some tasty failures!), I’ve nailed down the perfect timing. Plus, this method follows SeaPak’s official guidelines, so you know it’s legit!
Detailed Step-by-Step Guide
1. Preparation
- Keep shrimp frozen until ready to cook
- Don’t thaw them – they cook better from frozen!
- Remove desired amount from package (12 pieces recommended per batch)
2. Air Fryer Setup
- Preheat your air fryer to 390°F
- This usually takes about 3-5 minutes
- Pro tip: Use this time to get your dipping sauces ready!
3. Arranging the Shrimp
- Place shrimp in a single layer
- Don’t overcrowd – this is super important!
- Leave space between pieces for proper air circulation
4. Cooking Process
- Cook for 7-8 minutes total
- Flip them halfway through (around 3.5-4 minutes)
- Watch for golden-brown coating
5. Safety Check
- Internal temperature should reach 165°F
- Use a food thermometer if you’re unsure
- Better safe than sorry, right?
Nutritional Information (per 6 shrimp/3oz serving)
| Nutrient | Amount | Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 210 | – |
| Total Fat | 11g | 14% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 9% |
| Cholesterol | 30mg | 10% |
| Sodium | 490mg | 22% |
| Total Carbs | 21g | 8% |
| Protein | 7g | 8% |
Pro Tips from My Kitchen to Yours
-
Don’t Overcrowd
- Work in batches if cooking more than 12 pieces
- Trust me, patience pays off here!
-
Temperature Matters
- Stick to 390°F – I’ve tried other temps, but this is the sweet spot
- Don’t mess with perfection!
-
Timing is Everything
- Set a timer for that halfway flip
- Each batch should take 7-8 minutes total
-
Serving Suggestions
- Let rest for 1-2 minutes after cooking
- They’re HOT when they first come out!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ❌ Don’t thaw before cooking
- ❌ Skip the microwave (seriously, just don’t)
- ❌ Avoid stacking or overlapping
- ❌ Don’t forget to flip halfway through
Dipping Sauce Ideas
Ya can’t have butterfly shrimp without some awesome dips! Here are my faves:
- Classic cocktail sauce
- Sweet chili sauce
- Tartar sauce
- Garlic aioli
- Queso (SeaPak actually suggests this – and it’s amazing!)
Storage Tips
- Best served fresh outta the air fryer
- If you’ve got leftovers (which rarely happens in my house!):
- Store in airtight container
- Refrigerate up to 2 days
- Reheat in air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes
Why Air Fryer vs. Other Methods?
While SeaPak offers multiple cooking methods, the air fryer is my absolute favorite because:
- Crispier coating
- Faster cooking time
- Less oil needed
- Easy cleanup
- Consistent results
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Not Crispy Enough?
- Add 1-2 extra minutes
- Make sure they’re not overcrowded
- Check if your air fryer is properly preheated
Too Dark?
- Reduce cooking time by 1 minute
- Check halfway point more carefully
- Might need to lower temp slightly
The Perfect Meal Plan
Make it a complete dinner with:
- Air fried butterfly shrimp
- Fresh lemon wedges
- Coleslaw or salad
- French fries or rice
- Your favorite dipping sauce
Health and Safety Notes
Remember these important points:
- Cook from frozen
- Ensure internal temp reaches 165°F
- Contains: shrimp, milk, wheat (allergen info)
- Not ready to eat until fully cooked
Environmental Impact
At SeaPak, we’re committed to sustainability, so you can feel good about your seafood choice. The air fryer method also uses less energy than traditional ovens!
Final Thoughts
Air frying butterfly shrimp is seriously a game-changer! It’s quick, easy, and gives you restaurant-quality results right at home. Once you try this method, you’ll never go back to conventional cooking methods – I know I haven’t!
Remember, practice makes perfect, and don’t be afraid to adjust these guidelines slightly based on your specific air fryer model. Every appliance is a bit different, but these guidelines will get you pretty darn close to perfection!
Happy cooking, and lemme know in the comments how your shrimp turned out!
P.S. Don’t forget to grab some SeaPak coupons from their website before your next shopping trip – every penny saved counts!
Air Fryer vs Deep Fryer
The coconut shrimp you get in restaurants are typically deep fried. That’s how they achieve that crispy exterior. While they’re delicious, they’re not exactly the healthiest.
My Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp are a lot healthier because I use an air fryer. An air fryer is basically a mini convection oven that sits on your countertop. It has a fan that helps circulate heat around your food more efficiently, making it nice and crispy, similar to deep-fried food.
So basically, deep fryers cook food by submerging it in hot oil, whereas air fryers cook food using hot air that circulates around it.
Air fryers will give you crispy deep-fried food that you crave but with minimal oil. Because of the way air fryers work, you can simply spray a small amount of olive oil on the shrimp before cooking. This cuts back significantly on calories and fat.
You can even skip this step altogether and use no oil at all but I prefer to use a small amount to help achieve a golden brown color.
Not sure what types of oils to use in your air fryer? Read my post on The Best Oils and Oil Sprays for the Air Fryer.
How To Make Coconut Shrimp In The Air Fryer
- Prepare your shrimp (see section below)
- Set up a breading station with flour, eggs and a mixture of shredded coconut and panko breadcrumbs. I recently got this set of breading trays. I love it- it makes setting up the breading station a cinch!
- Coat the shrimp with the ingredients in the breading station
- Cook the shrimp in the air fryer
- Serve shrimp with desired dipping sauce. My sauce of choice is Thai sweet chili sauce.
That’s it! In about 8 minutes, you’ll have beautiful, crispy, golden brown shrimp ready to be devoured!
Air Fryer Butterfly Shrimp | Crispy Butterfly Shrimp | Air Fryer Frozen Section |
FAQ
How long does it take to cook butterfly shrimp in the air fryer?
Air fry 12 pieces for 7-8 minutes.
How long do you cook frozen butterfly shrimp?
Arrange frozen shrimp in single layer on baking sheet so shrimp are not touching. For full package, bake 13 to 14 minutes. For best results, turn product over halfway through cooking.
How many minutes to cook frozen shrimp in an air fryer?
Preheat air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes. Arrange frozen shrimp in a single non-overlapping layer in the air fryer. Cook until opaque and pink and cooked through, 4-5 minutes.
How long to cook butterfly shrimp at 400 degrees?
How to Grill Butterfly Shrimp. Preheat your barbecue grill to medium-high heat (roughly 400°F). Place the thawed shrimp on the BBQ and grill for 2-3 minutes per side or until the shrimp turn an opaque pinkish-white on the outside and reach an internal temperature of 145°F.