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Crispy Air Fryer Shrimp Recipe with Old Bay and Lemon – Easy Perfect Snack

crispy air fryer shrimp - featured image

A quick and easy recipe for crispy air fryer shrimp seasoned with Old Bay and fresh lemon juice, perfect as a snack or appetizer with a crunchy texture and bold flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) medium or large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on or off
  • 2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • ¼ cup (30g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • ½ cup (50g) panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 medium lemon, juiced
  • Light spray of olive oil or avocado oil

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1 pound (450g) of raw shrimp under cold water, then pat dry thoroughly with paper towels.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine ¼ cup (30g) all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, and salt and black pepper to taste. Stir well.
  3. Crack 1 large egg into a separate bowl and whisk until smooth.
  4. Pour ½ cup (50g) panko breadcrumbs into a third bowl.
  5. Dip each shrimp first into the flour mixture, shaking off excess, then into the beaten egg, and finally into the panko breadcrumbs. Place coated shrimp on a plate or baking sheet.
  6. Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes.
  7. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush with oil. Arrange shrimp in a single layer without crowding.
  8. Air fry for 7 minutes, flip shrimp carefully with tongs, then air fry for another 3-5 minutes until golden and crisp. Internal temperature should reach 120°F (49°C).
  9. Transfer shrimp to a serving plate, squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top, and add extra Old Bay if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

Dry shrimp thoroughly before coating to ensure crispiness. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if necessary. A light spray of oil halfway through cooking can enhance crispiness. For gluten-free, substitute flour and panko with gluten-free alternatives. For egg-free, use a flax egg but coating may be less crisp. Leftovers can be refrigerated up to 2 days and reheated in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer shrimp, crispy shrimp, Old Bay shrimp, lemon shrimp, easy shrimp recipe, snack, appetizer, seafood