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Can you cook frozen shrimp without thawing? Yes! You’ll love my frozen jumbo shrimp in the air fryer for an easy weeknight dinner or appetizer. You don’t have to thaw air fryer shrimp before cooking. All you need is shrimp and your favorite dipping sauce for this high protein main dish that is low carb, keto, low calorie, and gluten free.
Making air fried raw frozen shrimp is such a simple idea, I wondered if it were even worth posting. I mean, with one ingredient, this is barely a recipe.
However, I’ve learned that it’s the easy ideas, like air fryer frozen shrimp, that tend to be most popular. We might not have 1-2 hours to make a complicated dinner recipe (except maybe on the weekends). Taking 10-20 minutes to air fry shrimp might be much more manageable Monday through Friday.
Think of this tutorial on how to cook frozen raw shrimp as an idea as much as a recipe. Add some bagged salad or other veggies, and you’ve got yourself a nutritious meal.
⭐ Frozen Jumbo Shrimp in Air Fryer
Here are the ingredients you need for my jumbo shrimp air fryer recipe:
- A bag of frozen shrimp
- Dipping sauce of choice
You don’t even need cooking oil spray! I used peeled, deveined, tail-on, raw shrimp for this recipe. I prefer peeled shrimp, but you can air fry shell-on shrimp if you’d prefer.
The size of your shrimp will impact the cooking times in the air fryer. Frozen shrimp are generally sold with two numbers indicating how many shrimps per pound. For example, with “26/30” shrimp you get 26-30 shrimp per pound.
I air fried a bag of 11/15 shrimp (colossal, sometimes labeled jumbo) and a bag of 26/30 shrimp (extra large). Both sizes are super for dipping!
Between the two sizes, I prefer the extra-large shrimp for air frying. Extra-large shrimp cook more evenly in the air fryer than larger shrimp. (The smaller the shrimp size, the less expensive they tend to be too!)
The Ninja Foodi, Pampered Chef, Cuisinart, Actifry, Nuwave, Instant Vortex, Philips, Cosori, Power Air Fryer, etc. are all great for air frying shrimp. However, if your air fryer has a smaller capacity than mine, you may have to air fry shrimp in multiple batches.
🍤 How to Make Air Fryer Jumbo Shrimp
Gently separate any frozen shrimp that are sticking together. If you can’t pull them apart with your fingers, put them in a bowl of cool water to release them. Pat them dry.
Put the shrimp in a non-touching, single layer on your air fryer trays. I needed two trays to cook a whole bag of shrimp. (That would be 1½ lbs of colossal shrimp, or 1 lb of extra-large shrimp.)
Make sure the drip tray is in place in the air fryer. Lots of water will collect on the bottom as the shrimp cook!
How long to air fry frozen shrimp? The time needed to air fry shrimp depends on the size of the shrimp you start with! It’s important not to overcook shrimp, as overcooked shrimp becomes quite rubbery in texture.
For colossal shrimp (11/15), cook for 10 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200C). Then flip them over and switch the tray positions in the air fryer. Air fry at 400F for 7-9 minutes more.
If the shrimp on the bottom rack hasn’t finished cooking, put them on the top rack and air fry 2-4 more minutes. If you are using an air fryer basket or just one air fryer tray, the air frying times should be shorter. Check your colossal shrimp often the first time you air fry them, as they can get overcooked very easily.
For extra large shrimp (26/30), cook for 9 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Then flip the shrimp and switch the tray positions in the air fryer oven. Air fry for 3 more minutes at 400F.
If you’re only air frying one tray of shrimp, put it in the top rack position of the air fryer (or use an air fryer basket). Air fry for 8-10 minutes at 400F.
🦐 Air Fryer Shrimp Tips
Both fish and shellfish should be cooked to a safe minimum internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit (63C). This recommendation is right on the USDA website. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature of your shrimp for doneness.
In truth, it’s difficult to get thick shellfish (think colossal shrimp and big scallops) to 145 internally in air fryer recipes without overcooking them. For extra large shrimp and smaller, you should be able to get the shrimp to 145F without overcooking.
🌡️ Air Fryer Shrimp Storage
Store cooked shrimp leftovers for up to 2-3 days in an airtight container in the fridge. Chilled leftover shrimp is delicious with dipping sauces, such as cocktail sauce, guacamole, or this gluten free sweet and sour sauce. To reheat shrimp, try air frying at 350F for 2-3 minutes.
Watch How to Make It!
Frozen Jumbo Shrimp in Air Fryer (Recipe + Calories Info)
Ingredients
- 1-1½ lbs raw frozen shrimp (454-680 grams; peeled, tail-on)
- dipping sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Place frozen shrimp (do not thaw!) in a single, non-touching layer on two air fryer trays. I was able to fit 1 lb. (454 grams) of 26/30 frozen shrimp on two trays or 1½ lbs. (680 grams) of 11/15 frozen shrimp. Put trays into air fryer oven.
To air fry extra large (26/30) shrimp:
- Air fry for 9 minutes at 400°F (200°C). Flip the shrimp, and switch the position of the trays in the air fryer. Air fry 3 more minutes at 400°F (200°C).
