This air fryer panko shrimp brings you all the delicious flavor and crunchy texture of the classic recipe without the cleanup of spattered oil. Using the air fryer, the plump shrimp cook to perfection while the simple panko coating gets golden and crispy on the outside. It's the perfect combination of flavor and simplicity.
There's a reason that fried food is classic comfort food for almost all of us. That crispy coating brings delicious flavor and texture to almost anything.
The only problems with fried food is that they're terrible for your health and make such a huge mess! Just like our air fryer Mongolian beef and air fryer Greek meatballs, we cut all of that out by making an air fried panko shrimp recipe that delivers all the delicious flavor and crispy texture of the classic without all the oil, cleanup, and clogged arteries!
This air fryer shrimp recipe is quick, easy, delicious, and requires very little cleanup. Pair them with our air fryer Mediterranean vegetables or air fryer sweet potato wedges for a delicious meal full of flavor and texture.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Limited Ingredients: It only takes four ingredients to make this recipe!
- Easy: All you have to do is coat and air fry, and it only takes about 15 minutes from start to finish.
- Healthy: Air fryer recipes like this one use little to no oil to create the crispy, seasoned coating that makes it so good.
- Versatile: Pair this panko shrimp with rice and/or vegetable dishes, such as these air fryer peppers and mushrooms, for a complete meal, or serve it with dipping sauce as an appetizer.
Ingredients
- Shrimp: Choose big, plump shrimp for the best pop of flavor in each bite.
- Egg: Egg adheres the panko to the shrimp.
- Panko: Panko bread crumbs give the shrimp a crispy, golden coating.
- Old Bay: Old Bay seasoning adds a big pop of flavor.
- Oil: Just enough olive, coconut, or avocado oil is used to coat the air fryer basket.
See the recipe card at the end of the post for a full list of ingredients and their exact amounts.
Flavor Variations
- Spicy: Add red pepper flakes or cayenne for a kick of heat.
- Seasonings: Experiment with different seasonings to create your perfect blend of seasoned panko.
- Seafood: This works with shrimp, prawn, and fish.
- Tropical Twist: Add some coconut to the panko for a bit of toasted coconut flavor.
- Gluten Free: There are gluten free panko varieties available for those who can't have regular bread products.
Instructions
- Whisk the egg in a small bowl. Then, place the panko and Old Bay in another small bowl.
- Dip the shrimp in the egg. Then, dip them in the panko. Place the breaded shrimp in a preheated air fryer with the air fryer basket lightly coated in olive oil.
- Air fry the shrimp until they get crispy and golden. Enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Look for shrimp that are plump and shiny and have a fresh, salty smell. They should never be dull or smell fishy.
- Always preheat your air fryer for uniform cooking and accurate cooking times.
- Leave a little space between the shrimp so they cook evenly and get crispy on all sides.
Pairing Suggestions
Serve these crunchy air fried shrimp with white rice, fried rice, and your favorite vegetables.
You can also serve them with dipping sauces like sweet and sour, soy, honey, bang bang, or any of your other favorites.
FAQ
Panko breadcrumbs are a Japanese variety of breadcrumbs characterized by their larger, flakier shape and less dense texture than regular breadcrumbs.
Shrimp are done when they're opaque, pinkish, and C-shaped.
Shrimp gets tough primarily from overcooking. If you cook your shrimp until it's O-shaped, it's been overcooked.
More Delicious Air Fryer Recipes
If you loved this recipe, please leave a rating and a comment and let us know. We always love hearing from our readers!
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Panko Shrimp
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 390 and lightly coat the tray with olive oil using a pastry brush.
- Whisk the egg in a small bowl. Mix the panko and Old Bay in another small bowl.
- Dip each shrimp in the egg, followed by the panko. Give them a gentle shake between the egg and panko.
- Place the shrimp in a single layer, leaving space between each one, and cook for 8 to 9 minutes.
Notes
- Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
- To reheat, microwave the shrimp at 30-second intervals or air fry them at 370 for a couple of minutes.
- When buying fresh shrimp, look for bright, shiny shrimp with a briny, sea smell.
- Shrimp should never be dull or smell fishy.
- If the shrimp have heads, the eyes should be bright and not sunken.
- It's best to thaw shrimp overnight in the refrigerator.
- If you need to thaw your shrimp faster, submerge the bag in cold water.
- Never defrost shrimp in hot water or at room temperature.
Andrea says
Such a winner! I was craving something crispy without the mess of frying, and these air fryer panko shrimp turned out perfectly golden, juicy, and super easy!
Bev says
These turned out grea..nice and crispy! The old bay was the perfect seasoning.
Nicole Kendrick says
so happy to hear that!
Marie-Pierre says
These were so easy to pull off, and nothing beats a healthier crunchy shrimp! Yum!
Tisha says
Air frying the shrimp creates the perfect crust! Great recipe and was really easy to follow!
