AIR FRYER SHRIMP TACOS

You won’t believe how amazing these air fryer shrimp tacos are! They’re seasoned to perfection and incredibly tasty. In just a short amount of time in the air fryer, the shrimp become perfectly cooked on the outside and juicy on the inside. Trust me, after trying these easy air-fried shrimp tacos, you’ll want every night to be taco night!

Why You Will Love These Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos

• These tacos are easy to make and the shrimp cooks quickly in your air fryer!
• The shrimp is incredibly flavorful from the seasonings.
• It is the perfect easy dinner recipe.
• The shrimp turns out juicy in the air fryer.
• These shrimp tacos are a healthier option while being packed with flavor.
• We topped these tacos with pineapple salsa and avocado crema for extra flavor!
• You can customize these shrimp tacos with your favorite toppings and tortillas.

What Are Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos?

Air fryer shrimp tacos are a delicious dish made by cooking seasoned shrimp in the air fryer. We seasoned the shrimp with a mix of spices including thyme, oregano, cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika. The spices add so much flavor to the shrimp! Once cooked, the shrimp are served in a warm tortilla along with additional toppings. We added shredded lettuce, avocado crema, and pineapple corn salsa to these tacos for even more flavor!

Ingredients Needed

• Shrimp: Use one pound of raw peeled and deveined large shrimp with the tails off.
• Olive Oil: There is minimal oil in this recipe. The olive oil helps ensure the seasonings stick to the shrimp.
• Thyme: Add thyme for flavor.
• Oregano: Add oregano for another layer of flavor.
• Cumin: The cumin adds a warm, earthy flavor to the shrimp.
• Chili Powder: Add chili powder or chipotle chili powder for even more flavor and a hint of spice.
• Smoked Paprika: The addition of smoked paprika adds a smoky flavor.
• Salt: Add salt to enhance the flavors and season the shrimp.
• Garlic: Fresh crushed garlic adds incredible flavor to the shrimp.
• Lime: Add lime wedges for serving with these shrimp tacos. Freshly squeeze the lime juice over the tacos.
• Cilantro: Top the tacos with chopped fresh cilantro once done.
• Green Onions: Sprinkle with sliced green onions once done.
• Tortillas: Use your favorite tortillas when making these shrimp tacos.
• Slaw: Add slaw or shredded lettuce to the tacos.
• Avocado Crema: We topped these shrimp tacos with our homemade avocado crema. It has a creamy texture and is made with avocado, Greek yogurt, lime, and cilantro. The flavor of the crema complements these shrimp tacos.
• Salsa: Top these tacos with your favorite fresh salsa, or try our pineapple corn salsa or mango corn salsa.

How To Make Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos

Step 1: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).

Step 2: Peel and devein the raw shrimp, and ensure the tails are removed. Then, rinse them under cold running water. Next, pat them dry with paper towels.

Step 3: Add the shrimp to a large bowl. After that, add the olive oil, thyme, oregano, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and crushed garlic to the bowl.

Step 4: Thoroughly mix to season the shrimp.

Step 5: Add the seasoned shrimp to the air fryer basket. Arrange the shrimp in a single layer.

Step 6: Air fry the seasoned large shrimp in the preheated air fryer at 400°F for 6-7 minutes or until fully cooked. Also, shake the basket halfway through.

Step 7: As an option, warm the tortillas before serving. Add three pieces of air-fried shrimp to each tortilla. Then, add your favorite toppings!

Toppings For Shrimp Tacos

These air fryer shrimp tacos are customizable and you can add your toppings of choice. We love adding crema and fresh salsa. Some additional delicious toppings are cheddar cheese, Cotija cheese, feta cheese, slaw, lime juice, avocado, guacamole, high-protein guacamole, sour cream, your favorite salsa, or Pico de Gallo. Also, we have many fresh salsa recipes that are perfect for these shrimp tacos. You can add our pineapple corn salsa or try our mango corn salsa, peach corn salsa, or mango salsa. All of these would be delicious!

