These Easy Air Fryer Butterfly Shrimp are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Perfect for a quick appetizer, game day snack, or simple weeknight dinner with minimal effort.
Get ready for a shrimp recipe that’s quick, crispy, and utterly addictive!
This Easy Air Fryer Butterfly Shrimp recipe transforms simple shrimp into golden, crunchy bites without deep-frying.
Perfect for game days, casual dinners, or anytime you crave a satisfying seafood snack, these shrimp cook up in minutes and deliver that restaurant-quality crunch right in your own kitchen.
Why You Will Love This Recipe!
- Crispy Texture Without Deep Frying: Get perfectly crunchy shrimp using just your air fryer.
- Quick and Easy: Ready in under 20 minutes, perfect for weeknight dinners or last-minute snacks.
- Juicy and Tender Inside: The butterfly cut keeps shrimp moist while the coating stays crisp.
- Perfect for Entertaining: Makes a tasty appetizer or party snack that everyone will love.
- Customizable Flavor: Pair with your favorite dipping sauces, from spicy to tangy or creamy.
Ingredients Needed
- Shrimp: Large raw shrimp, peeled and butterfly cut for cooking
- All-Purpose Flour: Light flour for coating shrimp before air frying
- Panko Breadcrumbs: Crispy breadcrumbs for a golden, crunchy coating
- Paprika: Adds smoky, mild flavor to the shrimp coating
- Garlic Powder: Provides aromatic, savory taste for seasoned shrimp
- Salt: Enhances all flavors throughout the shrimp and coating
- Black Pepper: Freshly ground for subtle heat and balanced flavor
- Eggs: Beaten eggs to help the coating stick properly
- Vegetable Oil Spray: Light mist to crisp shrimp in the air fryer
Recipe Variations
- Keto-Friendly Butterfly Shrimp: Swap regular breadcrumbs with almond flour or crushed pork rinds for a low-carb, keto-approved coating. Use coconut flour or a small amount of psyllium husk for extra crunch if desired.
- Gluten-Free Butterfly Shrimp: Replace all-purpose flour and panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free flour and gluten-free panko. Make sure all seasonings, including paprika and garlic powder, are certified gluten-free.
- Spicy Cajun Variation: Add cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, and onion powder to the coating mix for a fiery, Cajun-inspired shrimp.
How To Make Easy Air Fryer Butterfly Shrimp
Step One: Peel and devein your shrimp, leaving the tails on if desired. Slice each shrimp lengthwise down the middle to create a butterfly shape, then pat them dry with paper towels.
Step Two: In a bowl, combine all-purpose flour, breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well so the seasoning is evenly distributed.
Step Three: Dip each shrimp first in beaten eggs, then dredge in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently so the coating sticks. Set the coated shrimp aside on a plate.
Step Four: Spray the air fryer basket lightly with cooking spray and preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200°C) for 3–5 minutes.
Step Five: Place the shrimp in a single layer in the basket, making sure they don’t overlap. Cook for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
Step Six: Serve immediately with dipping sauces like ranch, cocktail sauce, or aioli. Garnish with fresh parsley or a squeeze of lemon if desired.
Easy Air Fryer Butterfly Shrimp Recipe Tips
- Pat Shrimp Dry: Make sure your shrimp are completely dry before coating. This helps the breading stick and ensures maximum crispiness.
- Even Coating: Press the breadcrumb mixture gently onto the shrimp to prevent it from falling off during cooking.
- Single Layer Cooking: Arrange shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Overlapping can cause uneven cooking and soggy spots.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheating ensures the shrimp cook evenly and develop a golden, crispy exterior.
- Flip Halfway: Turn the shrimp halfway through the cooking time to get crispiness on both sides.
- Optional Sauce Toss: Toss cooked shrimp in buffalo, garlic butter, or keto-friendly sauce for added flavor.
- Serving Suggestion: Serve immediately with dipping sauces like ranch, cocktail, or aioli for the best texture and flavor.
Storing, Freezing and Reheating Instructions
- Storing: Place leftover cooked shrimp in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Keep them separate from sauces if possible to maintain crispiness.
- Freezing: Arrange uncooked, breaded shrimp on a baking sheet and freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 1 month. This prevents the shrimp from sticking together and preserves texture.
- Reheating: Reheat shrimp in the air fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 3–5 minutes until heated through and crispy. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the coating soggy.
Easy Air Fryer Butterfly Shrimp Recipe Faqs
Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe? Yes, peeled and deveined frozen shrimp work well. Just thaw completely and pat dry before butterflying and coating.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free? Absolutely. Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed pork rinds in place of regular breadcrumbs for a crunchy, gluten-free option.
Can I make this recipe keto-friendly? Yes. Swap regular flour and breadcrumbs with almond flour or crushed pork rinds for a low-carb, keto-friendly version.
How long do the shrimp stay crispy? They are best served immediately but remain fairly crispy for 20–30 minutes at room temperature. Reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes to refresh the crunch.
Can I toss the shrimp in sauce after cooking? Yes. Buffalo, garlic butter, or sweet chili sauce work perfectly. Toss the shrimp lightly so the coating stays crispy.
Can I bake these in the oven instead of using an air fryer? Yes. Preheat oven to 425°F, place shrimp on a greased baking sheet, and bake for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
What dipping sauces pair well with this shrimp? Ranch, cocktail sauce, aioli, buffalo sauce, or garlic butter are all excellent choices.
Can I prepare the shrimp ahead of time? You can butterfly and coat the shrimp ahead of time, then refrigerate until ready to cook. Avoid tossing in sauce until just before serving for best texture.
More Easy Air Fryer Shrimp Recipes
Easy Shrimp Scampi Recipe (without wine)
Copycat Olive Garden Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara
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Easy Air Fryer Butterfly Shrimp
Description
Ingredients
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled, deveined, tails optional, butterflied
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large eggs
Instructions
- Peel and devein your 1 pound large shrimp leaving the tails on if desired. Slice each shrimp lengthwise down the middle to create a butterfly shape, then pat them dry with paper towels.
- In a bowl, combine 1/2 cup all-purpose flour , 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs 1 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Mix well so the seasoning is evenly distributed.
- Dip each shrimp first in beaten 2 large eggs, then dredge in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently so the coating sticks. Set the coated shrimp aside on a plate.
- Spray the air fryer basket lightly with cooking spray and preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200°C) for 3–5 minutes.
- Place the shrimp in a single layer in the basket, making sure they don’t overlap. Cook for 6–8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
- Serve immediately with dipping sauces like ranch, cocktail sauce, or aioli. Garnish with fresh parsley or a squeeze of lemon if desired.
Equipment
- Cooking Spray
- Parchment Paper, optional
Nutrition
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