Lathiya says
My family enjoyed these air fryer panko shrimp. I served it with bang bang sauce and it was an instant hit.
Liz says
So quick, easy and delicious! These were a big hit with my family!!!
Paula says
This panko shrimp was delicious! Perfectly cripsy and it cooked so well in the air fryer. Definitely making them again.
Maggie says
My family loved this!! Will be adding this to our rotation!
Krystle says
These came out so crispy on the outside and perfectly cooked on the inside.
Elizabeth says
I loved the panko coating on these shrimp - so good! Great flavor and so easy to make.
Claudia says
Tried these and they came out perfectly crispy! Super easy and way lighter than deep-frying—definitely a keeper for quick dinners or snacks.
Lisa says
I'm always looking for a good air fryer recipe, and this one was excellent. Thank you.
Nora says
Just made this for dinner and I’m officially obsessed! The shrimp turned out perfectly crispy and juicy—no oil splatter, no mess, just pure crunchy deliciousness. This one’s going straight into my weeknight favorites list. Thank you for such a simple and tasty recipe!
Ben says
I love how crunchy these get without having to fry them. Fantastic.
Krystle says
SUPER crunchy and doesn't make a big mess like deep frying does.
Paula says
This panko shrimp was crispy perfection! Loved how easy it was to pull off in the air fryer!
Elizabeth says
Crispy and delicious! We loved these!
Nicole Kendrick says
SO SO crispy! Thank you!
Amy says
ok that was crazy easy and so yum.... definitely making that again!
Nicole Kendrick says
I love it when it is this easy! All the best!!
Ieva says
Simple, delicious and exceptionally crispy. Dipped them in smoked paprika yogurt dip - scrumptious!
Nicole Kendrick says
Smoked Paprika yogurt dip is next level! I bet it was perfection!!!
Lora says
These air fryer panko shrimp are crispy, golden, and so easy to make. All the flavor of fried shrimp—without the mess or extra oil.
Nicole Kendrick says
I love the air fryer because I hate cleaning up all that oil. Now, we get the best of both worlds!
Krystle Smith says
This looks so good! That golden panko with juicy shrimp sounds like the perfect crunch and tender combo.
Nicole Kendrick says
Crunchy and tender is the best! I am so humbled to get such a nice review!
Juno says
The coating came out perfectly crispy without being greasy at all, and the shrimp stayed super juicy inside. I paired it with a little spicy mayo dip, and it was so good.
Nicole Kendrick says
This is why I love an air fryer so much! Thank you for leaving 5 stars!
Jess says
Crispy, golden, and full of flavor — this air fryer panko shrimp is a total win. Easy to make and way less mess than deep frying!
Nicole Kendrick says
I am so glad you are enjoying the shrimp! Such an easy and fun recipe!
Swathi says
Air fryer panko shrimp looks delicious, great addition to my appetizer menu. Going to make it again.
Nicole Kendrick says
The air fryer never fails me! I am glad it worked for you too!
Talia says
These Air Fryer Panko Shrimp are a brilliant shortcut to crispy, golden shrimp. And just four main ingredients! So simple!
Nicole Kendrick says
I love these when I am in a rush and need to get a quick meal down!
Jenna says
Worked great with frozen and thawed shrimp. Will make again!
Nicole Kendrick says
That is why I love this one! It is so flexible and easy to adjust!
Lia says
The shrimp turned out crunchy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and that Old Bay + panko combo? Amazing!
Nicole Kendrick says
Thank you! Old Bay is a staple in my pantry and is perfect for when you don't wan't to spend tons of time crafting a seasoning! Enjoy!
Lora says
Crispy, golden, and perfectly tender, this air fryer panko shrimp delivers big flavor with zero mess. It’s simple, satisfying, and ready in minutes.
Nicole Kendrick says
Air fryer heaven! Thank you so much for the 5 star review. I appreciate you stopping by The Busy Kitchen! -NK
Sarah says
These shrimp are so so good!
Nicole Kendrick says
Thank you, Sarah!!
Tracey says
I loved the crunch of the panko with the juicy shrimp. This is a great recipe!
Nicole Kendrick says
The air fryer really gives this a perfect crisp every time! Thank you!
Trish says
Amazing! I love fried shrimp, and this air fryer version is just as good without the mess of frying!
Nicole Kendrick says
I bet this hit the spot then! And no messy oil everywhere. A double win!
Logan says
This air-fryer panko shrimp looks insanely good. Crispy, crunchy on the outside and juicy inside, plus super quick to make.
Nicole Kendrick says
Airy fryer shrimp is a staple at my house. The kids are always asking me to make this one!
Stef says
I made these air fryer panko shrimp and they came out perfectly crispy and golden. Quick, easy, and so tasty — I’ll be making them again soon!
Nicole Kendrick says
Making me hungry just reading your review, LOL! Thanks so much for the kind words! -NK