Hey there! I’ve been experimenting with my air fryer lately, and I gotta tell ya – cooking butterfly shrimp in it is a total game-changer! After trying different methods and timings, I’ve nailed down the perfect recipe that’ll give you crispy, juicy shrimp every single time.
Quick Answer
For perfectly cooked butterfly shrimp in an air fryer
- Temperature: 400°F (200°C)
- Cooking time: 7-10 minutes
- Flip halfway through
- Cook in a single layer
Detailed Cooking Times Based on Shrimp Size
| Shrimp Size | Count per Pound | Cooking Time |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 16-20 count | 6-8 minutes |
| Medium | 21-25 count | 7-9 minutes |
| Jumbo | 16/20 count | 9-11 minutes |
What You’ll Need
Basic Ingredients
- Butterfly shrimp (fresh or frozen)
- Olive oil spray
- Your favorite seasonings
For Breaded Version
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 beaten eggs
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- Seasonings (salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika)
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
For Frozen Butterfly Shrimp
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F
- Place frozen shrimp in a single layer
- Spray lightly with olive oil
- Cook for 7-10 minutes, flipping halfway
For Fresh/Breaded Shrimp
- Set up breading station with flour, eggs, and seasoned breadcrumbs
- Coat shrimp in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F
- Place breaded shrimp in single layer
- Spray with olive oil
- Cook 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway
Pro Tips for Perfect Results
- Don’t overcrowd! Space them out in a single layer
- Give ’em a good shake or flip halfway through
- Pat fresh shrimp dry before breading
- Use a light coating of oil spray (not too much!)
- Let frozen shrimp thaw if possible (but not necessary)
How to Know When They’re Done
Your shrimp are ready when:
- They’re golden brown and crispy outside
- Meat is opaque (not translucent)
- Internal temp reaches 145°F
- They have a nice “C” shape (not too tight)
Yummy Serving Ideas
Dipping Sauces
- Cocktail sauce
- Garlic aioli
- Tartar sauce
- Sweet chili sauce
- Lemon butter
Side Dishes
- Coleslaw
- French fries
- Rice pilaf
- Roasted veggies
- Garden salad
Storage Tips
If ya somehow end up with leftovers (doesn’t happen often in my house! )
- Store in airtight container
- Keep in fridge up to 2 days
- Reheat in air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 mins
Common Problems & Solutions
Problem: Shrimp isn’t crispy
- Solution: Make sure they’re not overcrowded and spray with a bit of oil
Problem: Breading falls off
- Solution: Pat shrimp dry first and press breading firmly
Problem: Shrimp is tough
- Solution: Don’t overcook! Stick to recommended times
Final Thoughts
Air frying butterfly shrimp is super easy once you get the hang of it! Just remember the basics – proper temp, cooking time, and don’t overcrowd. You’ll have restaurant-quality shrimp right at home in no time!
I love making these for quick weeknight dinners or when friends come over. They always think I spent way more time on them than I actually did!
Would love to hear how yours turn out! Drop a comment below with your experience or any questions you might have. Happy air frying!
Details on the ingredients
- Shrimp – I used almost a pound of shrimp for this recipe (a 400 gram bag). So it was roughly 32-34 large shrimp. To make life easier, they were also peeled and deveined with the tails removed.
- Flour – A thin layer of flour coats the shrimp before they’re covered in egg and panko crumbs. I used whole wheat flour but you can also use all-purpose white.
- Egg – Since there is a lot of shrimp, you’ll need 2 eggs for the egg mixture.
- Panko crumbs – I used white panko crumbs for the crispy breading, but you can also use whole wheat. (I could only find white at my grocery store).
- Old bay seasoning – This is a mildly spicy and salty mix of a number of different herbs and spices. It pairs nicely with seafood, chicken or vegetables and works well in the breading for this shrimp.
How to bread shrimp
Set up your breading assembly line before you jump in and start handling the shrimp.
Place your flour in a shallow bowl or rimmed plate. Whisk together your eggs in a separate bowl. Mix together your panko crumbs and old bay seasoning in another shallow bowl or rimmed plate.
Make sure your shrimp are patted dry before starting the breading process. If the shrimp are wet, you won’t get a thin, even layer of flour coating them and it will make the egg mixture clumpy.
Coat each shrimp in a thin layer of flour, shaking off any excess before dipping into the egg. I usually work in batches, so I’ll flour about 8-10 shrimp before moving on to the egg.
Dip each shrimp individually into the scrambled egg, letting any excess drip off before placing the shrimp on the plate of panko crumbs.
Use your fingers to coat the shrimp with the crumbs.
Tip: I usually use one hand to coat the shrimp in flour and dip in the egg, keeping the other hand dry to roll each shrimp in the panko mixture and transfer to the air fryer. If you use the same hand, your fingers will quickly get clumped up with egg and panko crumbs.
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 shrimp in the air fryer?
Toss the frozen shrimp with the olive oil, sea salt, pepper and lemon juice and place in the air fryer on 400 for 15 minutes. If you are using mini shrimp you will need to cook the shrimp for only 10 minutes. Be sure to toss the shrimp at the halfway mark.
How long should I leave shrimp in the 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 do you cook butterfly shrimp for?
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 long do you cook butterfly shrimp in an air fryer?
The cooking time for butterfly shrimp in an air fryer typically ranges from 6 to 10 minutes at about 400°F (200°C). The exact duration can vary depending on the size of the shrimp and the specific model of the air fryer you are using.
Can you fry frozen butterfly shrimp in an air fryer?
Absolutely, shrimp and any other type of seafood can be fried in an air fryer, the key is to find the right time. However, shrimp typically need less time to fry than other frozen and fresh foods. How to cook frozen butterfly shrimp in the air fryer? It’s a very simple process: Take the frozen butterfly shrimp out from the freezer.
How long do you cook popcorn shrimp in an air fryer?
When you are cooking popcorn shrimp you can pour them into the air fryer basket about half full. After half an hour, take out the basket and shake them around a bit to make sure they all cook the same. If you are cooking frozen butterfly shrimp the cook time is 7-9 minutes for 10-15 shrimp.
Can You air Fry frozen shrimp?
Let’s Get Crispy Shrimp in Your Air Fryer! With the right time and temperature guidelines, you’ll be rewarded with shrimp that is crispy and golden brown on the outside, while still moist and tender inside. So grab your favorite bag of frozen shrimp from the freezer and your favorite air fryer seasoning blend.
How do you reheat shrimp in an air fryer?
Coleslaw: A crunchy cabbage slaw adds a refreshing touch that balances the crispy shrimp. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. To reheat, use the air fryer again at 350°F (175°C) for about 3-5 minutes to regain that crispy texture.
Why do you need an air fryer for butterfly shrimp?
Time Efficiency: Air fryers heat up quickly and cook food faster than conventional ovens, allowing for a speedy meal preparation. Crispy Texture: The hot circulating air creates a crispy outer layer, making your butterfly shrimp taste like they came straight from a restaurant. Before you start, make sure you have the following basic ingredients.