Air Fryer Popcorn Shrimp

A plate of breaded, baked shrimp is served with a small bowl of creamy dipping sauce on the side.

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Crunchy, well-seasoned popcorn shrimp with a shattering panko crust, made in the air fryer with almost no cleanup. A double coat of seasoning, one on the shrimp and one in the breading, keeps every bite flavorful all the way through, and a quick, homemade dipping sauce rounds it out.

Course Appetizer, Main Course, Snack

Cuisine American

Keyword air fryer popcorn, popcorn in air fryer

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 8

Total Time 30

Servings people

Calories 166kcal

Author Robin @ All Ways Delicious

Ingredients

For the Shrimp

1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon Cajun seasoning
⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon white pepper
1 pound shrimp peeled and deveined
¼ cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs beaten
2 cups panko breadcrumbs
Nonstick cooking spray choose one without added propellants or accelerants

For the Dipping Sauce

½ cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons ketchup
2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce

Instructions

In a small bowl, combine the Old Bay, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, Cajun seasoning, black pepper, and white pepper.
In a medium bowl, toss the shrimp with a quarter of the seasoning mixture.
In another small bowl, combine a quarter of the seasoning mixture with the flour, then sprinkle that mixture over the shrimp and toss to coat.
In a shallow bowl, combine the remaining seasoning mixture with the panko breadcrumbs.
Put the beaten eggs in another shallow bowl.
Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
While the air fryer heats, dip each piece of shrimp first into the egg, then into the seasoned panko, coating it completely.
Line the air fryer basket with a parchment liner if you have one, then spray the basket or liner with oil. You'll need to cook the shrimp in about three batches.
Arrange the shrimp in a single layer in the basket and spray the tops with oil.
Air fry for 4 minutes, flip the shrimp over, spray again with oil, and air fry for another 4 minutes, until golden brown and crisp.
Repeat with the remaining shrimp.
While the shrimp cooks, whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, and sweet chili sauce for the dipping sauce.
Serve the shrimp hot, with the dipping sauce alongside.

Notes

Keep finished batches warm in a 200 F oven while you cook the rest.
Leftover shrimp keeps in the refrigerator for up to two days and reheats well in the air fryer for a few minutes at 350 F.
To make this gluten free, use a gluten-free flour blend and gluten-free panko.

Nutrition