Air Fryer Shrimp Hush Puppies

Air Fryer Shrimp Hush Puppies are so good! If you have been looking for the perfect Air Fryer Hush Puppies Recipe, this one is so good, and it’s straightforward to make in the Air Fryer!

These are also known as Southern Hush Puppies, which are small fritters that are traditionally deep-fried, but today, I used the air fryer.

They are filled with shrimp, jalapeno, cream cheese, and spices and are held together with both bread and cornmeal for a great and classic side dish, appetizer, or snack! These are fabulous.

Today, I served them up with a Classic Cilantro Mayo, and it paired very well! There is nothing like serving an appetizer with a great sauce!

If you are looking for even more Air Fryer Seafood Recipes, some of my favorites are LEMON DILL AIR FRYER SALMON, AIR FRYER OLD BAY SHRIMP, and GARLIC PARMESAN AIR-FRIED SHRIMP RECIPE.

Fried Shrimp Hush Puppies

Shrimp hush Puppies are perfect for the air fryer since they are traditionally deep-fried, so I choose to use my air fryer today. They are prepared by using cornmeal batter and then adding some shrimp, jalapeno, and other ingredients, and they make for a great snack.

They are the perfect size for serving as appetizers, and they are tender, delicious, and so good! The air fryer does an amazing job perfectly cooking them up, so the outside is crispy, while the inside is tender and delicious.

Serve these at your next party for a show stopper!

Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Shrimp Hush Puppies

Here are the simple ingredients, you will need for Shrimp Hush Puppies Recipe:

Remember the step-by-step directions and detailed ingredient list are below, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, as well as the nutritional information.

• Shrimp: Adds delicious seafood flavor and texture to the hush puppies, making them hearty and satisfying.
• Cream Cheese: Adds richness and creaminess to the hush puppies, contributing to their texture and flavor.
• Jalapenos: Finely chopped jalapenos provide a spicy kick and a burst of flavor to the hush puppies.
• Black Pepper: Adds a subtle heat and enhances the overall flavor profile of the hush puppies.
• Paprika: Adds a warm, earthy flavor and a reddish hue to the hush puppies, complementing the other spices.
• Salt: Enhances the flavor of the hush puppies and balances the sweetness from the cornmeal.
• Cornmeal: For binding the hush puppies.
• All-purpose flour: Adds structure and helps bind the ingredients together.
• Garlic Powder: Infuses the hush puppies with aromatic garlic flavor, enhancing their savory profile and adding depth of taste.
• White Bread: Used as a base ingredient to give the hush puppies their classic texture and structure.
• Egg: Helps bind the ingredients together and adds moisture to the mixture.

How To Make Shrimp Hush Puppies In Air Fryer

Here are the simple steps to make shrimp hush puppies in the air fryer:

Remove the tail from the shrimp. Coarsely chop shrimp. Mince jalapenos and set aside 1 tbsp for the spicy cilantro mayo. Add to a bowl with softened cream cheese, minced jalapenos, pepper, paprika, and salt. Mix well to combine

Prepare a dredging station. Add cornmeal, flour, and garlic powder to one bowl, chopped bread to another, and whisk 3 eggs in the last bowl. 

Form shrimp mixture into golf ball-sized balls. Dip balls into eggs, allow excess eggs to drip off.

Roll the balls into the cornmeal mixture, then dip back into the eggs.

Finally, roll the balls in the bread, pressing the bread cubes to help them to adhere. Set the completed hushpuppies onto a baking sheet as you work. Place into the freezer for 15 minutes before cooking.

Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F, air fryer setting, for 5 minutes.  Line the air fryer basket with foil and spray the foil lightly with cooking spray. Arrange hushpuppies in a single layer on the foil and place them into the air fryer. Lightly spray the hushpuppies with cooking spray—Cook for 8 minutes. Stop halfway through cooking time to turn the hushpuppies for even cooking and spray again with oil. Note* they will be pliable at first, so handle with care.

Prepare the spicy cilantro mayo. Add all ingredients to a food processor or blender and puree for 15 seconds. 

Arrange hushpuppies on a platter with the spicy cilantro mayo for a dip. Garnish with cilantro and enjoy!

Some Pro Tips For Air Fryer Shrimp Hush Puppies Recipe

• This recipe will work in any air fryer, including the Ninja Foodi, Instant Pot Vortex, Instant Pot Crisp Lid, and even the Mealthy. The cooking time may vary by a few minutes due to the difference in the air fryers.
• If you want to add some heat to these Hush Puppies, add a few seeds from the Jalapeno pepper, or add some red pepper flakes.
• Try to make the hush puppies the same size so that they all cook up at about the same time.
• To add some crispiness, I sprayed them with cooking spray.
• Do not crowd the basket, and these Air Fryer Fried Shrimp Hush Puppies really need room in between them to perfectly crisp up.
• If you are making them in batches, you can place them into the oven to warm at 200 degrees F until they are all cooked up.

Some Recipe Variations Air Fryer Shrimp Hush Puppies

There are some great ways to make this recipe your own. Some of my favorites suggestions are;

• Add Some Onions: Diced onions, onion flakes, onion powder, sliced green onions, or chives.
• Sweet Hush Puppies: Add some granulated sugar (about 2 tablespoons) to the batter, or serve with a honey butter mixture.
• Corn: Add frozen, canned, or fresh corn into the batter. You would only need about 1/2 cup.
• Spice: Although I used jalapeno peppers, you could add some jalapeno seeds or some red pepper flakes into the batter or serve with a drizzle of hot sauce.

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

• AIR FRYER SOUTHERN STYLE CHICKEN TENDERS
• AIR FRYER PARMESAN TOMATOES
• CRISPY AIR FRYER EGGPLANT PARMESAN
• AIR FRYER OLD BAY SHRIMP
• AIR FRYER SPICY CHICKPEAS
• EASY AIR FRYER MEXICAN STREET CORN ON THE COB
• AIR FRYER FROZEN FISH STICKS
• AIR FRYER CHEESE CURDS
• EASY AIR FRYER FROZEN OKRA

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