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    Bites with Bri » Air Fryer » Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos

    Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos

    Published: Dec 16, 2021 · Modified: May 18, 2022 by Brianna May · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    These Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos are the perfect light, fresh, and easy Mexican dish. The shrimp are tossed in a sweet and smoky dry rub and take less than 10 minutes to cook in the air fryer. Serve them with warm tortillas and a simple slaw and dinner is served!

    overhead of air fryer shrimp tacos

    These air fryer shrimp tacos have been one of my favorite dinners lately. Typically I just serve them with a bag of coleslaw tossed with my favorite Jalapeño Lime Crema or Quick Mexican Pickled Onions.

    If you are looking for more shrimp recipes, try my Creamy Cajun Shrimp & Sausage Pasta.

    Not a fan of seafood? Try these Crunchy Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tacos.

    Jump to:
    • Highlights
    • Ingredient Notes
    • Helpful Equipment & Tools
    • Instructions
    • Make Ahead & Storage
    • Expert Tips
    • Recipe Notes
    • Variations
    • FAQs
    • Related Recipes
    • Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos

    Highlights

    • Ready in less than 10 minutes
    • Tossed in the most flavorful dry rub
    • Sweet and spicy
    • Topped with a creamy jalapeño lime coleslaw
    • Easy & healthy dinner idea
    • Can be made gluten & dairy-free

    Ingredient Notes

    overhead of ingredients for air fryer shrimp tacos
    • Jumbo Shrimp: I used / shrimp ( which means - per pound). You can use whatever size shrimp you like, just note the cooking time may have to be adjusted. 
    • Olive Oil: Swap for avocado or vegetable oil.
    • Honey: Swap for brown sugar. 

    Complete list of ingredients and amounts is located on the recipe card below.

    Helpful Equipment & Tools

    • COSORI Air Fryer Max XL: The best air fryer on the market at a great price point. It is currently on sale for less than $100. You can’t beat it, easy to clean, large basket, and very powerful.
    • 2 Pack Black Kitchen Tongs: These tongs are heat resistant and made of silicone so they will not damage the nonstick coating on the air fryer basket.  
    • ThermoPro TP03 Digital Instant Read Meat Thermometer: This inexpensive thermometer works great and ensures any protein is cooked perfectly.

    Instructions

    Overview

    • Season the shrimp.
    • Air fry until browned. 
    • Serve with tortillas and slaw.

    Step by Step

    Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine the shrimp, olive oil, honey, salt, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, onion powder, granulated garlic, pepper, and cayenne. Toss well.

    Step 2: Place the shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket.

    steps 1 & 2
shrimp tossed with spices in bowl
shrimp in air fryer basket

    Step 3: Air fryer at 400 for 6-7 minutes, or until the shrimp reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees.

    Step 4: While the shrimp cooks, toss the cabbage with as much of the jalapeño lime crema as desired. Assemble the tacos and enjoy.

    steps 3& 4
cooked shrimp in air fryer basket
cabbage tossed with jalapeno lime crema

    TIP -  Use a meat thermometer to ensure the shrimp are properly cooked. 

    TIP - Dress the cabbage right before serving so it does not get soggy. Only dress what you intend to eat. Store leftovers separately. Read more below. 

    TIP -  Serve the air fryer shrimp tacos with extra crema on top. 

    Make Ahead & Storage

    • Make Ahead: The crema can be made the day before. 
    • Refrigerator: Store leftover air fried shrimp separately in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Store leftover crema in an airtight container for up to 4 days. I recommend storing the crema separate from the cabbage so it does not get soggy. Dress right before serving. 
      • Reheating: Reheat leftover air fryer shrimp (for tacos) in the microwave in 15-20 second intervals or in the air fryer at 350 until warmed through. Do not overheat or they will become rubbery. Assemble air fryer shrimp tacos or enjoy in a salad or bowl. 
    • Freezer: You can store leftover cooked shrimp in the freezer in an airtight bag or container for 2-3 months, but they typically dry out when reheated. 
    • Reheating: Reheat on the stove directly from frozen.

    Expert Tips

    • Do not overfill the air fryer. The shrimp should not be overlapping. This allows the air to circulate and for them to cook evenly. Cook in batches if needed. 
    • Do not overcook the shrimp. I recommend starting with the shortest time and then checking the shrimp. Overcooked shrimp are tough and rubbery. 
    • Remember the toppings for these air fryer shrimp tacos. The jalapeño lime crema slaw pairs perfectly with these shrimp.

    Recipe Notes

    • Every air fryer is different. Each air fryer cooks a little differently. These times are estimates based on my air fryer. Be sure to use a meat thermometer to ensure the shrimp are properly cooked. 
    • The shrimp are not spicy. The spices just add flavor but not much heat. 
    • The recipe can be doubled if you have a larger air fryer or cook the shrimp in batches. The Cosori air fryer can easily fit one pound.
    closeup of air fryer

    Variations

    • Spicy: Use ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper. 
    • Gluten-free: Use gluten free corn tortillas.
    • Dairy-free: Use dairy-free sour cream and no cheese. According to this article, Wayfare and Tofutti make the best vegan sour creams. 
    • Salad/bowl: Instead of serving the shrimp and accompaniments in a tortilla you can serve them over lettuce or rice.

