Air Fryer Popcorn Shrimp

Breaded shrimp arranged in a single layer in an air fryer basket, garnished with chopped parsley.

These Air Fryer Popcorn Shrimp come out golden, crunchy, and perfectly bite-sized thanks to a light breadcrumb coating and a quick spin in the air fryer. They cook fast, stay juicy inside, and hit that crispy snack-or-appetizer sweet spot without a lot of effort.

Course Appetizer, Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine American

Keyword air fried shrimp, air fryer popcorn shrimp, air fryer shrimp, popcorn shrimp

Prep Time 12

Cook Time 5

Total Time 17

Servings

Calories 417kcal

Author Katie Cooksey

Equipment

air fryer

Ingredients

1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined small "popcorn" shrimp preferred
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs beaten
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
oil spray for coating

Instructions

Preheat the air fryer to 400° F.
Pat shrimp dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
Set up a dredging station: Place flour in one dish and beaten eggs in another. In third dish mix panko breadcrumbs, plain breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Coat shrimp first in flour, then dip in eggs, then coat in breadcrumb mixture. Press gently to help crumbs stick.
Arrange shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Lightly spray with oil.
Cook for 6–8 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crispy.
Serve hot with lemon wedges and dipping sauces such as spicy mayo, cocktail sauce, or garlic aioli.

Notes

Oil spray not included in nutrition facts.

Storage Instructions

Store leftover shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 375° F until warmed through and crisp again. Freezing after cooking is not recommended since the breading softens, but you can freeze the breaded, uncooked shrimp and air fry straight from frozen, adding 2 to 3 minutes to the cook time.

Nutrition