Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp
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Yes, you can totally air fry frozen shrimp taken directly from the freezer. We were surprised at how well you can cook frozen shrimp in the air fryer, especially when it’s rock hard. After a few minutes, the air fried shrimp is plump and delicious.
How To Air Fry Frozen Shrimp (RAW)
It’s definitely a game changer because it’s so quick and the results are delicious. Just remember that shrimp varies so much in size, so you’ll have to adjust timing a bit. Also, each air fryer cooks a little differently as some cook hotter than others. So after you cook your first batch, you’ll know the exact timing needed to cook your specific size of shrimp and style of air fryer. All recipe details are in the recipe box below. Enjoy!
Video: Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp from Raw
Tips on Cooking Raw Frozen Shrimp in the Air Fryer
- You can cook the shrimp frozen. No need to thaw the shrimp first.
- Lightly coat the shrimp with oil for best texture. An oil sprayer works great for this.
- Spread the shrimp in an even layer. Try not to overlap the shrimp. Cook in batches if needed.
- 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.
- Shrimp all vary significantly in size, coating, pre-cooked or raw, so you’ll have to adjust timing. This recipe is for frozen, raw, unbreaded shrimp.
- Remember to flip halfway through cooking.
- See recipe box below for the details.
- Pro-Tip: here’s our favorite tools to help make air frying easier:
We LOVE Evo Oil Sprayers. Not the prettiest, but they’re functional and spritz oil great! They don’t clog up like many others we’ve bought. There’s different styles, but all seem to have the same great spray head. Works great for grilling!
There are Square Mats & Round Mats. These perforated non-stick silicone mats are used to cook food in your air fryer or steamer to minimize sticking. Holes allow hot circulating air to cook the food & keeps the food from sticking.
Parchment sheets are great for your air fryer or bamboo steamer (food tends to stick most on wire basket or tray). Choose from different sizes, shapes, white and brown (unbleached). Holes allow air to cook food evenly.
How Long To Air Fryer Pre-Cooked Frozen Shrimp?
If you’re wanting to air fry frozen shrimp that’s already been pre-cooked, then the timing is definitely quicker. You’re basically just re-heating the cooked frozen shrimp in the air fryer. It all depends on the size of the shrimp too, but start by air frying them at 400°F for about 5-6 minutes. Check on the shrimp and see if it’s cooked to your liking. If you need more time, add an extra 1-2 minutes of air frying time. But make sure to check on the shrimp so that it doesn’t end up drying out in the air fryer because it was cooking for too long.
Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp (raw & un-breaded)
Ingredients
- 1 pound (454 g) frozen raw shrimp
- oil spray or vegetable oil , to coat shrimp
- salt , to taste
- black pepper , to taste
Equipment
Instructions
- Evenly coat the frozen shrimp with oil spray or vegetable oil. Season with salt & pepper (you do not need to thaw the shrimp).
- Place the frozen shrimp in the air fryer basket and spread in an even layer (make sure they aren't overlapping).
- Air Fry at 400°F/205°C for 8-14 minutes (depending on the size of your shrimp and your air fryer), flipping the shrimp halfway through cooking. Check for doneness & air fry longer if needed.
Notes
- Cook Frozen – Do not thaw first.
- Shake or turn if needed. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
Nutrition Information per Serving
How to Serve Air Fried Shrimp?
There’s so many delicious options for serving healthy shrimp. It’s one of our favorite healthy foods to air fry. It’s definitely a game changer to be able to cook shrimp so quickly without alot of fuss or mess. For serving, there’s lots of ideas for using the shrimp. Here’s some ideas:
- Shrimp cocktail is amazing with this shrimp. Boiling it or thawing frozen shrimp just isn’t as delicious as serving it with the air fryer version. Here’s our air fryer shrimp cocktail recipe.
- Make shrimp tacos with the air fried shrimp. It’s perfect for Taco Tuesday!
- Add them to a healthy salad with some chopped avocado for a shrimp avocado salad. This is definitely very keto friendly and low carb too.
- You can make an easy garlic shrimp in the air fryer that’s flavorful for adding to pasta or tacos. If you love burritos, this is a great way to cook the shrimp for a quick and easy shrimp burrito.
- Coconut shrimp is a great appetizer in the air fryer
You Might also Love these other Seafood Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Frozen Fish Fillets
- Healthy Air Fryer White Fish with Garlic and Lemon
- Frozen popcorn shrimp in the air fryer
- Try these frozen chicken wings in the air fryer. We have lots of re-heating tips for all types of frozen chicken wings.
- More–> Air Fried Frozen Foods and All French Fries Recipes
Here’s more great shrimp recipes for you to enjoy! If you made any of our recipes please share in the comments below. Or if you have a photo, tag us on social media because we would love to see your creations! Thanks so much friends and happy air frying to you and your family! This recipe was originally published in 2019 and re-published in 2021 with updated photos.
7 Comments on “Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp”
I tried this but it was awful since my shrimp weren’t peeled and I couldn’t get them off after cooking them. Otherwise, I like it.
Just in time for NYE. So glad I came across this recipe. I’m saving so much time cooking these shrimp in the air fryer.
Could frozen cooked shrimp be used, and if so, what adjustments should be made? Thanks so much!
Hello Becca, yes you can use cooked shrimp. If the shrimp is in a single layer, start at about 6 minutes of cooking time. Check on the shrimp to see if it’s to your liking. If you want it crispier or needs more time, add additional 2 minute increments. Enjoy!
This was such an easy recipe to do at home. Really worked out for my shrimp scampi.
I’m really glad to be able to find a way to easily cook frozen shrimp for when I’m preparing shrimp cocktails. Thanks for the recipe.
Added some garlic powder and chipotle. They were fantastic and I put them in taco shells for shrimp tacos. Air frying is my new go-to.