Expert Tips

• Don’t Overcook Shrimp: Be careful not to overcook the shrimp. You don’t want them to become rubbery. However, ensure they are fully cooked before eating them. You can use a meat thermometer to check if they are fully cooked.
• Avoid Overcrowding: Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket with the seasoned shrimp. Ensure there is enough room for the shrimp to cook evenly and for the air to circulate. If necessary, depending on the size of your air fryer basket, you may need to cook the shrimp in batches.
• Shake The Basket: Shake the air fryer basket halfway through. It helps ensure the shrimp cooks evenly.
• Warm The Tortillas: You can warm the tortillas before assembling these tacos. Warm the tortillas in a pan or the oven for 1-2 minutes or until warm.
• Add Your Favorite Toppings: We added crema and salsa to our shrimp tacos. Feel free to add these or your favorite toppings.
• Serve Warm: Serve these air fryer shrimp tacos warm. Enjoy them after air frying the shrimp while it is warm and juicy.

Storage Instructions

You can store leftover ingredients from this recipe to make these shrimp tacos again! Store everything separately so it stays fresh. Store the crema, salsa, and air-fried shrimp in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for 1-2 days. When ready to serve again, reheat the shrimp in a pan for a few minutes until warm. Then, warm up your favorite tortillas and assemble the tacos.

Variations

• Tortillas To Use: You can use any tortillas of your choice in this recipe. Some options are flour tortillas, corn tortillas, or low-carb tortillas.
• Substitution For Tortillas: If you are looking for a low-carb option and don’t want to use tortillas, you can assemble these tacos in lettuce wraps. Or, serve everything over lettuce and enjoy it as a salad.
• Jumbo Shrimp: If you have jumbo shrimp or extra large shrimp, increase the cooking time by 1-2 minutes, or until the shrimp are fully cooked.
• Small Shrimp: If you use small shrimp in this recipe, reduce the cooking time slightly.
• Lettuce Or Slaw: If you want, add shredded lettuce or coleslaw to your tacos.
• Toss The Crema With Slaw: Add a dollop of crema on top of each taco. Or, you can mix the crema with some slaw. Add a bag of shredded coleslaw mix to a large bowl along with the crema, and thoroughly mix.
• Crema Substitution: You can substitute the crema with sliced avocado or guacamole.
• Make Dairy-Free: To make this recipe dairy-free, omit the avocado crema and replace it with sliced avocado or guacamole.
• Garlic Cloves Variation: If you don’t have fresh garlic cloves, substitute them with 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos Gluten-Free?

You can make these air fryer shrimp tacos gluten-free. The seasoned air-fried shrimp itself is naturally gluten-free. Also, our avocado crema and pineapple salsa are both naturally gluten-free. Use your favorite gluten-free corn tortillas such as cassava tortillas or gluten-free corn tortillas to make this entire meal gluten-free.

Are These Shrimp Tacos Healthy?

These tacos are a healthier alternative to traditional fried shrimp tacos. You don’t need a lot of oil for this recipe, only one teaspoon total! Air frying is a healthier method than deep frying.

How Long Do Leftovers Last?

Leftover ingredients can be stored in separate airtight containers in the fridge for 1-2 days. You can store the leftover ingredients and assemble these tacos when ready to enjoy them again.

Can I Use Frozen Shrimp?

Yes, you can use frozen shrimp in this recipe. Ensure your raw frozen shrimp is peeled and deveined. Then, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. Or, defrost them in a colander under cold running water. After that, pat them dry and follow the directions to make these tacos.

More Recipes To Try Next!

• Air Fryer Shrimp Recipe
• Sheet Pan Tacos
• Shrimp Stack With Mango and Avocado
• Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
• Salmon Burgers With Canned Salmon

If you try this recipe please be sure to leave us a comment and star rating ★★★★★ letting us know how it turns out for you.