Air Fryer Frozen Popcorn Shrimp

Quick and easy Air Fryer Frozen Popcorn Shrimp! It is the perfect way to cook crispy popcorn shrimp without oil or deep frying. This air fryer recipe takes minutes to prepare and turns out amazing.

Air Fryer Frozen Popcorn Shrimp

Cooking frozen popcorn shrimp in an air fryer is quick and easy. You will love how hot and crispy the shrimp are!

You get the deep-fried crunch without using oil or deep-frying. Frozen bread shrimp is the perfect ingredient for the air fryer. You just pour the breaded popcorn shrimp into the air fryer basket and cook the popcorn shrimp until done.

We love air-frying frozen foods. They are quick and easy and always taste amazing. Pair these breaded shrimp with your favorite dipping sauces. We love dipping them in Yum Yum Sauce.

I made air-fried popcorn shrimp while a family friend was here working with us, and I have to admit that I didn't know a person could eat that many shrimp. It was awe-inspiring. LOL!

Thankfully, making the shrimp in the air fryer is quick and easy, and our friend happily enjoyed more than one batch of these.

Ingredients

Here is a quick overview of the simple ingredients needed to make an epic Air Fryer Popcorn Shrimp! The printable recipe card at the bottom of the post includes specific measurements and step-by-step instructions.

• Frozen Popcorn Shrimp/Frozen breaded shrimp 

Optional Dipping Sauce: Tartar Sauce, Cocktail Sauce, Sweet chili sauce

Equipment Needed

• Air Fryer - We suggest getting an air fryer that is bigger than you think you will need. We found once we started using the air fryer, we ended up using it for more meals and larger meals.
• Kitchen Tongs - We highly suggest getting a good pair of kitchen tongs to remove items from the air fryer and save your hands from getting burned.

How to make Frozen Popcorn Shrimp in the air fryer

I've included complete instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, but here's a quick version.

Evenly spread FROZEN popcorn shrimp in the air fryer basket.

Air fry at 390° Fahrenheit. Shake the basket halfway through cooking so the hot air can circulate the frozen shrimp.

Remove and enjoy while the cooked shrimp is hot.

 

Preparation and Storage

Make Ahead:

We do not preheat the air fryer for this recipe, but we do recommend spraying the air fryer basket with olive oil spray to prevent sticking.

We avoid using non-stick spray because it can damage the air fryer basket.

Evenly spread the frozen shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket. DO NOT THAW the shrimp before cooking. Just drop the popcorn shrimp into the air fryer from frozen.

Storage:

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container and enjoy them within three to four days.

Freezing/How to Freeze:

We do not suggest refreezing leftover popcorn shrimp. The temperature changes may make eating unsafe, and the breading will lose its texture.

How to Reheat:

We like using the “reheat” function on our air fryer to reheat leftovers to crispy, golden, and delicious perfection.

 

Recipe Variations + Tips for the Best Air Fryer Popcorn Shrimp

Substitutions:

We used SeaPak Popcorn Shrimp in this how-to guide, but any frozen popcorn shrimp available at stores near you works for this air fry popcorn shrimp 

Vegetarian + Vegan Option:

We have begun to see meatless alternatives in the freezer aisle for popular frozen appetizers like popcorn shrimp. You can air fry vegetarian and vegan popcorn shrimp, but check the package instructions before getting started to get an idea of the recommended cooking time.

Gluten-Free:

Look for a gluten-free label on your frozen popcorn shrimp to ensure the breading is safe for a gluten-free diet.

Smaller Serving Size + Larger Group/More Servings:

Cooking time will vary based on your air fryer and how many popcorn shrimp you cook. Start with the lowest time and then add additional minutes as needed.

If you are cooking a large batch of popcorn shrimp, you will want to cook them in batches. Each subsequent batch will cook faster than the one before.

Make It Spicy:

If you enjoy spicy food, you can pair your popcorn shrimp with a spicy sauce. Our Boom Boom Sauce, Japanese Spicy Mayo, and Comeback Sauce would be perfect.

Sugar-Free:

Nutritional content varies across brands, so double-check the label and keep in mind any dipping sauces you use if you are watching your sugar intake.

SeaPak Popcorn Shrimp contains 2 grams of sugar per serving.

 

What to Serve with Air Fryer Popcorn Shrimp

Air-fried popcorn shrimp come together in minutes and can be a quick snack or an appetizer for a seafood night from home! Here are some menu planning suggestions for a feast from the seas.

Sides: Air Fryer Fish Sticks, Crock Pot Thai Coconut Chicken Soup, Air Fryer Frozen Onion Rings, Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower, Crock Pot Cajun Boiled Peanuts, Air Fryer French Fries

Main Dishes: Crock Pot Kielbasa and Shrimp Stew, CrockPot Gumbo, Marinated Grilled Shrimp with Avocado Butter, CrockPot Shrimp and Grits, Easy Crab Rolls, Shrimp Remoulade

Desserts: Crab Cupcakes, 2 Ingredient Cherry Bars, Alligator Cupcakes, Turtle Cupcakes, Shark Week-Inspired Cupcakes, Lemon Jello Cake, Orange Dreamsicle Salad

Drinks: Red Snapper Shot, Copycat Sonic Ocean Water, Tequila Sunrise Cocktail, Copycat Carnival Cruise Cruiser Cocktail, Melon Ball Shot, Electric Lemonade, Kool-Aid Slushies

When to Serve

• Lunch
• Dinner
• Appetizer
• Seafood Night
• Seafood Dinner
• Ocean-Themed Party 
• Great in shrimp tacos

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