This gluten free Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos recipe is breaded in Panko and air fried until crispy! The tacos are topped with an aioli sauce.
These Air Fried Shrimp Tacos are easy to prepare and ready in no time. The great thing about shrimp is that it cooks quickly and in the air fryer is no exception.
It's time once again to celebrate the most beloved of foods - Tacos. These tacos are prepared in one of the most revered kitchen appliances of the past few years - The Air Fryer.
I whipped up a batch of Air Fryer Fish Tacos a few months ago and figured if fish fillets could be breaded and air-fried until crispy then the same must be true of shrimp. Let me tell you - There are few things better in life than shrimp tacos.
It comes out crispy, crunchy, and totally addicting. (I ate three of these things in one sitting and had to stop myself from reaching for another).
Tacos are one of the go-to menu items I opt for when ordering at a restaurant because they're gluten free (and because I love them, obviously) but sometimes we aren't able to or just don't feel like hopping in the car when we're having a taco craving.
I promise that this will satisfy your cravings.
Jump to:
- Can Shrimp Be Cooked In An Air Fryer?
- Ingredients For Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos
- How To Season Shrimp Tacos
- How To Dredge The Shrimp
- How To Make Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos
- How Long Does It Take To Cook Breaded Shrimp In An Air Fryer?
- How To Make Aioli Sauce
- What To Serve With Shrimp Tacos
- Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos (Panko Breaded)
Can Shrimp Be Cooked In An Air Fryer?
I find that the Air Fryer is a great way to cook shrimp and seafood. It only takes a few minutes to cook and is a much healthier option than the deep-fried fish or seafood that you might get in a restaurant.
The Air Fryer is a great kitchen appliance when you're gluten free. That tasty deep-fried shrimp you might want to order in a restaurant is almost never free of gluten.
Preparing it at home will save you the calories and whatever ailments await you after eating something from a restaurant deep-fryer.
Ingredients For Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos
Here's what you'll need to make them.
- 2 ½ tsp. Garlic Powder (split)
- 2 tsp. Onion Powder
- 1 tsp. Cumin
- 1 tsp. Chili Powder
- 1 ¼ tsp. Kosher Salt (split)
- ¾ tsp. Pepper (split)
- ¾ cup Gluten Free Flour Blend (or regular AP flour if not gluten free)
- 3 Eggs
- 1 cup Gluten Free Panko Breadcrumbs (or regular Panko breadcrumbs if not gluten free)
- 1 lb. Shrimp
- Cooking Oil
- ½ cup Sour Cream
- ¼ cup Mayo
- Zest and Juice of 1 Lemon
- Corn Tortillas and toppings of choice
How To Season Shrimp Tacos
The shrimp for these tacos is breaded in a mixture of flour, eggs, and Panko breadcrumbs mixed with spices.
This process is called dredging and I use it to make everything from Eggplant Parmesan to Walleye Fingers to Chicken Parmesan.
Dredging the shrimp in these ingredients will end up coating them in a dry batter which is then sprayed with cooking oil and air-fried.
This process results in shrimp that are crispy and crunchy. It is not advised to coat ingredients in a wet batter when using an Air Fryer as they may stick to the bottom and and up steaming instead of frying.
How To Dredge The Shrimp
- Add ¾ cup of a gluten free flour blend - I love Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1 Flour (or regular AP flour if not gluten free) in a small bowl.
- In another bowl crack 3 eggs and whisk with a small whisk or a fork.
- Add 1 cup of Gluten Free Panko Breadcrumbs (or regular Panko breadcrumbs if not gluten free) to a third bowl along with 2 tsp. each of garlic powder and onion powder, 1 tsp. each of cumin and chili powder, and ½ tsp. kosher salt and pepper. Stir until completely combined.
Before dredging the shrimp it is important to thaw them and remove the tails - This recipe is not written for frozen shrimp.
Once the shrimp are thawed place them between or pat them dry with a few paper towels to remove excess moisture. It's best to pat them as dry as you can so they do not become rubbery as they cook.
How To Make Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos
Once the shrimp are thawed, the tails removed, and patted dry they can go through the dredging process.
- Dip the shrimp (one at a time) first in the flour making sure it is entirely coated.
- Next, dip the shrimp in the eggs.
- Third, dip the shrimp in the spiced Panko breadcrumb mixture making sure it is entirely coated.
- Repeat with the remainder of the shrimp.
- Place the breaded shrimp on a plate and mist or baste both sides with cooking oil. (They should be coated but not saturated in oil). This will prevent the shrimp from sticking to the basket and allow them to become golden brown as they cook.
This is the most time-consuming part of the recipe and admittedly it is a little messy. You're fingers will build up a thick coating of egg and breadcrumbs.
Make sure to wash your hands afterward!
A Note About Cooking Oil
It's best to use an oil with a high smoke point in an Air Fryer. Examples include Avocado Oil, Olive Oil, or Peanut Oil.
It is NOT advised to use PAM or aerosol spray cans as the agents in them can interact with the coating in the Air Fryer. A single oil is better for the machine and healthier for you.
How Long Does It Take To Cook Breaded Shrimp In An Air Fryer?
Once the shrimp are sprayed with oil it's time to place them in the Air Fryer basket. Depending on how many shrimp you have and the size of your Air Fryer the shrimp will likely need to be cooked in batches.
- Spray the air fryer basket generously with cooking spray.
- Place as many shrimp as will fit in the basket without overcrowding it.
- Once the basket is in the Air Fryer set the temperature to 370 degrees and cook for 4 minutes on the first side. Flip the shrimp over and cook for another 4 minutes on the second side.
- Remove the shrimp from the basket, generously sprinkle with kosher salt, set aside, and repeat this process until all the shrimp have cooked.
