So you were 100% craving some shrimp tacos and ended up here. Luckily, I was craving them, too – you came to the right place.
Today, we’re talking about my super simple recipe for air fryer shrimp tacos. This recipe is ready in less than 30 minutes and will have you coming back time and time again for this delicious dish.
Let’s Start with Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp
It’s no secret that the star of this recipe is the coconut shrimp. Not into coconut? No worries, just don’t use it. Want to check out the full recipe? Check it out here.
The beauty of using the air fryer for cooking your shrimp is that it has wayyyy less oil than traditional deep frying. Because of this, you’re left with a healthier option while losing zero flavour (we love that). You can use your air fryer shrimp in so many recipes, like the shrimp taco recipe we’re going to talk about today!
How Long to Cook Air Fryer Shrimp
This is the question most of you are curious about (hehe). How long do you cook shrimp for in the air fryer? I know, like many of you, the issue with the air fryer is no one knows how long to cook anything!
I’m here to tell you the secret is 4 minutes per side at 400 degrees. After you flip them over, make sure to reoil them, so they get nice and golden brown.
What to Put on Shrimp Tacos
Honestly, the answer to this is vague because the options are truly endless. With that being said, the number one must-have is coleslaw! There’s just something about a vinegary salad mix that just pairs so well with coconut shrimp!
After I know you’ve committed to the slaw, I recommend adding a little cheese, avocado, cilantro (if you’re a fan) and jalapenos (if you’re brave). You really can’t go wrong with what you add to it, as long as you like it!
Let’s Talk Shrimp Taco Sauce
Don’t even ask about putting cocktail sauce on this; there just isn’t a chance. With that being said, one of my favourite sauces with this is a garlic aioli since aioli really is amazing with everything.
Additionally, I also love putting a little healthier yogurt aioli with greek yogurt, garlic, lemon and a little salt. Another delicious option is roasted red pepper dip. I’ve used the one by summer fresh, which is a 10/10 experience.
Still not sold on any of these options? You can never go wrong with a little lime juice!
What Kind of Shrimp to Use
Believe it or not, this kind of matters. In terms of the type of shrimp, that doesn’t really matter. With that being said, you want to use raw shrimp! If you’re using cooked shrimp, then by the time you actually get to eat it, your shrimp is WAY overcooked and rubbery (we don’t want that).
The other thing to remember when using raw shrimp is that it will most likely have the shell on. You’ll need to remove that before doing anything! If you can find some shrimps without the shell, that’s even better!
How to make Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos
Step One: First things first- you’re going to need to bread and cook your shrimp in the air fryer. Check out my Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp recipe for full details on how to do this! Cook your shrimp for 4 minutes on each side at 400-degree celsius.
I recommend lightly oiling your shrimp on both sides before sending them to your air fryer.
Step 2: Gather the troops! These are the ingredients I used for my shrimp tacos. However, you can change them up how you’d like.
If you are using the ingredients above, make sure to chop your lettuce, dice your tomatoes & avocadoes, shred your cheese & slice your jalapenos. Obviously, you don’t have to put everything in an individual bowl like this, but if you’re sharing with others then why not!
Step 3: Next, get those tortillas ready. I recommend heating them up on the stove for a few minutes or popping them in the microwave for 15 seconds. This makes them nice and soft.
Next, I recommend getting a bowl to prop up your shells. This allows you to fill them how you want without making a huge mess. I know you’re going to have at least two of these, which works perfectly for filling.
Step 4: Begin filling with your fun ingredients! I recommend putting the lettuce on the bottom since who really cares if it gets squished? Next, I would put your shrimp, so they’re nice and tucked away in your taco, so they won’t fall out later.
Step 5: Add everything else to your delicious shrimp taco and enjoy!
Let's Get Cooking
Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos
Ingredients
For Shrimp
- 12 Shrimp Raw
- 1/3 Cup Flour
- 1 Cup Panko Bread Crumbs
- 2 Eggs
- 1 TBSP Milk
- 1/2 TSP Salt
- 1/2 TSP Paprika
- 1/2 TSP Garlic Powder
- 2 TBSP Extra Virgin Olive Oil
For Tacos
- 4 Small Soft Taco Shells
- 1 Cup Lettuce
- 1 Tomato
- 1 Jalapeno
- 1/2 Cup Shredded Cheese
- 1/2 Cup Coleslaw
- 1 Avocado
Optional Ingredients
- Cilantro
- Lime
- Red Pepper Sauce
Instructions
For Shrimp
- Begin by setting up your three bowls.
- In your first bowl, add your flour, paprika, garlic powder & salt, and stir until combined.
- In the second bowl, beat your eggs and add your milk.
- In the third bowl, add your panko bread crumbs & coconut flakes.
- If your shrimp have the shell still on them, make sure to remove it.
- Bread your shrimp one by one starting with the flour, then the egg, and finishing them in the egg mixture.
- Set your air fryer to 400 degrees, and place your shrimp in your basket without overlapping them.
- Lightly drizzle with your olive oil and cook for 5-6 minutes on each side.
For Tacos
- chop your lettuce, dice your tomatoes & avocadoes, shred your cheese & slice your jalapenos
- Optional Step: heat up your tortillas in the microwave or on the stovetop
- Assemble your tacos how you'd like to enjoy them & serve!
Nutrition
