Turn your kitchen into the envy of all taco trucks with these Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos.
I got a serious compliment from my daughter when I was testing these air fryer shrimp tacos. If you have any experience with 12 year old girls you’ll know that compliments are sometimes hard to come by from them. She said “it smells like a taco truck in here Mom!” I mean seriously. You know that means this recipe is a keeper!
Are Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos healthy?
These shrimp tacos are for sure healthy. The shrimp taste completely indulgent with their spice rub but the air fryer keeps them light. The toppings are a mix of fresh avocado, purple cabbage, green salsa mixed with a little sour cream and red onion. I serve them with flour “street size” tortillas but feel free to wrap them in lettuce for an epic light and tasty meal in the warmer months.
What goes with Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos?
I think chips and guacamole are an obvious choice as a side dish. To drink I think you should try my Watermelon Margarita or my Strawberry Daiquiri. And for dessert how about a Pretzel Crusted Margarita Cake?
How do you air fry Shrimp?
Air frying shrimp takes the guess work out of cooking shrimp for me. I have been known to overcook shrimp in the past. These shrimp came out perfectly cooked and tender, not chewy. A light brush of oil on the air fryer basket and preheating the air fryer to 400 degrees are my two tips for air frying shrimp. Also, be sure to flip the shrimp halfway through cooking time – which only takes 6 to 8 minutes, depending on your model of air fryer and the size of your shrimp. I used jumbo, uncooked shrimp for this recipe. I purchased them frozen but thawed them under cold, running water before cooking them.
Kitchen Tips:
- Gallon-sized zippered bags are great for mixing the spices and coating the shrimp.
- Be sure and cook the shrimp in one layer. I was able to fit one dozen jumbo-sized shrimp in my air fryer basket.
- This is the brand of air fryer I use to create my recipes.
- I use a pastry brush like this one to brush my air fryer basket with oil.
- Aerosol cooking spray will damage the coating of your air fryer basket. I do not recommend using it! You can use an oil mister like this one instead.
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Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 24 jumbo frozen (raw) shrimp peeled, deveined and without tail
- 1 1/2 tsp light brown sugar
- 1 tsp chipotle chili powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup fresh avocado sliced
- 1 cup purple cabbage chopped
- 1/2 cup green salsa
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup red onion finely chopped
- lime wedges
- 12 street sized flour tortillas
Instructions
- Thaw the shrimp according to package directions. I used the quick thaw method, which is just rinsing the frozen shrimp under cold water.
- Brush the air fryer basket lightly with the vegetable oil. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.
- Stir together the brown sugar, chipotle chili powder, smoked paprika. garlic powder and salt.
- Dry the shrimp with paper towels. Place the shrimp in a zippered plastic bag. Pour in the seasoning mixture and shake to fully coat the shrimp.
- Place the shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket. You may need to fry them in two batches. Cook for 3 - 4 minutes. Turn the shrimp over and cook for an additional 3 - 4 minutes.
- The shrimp will shrink in size quite a bit and they will be firm to the touch when cooked.
- Mix together the green salsa and sour cream for your sauce. Serve the air fried shrimp with the rest of the ingredients and assemble as tacos. Tortilla, sliced avocado, purple cabbage, shrimp, sauce, red onion and a squeeze of lime.
Kathi says
Healthy, fast and fresh just the way we love our food around here! Can’t wait to try these!
foodtasticmom says
Awesome. Come back and let me know what you think!
Luci's Morsels says
That crispiness looks perfect on the shrimp! And I love all your toppings. I think cabbage/slaw is the only way to enjoy any kind of fish tacos! And I can’t wait to try that watermelon margarita when I can!!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you so much for your compliments Luci. For sure I hope you try both the tacos and the watermelon margarita. Cheers!
ali randall says
Wow those look amazing. I had no idea you could get shrimp to look like that from an air fryer. I need to go out and purchase one right away. That looks delish!
foodtasticmom says
The air fryer is pretty amazing. Thank you Ali 🙂
Heidy L. McCallum says
Good morning, these look wonderful. I had not thought of using my airfryer for shrimp due to being worried about them being a little on the dry side. However, you have completely taken this worry away seeing your images. Hope to make these this week for dinner.
foodtasticmom says
They are most definitely not dry. I don’t know how the air fryer does it, but it seals in the moisture. Come back and let me know what you think!