Cooking times may vary slightly depending on the size of your shrimp. I used large shrimp and found 4 minutes per side (8 minutes total) resulted in perfectly crispy but not overcooked shrimp.
If your shrimp are very small they may require a minute or two less and if you live on a coast and are lucky enough to get super large shrimp they may need another minute or two.
It's important not to overcook them but it's also important not to undercook them!
How To Make Aioli Sauce
You cannot eat shrimp or fish tacos without some kind of sauce (that's a rule I made up).
Crispy shrimp on corn tortillas with no sauce would make for some dry tacos so I HIGHLY recommend a creamy sauce to go on top. (A creamy coleslaw is also a great option).
If you love coleslaw don't miss this Kohlrabi Slaw, Blue Cheese Coleslaw, Asian Cabbage Slaw or Chipotle Coleslaw!
This one is SUPER easy to make. It's kind of a cross between a Mexican crema and an aioli. Seriously delicious.
- Add ½ cup sour cream and ¼ cup mayo to a small bowl. Grate the zest of 1 lemon into the bowl using a microplane or small zester. Cut the lemon and half and add the juice of the entire lemon. Add ½ tsp. garlic powder and ¼ tsp. each of kosher salt and pepper.
- Stir until completely combined using a small whisk or fork.
Looking for more air fryer recipes? Don't miss these!
- Air Fryer Fish Tacos
- Crispy Air Fried Mushrooms
- Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan Fries
- Air Fried Butternut Squash Fries
- Air Fried Parsnips
- Turkey Burgers with Dill Aioli
What To Serve With Shrimp Tacos
Once the shrimp is cooked and the sauce prepared these tacos are ready!
The great thing about tacos like this is that they're kind of a blank canvas and you can dress them up however you like.
If you'd like to keep these Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos gluten free serve them on warmed corn tortillas (flour is fine if gluten isn't an issue for you). Drizzle them with a generous amount of sauce and your favorite toppings.
I love fresh cabbage, tomatoes, and cilantro but anything from pickled onions, radishes, lettuce, spinach, cashew cilantro sauce, avocado or guacamole, Pico de Gallo, or hot sauce would be great on top.
As for side dishes you can't go wrong with Cheesy Spanish Rice, pinto beans, or Black Bean and Corn Salad.
There really is no 'wrong' way to eat a taco so I say get creative with your toppings.
Love tacos? Be sure to check out these recipes!
- Sheet Pan Shrimp Tacos
- Spicy Cilantro Lime Fish Tacos
- Mexican Shrimp Rice Bowls
- Skillet Chipotle Chicken Tacos
- Easy Roasted Veggie Tacos
- Sweet Potato Tacos
- Cajun Shrimp Tacos
Looking For More Air Fryer Recipes? Don't Miss These!
Air Fried Mahi Mahi Fish and Chips
Easy Air Fryer Broccoli
Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas
Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts and Bacon
Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos (Panko Breaded)
Equipment
Ingredients
For The Shrimp:
- 2 tsp. garlic powder
- 2 tsp. onion powder
- 1 tsp. cumin
- 1 tsp. chili powder
- 1 tsp. kosher salt split
- ½ tsp. pepper
- ¾ cup gluten free flour blend or AP flour if not gluten free
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup gluten free Panko breadcrumbs or regular Panko breadcrumbs if not gluten free
- 1 lb. shrimp
- cooking oil spray make sure brand is air fryer safe
For The Sauce:
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup mayo
- 1 large lemon zest and juice
- ½ tsp. garlic powder
- ¼ tsp. kosher salt
- ¼ tsp. pepper
- 1 package corn tortillas
- toppings of choice such as tomatoes, avocado, lettuce optional
Instructions
- Thaw and remove tails from 1 lb. of shrimp.
- Place the thawed shrimp between two rows of paper towels and pat dry.
- Place ¾ cup of a gluten free flour blend – I love Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 Flour (or regular AP flour if not gluten free) into a small bowl.
- In another bowl crack 3 eggs and whisk with a small whisk or a fork.
- Add 1 cup of Gluten Free Panko Breadcrumbs (or regular Panko breadcrumbs if not gluten free) to a third bowl along with 2 tsp. each of garlic powder and onion powder, 1 tsp. each of cumin and chili powder, and ½ tsp. kosher salt and pepper. Stir until completely combined.
- Dip the shrimp (one at a time) first in the flour, making sure it is entirely coated. Next, dip the shrimp into the eggs. Third, dip the shrimp into the spiced Panko breadcrumb mixture, making sure it is entirely coated. Repeat with the remainder of the shrimp.
- Place the breaded shrimp on a plate and mist or baste both sides with cooking oil. (They should be coated but not saturated in oil). This will help the shrimp to become golden brown as it cooks.
- Generously spray the air fryer basket with air fryer safe cooking spray. Place as many shrimp as will fit in the basket without overcrowding it. Once the basket is in the Air Fryer set the temperature to 370 degrees and cook for 4 minutes on the first side. Flip the shrimp over and cook for another 4 minutes on the second side.
- Remove the shrimp from the basket, sprinkle them generously with kosher salt, and repeat this process until all the shrimp have cooked.
For The Sauce:
- Add ½ cup sour cream and ¼ cup mayo to a small bowl. Grate the zest of 1 lemon into the bowl using a microplane or small zester. Cut the lemon and half and add the juice of the entire lemon. Add ½ tsp. garlic powder and ¼ tsp. each of kosher salt and pepper.
- Stir until completely combined using a small whisk or fork.
- To Serve: Serve shrimp on warmed tortillas with generous amount of sauce. Garnish with your favorite toppings such as cabbage, tomatoes, lettuce, spinach, avocado, guacamole, Pico de Gallo, pickled onions or radishes or hot sauce (optional).
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