Frozen Shrimp in Air Fryer

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Cooking frozen shrimp in air fryer is so quick and easy, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it! Whether you prefer battered shrimp, unbreaded shrimp, cooked or raw, this recipe gives you perfectly cooked delicious shrimp every time.

Suitable for Gluten Free, Low carb, Keto and Paleo diets diets (if using non-breaded shrimp). Post includes Weight Watchers points.

Want to whip up a batch of delicious shrimp whenever the urge hits? You can make Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp, with no prep, no thawing, and in 10 minutes.

Cooking frozen shrimp in air fryer really is a failproof way to make shrimp with a deliciously crunchy coating that is still tender and juicy inside. And friends, this air fried shrimp goes great with my 5 minute bang bang sauce.

This post is the complete guide to cooking frozen shrimp in air fryer. It covers battered shrimp, nonbattered shrimp, and cooked frozen shrimp so you are covered for whichever type of shrimp you have or prefer.

These are great as an appetizer and for snacking, lunchboxes, picnics, game days, dinner parties, and special occasions. Just like these Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Nuggets and delicious Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs.

Air fryer shrimp is also perfect for making shrimp tacos (my favorite!), on top of pasta, serving as a main dish with your favorite sides, and more. Truly a seafood lover’s dream!

And since this air fryer frozen shrimp is made with no extra oil, it is certainly much healthier and can be indulged in whenever the mood strikes.

Want to learn how to cook even more frozen food in air fryer? Then check out my Air Fryer Frozen Burrito and Air Fryer Frozen Corn Dogs posts.

the completed air fryer frozen shrimp served on a white plate

Why Make This Recipe

Quick and easy – they are simple to cook up in less than 25 minutes.
Really crispy – frozen shrimp crisps up perfectly thanks to the air fry method.
Kid-friendly – kids big and small will dig into these with gusto!
Scale up – double or triple this recipe to easily feed a crowd.

Want another tool to make cooking for the next MONTH as easy as this recipe? Get my full air fryer meal plan here – for free! You can cook up an entire month’s worth of meals using your air fryer!

top down view of cooked frozen shrimp in the air fryer basket

Ingredient Notes

Frozen Shrimp – This recipe uses store-bought frozen shrimp that are either battered or non-battered, and that are either frozen raw shrimp or frozen cooked shrimp. The shrimp used in this recipe have not been thawed and are cooked from frozen.

How To Make Frozen Shrimp In Air Fryer

Don’t forget to check out my best air fryer tips to get better results with every recipe!

Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F / 200 degrees C.
Place frozen shrimp (breaded shrimp or plain) directly into the air fryer basket or tray, making sure to spread them out evenly in a single layer. You may have to cook in multiple batches.
Air fry shrimp for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket or flipping halfway through the cooking time.
Remove from air fryer, season, or coat with the sauce of your choice before serving.

image collage showing the steps for making air fryer frozen shrimp

How To Air Fry Cooked Frozen Shrimp

Simply follow the steps above, but reduce the cook time to 5-6 minutes.

Handy Tip: Use Good Kitchen Tools!

For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Air Fryer Tools on Amazon.

Pro Tips

Make sure the frozen shrimp are separated (not in a big clump) before cooking.
For the best results, do not overcrowd the air fryer basket so that the hot air circulates and the shrimp cooks through.
If your air fryer is small, you may need to cook in batches.
No extra oil is needed for this recipe. However, you can lightly spritz the air fryer basket or try with cooking spray or olive oil to prevent sticking.
Be sure to shake the basket at least once during the cooking time.
Jumbo shrimp may need a little more cooking time.
Serve with a squeeze of lemon juice.
Air fryer temperatures can vary depending on the make and model. I recommend starting with less time, checking for doneness, and then adding more time as needed.

How Long To Cook Frozen Shrimp In Air Fryer

How long to cook shrimp will depend on whether it is raw or precooked, the size of the shrimp, and the air fryer temperature. Larger shrimp will take a little longer to cook. Fresh shrimp will take less time than frozen shrimp.

