A quick and easy snack is making air fryer frozen popcorn shrimp. It’s easy to make re-heat frozen pre-cooked popcorn shrimp in the air fryer. Best of all, it beyond just a snack. We have more recipe ideas for you.

air fryer frozen popcorn shrimp in basket

Air Fryer Frozen Popcorn Shrimp Pre-cooked or Raw?

Frozen breaded popcorn shrimp comes in two styles: completely cooked and raw. So make sure you know which style of frozen popcorn shrimp that you bought. This makes a difference in the timing of how long to air fry. After checking your shrimp during air frying, you can always add another minute or two to make sure the shrimp is crispy. The extra crunch is always better!

air fryer frozen popcorn shrimp

Video: Watch How To Air Fry Frozen Popcorn Shrimp

How Long To Air Fry Frozen Popcorn Shrimp RAW?

  • Size of shrimp: The size of the shrimp also matters in cooking time. Very small, bite sized popcorn shrimp will be quicker than larger shrimp. Add extra time to air fry larger, raw, frozen shrimp.
  • For popcorn shrimp that’s raw, breaded and frozen, air fry at 400°F for 9 minutes, flipping halfway through. Check the shrimp and if you need it to be crisper or cooked through more, then add additional 1-4 minutes of air frying time until it’s cooked all the way through and crispy to your preference.

How Long To Air Fry Frozen Popcorn Shrimp PRE-COOKED?

  • Again the of the shrimp also matters in cooking time. Very small, bite sized popcorn shrimp will be quicker than larger shrimp.
  • If you’re air frying Pre-Cooked, breaded and frozen, air fry at 400°F for 8 minutes, flipping halfway through. Check the shrimp and if you need it to be crisper or cooked through more, then add additional 1-2 minutes of air frying time until it’s cooked all the way through and crispy to your preference.
  • Sometimes larger shrimp need another minute to make crispier.
bowl air fryer popcorn shrimp

Air Fryer Frozen Popcorn Shrimp

Yield: 4 Servings
Prep Time: 1 minute
Cook Time: 9 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Read First: Frozen breaded popcorn shrimp comes in two styles: completely cooked and raw. Make sure you know which style of frozen popcorn shrimp you are air frying. This makes a difference in the timing. If you aren't sure, start with the lesser time and you can always add another minute or two to make sure the shrimp is crispy. The extra crunch is always better! Other factors also influence the outcome of how frozen popcorn shrimp cook. They vary in size, coating, pre-cooked or raw, so you’ll have to adjust timing. Smaller batches will cook quicker, and larger batches may need more time.
All air fryers are different and some cook much hotter than others. Once you cook your first batch, you’ll know more of what works for your model of air fryer and size of food.
Make sure to cook in just a single layer. Cook in multiple batches if needed.
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Ingredients

  • 16 oz. (454 g) frozen popcorn shrimp
  • salt , to taste
  • black pepper , to taste
  • Optional for Serving – Lemon slices, your favorite dips (tartar sauce, hot sauce, ranch, BBQ sauce, aioli, mustard, etc.)

Equipment

Instructions 

  • Place the frozen popcorn shrimp in the air fryer basket (you do not need to thaw the shrimp beforehand).
    Pouring frozen popcorn shrimp into air fryer basket
  • Spread in an even layer (make sure they aren't overlapping). (No oil spray needed).
    Cooked in basket
  • For Pre-Cooked Frozen Popcorn Shrimp: Air Fry at 400°F/205°C for 8 minutes, flipping halfway through. Check the shrimp and if you need it to be crisper or cooked through more, then add additional 1-2 minutes of air frying time until it's cooked all the way through and crispy to your preference.
    For Raw Frozen Breaded Popcorn Shrimp: Air Fry at 400°F for 9 minutes, flipping halfway through. Check the shrimp and if you need it to be crisper or cooked through more, then add additional 1-4 minutes of air frying time until it's cooked all the way through and crispy to your preference.
    For either style of popcorn shrimp – smaller batches will cook quicker, and larger batches may need more time.
    Cooked in basket
  • Season with salt & pepper if desired. Serve with optional lemon slices and your favorite dips.
    Cooked popcorn shrimp in a bowl with dips surrounding it

Notes

Air Frying Tips and Notes: 
  1. Cook Frozen – Do not thaw first.
  2. Shake or turn if needed. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket.
  3. If cooking in multiple batches, the first batch will take longer to cook if Air Fryer is not already pre-heated. Recipe timing is based on a non-preheated air fryer. 
  4. Recipes were tested in 3.4 to 6 qt air fryers. If using a larger air fryer, the recipe might cook quicker so adjust cooking time. 
  5. Remember to set a timer to shake/flip/toss as directed in recipe. 

If your air fryer is preheated or if you are cooking multiple batches, you may need to reduce timing by a few minutes (unless preheating is called for in the recipe).

Video

YouTube video

Nutrition Information per Serving

Calories: 307kcal, Carbohydrates: 30g, Protein: 13g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 80mg, Sodium: 748mg, Potassium: 174mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 3g, Calcium: 40mg
Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 307
bowl air fryer popcorn shrimp

Air Fry Time for SeaPak Popcorn Shimp?

This is the brand that we used: SeaPak. Most other brands are about the same size shrimp as SeaPak. The SeaPak is a Pre-Cooked Popcorn Shrimp and cooks at 400°F in about 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through. But if there’s any difference for other pre-cooked popcorn shrimp brands, it could be about 1-2 minutes of air frying time difference. Raw frozen popcorn shrimp will often take a little longer, but vary from brand to brand.seapak popcorn shrimp package

What To Serve with These?

This popcorn shrimp is simple and delicious finger foods are so popular and they are great beyond the snack. Here’s some other ideas to serve your popcorn shrimp as a full meal, rather than just an appetizer.

  • Add the popcorn shrimp to pasta! We love crispy shrimp pasta, especially when it comes with sauce. Have you tried fettuccine alfredo shrimp pasta? The creamy alfredo sauce with pasta and shrimp is amazing.
  • Make an awesome popcorn shrimp roll sandwich, like a lobster roll. Instead of lobster, add the shrimp.
  • Crispy popcorn shrimp fried rice is delicious! Add a big hand full of shrimp to your fried rice and it becomes an quick and easy seafood fried rice.
  • Noodles are great with popcorn shrimp!
  • Have you tried these in tacos? Wow, they’re great for quick and easy popcorn shrimp taco.
  • Here’s more history behind popcorn shrimp.
  • Hope enjoy the frozen popcorn shrimp!

More Seafood Recipes:

Air Fryer How to Re-Heat Frozen Foods

Want and quick and easy snack, appetizer or dinner? There’s so many quality frozen foods out on the market to choose from. We have so many air fryer frozen food time and temperatures. Check out all our timing and guide on –> how to re-heat frozen foods in the air fryer. air fryer frozen food guide