Air fryer shrimp tacos! That’s right, we’re taking the classic taco and giving it a healthy and incredibly flavorful twist. Crispy, succulent shrimp cooked to perfection in the air fryer, nestled in warm tortillas with all your favorite toppings. This recipe started on a busy weeknight, when I was craving something satisfying but didn’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. I had some frozen shrimp, an almost empty fridge, and the idea for air fryer shrimp tacos was born. You’re going to love how easy and delicious these air fryer shrimp tacos are.
Why You Will Love This air fryer shrimp tacos Recipe
These air fryer shrimp tacos are a game changer! They’re fast, incredibly flavorful, and a healthier alternative to traditional fried tacos. I love how versatile they are you can customize them with any toppings you like. Plus, cleanup is a breeze thanks to the air fryer. Remember summer nights eating shrimp tacos with grandma? That’s the feeling I’m bringing to your table, but faster and easier.
This recipe is special because it uses the air fryer to achieve that perfect crispy texture without all the extra oil. It’s a simple way to enjoy restaurant quality tacos at home, any night of the week. For another quick and delicious meal, you could also try my Air Fryer Salmon Tacos.
Ingredients Needed for This air fryer shrimp tacos Recipe
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 lime, juiced
- 12 small corn or flour tortillas
- Optional toppings: shredded cabbage, pico de gallo, avocado, cilantro, lime wedges, sriracha mayo
How to Make This air fryer shrimp tacos Recipe
- 1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- 2. In a medium bowl, toss the shrimp with olive oil, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and lime juice. Make sure shrimp is evenly coated for maximum flavor.
- 3. Place the seasoned shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding the basket for even cooking.
- 4. Air fry for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the shrimp is pink and cooked through. Cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer.
- 5. While the shrimp is cooking, warm the tortillas according to package directions. You can use a skillet, microwave or even the air fryer for a few seconds. For an alternative, why not consider my Air Fryer Chicken Tacos?
- 6. Fill each tortilla with the air fried shrimp and your favorite toppings.
- 7. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious air fryer shrimp tacos!
Serving these air fryer shrimp tacos is all about the toppings! I love a mix of fresh and creamy elements. Consider setting up a taco bar so everyone can customize their own.
Here are some ideas:
- Shredded cabbage for crunch
- Pico de gallo for freshness
- Sliced avocado for creaminess
- Fresh cilantro for flavor
- Lime wedges for a zesty kick
- Sriracha mayo for spice
- A small side of Mexican rice and beans complements the tacos perfectly.
If you have leftover shrimp, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Refrigerate cooked shrimp for up to 3 days.
- I don’t recommend freezing cooked shrimp as it can become rubbery.
- To reheat, gently warm the shrimp in a skillet or in the air fryer for a few minutes until heated through.
- Wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave for 20 to 30 seconds or warm them on a dry skillet until pliable.
- For extra flavor, marinate the shrimp for at least 30 minutes before cooking. The longer it marinates, the more flavorful it will be.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the shrimp in batches if necessary to ensure even cooking.
- Use high quality tortillas. Good tortillas make a big difference in the overall taste and texture of the tacos.
- Experiment with different toppings to find your favorite combination. Get creative and have fun!
- If you don’t have smoked paprika, regular paprika will work fine but it will affect the smoky flavor.
- For a spicier taco, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the shrimp seasoning.
- You can use frozen shrimp for this recipe. Just make sure to thaw it completely and pat it dry before seasoning.
- Make sure to adjust cooking time depending on the size of your shrimp.
- Spicy air fryer shrimp tacos: Add a diced jalapeno to the shrimp marinade or drizzle with hot sauce.
- Tropical air fryer shrimp tacos: Top with mango salsa and a drizzle of coconut cream. Don’t forget to try my recipe for Air Fryer Shrimp Salad 2!
- Blackened air fryer shrimp tacos: Use a blackened seasoning blend for the shrimp.
- Creamy air fryer shrimp tacos: Add a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt to each taco.
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These air fryer shrimp tacos are a quick, easy, and delicious meal that’s perfect for weeknights. The crispy shrimp combined with your favorite toppings makes for a satisfying and flavorful experience. So grab your air fryer and get ready to enjoy the best air fryer shrimp tacos you’ve ever had! Let me know in the comments how they turn out!
How do I prevent my air fryer shrimp tacos from being soggy?
To prevent soggy air fryer shrimp tacos, ensure the shrimp is patted dry before seasoning and cooking. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to promote even cooking and crispiness.
What toppings go well with air fryer shrimp tacos?
Popular toppings for air fryer shrimp tacos include shredded cabbage, pico de gallo, avocado slices, a squeeze of lime, and a creamy sauce like chipotle mayo or cilantro lime dressing. Feel free to customize with your favorite taco toppings!
Can I use frozen shrimp for air fryer shrimp tacos?
Yes, you can use frozen shrimp for air fryer shrimp tacos. Just make sure to thaw the shrimp completely and pat it dry before seasoning and cooking. This will help ensure that the shrimp cooks evenly and gets crispy in the air fryer.
How long does it take to cook shrimp in an air fryer?
Shrimp typically cooks in the air fryer in about 6-8 minutes at 400°F (200°C). Check for doneness by ensuring the shrimp is pink and opaque. Cooking time can vary depending on the size of the shrimp and your air fryer model.
Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos: The Easiest Recipe EVER!
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: 12 tacos 1x
Description
Quick and easy air fryer shrimp tacos with crispy, flavorful shrimp and your favorite toppings. A healthy and delicious weeknight meal!
Ingredients
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 lime, juiced
- 12 small corn or flour tortillas
- Shredded cabbage, pico de gallo, avocado, cilantro, lime wedges, sriracha mayo (optional toppings)
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- In a medium bowl, toss shrimp with olive oil, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and lime juice.
- Place shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until shrimp is pink and cooked through.
- Warm tortillas.
- Fill tortillas with air fried shrimp and toppings.
- Serve immediately.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
Keywords: air fryer shrimp tacos, shrimp tacos, air fryer, easy, healthy
