Air Fryer Breaded Shrimp

Air Fryer Breaded Shrimp is golden, crispy, and full of flavor with a tender, juicy inside. Made with simple pantry ingredients, they’re lighter than deep fried shrimp but just as satisfying.

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This post was last updated 8/2025.

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Shopping list:

• medium raw shrimp
• eggs
• garlic cloves
• seasoned salt
• black pepper
• all purpose flour
• yellow cornmeal
• garlic powder
• dried parsley
• paprika
• olive oil

Air Fryer Breaded Shrimp is a crispy, flavorful dish that comes together quickly with just a handful of pantry staples. Fresh medium shrimp are coated in a seasoned egg wash made with garlic, salt, and black pepper, then dredged in a crunchy mixture of flour, cornmeal, garlic powder, parsley, and paprika. A light spray of olive oil helps the shrimp crisp up beautifully in the air fryer, creating a golden brown coating without the need for deep frying. The result is tender, juicy shrimp inside with a perfectly crunchy outside that’s hard to resist.

In fact, shrimp is such a hit in our house that my daughter Hazel would eat it every single day if I let her! Whenever these Air Fryer Breaded Shrimp come out of the basket, she’s already standing by with her plate, ready to snag the first few pieces. The garlic and paprika give the shrimp just the right amount of savory flavor, while the cornmeal adds a satisfying crunch that Hazel calls “the crispy part.” Whether you serve them as an appetizer, a main dish, or tucked into tacos, these shrimp are a family favorite that disappear fast.

Are you looking for some more easy shrimp recipes? Check out this Shrimp Fried Rice or Corn Chowder with Sausage and Shrimp!

Love making recipes in your air fryer? Try my Air Fryer Catfish Nuggets or Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Wings!

Keep scrolling for the full printable recipe 💙

Recipe tips and substitution ideas:

• Swap the seasoned salt for Old Bay, Cajun seasoning, or lemon pepper for a different flavor, or replace the cornmeal with panko for a lighter crunch. Gluten free flour works well if you need a GF version, and avocado oil spray or melted butter can be used instead of olive oil. To jazz things up, mix Parmesan cheese into the coating, add a little cayenne or chili powder for heat, or squeeze fresh lemon juice over the shrimp after cooking. They’re also fantastic with dipping sauces like cocktail sauce, garlic aioli, or spicy sriracha mayo.

• For the best results, make sure to pat the shrimp dry before coating them. This helps the breading stick and crisp up beautifully. Always cook in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding, and shake or flip the shrimp halfway through to ensure even browning. They’re best served hot and fresh from the air fryer when the coating is at its crispiest.

• Keep in mind that every air fryer cooks a little differently. Some run hotter or cooler than others, which can change the cooking time. It’s always best to start checking your shrimp a couple of minutes early to avoid overcooking, and adjust the time as needed based on your specific model.

• Place them in an airtight container lined with paper towels to absorb extra moisture, then refrigerate for up to 3 days. When ready to enjoy, reheat them in the air fryer for a few minutes at 350°F to bring back their crispiness. For longer storage, you can freeze the cooked shrimp. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep well for up to 2 months. Reheat straight from frozen in the air fryer at 375°F for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until hot and crispy again.

Our favorite kitchen equipment and supplies used with this recipe:

• Ninja Air Fryer
• HULISEN Set of 3 Breading Pans
• OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Silicone Whisk Set
• Bounty Paper Towels 

Yield 4 servings

Author Hot Eats and Cool Reads

Prep time

5 Min

Cook time

8 Min

Total time

13 Min

Air Fryer Breaded Shrimp

These Air Fryer Breaded Shrimp are so good they barely make it to the table! Quick, crunchy, and delicious, they’re perfect for appetizers, dinners, or even tucked into tacos.

Ingredients

• 1 pound medium raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 large eggs
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt, divided
• 1 teaspoon black pepper, divided
• ½ cup all purpose flour
• 1 cup yellow cornmeal
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• Olive oil

Instructions

1. Pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Preheat the air fryer for 3- 4 minutes.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, minced garlic, 1 teaspoon seasoned salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper until well combined. In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, cornmeal, ½ teaspoon seasoned salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, garlic powder, parsley, and paprika. Dip each shrimp into the egg mixture, then dredge in the flour mixture until fully coated.
3. Arrange the coated shrimp on the air fryer basket or broiler plate, leaving space between each piece. Spray or drizzle lightly with olive oil. Air fry at 400°F for 6–8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the shrimp are crispy and reach an internal temperature of 145°F. Cook in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

364

Fat

10 g

Sat. Fat

2 g

Carbs

44 g

Fiber

4 g

Net carbs

39 g

Sugar

1 g

Protein

24 g

Sodium

1552 mg

Cholesterol

236 mg

Hot Eats and Cool Reads is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe you try from this blog/website. You may not always have the same results I do due to variations in ingredients, humidity, altitude, cooking temperatures, typos, errors, omissions, or individual cooking abilities. 

You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful. I am not a certified nutritionist and make no claims to the contrary. Each individual's dietary needs and restrictions are unique to the individual.

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