Name: Mexican 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 siracha; 1/8 tsp garlic powder; Corn tortillas; Shrimp Purple cabbage (shredded); Fresh pico; Bang bang sauce; Queso fresca

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These Mexican shrimp tacos are better than any takeout, and ready in just 10 minutes! Juicy air-fried shrimp topped with a delicious bang bang sauce and queso fresco on a corn tortilla will guarantee to satisfy all your cravings.

Switch up your usual Taco Tuesday with these air fryer shrimp tacos. This particular recipe is gluten-free but can easily be made dairy free just by omitting the cheese or adding your choice of dairy-free cheese.

This shrimp recipe has also been formulated to be a healthy version of the normal “bang bang” shrimp as we aren’t frying anything, we’re not coating the shrimp in flour, and no sugars are being used. Shrimp is such a great source of protein and healthy fats, they make a great dinner option. If you love shrimp, try out these shrimp tostadas or this shrimp salad.

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Why you will love this air fryer shrimp tacos
Ingredients
Instructions
Equipment
Serving options
Top Tips
FAQ
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💬 Comments

Why you will love this air fryer shrimp tacos

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.

Easy clean up: since we aren’t browning any meat, 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!

Ingredients

Shrimp: for this recipe, we are using shrimp as the protein of our tacos.

Dairy-free butter: if dairy is not an issue at your home, this recipe will work with regular butter.

Garlic olive oil: using garlic olive oil gives these shrimp tacos an added aromatic flavor. If you do not have garlic olive oil any olive oil will work.

Spices: we are combining paprika, salt, garlic powder, chili powder, and Italian seasoning to give the shrimp a delicious flavor.

Instructions

Mexican shrimp tacos

In a small bowl combine melted butter, olive oil, and seasonings. Stir until well combined.
In a large bowl, combine shrimp and ¾ of the marinade. (Save the remaining ¼ for later)
Using a spoon or your hands gives this a good mix.
Lightly brush oil onto the air fryer basket. Place shrimp one by one next to each other on the basket. Be careful not to overlap. Air fry at 400 °F for 4 minutes.
Flip the shrimp, using a pastry brush, and brush some of the remaining mixtures onto the shrimp.
Air fry again for two minutes. Depending upon the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in 2 batches.

Bang bang sauce

Place all ingredients (Mayo, chili, vinegar, siracha, and garlic powder) into a small bowl and whisk until well combined. Serve immediately or chilled.

Final DIsh

Place in each corn tortilla purple cabbage, fresh pico, shrimp, bang bang sauce and queso fresca.

Equipment

I use my Air-Fryer to make this recipe.

Serving options

As tacos on soft corn or hard corn tortillas.
Over your choice of rice.
As a salad over lettuce.
With cauliflower rice.
As nachos.
As shrimp enchiladas.
On tostados.
Sheet pan tacos.

Top Tips

Do not overlap the shrimp, or they will not cook evenly.
Use garlic olive oil for an extra flavor boost.
Always coat the shrimp with a seasoning blend BEFORE adding it to the air fryer basket.
Be sure to peel the shrimp completely before air frying. No one likes to bite into a crispy shell!
Adjust cooking time to the size of shrimp: for this air fryer shrimp taco recipe, 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

FAQ

Can I use frozen shrimp?

Yes, you can use frozen shrimp for this recipe. Increase your cooking time to about 10 minutes. Although, if your shrimp are frozen, you can easily thaw shrimp by placing them in a large bowl full of water, and allowing them to soak for five minutes. Move them around with your hands, empty the water, and fill the bowl one more time for about three minutes. Your shrimp should now be thawed out.

How do I keep my corn tortillas from cracking?

To keep the tortillas from cracking, you moisten a paper towel and fold it over a small stack of tortillas. About four corn tortillas at a time. Microwave for 15 to 20 seconds right before serving. This will allow the tortillas to be more pliable and easier to fold without cracking. Or, you can heat the tortillas one at a time on the stove in a skillet on medium heat. Heat for about 30 seconds on each side.

Do you have to flip the shrimp in the air fryer?

Why is flipping the shrimp not necessary, I do recommend flipping it for him or even cook.

How do I thaw frozen shrimp?

To thaw frozen shrimp, fill a bowl with water, then add the shrimp. After five minutes move the shrimp around with your hands and empty out the water. Fill the bowl one more time and allow it to sit for an additional 3 to 5 minutes. To speed up the process, you can periodically move the shrimp around in the water.

What if I don’t have an air fryer?

If you don’t have an air fryer, you can season the shrimp the same way, then heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a medium-sized skillet on medium heat. Sauté the shrimp for 2 to 3 minutes on each side.

Is this air-fire shrimp taco recipe healthy?

Yes, shrimp are an excellent source of protein and healthy fats. They are also low in calories, and naturally whole 30, gluten-free, dairy-free, keto, and Paleo. If you are looking to watch your calories, simply serve these air fryer shrimp on top of a bed of lettuce instead of corn tortillas.

How do I store shrimp tacos?

To store these air fryer shrimp tacos, I would not assemble them onto the corn tortillas. I would store any leftover shrimp in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to three days. Once you are ready to enjoy them again, then assemble them onto your corn tortilla to avoid them from getting mushy.

Can I freeze air-fried shrimp?

Yes, you can certainly freeze air-fried shrimp. Place them in a freezer-safe container for up to three months. Although cooking shrimp is so quick and easy, I always recommend just cooking the amount that you need.

What is bang bang sauce?

Bang bang sauce is a well-known sauce that is served on a fried shrimp recipe at Bonefish Grill. It’s sweet with the slightest tang. To make it we are using a combination of mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, rice vinegar, and garlic powder. If you want to make this sauce with yogurt instead of mayonnaise, you can do that also. I have done it both ways and it comes out great. You just with the ingredients together in a bowl until completely combined and drizzle it over the shrimp when finished.

What if I don’t like bang bang sauce?

If you don’t like bang bang sauce, this Avocado Cilantro lime aioli will pair well or this fresh pico. Another great side is refried black beans or guacamole.

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