If you’re looking for a simple, crowd-pleasing appetizer for small get-togethers, air fryer frozen shrimp tempura might be what you’re after.
Making them in the air fryer only takes a few minutes, and they come out deliciously crispy. They are great for dipping in sweet or salty sauces – and we also like to use them in homemade sushi rolls.
Recipe Tips
- Since every air fryer and each brand of tempura shrimp is different, your total cooking time might vary. Just keep an eye on the shrimp towards the end.
- Our times are for uncooked shrimp tempura. If you have pre-cooked shrimp, the cooking time will be slightly shorter.
- Some frozen shrimp tempura are supposed to be cooked to 145 degrees Fahrenheit (63 degrees Celsius), others to 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius). Check your packaging instructions.
- You can check the internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer so the shrimp can cook and crisp evenly.
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Step-by-Step Instructions
First, preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Fahrenheit).
When the air fryer is hot, add the frozen tempura shrimp. There shouldn’t be any overlap so they can cook and crisp evenly. Cook in batches if needed.
Air fry the frozen shrimp for a total of 11-14 minutes, or until they are fully cooked through and lightly golden on the outside. Flip the shrimp halfway through the cook time.
Some shrimps might come precooked. If that’s the case, the cooking time will likely be slightly shorter. As mentioned, the exact cooking time can vary.
Once cooked and crispy, remove the shrimp from the air fryer and serve them with a dipping sauce (frozen shrimp tempura often come with one). Enjoy!
Storage Tips
Shrimp tempura is best enjoyed hot and fresh out of the air fryer. If you do have any leftovers, store them in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
The shrimp may lose some of their crispiness over time. Enjoy them cold or reheat them in the air fryer (not the microwave, or else they may get soft and rubbery).
Related Recipes
For more easy air fryer appetizers, check out these other seafood classics:
- Air Fryer Frozen Coconut Shrimp
- Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp (Homemade)
- Frozen Breaded Calamari in the Air Fryer
- Frozen Bacon-Wrapped Scallops Air Fried
- Air Fryer Frozen Popcorn Shrimp
Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp Tempura
Ingredients
- 8 frozen shrimp tempura, see notes
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius).
- When the air fryer is hot, add the frozen tempura shrimp in one even layer. There shouldn't be any overlap so they can cook and crisp evenly. Cook in batches if needed.
- Air fry the frozen shrimp at 360 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius) for a total of 8-11 minutes, or until they are fully cooked through with a lightly golden exterior. Flip the shrimp halfway through the cooking time. They should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Fahrenheit) or the temperature indicated on the packaging if it's different.
- Once cooked and crispy, remove the shrimp from the air fryer and serve with dipping sauce (often frozen shrimp tempura comes with one).
Video
Notes
- The exact cooking time can vary depending on the air fryer, the size of the shrimp tempura, and whether they are pre-cooked or not.
- These times are for uncooked shrimp tempura. If you have pre-cooked shrimp, the cooking time will be slightly shorter. It should indicate whether your shrimp are pre-cooked on the packaging.
- The packaging of the shrimp tempura we used recommended an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Other shrimp tempura brands mention 145 degrees Fahrenheit as a safe internal temperature. Check the packaging of the shrimp tempura you’re using and adjust the cook time accordingly.
- You can check the internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer so the shrimp can cook and crisp evenly.
Nutrition
This nutritional information has been estimated by an online nutrition calculator. It should only be seen as a rough calculation and not a replacement for professional dietary advice.
Thanks for sharing this info. I’m new to Air Frying and I’m so glad you took the time to research and give us the correct timing. They can out perfect! 🍤