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Seafood lovers! Here’s the EASIEST way to make crispy, breaded shrimp in the deep fryer! It takes less than 10 minutes to cook frozen shrimp in the air fryer and it turns out perfectly every time. The hardest part is choosing what dipping sauce to serve it with!
These Frozen Deep Fryer Shrimp are SO easy to make and taste absolutely amazing! I’m sure you’ve already seen all the hype surrounding air fryers, but they’re well worth the investment. They make cooking so easy! If you love shrimp as much as I do, you have to try Deep Fryer Coconut Shrimp and this Juicy 10 Minute Shrimp After!

Frozen breaded shrimp in an air fryer
Cooking frozen breaded shrimp in an air fryer is so easy, it’s practically foolproof! All you have to do is preheat the fryer, place the shrimp in the basket and let them do their magic. There’s no need to thaw the shrimp or add oil, making for hassle-free cooking. (Perfect for busy weeknights!) Plus, the air fryer cooks the shrimp evenly, ensuring that each piece comes out crispy and golden brown. It’s a no-brainer when you’re craving shrimp but want it in an instant. I know, I know, it seems too good to be true! Trust me though, these Frozen Deep Fryer Shrimp are SO delicious and definitely a recipe to keep in your back pocket.
And the best part? The taste! The prawns come out perfectly seasoned and crispy, just like in a restaurant. The breading remains crispy and the shrimp itself is juicy and tender. (The power of air fryers!) You can dip the shrimp in cocktail sauce, tartar sauce, or your favorite sauce to add even more flavor. It’s hard to believe that something so easy to make can taste so good. So the next time you’re looking for a quick and tasty meal, reach for frozen breaded shrimp and your trusty deep fryer. It didn’t disappoint! For more quick and easy deep fryer recipes, check out this list here!
Everything you need to do it
Let’s keep this ingredient list short and sweet. Feel free to add additional spices! I like to add a squeeze of lemon, but honestly, frozen breaded shrimp are delicious just the way they are!
- Breaded Frozen Shrimp: (Shrimp Butterfly) Grab your favorite type from the grocery store! I used 16 oz worth.
- Non-stick cooking spray: To prevent your frozen shrimp from sticking to the bottom of your fryer basket. It also helps keep the shrimp crispy! You can use a little cooking oil, butter or shortening instead if you like.
- Squeezing a lemon: (Optional) This is my favorite ending! It adds a hint of heat that tastes great with the breaded shrimp.
Cooking frozen breaded shrimp in an air fryer
This shrimp recipe is flawless. Anyone can do it! Simply toss your frozen shrimp in the basket and then let your air fryer do its magic. It’s that easy, really! Because this delicious, crunchy shrimp is so easy to whip up, you’ll want to make it all the time. It’s the perfect solution when you’re craving restaurant-quality seafood but don’t want to spend hours slaving away in the kitchen. Let’s start!
- To preheat an air fryer: Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Add shrimp to basket: Add the frozen shrimp to the pan or fryer basket in a single layer. Then spray with non-stick cooking spray if you want it crispy.
- Chef: Close the basket and then air fry for 8 minutes, turning the prawns at the 4 minute mark.
- Enjoy: Serve with a squeeze of lemon and dipping sauce on the side!

Tips for cooking frozen shrimp in an air fryer
Here are some additional tips to keep in mind while cooking frozen breaded shrimp in your deep fryer. This is one of my new favorite shrimp recipes. It really tastes like a restaurant!

Storage / reheating
As long as your shrimp are stored properly, they should stay good for several days after you make them!
- In the fridge: Store cooked shrimp in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: To reheat your shrimp, I recommend using your deep fryer to keep them nice and crispy. A few minutes at 375 degrees F should do the trick!

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Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Add the frozen shrimp to the pan or fryer basket in a single layer. Spray with non-stick cooking spray if you want it crispy.
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Close the basket and cook in the fryer for 8 minutes, turning the shrimp over at the 4-minute mark.
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Serve with a squeeze of lemon and dipping sauce on the side!
Serves:
Serving3ouncesCalories386kcal (19%)Protein91g (182%)Thick2g (3%)Saturated fats0.5g (3%)Polyunsaturated fats1gMonounsaturated fats0.4gTrans fats0.02gCholesterol730mg (243%)Sodium540mg (23%)potassium1197mg (34%)calcium290mg (29%)Iron2mg (11%)
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is approximate only. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and household portion sizes.