Based on a 400 degrees F / 200 degrees C temperature, here is how long to cook shrimp in air fryer;

The air fryer cooks battered raw frozen shrimp in 8-11 minutes.
Frozen shrimp without coating for 8-11 minutes.
Air fry precooked frozen shrimp in 5-6 minutes.

Delicious Variations on Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp

Switch up the seasoning – Add dry seasonings of your choice, such as grated parmesan, lemon pepper seasoning, stone house seasoning, Italian seasoning, or garlic powder.
Frozen popcorn shrimp in air fryer – swap the full-size shrimp for frozen popcorn shrimp to whip up this popular mini-size finger food.
Add Some Heat – For those who like a little kick, add some curry powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, or red pepper flakes to the air fry frozen shrimp. You can also toss the cooked shrimp in your favorite hot sauce.

a single shrimp being held with chopsticks

Prep And Storage

Prep Ahead – The beauty of cooking frozen shrimp in air fryer is that there is no prep work needed. Go from freezer to air fryer to table in just minutes!
Storage – Leftover shrimp should be stored as soon as they have cooled. Keep in an airtight container inside the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freeze – Re-freezing frozen shrimp that has already been cooked is not recommended.
Reheat – For best results, reheat in the air fryer for 5-6 minutes, until shrimp is warmed through.

FAQs

Can I Put Frozen Shrimp in My Air Fryer?

Yes, you can put frozen shrimp in the air fryer without thawing. Air frying from frozen works with both frozen battered shrimp or uncoated frozen shrimp. Not only does cooking frozen shrimp in air fryer save time, but it helps prevent overcooking so your shrimp turns out tender and juicy.

How Do You Cook Frozen Battered Shrimp in an Air Fryer?

Learning how to cook frozen battered shrimp in an air fryer is easy. Simply preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F / 200 degrees C, spread out the frozen battered shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket or tray, and cook for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket or turning the shrimp over halfway through.

Is It Okay To Directly Put Frozen Food in Air Fryer?

Yes, it is okay to put frozen food in an air fryer. The air fryer is the ideal tool for cooking up all sorts of frozen food – no thawing needed. Everything from frozen meat and frozen veggies to frozen meals, appetizers, and snacks can be air fried to perfection.

Why Is My Frozen Food Soggy in the Air Fryer?

Not preheating is one of the biggest reasons frozen food is soggy in the air fryer. Since frozen foods release moisture during the cooking process, starting at a higher temperature will help ensure that excess water evaporates and prevent the food from becoming soggy.

How Do You Tell If Frozen Shrimp is Cooked?

One of the easiest ways to tell if frozen shrimp is cooked is by checking the color. Undercooked shrimp is translucent and gray, while shrimp that is properly cooked will be opaque and pink or orange in color. Also, cooked shrimp will have slightly curled tails, whereas the tails of shrimp that is not cooked will be uncurled.

top down view of the finished air fryer frozen shrimp in the air fryer basket

More Air Fryer Frozen Food Hacks

Want even more how to cook frozen food In the Air Fryer hacks? Then check out these helpful posts:

Dips For Serving Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp With

Serve your shrimp with this 5 Minute Ginger Sauce for some Asian flair.
This restaurant-style Bang Bang Sauce is always a hit.
Want a versatile dip that works with anything? Try this easy 5 Minute Yum Yum Sauce.
My 5-Minute Remoulade Sauce is simple to make but packs tons of flavor.
Of course, shrimp and cocktail sauce are a classic pairing.
And let’s not forget about some good ol’ tartar sauce.

Air Fryer Tips

Want the best air fryer recipes, cooking tips, and temperature cheat sheet – all in one place? Get the printable air fryer ebook and transform the way you plan and cook every meal!

Weight Watchers Points

If cooking battered/breaded shrimp, there are 8 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving.
If using uncoated shrimp, there are 0 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving.

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