Making frozen air fryer popcorn shrimp is incredibly easy and fast. This easy grab-and-go air fryer snack is simple to make and cooks in about 6 minutes.
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Popcorn shrimp are an absolutely delicious snack, appetizer, or main dish. It’s so convenient (and affordable!) to buy some frozen popcorn shrimp at the store, toss them in the air fryer, and enjoy them in the comfort of your own home.
Because in your home, unlike restaurants, pants are 100% optional.
In addition to making great appetizers, a box of popcorn shrimp means you’re already about halfway to a full meal. Use them in lieu of fresh shrimp in our Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos, toss them on top of Lemon Garlic Pasta or a Kale Chopped Salad, or use them in a homemade shrimp po’boy.
Please note, this recipe is for making store-bought frozen popcorn shrimp in the air fryer. If you’re interested in an unbreaded version, check out our Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
I used our 5.8-quart Cosori air fryer, which is enough for cooking about 20 oz of popcorn shrimp at a time in the basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer and how much shrimp you’d like to cook, you may need to cook multiple batches.
If you’re serving these for a crowd, see the FAQ section below on how to reheat cooked popcorn shrimp.
Occasionally I will also use air fryer parchment to prevent the basket from getting messy. Frozen popcorn shrimp have already been fried in oil so I find that they do not stick to the air fryer basket when cooking.
HOW LONG DO YOU COOK Popcorn Shrimp IN THE AIR FRYER?
On average it will take 6-8 minutes to cook ~20 oz of popcorn shrimp. It can vary on how many shrimp you are cooking at a time and the size of the shrimp.
PRO TIPS/RECIPE NOTES
- Do NOT thaw the frozen shrimp before placing them in the air fryer.
- There is no need to use oil on store-bought frozen popcorn shrimp.
- Some overlap of the shrimp in the basket is ok. They will shrink up a bit as they cook.
- You do not need to flip the shrimp. However, it’s a good idea to shake the basket once during the cooking process to redistribute the shrimp for even cooking.
- Most popcorn shrimp sold in stores is already cooked. If you find raw frozen popcorn shrimp, you may need to increase the cooking time by a few minutes. Shrimp must reach 145F to be considered safe to eat. Before serving, test with an instant-read thermometer.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is not necessary to preheat your air fryer when cooking frozen popcorn shrimp.
You can store cooked popcorn shrimp in an air-tight container for 3-4 days in the fridge.
Allow them to fully cool before putting the lid on the container. This prevents condensation from accumulating in the storage container.
Yes! Place cold popcorn shrimp in the air fryer and cook at 350F for 3 minutes.
MORE AIR FRYER Recipes YOU’LL LOVE
Air Fryer Popcorn Shrimp
Making frozen air fryer popcorn shrimp is incredibly easy and fast! This easy grab-and-go air fryer snack is simple to make and cooks in about 6 minutes.
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Add up to 20 oz of popcorn shrimp to the air fryer basket.
20 oz frozen popcorn shrimp
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Cook for 3 minutes at 380F, then shake the basket and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes.
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Cool slightly and serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
- Do NOT thaw the frozen shrimp before placing them in the air fryer.
- There is no need to use oil on store-bought frozen popcorn shrimp.
- Some overlap of the shrimp in the basket is ok. They will shrink up a bit as they cook.
Nutrition Facts
Air Fryer Popcorn Shrimp
Amount Per Serving (4 oz)
Calories 230
Calories from Fat 99
% Daily Value*
Fat 11g17%
Sodium 400mg17%
Carbohydrates 22g7%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 10g20%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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