Air Fryer Popcorn Shrimp

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This Air Fryer Popcorn Shrimp recipe is a quick and easy way to cook frozen popcorn shrimp! It’s a one ingredient recipe with very little prep time and extra crispy results.

These popcorn shrimp are addictive! They turn out so golden brown and crispy in the air fryer with minimal oil.

Close up view of golden brown and crispy popcorn shrimp.

We love crispy deep fried foods, but we don’t love all of the added oil. That’s why we love our air fryer so much! It’s a quick way to cook frozen food without the added oil of deep frying or the longer wait time required for oven cooking!

In addition to these frozen breaded shrimp, we’ve also been enjoying air fryer tater tots, air fryer pierogies, air fryer pizza rolls and air fryer frozen meatballs!

When you’re ready to try these air fryer popcorn shrimp, make sure you have a jar of cocktail sauce on hand, or make a batch of this spicy Cajun remoulade sauce!

Check out the air fryer popcorn shrimp story!

What is an Air Fryer?

The Air Fryer is a healthier alternative to frying foods. It's basically a small, powerful convection oven that sits on your countertop.

It circulates hot air around the food you're cooking, which is what gives it that crisp texture that mimics fried food (without all the grease).

Read more about the health benefits of using an air fryer.

I personally use this Ninja MAX XL Air Fryer because it hold 5.5 quarts, which is more than most. It has worked great so far and we just love how easy it is to use!

Overhead view of air fryer popcorn shrimp on a grey platter with a small bowl of cocktail sauce.

What are popcorn shrimp?

Popcorn shrimp are made with small, bite-sized shrimp that are coated in breading and precooked before being frozen. They’re called popcorn shrimp because they’re so bite-sized that you can pop them in your mouth just like popcorn.

Why this recipe works

The air fryer gets crispy results without deep frying! With only a light spritz of oil, these shrimp get ultra golden brown and crispy.
You don’t need to turn on your oven for a small batch of popcorn shrimp!
It's a time saving recipe! We're using store-bought frozen popcorn shrimp and one batch takes just 6-8 minutes to air fry!

Ingredients

This recipe is so easy. You just need one ingredient! (Okay, maybe three if you count the cocktail sauce and a little spray oil!)

A package of frozen popcorn shrimp on a white cloth.

You’ll need 12 ounces of frozen breaded popcorn shrimp. I used SeaPak brand, but you can use another brand such as Gorton’s.

Step by step instructions

Spray the air fryer basket lightly with oil.

Add the popcorn shrimp in one layer. (You’ll need to air fry in multiple batches).

Lightly spray with oil.

Cook at 400F degrees for 6-8 minutes, tossing halfway through.

Repeat with remaining popcorn shrimp.

Serve with cocktail sauce.

Expert tips

To ensure they get extra crispy, be sure to air fry the frozen popcorn shrimp in a single layer. This means air frying in batches especially if you have a small air fryer.
Shake the basket once halfway through cooking so the shrimp brown evenly.
If you decide to air fry them all at once and overlap them in the basket, you’ll need to increase the air frying time and shake the basket often.
Do not defrost the popcorn shrimp. They’re supposed to be cooked from frozen.
I used SeaPak brand of popcorn shrimp. If you’re using a different brand, the size of the shrimp may vary. If this is the case, you may need to adjust the cooking time slightly.
If your air fryer requires preheating, you'll want to do so before adding the first batch of shrimp.
When spraying oil in the air fryer basket, be sure to use real cooking oil and not PAM as it's not ideal for your air fryer. I like to use this oil sprayer and fill it with my favorite oil.
Air fryers can vary so you may need to adjust the temperature and air frying time slightly.

Air fryer popcorn shrimp served on a platter with cocktail sauce.

Common questions

What temperature should you air fry frozen popcorn shrimp?

For the best golden brown and crispy results, you’ll want to set your air fryer to 400F degrees.

How long does it take to cook frozen popcorn shrimp in the air fryer?

At 400F degrees, it takes just 6-8 minutes per batch, if air fried in a single layer.

How do you know when frozen breaded shrimp are cooked?

Whether I’m cooking from raw or frozen, I always like to use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. The USDA recommends that shrimp are cooked to a safe internal temperature of 145F degrees.

How do you store and reheat leftover popcorn shrimp?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat in the air fryer at 350F degrees for 3-4 minutes.

What do you serve with popcorn shrimp?

We usually enjoy it as an appetizer, so dipping sauces are a must! Our favorites include tartar sauce, sweet chili sauce, Thai peanut sauce and chimichurri sauce. If you want to enjoy them as part of a meal, they’re great in this spicy Thai shrimp salad, in these easy shrimp tacos or served over a bed of coconut jasmine rice.

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Did you make this recipe? Leave a comment below and rate the recipe to let me know how it turned out!