    FAQs

    What goes with air fryer shrimp tacos?

    - Mexican potatoes
    - Mango pico de gallo
    - Skinny spicy margarita 
    - 4 ingredient guacamole

    Are air fryer shrimp tacos with slaw healthy?

    The word healthy is subjective, but these shrimp tacos are lower in fat and calories compared to deep fried shrimp tacos. 

    How long do I put shrimp in the air fryer?

    Air fryer shrimp take anywhere from 6-9 minutes at 400 depending on the size.

    Can I put frozen shrimp in the air fryer?

    Yes. You will probably need to add about 1-2 minutes to the cook time depending on the size. 

    Related Recipes

    • Air Fryer Spinach Dip
    • Crispy Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tacos
    • Air Fryer Peach Cobbler
    • Mini S’mores Pie
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    5 from 44 votes

    Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos

    These Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos are the perfect light, fresh, and easy mexican dish. The shrimp are tossed in a sweet and smoky dry rub and take less than 10 minutes to cook in the air fryer. Serve them with warm tortillas and a simple slaw and dinner is served!
    Servings3 people
    Prep5 minutes
    Cook10 minutes
    Total15 minutes
    Course: Main
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Author: Brianna May

    Equipment:

    • Air Fryer
    • Tongs
    • Meat Thermometer

    Ingredients:

    • 1 pound jumbo shrimp*
    • 1 Tablespoon olive oil*
    • 2 teaspoons honey*
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon chili powder
    • 1 teaspoon cumin
    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
    • ½ teaspoon pepper
    • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

    Slaw

    • 2-3 cups shredded cabbage or coleslaw mix
    • 1 batch jalapeño lime crema

    For Serving

    • 6-8 tortillas, depending on size
    • Lime wedges
    • Chopped cilantro
    • Cotija cheese

    Instructions:

    • Review all recipe notes and instructions before beginning.
    • In a medium bowl, combine the shrimp, olive oil, honey, salt, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, onion powder, granulated garlic, pepper, and cayenne. Toss well.
    • Place the shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
    • Air fryer at 400 for 6-7 minutes, or until the shrimp reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees.
    • While the shrimp cooks, toss the cabbage with as much of the jalapeño lime crema as desired. Assemble the tacos and enjoy.

    Notes:

    Jumbo Shrimp: I used / shrimp ( which means - per pound). You can use whatever size shrimp you like, just note the cooking time may have to be adjusted. 
    Olive Oil: Swap for avocado or vegetable oil.
    Honey: Swap for brown sugar.
    Refrigerator: Store leftover air fried shrimp separately in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Store leftover crema in an airtight container for up to 4 days. I recommend storing the crema separate from the cabbage so it does not get soggy. Dress right before serving.
    Do not overfill the air fryer. The shrimp should not be overlapping. This allows the air to circulate and for them to cook evenly. Cook in batches if needed. 
    Do not overcook the shrimp. I recommend starting with the shortest time and then checking the shrimp. Overcooked shrimp are tough and rubbery.
    Every air fryer is different. Each air fryer cooks a little differently. These times are estimates based on my air fryer. Be sure to use a meat thermometer to ensure the shrimp are properly cooked. 

    NUTRITION:

    Calories: 371kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 191mg | Sodium: 2095mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g
    Did you make this recipe? Tag me on Instagram!Mention or tag @bites.with.bri_ or use the hashtag #biteswithbri
    « Thai Coconut Lime Chicken
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kelly

      January 10, 2023 at 4:26 pm

      5 stars
      So delicious. Just enough spice, fun for a quick weeknight meal. Definitely making again. Thanks!

      Reply
    2. Genevieve

      July 18, 2022 at 2:44 pm

      5 stars
      Oh I love tacos, these ones look perfect and easy to make! I love that they are done in the air fryer too!

      Reply
    3. Marcellina

      July 13, 2022 at 3:24 pm

      5 stars
      YUM! These are amazing! Such a delicious combination! Thanks for the tips particularly the one about not overfilling the air fryer. That's something that is easy to forget.

      Reply
    4. Cody

      July 13, 2022 at 7:31 am

      The flavors in these tacos were mouthwatering! We really enjoyed that the cream cooled down the spice from the chili powder and cayenne.

      Reply
    5. Amanda

      July 13, 2022 at 7:03 am

      5 stars
      Loved these shrimp tacos! The rub had such a nice smokiness that gave the shrimp a wonderful depth of flavor, and the air fryer made the whole process so simple.

      Reply
    6. Kayla DiMaggio

      July 13, 2022 at 6:40 am

      5 stars
      These Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos were so delicious! I loved how easy shrimp was to make in the air fryer! I had no idea! Perfect for hot summer days when I don't want to turn on my oven!

      Reply

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    I am a recipe developer, food photographer, blogger. My goal is to teach you how to cook, not just follow my recipes. I love to cook with bold flavors that are still family friendly. My hubs is a picky eater and all of these recipes are approved by him, so I am sure you and your family will love them too. Learn more about Bri >>

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