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A plate of golden-brown, crispy Air Fryer Popcorn Shrimp is served alongside a bowl of creamy dipping sauce. The shrimp are arranged in an oval dish with a fork visible in the background, and part of a blue and white patterned cloth napkin showing to the side.
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5 from 1 vote

Air Fryer Popcorn Shrimp

Air Fryer Popcorn Shrimp makes the perfect bite size appetizer or snack. The shrimp cooks easily in the air fryer for the best crunchy texture.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time8 minutes
Total Time23 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Author: Carrie Barnard

Ingredients

For the Shrimp:

  • 1 lb Small Shrimp peeled, deveined, raw and thawed
  • ½ cup All Purpose Flour
  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder
  • ½ teaspoon Paprika
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • ½ tsp Pepper
  • 1 cup Panko Bread Crumbs
  • 2 Large Eggs
  • Cooking Spray

For the Sauce:

  • 1 cup Mayonnaise
  • 1 Tablespoon Sweet Pickle Juice
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon Mustard
  • 2 teaspoons Creole Seasoning or Cajun seasoning
  • 2 teaspoons Paprika
  • 2 teaspoons Horseradish Sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Hot Sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Minced Garlic

Instructions

  • Mix the sauce ingredients together in a small bowl.  Cover and refrigerate until the shrimp is ready.
  • Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees F.  If your air fryer does not have a preheat option, then set the air fryer to 390 degrees F and run for 5 minutes.
  • Place the flour in 1 bowl, beat the eggs together in a separate bowl and combine the bread crumbs and seasoning together in a 3rd bowl.
  • Coat the shrimp in the flour mixture, then dip the shrimp in the eggs and then coat in the breadcrumbs mixture.
  • Complete this process with the remaining shrimp.
  • Spray the shrimp with the cooking spray.
  • Add the shrimp to the air fryer basket in a single layer (you may have to cook in batches).  Cook for 4 minutes at 390 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Flip the shrimp and spray the other side with the cooking spray as well.
  • Cook for 4 more minutes.
  • Follow the same process until all the shrimp is cooked.
  • Serve with the chilled sauce and enjoy!

Notes

If you use frozen shrimp, make sure that the shrimp is fully defrosted out and pat dry with paper towels before coating them.  
Refrigerate the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 643kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 46g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 26g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 288mg | Sodium: 1.39mg | Potassium: 470mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1.195IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 133mg | Iron: 3mg
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