HOW TO COOK SHRIMP IN AN AIR FRYER OVEN
Whether you’re making a healthy meal or a tasty appetizer, shrimp can be incorporated seamlessly into a variety of recipes. Simply add flavorful spices and you can make golden, juicy air fryer shrimp with ease. Air fryers offer convenience in creating a crispy texture on your favorite foods with little to no oil. This guide shows you how to cook shrimp in an air fryer oven, along with tips and recipe ideas.
HOW LONG TO AIR FRY DIFFERENT SIZE SHRIMP?
Shrimp come in various sizes, so it’s important to set your air fry cooking time according to the size to avoid over or under cooking. Follow the instructions on your recipe and keep in mind that smaller shrimp will take less time.
Shrimp are sold by the average number of shrimp per pound. In general, the most common shrimp sizes are super colossal (8-15), colossal (16-20), jumbo (21-30), large (31-40), medium (41-60) and small (71-90). The range of numbers, like jumbo (21-30), refers to the average number of shrimp per pound.
CAN I PUT FROZEN SHRIMP IN THE AIR FRYER?
Frozen shrimp may need extra time depending on the size, but it can be cooked in an air fryer or air fryer oven. Keep in mind that your seasonings may not coat the shrimp when it’s frozen. You can partially air fry frozen shrimp and add seasonings halfway through the cooking time, when they can stick more easily.
You can also put the shrimp in a colander and run it under cold water until it softens. Another way to thaw is to place them in a bowl of cold water until the shrimp are no longer frozen solid. They should thaw rather quickly, depending on the size of the shrimp. Peel and devein the shrimp if needed, rinse them, and pat dry with a paper towel. Then add your seasonings.
AIR FRYER SHRIMP RECIPE
Consider adding a seasoning along with a spritz of olive oil to elevate the flavor of your air fryer shrimp. It can be as simple as sprinkling them with garlic salt or adding flavorful heat with cajun spice. Try a robust flavor with lemon pepper or experiment by blending freshly ground spices.
Air fryer shrimp is versatile as it complements a variety of cuisine such as Italian, Mexican and Asian dishes. When creating a seasoning for your shrimp, it’s best to avoid using a wet batter that could create splatter due to the rapidly circulating air.
Exact temperatures and cook times may vary by air fryer model. Use the recipe tips below to cook shrimp in your KitchenAid® countertop oven with an Air Fry setting.
YIELDS
2 servings
INGREDIENTS
- Jumbo shrimp (size 21/25)
- Olive oil/spray
- Seasonings
TOOLS
- KitchenAid® countertop oven with Air Fry
- Air fry basket
- Sheet pan
PREP TIME
5 minutes
TOTAL TIME
14 minutes
STEP 1. PREHEAT AIR FRYER
Select the air fry function, program the temperature to between 400 and 430°F and allow the appliance to fully heat up. set the timer to 8-11 minutes, depending on your recipe. For unbreaded shrimp, use the lower end of this scale. If you’ve dredged your shrimp in an egg and flour coating, cook it at the higher end of this scale.
STEP 2. PREP THE SHRIMP
Remove shells, devein, and rinse your shrimp with water. Thoroughly pat dry with a paper towel so the seasoning can adhere to the shrimp. Lightly coat your shrimp with a mixture of seasonings and oil. You can lightly bread your shrimp by dredging in egg and flour but make sure the coating is not dripping when you place it in the air fryer basket.
SHRIMP TIPS
Make sure to use raw shrimp. Buying shrimp that’s already peeled and deveined can speed up prep work. While the vein running through the shrimp is edible, it is unsightly and can add a gritty texture to the finished dish. To devein, remove the shell and then simply make a shallow cut along the back of the shrimp. Look for the dark vein and remove it.
Keeping the tails on or removing them may depend on your recipe. If you’re pairing it with a dip, you can leave them on for something to hold on to. For a dish like pasta, you may want to remove them for easier eating.
STEP 3. PREP THE AIR FRY BASKET
Set the air fry basket onto a sheet pan and generously spray or coat the base of the basket with oil. Lay the shrimp in the air fry basket close to each other, but not touching.
AIR FRY BASKET TIPS
Coating the basket with oil can prevent the shrimp from sticking to the surface. It’s important to put the shrimp in one even layer across the bottom for an even cook.
STEP 4. AIR FRY THE SHRIMP
After your air fryer is preheated, slide the basket into the oven and set the timer for 8-11 minutes. There is no need to rotate the basket or flip the shrimp while air frying in an air fry countertop oven from KitchenAid brand with a No-Flip Air Fry Basket.
STEP 5. REMOVE THE SHRIMP FROM AIR FRYER
When the timer ends, check the shrimp to make sure it’s thoroughly cooked. You should also check that the exterior is opaque white and pink. Be careful not to under or over cook it.
COOKING TIPS
To determine if your shrimp are thoroughly cooked, they should be an evenly colored shade of pink or opaque white with no grayish tint or translucent texture and reach an internal temperature of at least 145°F. As they cook, the shrimp curl into the shape of a “C.” A loose “C” shape can be ready to eat, while a tighter curl may indicate that your shrimp are over cooked. Over cooking may not affect the taste, but can create a rubbery texture.
CAN I WRAP SHRIMP IN FOIL IN AIR FRYER?
Avoid covering your food in any way when air frying as it can restrict the rapidly circulating flow of air throughout the unit. The moving air over the surface of your food is key for the air frying process and achieving that delicious, crunchy exterior. Learn more about how to use aluminum foil in an air fryer.
If you’re concerned about food crumbs or sauce drippings, this guide has tips on how to clean an air fryer.
WHAT TO COOK WITH AIR FRYER SHRIMP?
The possibilities for making a delicious meal or appetizer with air fryer shrimp are endless. It’s easy to adapt pasta, rice or taco recipes that call for shrimp for cooking in your air fryer. You may want to keep it simple and pair shrimp with vegetables or a baked potato, or add it to soup or salad.
Consider making a surf and turf with air fryer steak. Shrimp is also an enticing appetizer as you can serve it with your favorite dip, like tangy seafood cocktail sauce or mouthwatering melted garlic butter.
HOW TO STORE LEFTOVER FRIED SHRIMP
If you have leftovers after air frying your shrimp, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge. Cooked shrimp may last for up to three days in a refrigerator. Keep in mind that your air fryer shrimp may be more tender and flavorful when eaten fresh. With the ease and quick cook times of an air fryer oven, you can make a fresh batch every time.
HOW TO REHEAT SHRIMP IN AIR FRYER
Using an air fryer or countertop oven to reheat food can help restore that fresh-cooked crispness you love. To reheat shrimp in an air fryer, use the Reheat function on your KitchenAid® countertop oven. If you don’t have this convenient function, you can simply air fry for a short period of time. Keep a watchful eye on your shrimp as reheating may take much less time than cooking. Learn more about functions in this guide to air fryer settings.
SHOP KITCHENAID® COUNTERTOP OVENS
Whether you’re air frying shrimp, vegetables or pastries, a KitchenAid® countertop oven with air fry is a sleek, convenient addition to your kitchen. Plus there’s no need to flip, rotate or shake the air fry basket while cooking most items because of features such as the No-Flip Air Fry Basket and 360° Air Fry System. With multiple settings including Roasting, Broiling, Toasting and Warming, KitchenAid brand countertop ovens offer the same possibilities as a full-size oven with a smaller footprint.
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