Have you got a craving for something spicy and crispy? Try this easy recipe for the best air fryer buffalo shrimp, with juicy breaded shrimp coated in a homemade spicy buffalo sauce.
These crispy buffalo shrimp are the perfect appetizer or game-day snack, dipped in the classic blue cheese dip or my creamy ranch dressing.
The combination of juicy shrimp, crunchy Panko breadcrumbs, and the silky smooth spicy buffalo sauce is a crowd-pleaser. And with just 10 minutes of cooking time, you can serve this any day of the week!
You can also use these easy buffalo shrimp on top of salads, in grain bowls, or as a taco filling, like in my spicy shrimp tacos.
What does 16/20 shrimp size mean?
Shrimp are labeled by the number of shrimp of that size in a pound. These jumbo shrimp are labeled 16/20 meaning you’ll get 16-20 jumbo shrimp per pound.
However, the package in my grocery is only 300 grams or 0.66 of a pound. My bag had 13 jumbo shrimp.
Ingredients
See the recipe card for exact amounts.
- shrimp: I use jumbo shrimp for this recipe. I use deveined shrimp and peel them myself. These large shrimp are labeled as Jumbo, or 16/20. This number signifies how many shrimp you’ll get per pound.
- flour: I use a flour batter to coat the shrimp, which helps the panko breadcrumbs to stick.
- breadcrumbs: Japanese Panko breadcrumbs give the lightest and crispiest results.
- homemade buffalo sauce: butter and hot sauce make up the basics of a buffalo sauce. For buffalo sauce, Frank’s red hot sauce is a common choice. I like things spicier and smokier so I use Tapatio. Use your favorite hot sauce. You’ll also use honey to sweeten and thicken the sauce, and garlic powder and onion powder to flavor it.
Substitutions
- shrimp: If you’re using smaller shrimp, it may take only 5-7 minutes of cooking time, so watch the shrimp closely.
Use store-bought buffalo sauce for even quicker air fryer shrimp.
Instructions
Prep Tips
- Peel the shrimp.
- Mix the flour, salt, and black pepper with cold water using a whisk until it is smooth and lump-free.
- Place the breadcrumbs in a separate bowl. Place a shrimp in the flour batter, letting the excess drip off.
- Place the shrimp in the breadcrumbs and toss to coat. press the breadcrumbs into the shrimp if needed to coat it well.
Place the shrimp in a single layer on an air fryer tray or inside an air fryer basket.
- Repeat for the remaining shrimp, leaving space between the shrimp for airflow. This helps ensure the breadcrumbs can get crispy!
- Air fry for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway and rotating trays if necessary.
Use two trays if needed, or cook in batches if using a basket-style air fryer.
You can spray the shrimp with nonstick cooking spray if you want to. I don’t because they are getting coated in sauce anyway.
Shrimp are done cooking when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C ). Check by inserting an instant read meat thermometer in the thickest part of the shrimp.
While the shrimp cook, make the sauce.
- Melt the butter in the microwave for 30-60 seconds.
- Add the hot sauce, honey, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well and set aside.
- Once the shrimp are cooked, remove them from the air fryer.
- Toss the cooked shrimp and the spicy sauce in a large bowl, or use the sauce for dipping.
Tips for making air fryer breaded shrimp
- I keep a meat thermometer in my kitchen to check for doneness when cooking. Mine was only $15 and well worth it. The Government of Canada says shrimp are cooked when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Don’t overcrowd the shrimp. This will ensure air can circulate and you’ll get crispy results. Air fry in batches if needed.
- Flip halfway through cooking for even cooking. For best results, rotate the upper and lower baking trays if you have this style of air fryer. This will help achieve the most even browning.
- Make breading easier by using a dry hand and a wet hand. This helps to avoid breading your fingers as well as the shrimp.
- Using Japanese panko crumbs instead of regular breadcrumbs gives the most crunch.
- Use your favorite buffalo sauce if you already have one or try another sauce like the sauce from my honey garlic cauliflower or teriyaki sauce from my air fryer teriyaki salmon recipe.
What to serve with buffalo shrimp
If serving the shrimp as an appetizer, I like to serve it with a side of my ranch dressing as in the photos.
You can also add the shrimp to burrito bowls, tacos, salads, or over pasta like lemon pepper pasta.
More air fryer recipes? Try air fryer teriyaki salmon, air fryer chicken katsu, air fryer coconut chicken strips, or air fryer cumin chicken next.
Storage
While this is best eaten fresh because the breadcrumbs are at their crispiest, you can store the leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Reheating will not make them as crispy again if they are coated in the sauce, but you can reheat them or serve them cold as leftovers.
Reheat gently because shrimp can easily overcook.
FAQs
Yes, you can skip the breading and just air fry or pan fry the shrimp and then coat in the sauce.
Air Fryer Buffalo Shrimp
Equipment
- Instant Pot Vortex Plus Air Fryer or similar
Ingredients
For the shrimp
- 300 grams jumbo shrimp 16/20 size – 13 in my package
- ½ cup all-purpose flour mixed with 1/2 cup cold water
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
For the sauce
- ¼ cup butter
- ¼ cup hot sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
For the shrimp
- Preheat the air fryer to 400℉ (200℃).
- Remove the shells from the shrimp and dry with a paper towel.
- Mix the flour, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl. Add the cold water and whisk well.
- Place the breadcrumbs in a separate bowl.
- Coat a shrimp in the flour batter, letting the excess drip off.
- Place the battered shrimp in the bowl of breadcrumbs and shake to coat. (or use a fork or your hands to coat it.)
- Place the breaded shrimp on the air fryer tray or basket in a single layer, leaving room for air to flow. I use two trays to cook 13 jumbo shrimp. You may need to do this in two batches. Air fry for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway.
For the sauce
- Melt the butter in the microwave. This takes about 30-45 seconds.
- Add the hot sauce, honey, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix well. Set aside until the shrimp is done.
- Once the shrimp are cooked, remove them from the air fryer and either toss with the sauce or use it for dipping.
Video
Notes
Nutritional information is an estimate. Values vary based on products used. Read our full Nutrition Disclaimer.
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