Hey there, fellow foodies! I’ve been experimenting with my air fryer lately, and I gotta tell you – reheating shrimp in it is a game-changer! No more rubbery, overcooked seafood. Today, I’m gonna share everything I’ve learned about getting that restaurant-quality texture when reheating shrimp.
Quick Answer
For perfectly reheated shrimp in an air fryer:
- Small shrimp (36-45 per pound): 2-3 minutes
- Medium shrimp (31-35 per pound): 3-4 minutes
- Large shrimp (26-30 per pound): 4-5 minutes
- Jumbo shrimp (16-20 per pound): 5-7 minutes
Temperature 350°F (175°C)
Detailed Reheating Times for Different Types
Regular Cooked Shrimp
Just pull those leftover shrimp from the fridge and:
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F
- Place shrimp in a single layer
- Cook according to size (see times above)
- Flip halfway through
Breaded Shrimp
For that crispy coating we all love
- Small breaded: 4-5 minutes
- Medium breaded: 5-6 minutes
- Large breaded: 6-7 minutes
- Jumbo breaded: 7-9 minutes
Pro tip Lower the temp to 325°F for breaded shrimp to avoid burning the coating!
Frozen Shrimp
Starting from frozen? No problem:
- Small frozen: 4-5 minutes
- Medium frozen: 5-6 minutes
- Large frozen: 6-8 minutes
- Jumbo frozen: 8-10 minutes
My Top Tips for Perfect Results
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Pat ’em Dry: Always pat your shrimp dry with paper towels before reheating. Trust me, this makes a huge difference!
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Don’t Overcrowd: Y’all, I learned this the hard way. Space those babies out in a single layer. If you need to do multiple batches, do it!
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Oil is Your Friend: A light spray of oil helps prevent sticking and adds moisture. I usually use olive oil or melted butter.
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Check Early: Start checking about 1 minute before the recommended time. Every air fryer’s different!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Listen up! Here’s what NOT to do:
- Skipping the preheating step
- Overcrowding the basket
- Forgetting to flip halfway through
- Using too high temperature
- Reheating shrimp multiple times
How to Know When They’re Done
Your reheated shrimp should be:
- Hot throughout (145°F internal temp)
- Slightly crispy on outside
- Still tender and juicy
- Not rubbery or tough
Storage Tips Before Reheating
Before you even think about reheating, store your shrimp right:
- Keep in airtight container
- Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking
- Use within 3-4 days
- If freezing, use within 3 months
Serving Suggestions
Once you’ve got those perfectly reheated shrimp, try:
- Tossing in garlic butter
- Adding to pasta
- Making quick tacos
- Topping a salad
- Serving with cocktail sauce
Final Thoughts
I’ve reheated tons of shrimp in my air fryer, and these times and temps have never let me down. Remember, it’s better to underheat slightly and add more time than to overcook your shrimp – nobody likes rubber bands for dinner!
Got questions? Drop ’em in the comments! And hey, if you’ve got your own tips for reheating shrimp, I’d love to hear ’em. We’re all learning here!
Happy air frying, y’all!
FAQ
Q: Can I reheat sauced shrimp in the air fryer?
A: Yep! Just add a minute to the time and maybe line your basket with foil.
Q: What if my shrimp are different sizes?
A: Go with the time for the smaller shrimp and check frequently.
Q: Should I thaw frozen shrimp first?
A: You can reheat from frozen, but thawing first gives better results.
How long do you cook shrimp in an Air Fryer?
Large and extra large shrimp, such as the 26-30 size, will take about 6-8 minutes in the Air Fryer at 400 degrees F. You want them cooked through, but not overdone.
Smaller shrimp, such as the medium 36-40 size, will be done in 5-6 minutes.
Check at the earlier side of the time and add an extra minute or two if needed.
And in case you are in the market for an Air Fryer, I highly recommend this one (it’s usually on sale, which is nice) and I’ve loved it. It’s a great fit for families with children, or just if you’re cooking for bigger groups.
OK, common problem: Only have frozen shrimp? Me too most of the time.
Heres my quick thaw method for frozen shrimp when I havent planned ahead to defrost them overnight in the fridge:
Thaw frozen shrimp quickly by placing them, frozen, in a colander and rinsing them in the sink with cold water for 2-3 minutes, until they are completely defrosted. Toss regularly so they get evenly defrosted, but its that quick and easy!
For serving, these shrimp are just begging for a delicious dipping sauce.
Cocktail sauce, tartar sauce and warm marinara are all great options. Or pick your favorite seafood dipping sauce.
There you have it, crispy fried shrimp made in your Air Fryer. So much easier and so much healthier!
I hope you give them a try soon! (And if you love them like we do, leave me a comment below or tag me on Instagram; I love hearing from you!)
