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Air Fryer Popcorn Shrimp with Crispy Panko Coating and Sweet Chili Dipping Sauce Recipe

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4.1 from 9 reviews

Crispy and flavorful air fryer popcorn shrimp with a crunchy panko crust and a perfectly seasoned double coating. This quick and easy recipe uses the air fryer for a healthy, less messy cooking experience, complemented by a tangy homemade dipping sauce.

Ingredients

For the Shrimp

  • 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon Cajun seasoning
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon white pepper
  • 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
  • Nonstick cooking spray (choose one without added propellants or accelerants)

For the Dipping Sauce

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 3 tablespoons ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce

Instructions

  1. Prepare Seasoning Mix: In a small bowl, combine the Old Bay seasoning, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, Cajun seasoning, black pepper, and white pepper to create a flavorful spice blend.
  2. Season the Shrimp: In a medium bowl, toss the peeled and deveined shrimp with one quarter of the seasoning mixture to infuse initial flavor.
  3. Season the Flour: In another small bowl, mix the remaining seasoning blend with the all-purpose flour, then sprinkle this over the shrimp, tossing gently to coat evenly for an extra layer of seasoning.
  4. Prepare Breading: Combine the remaining seasoning mixture with the panko breadcrumbs in a shallow bowl, ensuring the breading is also well seasoned.
  5. Beat the Eggs: Place the beaten eggs in a separate shallow bowl to use as a binding agent for the breading.
  6. Preheat Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (204°C) and let it preheat while you bread the shrimp.
  7. Bread the Shrimp: Dip each shrimp first into the beaten eggs, then coat thoroughly with the seasoned panko breadcrumb mixture, ensuring even coverage.
  8. Prepare Air Fryer Basket: Line the air fryer basket with a parchment liner if available, and spray the basket or liner with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Plan to cook shrimp in about three batches to avoid overcrowding.
  9. First Air Frying Session: Arrange the shrimp in a single layer in the basket and spray the tops lightly with oil. Air fry for 4 minutes.
  10. Flip and Continue Cooking: Flip the shrimp over, spray the tops again with oil, and air fry for an additional 4 minutes or until the shrimp are golden brown and crispy.
  11. Repeat Cooking: Continue air frying the remaining shrimp in batches following the same process until all are cooked.
  12. Make Dipping Sauce: While the shrimp cooks, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, and sweet chili sauce in a small bowl to create a tangy dipping sauce.
  13. Serve: Serve the popcorn shrimp hot with the homemade dipping sauce on the side for dipping.

Notes

  • Keep finished shrimp warm in a 200°F oven while cooking remaining batches to maintain crispiness.
  • Leftover shrimp can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two days and reheated in the air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes to restore crisp texture.
  • To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs.

Find it online: https://cookedbysarah.com/air-fryer-popcorn-shrimp-with-crispy-panko-coating-and-sweet-chili-dipping-sauce-recipe/