Eden | Sweet Tea and Thyme says
You’ve convinced me to get an air fryer, these look amazing and so easy to make!
foodtasticmom says
That is so awesome to hear!
Stephanie says
So many reasons to have an air fryer. I love all the yummy toppings on these. Tacos are always my go to for fast easy dinners so thanks for the recipe.
foodtasticmom says
You’re welcome!
Beth Neels says
We adore our air fryer! I haven’t made shrimp in yet though! Can’t wait to try yours! I love shrimp tacos and love the spices on yours!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you Beth!
Jennifer says
Ok — that’s it — I am getting myself an air fryer. Shrimp tacos are my favorite. These look so good they are making my mouth water.
foodtasticmom says
You really need one! Thanks 🙂
Beth says
Fried and healthy?!! This recipe just made my day!
foodtasticmom says
Yep, you’re welcome!
Leigh says
Whos the shrimp boss now? ME! But its all thanks to you!!!!! Used small shrimp (as ive managed to have way too many in my freezer), a chipotle lime cole slaw in some street taco size wraps and a cold corn salad as a side!
foodtasticmom says
So glad to hear that you tried and liked this recipe!!!
Veena Azmanov says
Love your recipe and love all the toppings and ideas to enjoying this lovely Shrimp Tacos. Delicious for sure.
foodtasticmom says
Thank you Veena!
Adriana says
I don’t have an air fryer Santa forgot to bring me one but I made this shrimp in the oven and the taste is amazing. The paprika I used was smoked paprika and the shrimps came out delicious.
foodtasticmom says
Love it. Thanks for the positive rating and comment.
Farah says
Finally something new to do in my air fryer! I love shrimp, love tacos, and love my air fryer thanks for the perfect recipe!
foodtasticmom says
You’re very welcome!
Maike says
I love ordering shrimp tacos when we go out for dinner but I’ve never made them at home. Using the air fryer is such a good idea, I can’t wait to try this recipe
foodtasticmom says
I think you’ll love it!
Irina says
Each your recipe made in an air fryer looks delicious! You are convincing me to buy this “device”:)
foodtasticmom says
Thanks Irina. I think you would not regret getting an air fryer!
Cassie Tinney says
Holy Yum! Amazing!! I just got done eating my 2nd shrimp taco.😄. This is my first time even using an air fryer and I love it too. My family gobbled these up . Due to some picky eaters I didn’t make the ‘condiments.’ The only negative to this recipe is the heat of the spices, but that can easily be adjusted to our tastebuds.
foodtasticmom says
Thanks so much for the positive review. Glad you enjoyed these tacos!
Karina S says
Question: Should the time be different if using small shrimp? It’s what i have in the freezer.
foodtasticmom says
I’m sorry for the late reply. Small shrimp would cook a little more quickly. Probably decrease the entire time by 2 minutes…
Melissa Purinton says
Delicious, the shrimp came out perfect and very flavorful. This will now be my new way of cooking shrimp
foodtasticmom says
So happy to hear this. Thank you for the positive feedback!
Susan S. says
These were absolutely amazing! My boyfriend kept raving about dinner last night. I love that they were quick, easy, healthy and delicious. They will be a perfect post-Crossfit dinner to add to our regular rotation. Thank you so much!
foodtasticmom says
You are so welcome. Love hearing when my readers are satisfied. Thank you for taking the time to rate and comment!
Evan Yeung says
Great recipe! Wasn’t sure if the amount of spice rub would be enough, but it worked out great! Spice rub as written also has a little kick to it which I loved, but those with sensitive mouths may want to be careful.
Also my shrimp were done in only 3-4 minutes but that’s probably because I was using smaller shrimp (21-25 count per lb)
Thanks again! Will be putting this on our list of repeat recipes!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you for the thoughtful review Evan. That’s super helpful to my readers. So happy that you like the tacos!
Karen says
Made these tonight couldn’t get enough they’re absolutely awesome. Will definitely be making them again soon
foodtasticmom says
Love to hear this! Thanks very much for taking the time to come back to rate and comment on my recipe!