- Check to ensure the internal temperature of the shrimp has reached at least 145°F (63°C) with the meat thermometer, if you want to be extra cautious.
- Small batch: If cooking a smaller batch of shrimp (½ lb./227 grams or less) on one tray (or in an air fryer basket), place the tray in the top rack position of the air fryer oven. Air fry for 8-10 minutes at 400°F (200°C). (see notes)
To air fry colossal (11/15) shrimp:
- Note: Jumbo and colossal shrimp overcook very easily in the air fryer! Cooking smaller-sized shrimp is recommended because they cook more evenly.
- Air fry for 10 minutes at 400°F (200°C). Flip the shrimp, and switch the position of the trays in the air fryer. Air fry 7-9 more minutes at 400°F (200°C). My shrimp on the top rack were finished cooking at this point.
- If the shrimp on the bottom rack are not fully cooked yet, flip them once more and put them in the top rack position. Air fry for 2-4 more minutes at 400°F (200°C).
- To be extra safe, use a kitchen thermometer to ensure the shrimp reached a minimum safe internal temp of 145°F (63°C). Unfortunately, your colossal shrimp may be overcooked at this point. A better way to check for doneness with shrimp this size is to cut one through at the thickest part. Fully cooked shrimp should have white, opaque flesh.
- Serve shrimp with dipping sauce.
Equipment
Notes
💭 Expert Tips from Dietitian Summer Yule
This is a level 1 recipe (may help support fat loss). Shrimp is a lean protein that is low calorie, low in carbohydrates, and delicious. Additionally, many of us aren’t getting the recommended amount of seafood in our diets. Including a little shrimp in our week can help get us closer to that goal. Here, we’ve air fried raw frozen shrimp (no breading). In general, shrimp without breading is a healthier choice than breaded shrimp or beer battered shrimp. (I can think of exceptions to this “rule,” but in dietetics there are often exceptions to general nutrition statements.) When you skip the breading, you also remove all the white flour, sugar, and oil. All you’re left with is the delicious shrimp, and that’s a good thing. While store-bought breaded and battered shrimps count as ultra-processed foods, plain shrimp does not. Nutrition information for one serving of extra-large shrimp without dipping sauce.
nutrition info disclaimer
All recipes on this website may or may not be appropriate for you, depending on your medical needs and personal preferences. Consult with a registered dietitian or your physician if you need help determining the dietary pattern that may be best for you.
The nutrition information is an estimate provided as a courtesy. It will differ depending on the specific brands and ingredients that you use. Calorie information on food labels may be inaccurate, so please don’t sweat the numbers too much.
“To taste” means to your preferences, which may have to be visual to follow food safety rules. Please don’t eat undercooked food x
Nutrition
FAQs
How to make frozen breaded shrimp in an air fryer?
You can also make air fryer frozen breaded shrimp! Preheat your air fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit. Air fry breaded shrimp (frozen) for 5-8 minutes on the top rack of your air fryer oven.
How to make Gorton’s frozen shrimp in an air fryer?
Gorton’s frozen breaded shrimp can be cooked using the air fryer directions for breaded shrimp above. Air fry for 5-8 minutes on the top rack in an air fryer preheated to 390F. Cook them a little longer if they are not done to your liking.
How to air fry Seapak butterfly shrimp?
Seapak recommends cooking their butterfly shrimp for 8 minutes in an air fryer preheated to 390F. Seapak popcorn shrimp should be cooked for 7 minutes in an air fryer preheated to 390F.
What is the shelf life of frozen shrimp?
In general, frozen shrimp can be stored in the freezer for 3-6 months. They may last longer depending on how they were packaged. As with all things regarding food safety, when in doubt, throw it out if you have suspicions your shrimp has spoiled.
How to air fry cooked frozen shrimp?
Try cooking the shrimp for half of the time listed in this recipe. For example, raw frozen 26/30 shrimp should air fry for 10 minutes on the top rack. Try air frying cooked frozen 26/30 shrimp for only 5 minutes.
🥗 Shrimp Side Dishes
What to serve with frozen shrimp? My favorite way to serve shrimp is as the protein in my MyPlate Meals formula. If you haven’t checked it out yet, I highly recommend it if you’re looking for endless easy dinner ideas! Here’s my plate:
You could also cook up some pasta and toss it with shrimp and Old Bay seasoning. Italian seasoning, lemon pepper seasoning, garlic powder, Cajun seasoning, paprika, or a squeeze of lemon juice are great on shrimp. Air fryer shrimp scampi or air fryer garlic shrimp are some of the other possibilities that are full of flavor.
Shrimp are also wonderful in shrimp tacos, fajita, and they’re also super as a light snack or appetizer. Here are some delicious sides that would be great with frozen shrimp:
👩🏻🍳 More Shrimp Recipes
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Hello! I’m Summer, a registered dietitian and home chef who loves to cook, eat, and create recipes for you! Every recipe on this site has been tested by me to help ensure your success in the kitchen. All eaters are welcome here 🙂
Have you made other types of seafood in the air fryer—what’s your favorite so far?