These crispy Air Fryer Breaded Shrimp bring restaurant-quality results right to your dinner table in just 30 minutes. Golden-brown and perfectly crunchy on the outside, yet tender and succulent inside, this healthier take on classic fried shrimp keeps the calories at just 182 per serving. With minimal prep and quick cooking time, you’ll love how this no-fuss recipe delivers that satisfying crunch without the heavy oils of traditional frying.
Ingredients for Crispy Air-Fried Shrimp
- Shrimp: 1 pound peeled and deveined (20-25 count), pat dry for best results
- All-Purpose Flour: ½ cup, creates the initial coating for perfect breading
- Eggs: 2 large, acts as the binding agent
- Milk: 2 tablespoons, helps thin the egg mixture
- Panko Breadcrumbs: 1½ cups, ensures extra crispy coating
- Olive Oil Spray: For coating, helps achieve golden-brown finish
- Kosher Salt: 1 teaspoon, enhances overall flavor
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
- Preheat: Get your air fryer ready at 400°F/200°C for 5 minutes
- Prep Station: Arrange three bowls – flour in first, whisked eggs with milk in second, and seasoned breadcrumbs in third
- Coating Process: Dip each shrimp in flour, then egg mixture, finally breadcrumbs until fully coated
- Arrange: Place shrimp in a single layer in the basket, avoid overcrowding for best results
- Air Fry: Spray with olive oil and cook for 10 minutes until beautifully golden
- Finish: Season with a pinch of salt and serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce
Coating Tips
Want perfectly breaded shrimp every time? Keep one hand for dry ingredients and one for wet – this stops your fingers from getting too messy! Pat your shrimp dry with paper towels before starting the breading process. This helps the flour stick better, giving you that amazing crispy coating. If your breadcrumbs aren’t sticking well, press them gently onto the shrimp.
Air Fryer Success
Your air fryer needs space to work its magic! Place the shrimp in a single layer with a bit of room between each piece. This lets the hot air flow around them, making them super crispy. A quick spritz of olive oil spray makes a big difference – it helps the coating turn golden brown and crunchy. If you notice the breading looking dry partway through cooking, give it another light spray.
Serving Ideas
These crispy shrimp are amazing fresh from the air fryer! Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce – cocktail sauce adds a zingy kick, tartar sauce brings creamy tang, or sweet chili sauce adds a spicy-sweet punch. Make it a meal by adding a fresh green salad or some crispy french fries. They’re also great in tacos with shredded lettuce and lime, or on top of a rice bowl with steamed veggies.
Storage Tips
These shrimp taste best right away while they’re hot and crispy. If you have leftovers, keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To reheat, pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes – they’ll crisp right up! Skip the microwave, as it can make the breading soggy.
Air Fryer Breaded Shrimp
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Shallow Bowls
Ingredients
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined (20-25 count)
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- Olive oil spray
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer using the preheat function or by heating it at 400°F/200°C for 5 minutes.
- To create a breading station, set out three shallow bowls. Add the flour to one bowl, whisk the eggs and milk in a second bowl and add the breadcrumbs to the third bowl. Season each bowl with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Working one at a time, dip a shrimp into the flour, followed by the egg, and then the breadcrumbs. Repeat until all of the shrimp are coated.
- Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray and place as many shrimp as will fit in a single layer– make sure to not overcrowd the pan!
- Spritz the shrimp with olive oil spray and cook for 10 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Repeat steps 4-5 with any remaining shrimp.
- Sprinkle the cooked shrimp with salt and serve them with cocktail sauce, tartar sauce, or sweet chili sauce and enjoy immediately.
