Parmesan Garlic Breaded Shrimp in the Air Fryer
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Breaded Shrimp in the Air Fryer is insanely good! Made with Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, a whole bunch of other seasonings, and breadcrumbs, they’re crispy, flavorful, and come out so well in the air fryer! Ready in under 10 minutes, it’s a great option for when you don’t feel like cooking.
Breaded Shrimp in Air Fryer
Is there anything the air fryer can’t do? I know that personally I can’t shut up about how much I love this kitchen appliance.
So much so that my friends are all like, Donna… we get it! Sorry, but I just can’t help myself!!
My latest creation is this Parmesan garlic breaded shrimp in air fryer recipe. It’s shrimp that’s breaded in a mixture of cheese and seasonings that I pop in the air fryer for about 6 minutes until they’re nice and crispy. YUM!!
Perfect for a light lunch or dinner, it’s a fun option for those nights when you don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen but are still craving something tasty.
Want more shrimp recipes? Don’t miss my shrimp macaroni salad with bacon, smoked shrimp, and coconut shrimp just like Cheddar’s does it too!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Frozen Shrimp – I like using frozen shrimp as it’s easiest to find all year round no matter where you live! It has to be deveined, peeled, and cleaned with tails removed.
I usually grab a bag from the Sam’s Club frozen section.
- Butter – You have to melt the butter before using, but it’s best to let it cool a bit first as you’ll have more time to coat the shrimp before it solidifies.
I used salted butter as I didn’t mind the extra sodium in these air fryer garlic Parmesan shrimp.
- Parmigiano Cheese – I love Parmigiano cheese — in fact in Italy, they often prefer Parmigiano over Parmesan.
That said, Parmesan is okay if that’s all you can find… I often interchange the two, which is why I refer to this as a garlic Parmesan shrimp air fryer recipe!
- Seasonings – Salt, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and New Mexico chili powder provide much of the flavor in this recipe. You can play around with them and omit any you don’t like… or double up on the ones you love.
Sometimes I’ll even add some fresh, minced garlic to the mix to intensify the garlic flavor!
Tips and Tricks to Make Perfect Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Shrimp
- Prep your air fryer to prevent sticking.
There are a few different options!
You can either spray the basket with some nonstick cooking spray, or you can preheat it for a few minutes before adding the breaded shrimp in the air fryer.
Cleanup will be a lot easier, and your air fryer garlic parmesan shrimp won’t stick to the basket.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket.
Proper air circulation is key to getting that crispy texture I know you all love with air fryer breaded shrimp!
Make sure your shrimp are in a single layer with some space in between each one. If you’re working with a lot, it’s always better to cook in batches.
- Flip or shake for the best results.
About halfway through the cooking time, make sure to flip the shrimp or simply shake the air fryer basket so that they turn over.
This helps ensure even browning and crisping on all sides of the shrimp.
- A few variations to try:
I always encourage you to have fun with my recipes!
You can make it spicy by adding a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes of chopped jalapenos to the breadcrumbs mixture. Or, make it deluxe and sprinkle some extra cheese on top.
Those are just a few ideas… feel free to add your own unique spin to your garlic Parmesan shrimp in air fryer.
Prep Ahead
- Prepare the shrimp
- Melt and cool the butter
- Preheat the air fryer to 370°F
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
- Air Fryer – Different brands and sizes may require different cooking times, so be familiar with your model and make adjustments as needed.
- Mixing Bowls – I like to have a variety of sizes on hand, and this set has them all.
- Wood Turner – My most used spoon or spatula in my kitchen! It’s amazing for tossing.
Serving Suggestions
As soon as the timer goes off, remove your air fryer breaded shrimp from the basket. Grab a spatula and scrape out any remaining spices and butter — you want to add all of that flavor back to your shrimp!
I like these over rice, pasta, in a salad, or as an appetizer with marinara dipping sauce. Instant Pot Brown Rice is a good choice, though I have to say that in my house we serve these over lemon pasta most often.
There are also a ton of options for leftovers. Add them to a wrap with some fresh veggies for lunch, make a seafood omelet for breakfast, or serve up some shrimp tacos for dinner!
Storing and Reheating Air Fryer Breaded Shrimp
You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Let them come to room temperature and enjoy that way, or reheat breaded shrimp in air fryer for 1-2 minutes at 325°F.
I don’t recommend freezing, thawing, and reheating cooked shrimp as the change in temperature will mess with the texture too much.
Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Air Fryer FAQ
The key is to either preheat or grease the basket before getting started and to remember to flip the shrimp halfway through.
Don’t forget about the importance of arranging the shrimp in a single layer either! It gives the hot air the chance to circulate much better, resulting in a crispier exterior.
Absolutely! The air fryer will give your breaded shrimp a super crispy texture without a ton of excess oil.
Sure! In fact, panko will give your air fryer breaded shrimp an even crispier coating. You can substitute the same amount of panko for the regular breadcrumbs.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Parmesan Garlic Breaded Shrimp in the Air Fryer
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound frozen medium size shrimp, deveined, peeled, cleaned, tail off *I get the bag at Sam’s Club frozen section.
- 1/4 cup melted butter, I used salted but unsalted can also be used, melted but cooled, 4 tablespoons
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, or any oil of your liking
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon New Mexico chili powder
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons fresh grated Parmigiano cheese, more if you want to sprinkle some when serving
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl put the frozen shrimp.
- Pour the cooled melted butter, and olive oil and mix to coat the shrimp.
- Sprinkle the salt, garlic powder, Paprika, and Chili Powder and mix so all the seasonings are coating the shrimp.
- Mix the bread crumbs and the Parmigiano and sprinkle over the shrimp. Using 2 big forks or wooden spatulas, toss to evenly distribute the breadcrumbs.
- Place the shrimp into the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Air Fry at 370 degrees F for 3 minutes, flip, and air fry for an additional 2 to 3 minutes.
- Serve and Enjoy!
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published October 2024
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