Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos

Name: Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 1/2 pound shrimp (peeled and deveined); 3/4 tsp garlic powder; 3/4 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning; 1/4 tsp chili powder; 1/2 tsp paprika; 4 tbsp dairy free butter (melted); 1 tbsp garlic olive oil (Costabile); 1/3 cup Mayo; 2 tbsp sweet chili sauce; 1 1/2 tsp rice vinegar; 1/2 tsp sriracha; 1/8 tsp garlic powder; Corn tortillas; Shrimp Purple cabbage (shredded); Fresh pico; Bang bang sauce; Queso fresco

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These air fryer shrimp tacos are so much better than takeout and ready in just about ten minutes. Boldly seasoned, plump, tender shrimp are topped with a creamy, zesty Bang Bang sauce and served on warm tortillas.

Seasoned shrimp topped with creamy sauce on a torilla.

Quick Look: Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos

⏱ Prep Time: 10 minutes
🔥 Cook Time: 10 minutes
⏳ Total Time: 20 minutes
🍽️ Serving: 6 Tacos
⚡ Calories: 262 calories per taco
🥧 Flavor Profile: zesty shrimp combines with creamy Bang Bang Sauce
👌 Difficulty: Easy, a light bite with tons of flavor

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If you're a fan of tacos, then I have a recipe that will have you hooked from the first bite. One of my favorite gluten-free main dishes to make when I want a ton of Mexican flavor, these tacos always hit the spot and keep everyone coming back for more.

Switch up your usual Taco Tuesday with these air fryer shrimp tacos. These tacos are loaded with juicy, zesty shrimp and a creamy, sweet, and slightly spicy Bang Bang sauce and served over corn tortillas to create a delicious, gluten free taco recipe everyone can enjoy. Check out my Sheet Pan Fajitas Steak and my Chicken Fajitas Wraps for more Mexican inspired options.

This shrimp recipe has also been formulated to be a healthier version of the traditional “bang bang” shrimp. We achieve this by not frying the shrimp, avoiding flour coating, and omitting sugars. Shrimp is such a great source of protein and healthy fats. They make a great dinner option. If you love shrimp, try out these gluten free healthy shrimp tostadas or this tomato shrimp and cucumber salad.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Quick and Easy: Tacos are an easy weeknight meal in any form and are loved by everyone. These shrimp air fryer tacos are no different. They come together in less than 10 minutes and don’t even require the browning of meat like traditional beef tacos.
Bold, Delicious Flavor: A blend of chili powder, garlic powder, and other zesty seasonings creates a deliciously bold flavor.
Easy clean up: Air fryer recipes like this mean we won’t have an oily skillet or colander that needs washing. Just an air fryer and that’s it!
Customizable: You can use any vegetables you have on hand to assemble these tacos. I used fresh pico and cabbage, but you can always use pico from the grocery store and a bag of cabbage slaw!
Simply seasoned: With just a few pantry staples, these air fryer shrimp are seasoned to perfection!

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Quick Look: Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients
Variations
How to Make Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos
Expert Tips
Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos FAQ's
More Delicious Shrimp Recipes
📖 Recipe
💬 Comments

Ingredients

You'll find a complete list of ingredients and their exact amounts in the recipe card at the end of the post.

Variations

Shrimp: You can make these tacos with large shrimp, prawns, crab, or fish.
Other Proteins: The flavors used in this recipe will work well with chicken, beef, or pork, as well. Be aware that you'll have to adjust your cooking time for these proteins.
Traditional: If you have no dietary restrictions, you can use dairy butter in place of dairy-free butter and flour tortillas if you prefer.
Dairy Free: Use dairy free cheese to top your tacos for a completely dairy free version.
Spicy: Add red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne for a spicy version. You can also top the tacos with sliced jalapenos for a kick of heat.
More Mexican Flavor: Try adding a little lime juice and some cilantro to your seasoning mix.
Grilled: If the weather permits, grill your shrimp for even more delicious flavor.
Bang Bang Sauce: If you're not a fan of Bang Bang sauce, consider topping your shrimp tacos with avocado lime crema or my take on restaurant guacamole.

How to Make Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos

Step 1: Combine the butter, oil, and seasonings in a small bowl. Then, toss the shrimp with ¾ of the mixture until evenly coated.

Twenty-two seasoned raw shrimp in an air fryer basket.

Step 2: Lightly brush your air fryer basket with oil and place the shrimp inside it in a single layer.

Twenty-two cooked seasoned shrimp in an air fryer basket.

Step 3: Air fry the shrimp at 400°F for 4 minutes. Then, flip the shrimp, brush them with some of the reserved marinade, and continue air frying for another 2 minutes.

A white bowl filled with creamy Bang Bang sauce.

Step 4: Mix all the Bang Bang sauce ingredients in a small bowl.

Five corn tortillas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Step 5: Heat your corn tortillas until soft and pliable.

Five shrimp tacos topped with sauce and cabbage.

Step 6: Top the tortillas with your shrimp, purple cabbage, this fresh pico de gallo seasoning recipe, Bang Bang sauce, and queso fresco. Enjoy!

Expert Tips

Always preheat your air fryer for even cooking and accurate cooking times.
Always coat the shrimp with a seasoning blend BEFORE adding them to the air fryer basket.
I find it easiest to use my hands to mix the shrimp and seasonings.
Do not overlap the shrimp, or they will not cook evenly.
Use garlic olive oil for an extra flavor boost.
Be sure to peel the shrimp completely before air frying. No one likes to bite into a crispy shell!
I used extra-large shrimp. If you are using smaller shrimp, you may want to adjust your cooking time to three or four minutes. Overcooked shrimp will end up rubbery. You will know your shrimp are done when they have a light pink color, a C shape, and reach an internal temperature of 120°F

Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos FAQ's

Can I use frozen shrimp for air fryer shrimp tacos?

You can use frozen shrimp for this recipe, and they can be frozen or thawed. It takes about 10 minutes to cook the shrimp from frozen. You can also defrost the shrimp, pat them dry, and cook them per the directions for fresh shrimp.

How do I keep corn tortillas from cracking for shrimp tacos?

To prevent your corn tortillas from cracking while making tacos, heat them until they're pliable. To do this, moisten a paper towel and fold it over a small stack of tortillas. Then, microwave them for 15 to 20 seconds just before making your tacos. You can also heat the tortillas one at a time for about 30 seconds in a skillet over medium heat.

Why do you have to flip air fryer shrimp?

Air fryers use heated circulating air to cook food evenly. However, proteins still usually need to be flipped about halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking and browning on both sides.

How do you thaw frozen shrimp?

The best way to thaw frozen shrimp is to place the entire bag in the refrigerator and let them thaw slowly overnight. If you need to thaw the shrimp faster, add them to a bowl of cold water. Swirl the shrimp in the water and change it out with fresh water every five minutes until thawed.

What goes with air fryer shrimp tacos?

Air fryer shrimp tacos pair very well with sides like mango corn salsa, cilantro lime slaw, salsa, and elote.