Hey there! I’m super excited to share my favorite way to make crispy, delicious popcorn shrimp using an air fryer. As someone who’s cooked these little guys hundreds of times, I can tell you that air frying is a total game-changer. Let’s dive into everything you need to know!
Why Choose Air Fryer for Popcorn Shrimp?
- Takes just 11 minutes total (8 minutes cooking + 3 minutes rest)
- Way healthier than deep frying – uses minimal oil
- Super crispy outside, perfectly tender inside
- No need to thaw – cook straight from frozen
- Less mess than traditional frying
- Perfect for quick snacks or appetizers
What You’ll Need
- Frozen popcorn shrimp (about 12 ounces)
- Air fryer (3-5 quart size works best)
- Cooking spray (optional)
- Your favorite dipping sauce
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
-
Preheat Your Air Fryer
- Set temperature to 400°F
- Let it heat up for 3-5 minutes
-
Prepare the Shrimp
- Take shrimp straight from freezer
- No need to thaw!
- No extra oil needed (breading usually has enough)
-
Cook the Shrimp
- Place in single layer in air fryer basket
- Don’t overcrowd (about 12 oz fits perfectly)
- Cook for 7-9 minutes total
- Shake basket halfway through
-
Check for Doneness
- Internal temp should hit 165°F
- Outside should be golden and crispy
- Let rest 2-3 minutes before serving
Pro Tips from My Kitchen
- If shrimp stick together when frozen, let them sit out for 5 minutes – but don’t thaw completely!
- Different brands might need slightly different cooking times
- For extra crispiness, give ’em a light spray with cooking oil
- Don’t peek too often – it releases heat and affects cooking
- Want spicier shrimp? Sprinkle with cajun seasoning before cooking
Awesome Dipping Sauce Ideas
- Classic cocktail sauce
- Spicy mayo or bang bang sauce
- Tartar sauce
- Honey mustard
- Sweet chili sauce
- Lemon garlic aioli
Storage Tips
Look, these bad boys are best eaten fresh and hot! But if you gotta store ’em:
- Keep in airtight container in fridge
- Good for up to 3 days
- Reheat in air fryer at 350°F for 4 mins
- Warning: They might not be as crispy when reheated
Common Problems & Quick Fixes
Problem: Shrimp not crispy enough
Fix: Spray with bit of oil before cooking or increase temp to 410°F
Problem: Breading falling off
Fix: Don’t overcrowd basket and flip gently
Problem: Uneven cooking
Fix: Shake basket halfway through and arrange in single layer
Serving Ideas
-
As an Appetizer
- Serve with multiple dipping sauces
- Great for parties!
-
Main Dish Options
- Make shrimp tacos
- Create a po’boy sandwich
- Top a salad
- Add to pasta
-
Side Dish Pairings
- French fries
- Coleslaw
- Mac and cheese
- Roasted veggies
Final Thoughts
I gotta say, air fryer frozen popcorn shrimp is one of my go-to recipes when I need something quick and yummy. It’s literally saved my dinner plans countless times! The key is getting that temp right (400°F) and not overcrowding your basket. Trust me, once you try this method, you’ll never go back to deep frying these little guys again.
Remember, every air fryer’s a bit different, so don’t be afraid to adjust times slightly. My Cosori 5.8 qt might cook differently than yours, but these basic instructions should get you pretty darn close to perfection!
Now go forth and make some awesome popcorn shrimp! And hey, if you try this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out for you!
Would you like me to explain or break down any part of these instructions further?
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.
Air Fryer Frozen Popcorn Shrimp – How To Cook Frozen Popcorn Shrimp In Air Fryer – So Crispy!
FAQ
How long to cook frozen popcorn shrimp?
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
- Arrange on metal baking pan.
- Bake 14-16 minutes total (Fully cook shrimp to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F or higher before serving).
How long should you cook frozen shrimp in an air fryer?
Cooking frozen shrimp in the air fryer basket has never been easier! If you’re looking for a quick and easy meal, this is it! No defrosting is needed, this air fryer frozen shrimp comes together in just 15 minutes. It’s the perfect topping to a salad, in taco bowls, as shrimp tacos, or by itself!
How long and what temperature to air fry frozen popcorn chicken?
- 1) Place frozen popcorn chicken in the air fryer basket in an single layer.
- 2) Spray with cooking spray such as avocado oil spray or olive oil spray.
- 3) Air fry at 400 degrees F for 8 minutes.
- 4) Continue to cook in one minute increments to reach desired crispness (optional).