Shrimp are a great source of protein on weekdays. It cooks quickly, tastes great, and can be eaten with just about any carbohydrate or vegetable you add to it. It also works with a variety of seasonings—cajun shrimp, aged bay shrimp, garlic shrimp, soy ginger shrimp—and cooks within 5 to 10 minutes of being completely frozen right in the fryer.
The main problem with making protein from the freezer is “seasoning doesn’t stick,” but you know what? They stick well, like any oil you spray on frozen sea worms. (In fact, cooling shrimp slows down the release of oil, making it harder for them to stick.) Cooking shrimp this way is so quick, so easy, and so delicious that it has replaced sautéing and baking as my favorite way to cook shrimp (at least when I cook just for myself or myself and my partner). Without flipping, just a little shake on the basket, and they’re hot and greasy, juicy, with a subtle click—perfect to add to tacos, pasta, or a bed of vegetables for a quick, protein-packed salad.
It’s such a simple method that you don’t even need a prescription. Set the fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and while it heats up, take your desired amount of (frozen) shrimp and place them in a large bowl. (Peeled or at least peeled shrimp are best, as you can’t separate frozen shrimp.) Drizzle with enough oil to coat, then stir in your favorite seasoning (or your favorite concoction)). That’s what preparation is.
Once the fryer reaches 400 degrees Fahrenheit, pour in the shrimp. How long they should cook depends on the size of the shrimp and how many shrimp you put in the fryer basket (try to keep them in a single layer). I was able to cook eight medium peeled and peeled shrimp out of the freezer in just five minutes, so I started checking the three minute mark or so and shaking the shrimp a bit to make sure the seasoning was evenly distributed.
Cook the shrimp until they are firm and opaque. I always add extra “test shrimp” to the air fryer to cut them open and see if they’re done. Once they reach this point, take them out and eat them with gusto. (I just ate straight from the basket and don’t regret it at all.)
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Post time: Sep-27-2022