Air fryer frozen tempura shrimp is a quick and simple snack. It’s super easy to make re-heated frozen pre-cooked tempura shrimp in the air fryer. It’s so delicious to make at home, no need to order take out from the Japanese restaurant! Air Fried tempura shrimp is going to be your go-to snack.

air fryer frozen tempura shrimp in basket

Air Fryer Frozen Tempura Shrimp Raw or Pre-Cooked?

Frozen breaded tempura shrimp comes in two styles: raw on the inside or completely cooked. Make sure you know which style of frozen tempura shrimp that you bought. This makes a difference in the timing of how long to air fry. After checking your shrimp during air frying, you can always add another minute or two to make sure the shrimp is crispy. The extra crunch is always better and that’s pretty much how we like our battered shrimp to taste: crispy!

air fryer frozen tempura shrimp

Video: How To Air Fry Frozen Tempura Shrimp

How Long To Air Fry Frozen Tempura Shrimp PRE-COOKED?

  • Again the size of the shrimp also matters in cooking time. Very small, bite sized popcorn shrimp will be quicker than larger shrimp.
  • If you’re air frying Pre-Cooked, breaded and frozen, air fry at 380°F for 6 minutes, flip then cook for another 2-4 minutes. Check the shrimp and if you need it to be crisper or cooked through more, then add additional 1-2 minutes of air frying time until it’s cooked all the way through and crispy to your preference.
  • Sometimes larger shrimp need another minute to make crispier.

How Long To Air Fry Frozen Tempura Shrimp RAW?

  • Size of shrimp is important: The size of the shrimp also matters in cooking time. Smaller sized tempura shrimp will be quicker than larger shrimp. Add extra time to air fry larger, raw, frozen shrimp.
  • For tempura shrimp that’s raw, breaded and frozen, air fry at 380°F for about 8 minutes, flip then cook for another 2-5 minutes. Check the shrimp and if you need it to be crisper or cooked through more, then add additional 1-2 minutes of air frying time until it’s cooked all the way through and crispy to your preference.
air fried tempura shrimp on plate

Air Fryer Frozen Tempura Shrimp

Yield: 2 Servings
Prep Time: 1 minute
Cook Time: 9 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Read First: Frozen tempura shrimp comes in two styles: completely cooked and raw. Make sure you know which style of frozen tempura shrimp you are air frying. Timing in recipe box is for pre-cooked frozen tempura shrimp. If cooking raw, frozen tempura shrimp, add a couple minutes more. If you aren't sure, start with the lesser time and you can always add another minute or two to make sure the shrimp is crispy. The extra crunch is always better! Other factors also influence how long it takes to cook. They vary in size, coating, pre-cooked or raw, so you’ll have to adjust timing. Smaller batches will cook quicker, and larger batches may need more time.
All air fryers are different and some cook much hotter than others. Once you cook your first batch, you’ll know more of what works for your model of air fryer and size of food.
Make sure to cook in just a single layer. Cook in multiple batches if needed.
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Ingredients

  • 8 oz. frozen tempura shrimp
  • salt , to taste
  • black pepper , to taste
  • Optional for Serving – Sauce from frozen tempura shrimp package, lemon slices, your favorite dips (teriyaki sauce, sweet and spicy sauce, tartar sauce, hot sauce, ranch, BBQ sauce, aioli, mustard, etc.)

Equipment

Instructions 

  • Place the frozen tempura shrimp in the air fryer basket (you do not need to thaw the shrimp beforehand). (If it comes with a sauce, set sauce aside).
    Removing frozen tempura shrimp from packaging
  • Spread in an even layer (make sure they aren't overlapping). (No oil spray needed).
    Frozen tempura shrimp in an even layer in air fryer basket
  • Air Fry at 380°F/193°C for 6 minutes. Flip the shrimp over.
    Flipping the shrimp over
  • Continue to Air Fry for another 2-4 minutes, or until it's cooked all the way through and crispy to your preference. Smaller batches will cook quicker, and larger batches may need more time.
    Cooked tempura shrimp in air fryer
  • If serving with a frozen sauce that often comes with the frozen tempura shrimp, thaw the sauce in a bowl of hot water or thaw according to package instructions. Squeeze into a serving bowl.
    Squeezing thawed sauce into a bowl
  • Season with salt & pepper if desired. Serve with optional sauce, lemon slices and your favorite dips.
    Dipping tempura shrimp into the sauce

Video

YouTube video

Nutrition Information per Serving

Calories: 215kcal, Carbohydrates: 25g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 27mg, Sodium: 547mg, Potassium: 34mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Calcium: 20mg, Iron: 1mg
Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine: American, Asian
Calories: 215
air fried tempura shrimp on plate

Air Fry Time for SeaPak Tempura Shrimp?

This is the brand that we used: SeaPak. Most other brands are about the same size shrimp as SeaPak. But if there’s any difference it could be about 1-2 minutes of air frying time difference. seapak tempura shrimp brand

How to Thaw Sauce that comes with the Tempura Shrimp

Most sauces thaw best in a bowl of hot water. As you are air frying the shrimp, place the sauce in a bowl of hot water to thaw out. You can also gently thaw the sauce in the microwave. When in doubt, it is always best to check the package instructions for their recommendation.

You can always serve it with your own sauce as well. Grab your favorite teriyaki, dip them in soy sauce (or a doctored up version with a little wasabi, chili garlic, sesame seed oil, or chinese mustard), sweet and sour sauce, orange sauce, mustard, bbq sauce, ranch, tartar sauce, aioli, or even ketchup. Whatever you like with them!

What To Serve with Tempura Shrimp?

Tempura shrimp is simple and delicious finger food. They’re a great appetizer ands are so popular but they are great beyond the snack. Want more delicious inspiration? Here’s some other ideas to serve your tempura shrimp as a full meal, rather than just a snack or appetizer.

  • Pasta and noodles are great! Add the tempura shrimp to your favorite bowl of noodles, spaghetti or any type of pasta. We love crispy shrimp pasta, especially when it comes with sauce. Have you tried fettuccine alfredo shrimp pasta? The creamy alfredo sauce with pasta and shrimp is amazing. Here’s our recipe for a homemade alfredo sauce that readers love.
  • Make an awesome tempura shrimp roll sandwich, like a lobster roll. Instead of lobster, add the shrimp.
  • Add tempura shrimp on top of fried rice. It’s delicious! Add a few of the air fried tempura shrimp to your fried rice and it becomes an quick and easy seafood fried rice.
  • Have you tried tempura shrimp in tacos? Wow, they’re great for quick and easy battered crispy tempura shrimp taco.
  • A salad is always great and a lighter, more healthy option. Adding a shrimp or two is a nice salad topper and will add a little more protein to your healthy diet.
  • It’s great on an appetizer platter alongside some air fried chicken wings, air fryer frozen french fries.
  • Here’s more history behind tempura shrimp.
  • Hope enjoy the frozen tempura shrimp!

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