Air frying frozen popcorn shrimp is a quick and easy way to enjoy a crunchy, crispy shrimp snack or appetizer right at home. With an air fryer, frozen popcorn shrimp can go from freezer to plate in just minutes with minimal prep needed. But exactly how long should you air fry frozen popcorn shrimp to ensure they turn out perfectly golden brown and cooked through? Here’s a look at how long and what temperature to use when air frying frozen breaded popcorn shrimp for the best results.
What is the Best Air Fryer Temperature for Frozen Popcorn Shrimp?
When air frying any frozen food, you’ll want to use a slightly higher temperature than you would for fresh food. This helps ensure the interior gets hot and cooks through while the outside gets crispy. For frozen popcorn shrimp, an air fryer temperature of 390°F to 400°F is ideal.
Cooking at 390-400°F helps the shrimp interior reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 145°F to kill any bacteria while also producing a crispy browned exterior on the breading. If you cook frozen shrimp at a lower temperature, the interior may not get hot enough to cook through fully before the outside burns.
How Long Does it Take to Air Fry Frozen Popcorn Shrimp?
Frozen breaded popcorn shrimp generally takes 7-9 minutes to cook when air fried at 390-400°F. The exact timing can vary a bit based on:
- Size of the shrimp: Jumbo shrimp may take a minute or two longer than smaller popcorn shrimp
- Amount being cooked: The more shrimp you add to the air fryer basket, the longer they will take to cook since they won’t circulate as well
- Air fryer wattage: More powerful air fryers will cook food faster than less powerful models
To ensure the shrimp are cooked through, it’s best to flip or shake the basket halfway through the cook time. This helps them brown evenly on both sides. Check for doneness after 7 minutes and continue cooking if needed in 1-2 minute increments until the shrimp are golden brown and crisp.
Tips for Air Frying Frozen Popcorn Shrimp
Follow these tips for the perfect air fried frozen popcorn shrimp every time:
- Don’t overcrowd – Leave space between each shrimp for air circulation
- Flip halfway – Gently toss or shuffle the shrimp to promote even cooking
- Use cooking spray – Lightly coat the basket to prevent sticking
- Pat dry first – Remove any ice crystals so the breading gets crispy
- Track cook time – Jot down the time it took so you know for next time
- Check often – Peek in frequently near the end to avoid overcooking
What to Serve with Air Fried Popcorn Shrimp
Crispy air fried popcorn shrimp pair deliciously with all kinds of dips and sides:
- Cocktail sauce
- Tartar sauce
- Sweet chili sauce
- BBQ sauce
- Ranch dressing
- Honey mustard
- Mango chutney
- Fries
- Coleslaw
- Rice
- Fried pickles
- Hushpuppies
You can serve air fried shrimp as an appetizer, side dish, or even as a main over salad or rice. They make a quick and easy weeknight dinner paired with veggies or side salad.
Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp Cooking Chart
For easy reference, here is a cooking chart for air frying frozen popcorn shrimp and other frozen shrimp varieties:
| Frozen Shrimp Type | Cooking Temperature | Cooking Time |
|---|---|---|
| Popcorn shrimp | 390-400°F | 7-9 minutes |
| Jumbo shrimp | 390-400°F | 9-11 minutes |
| Peeled & deveined | 390-400°F | 4-6 minutes |
| Shrimp skewers | 390-400°F | 10-12 minutes |
Check shrimp at the minimum cook time listed and continue cooking if needed until they are opaque, firm, and cooked through. Use a food thermometer to confirm they reach 145°F internally.
Troubleshooting Air Fryer Popcorn Shrimp
If your air fried frozen shrimp turn out poorly, here are some common problems and how to avoid them next time:
Shrimp are not crispy:
Increase air fryer temperature to 400°F. Let shrimp sit out at room temperature for 10 minutes before cooking. Blot off excess ice crystals. Make sure not to overcrowd the basket.
Shrimp are undercooked inside:
Increase cooking time by 1-2 minutes. Flip/shuffle shrimp halfway through cook time. Make sure air fryer is fully preheated before adding shrimp.
Shrimp are overcooked and rubbery:
Reduce cooking temperature to 390°F. Shorten cooking time by 1-2 minutes. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Check frequently toward end of cook time.
Shrimp breading falls off:
Make sure shrimp are completely frozen, not thawed, when cooking. Handle gently when flipping. spray basket with oil before adding shrimp. Use high-quality panko or shrimp breading.
Shrimp stick to basket:
Be sure basket is lightly greased before cooking. Cook in a single layer without overcrowding. Gently remove shrimp when finished cooking.
Conclusion
Air frying makes cooking frozen popcorn shrimp fast and easy. Cook at 390-400°F for 7-9 minutes until crispy and golden brown, flipping halfway. Use a lightly greased basket and don’t overcrowd for best results. Check shrimp internal temperature to ensure they reach 145°F. Serve immediately with desired sauces or sides and enjoy the quick crispy shrimp!