Popcorn Shrimp in Air Fryer
There’s Old Bay seasoning mixed into the breadcrumbs of these Air Fryer Popcorn Shrimp, so every single bite is perfectly seasoned and delicious.
Popcorn shrimp has always been one of my favorite restaurant indulgences, since I was a kid. But making a box of popcorn shrimp from the freezer aisle at the grocery store just doesn’t compare to that crispy restaurant experience.
I prefer to bread the shrimp myself and cook them in my air fryer. While this recipe does use that traditional 3-step breading process that you may be familiar with, it’s really not that much work. It goes quick, I promise!
This Air Fryer Popcorn Shrimp delivers the golden brown crispy deliciousness you are looking for. And as an added bonus for your tastebuds, the Old Bay seasoning that has been added to the breadcrumbs really jazzes things up a notch!
What is Popcorn Shrimp?
Popcorn shrimp consists of small, bite-sized pieces of shrimp that are breaded and fried (or in this case, air fried) until golden and crispy.
Why you’ll love Air Fryer Popcorn Shrimp
- Air frying offers a healthier alternative to deep frying popcorn shrimp, still resulting in crispy shrimp but with much less oil.
- The Old Bay seasoning mixed into the breadcrumbs ensures that every shrimp is perfectly seasoned and savory.
- These crispy shrimp appeal to both kids and adults, and it’s a great way to get some seafood into your family’s diet.
Popcorn Shrimp Recipe Ingredients
- shrimp – I’ve found that uncooked 51-60 size peeled and deveined shrimp, with their tails removed, if necessary, are the perfect shrimp for popcorn shrimp.
- eggs – to make a coating for the shrimp so that the breadcrumbs can stick to them.
- milk – this thins out the eggs a little bit, making them the right consistency for coating the shrimp.
- all-purpose flour – the first step of our 3-layer breading process, this helps created a crispy texture when fried.
- breadcrumbs – panko breadcrumbs are really the way to go here, as they give the crispy outer coating a light and airy texture that regular breadcrumbs cannot achieve.
- salt and pepper – to make sure the popcorn shrimp in air fryer are perfectly seasoned.
- Old Bay seasoning – by adding this to the breadcrumb mixture, we’ll be adding a lot of depth of flavor. Buy it store bought or mix up homemade Old Bay.
- nonstick cooking spray – for coating the air fryer basket and shrimp, to prevent them from sticking. Also helps achieve a crispy exterior.
How to cook Popcorn Shrimp in Air Fryer
1. EGGS. In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk.
2. FLOUR. In a separate shallow bowl, whisk together the flour and salt and pepper.
3. BREADCRUMBS. In a third shallow bowl, stir together the breadcrumbs and Old Bay.
4. BASE COAT. Working with a handful of shrimp at a time, toss the shrimp in the flour mixture, then shake off the excess flour.
5. BREADING. Dip the shrimp in the egg mixture, then toss in the breadcrumbs, and place on a parchment-lined rimmed baking pan.
6. SPRAY. Preheat the air fryer, and spray the shrimp liberally with cooking spray. In batches, transfer the shrimp to the air fryer basket.
7. COOK. Cook 2 minutes, then flip the shrimp and cook 2 to 3 minutes longer or until they are golden brown and crispy. Season the shrimp with extra salt as soon as they come out of the air fryer.
How long do you air fry popcorn shrimp?
Popcorn shrimp typically takes about 4 to 6 minutes to air fry, depending on the size of the shrimp and the temperature of your air fryer.
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Popcorn Shrimp Air Fryer Home Chef Tips
- Spray the shrimp with cooking spray JUST before air frying, but not sooner. You don’t want the spray to sit on the breading and get soggy.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. You want the shrimp to be in an even layer, with some space between each piece. Do it in as many batches as needed.
What to Eat with Popcorn Shrimp
Serve the shrimp simply sprinkled with fresh lemon juice, or choose some dipping sauces. Homemade tartar sauce, classic cocktail sauce, coconut shrimp sauce, and the parmesan-peppercorn sauce included in the recipe card below are all great options.
Some side dishes that go well with air fryer popcorn shrimp include Parmesan roasted broccoli, crispy roast potatoes and my easy coleslaw recipe.
How to store leftover Air Fryer Popcorn Shrimp
Allow any leftover air fried popcorn shrimp to cool to room temperature, and then refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Reheating Air Fry Popcorn Shrimp
To reheat leftover air fryer popcorn shrimp, it’s best to air fry them again! Air fry them at 375 degrees F until they are warmed through and crispy again. Avoid reheating in the microwave, as the shrimp will become soggy.
Popcorn Shrimp Recipe
Ingredients
For the Parmesan-Peppercorn Sauce (Optional):
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon coarsely ground black peppercorns
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon hot sauce
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
For the Air Fryer Popcorn Shrimp:
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons milk
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt plus extra for seasoning at end
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs
- 2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
- 1 pound uncooked 51-60 peeled and deveined shrimp tails removed if necessary
- Nonstick cooking spray
For Serving:
- Lemon wedges for serving
- Cocktail sauce optional
Instructions
Make the Parmesan-Peppercorn Sauce:
- In medium bowl, stir together mayonnaise, Parmesan, lemon juice, black peppercorns, garlic powder, hot sauce and kosher salt. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Make the Air Fryer Popcorn Shrimp:
- In shallow bowl, whisk eggs and milk until smooth. In separate shallow bowl, whisk flour, salt and pepper until well combined. In third shallow bowl, stir together breadcrumbs and Old Bay seasoning.
- Line rimmed baking pan or large plate with parchment paper. Working with a handful of shrimp at a time, toss shrimp in flour and shake off excess flour. Dip shrimp in egg mixture and then toss in breadcrumbs, pressing lighting to help breadcrumbs adhere. Place shrimp on prepared pan.
- Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F. In batches, spray shrimp liberally with cooking spray, then transfer to air fryer basket. Cook 2 minutes, then flip shrimp and cook 2 to 3 minutes longer, or until shrimp are golden brown and crispy. Sprinkle shrimp with additional kosher salt as soon as they come out of air fryer.
- Serve shrimp with lemon wedges, and cocktail sauce and/or Parmesan-Peppercorn sauce, if desired.
Notes
- Spray the shrimp with cooking spray JUST before air frying, but not sooner. You don’t want the spray to sit on the breading and get soggy.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. You want the shrimp to be in an even layer, with some space between each piece. Do it in as many batches as needed.
Hi MP! Thanks so much for stopping by. My mother-in-law actually found those cups for me, at a small shop in her hometown. I looked on the bottom and they say “Maxwell Williams Designer Homewares.” Maybe you can find them online? Good luck!
I absolutely loved this Parmesan peppercorn dip . . . Such a versatile item. I imagine dipping pizza crust or pretzels into it. Or, how about veggies like carrots and celery. But,the popcorn shrimp was a great accompaniment – crunchy and flavorful. Yum.
Ohhhh, we should make a batch of this again, for dipping pizza crust. That sounds SO good!