Get ready to elevate your taco night with these delicious air fryer shrimp tacos. This recipe combines perfectly seasoned shrimp with fresh toppings, all wrapped in warm tortillas. It's a quick and easy meal that's sure to impress.
While most of the ingredients for this recipe are common pantry items, you might need to pick up some shredded cabbage and pico de gallo if you don't already have them at home. These fresh ingredients add a delightful crunch and burst of flavor to your tacos.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos Recipe
Shrimp: Peeled and deveined, these are the star of the dish, providing a succulent and flavorful protein.
Olive oil: Used to coat the shrimp, helping the spices adhere and adding a touch of richness.
Chili powder: Adds a mild heat and depth of flavor to the shrimp.
Garlic powder: Infuses the shrimp with a savory, aromatic quality.
Cumin: Provides a warm, earthy flavor that complements the other spices.
Tortillas: Soft and pliable, these are the perfect vessel for your shrimp and toppings.
Shredded cabbage: Adds a crunchy texture and fresh taste to the tacos.
Pico de gallo: A fresh salsa made from tomatoes, onions, and cilantro, adding a burst of flavor.
Sour cream: Creamy and tangy, it balances the spices and adds richness.
Lime juice: Freshly squeezed, it adds a zesty brightness to the tacos.
Technique Tip for Making Shrimp Tacos
To ensure the shrimp cook evenly in the air fryer, make sure they are arranged in a single layer without overlapping. This allows the hot air to circulate around each piece, resulting in perfectly cooked, crispy shrimp. If you have a large batch, cook them in multiple batches rather than overcrowding the basket.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
shrimp - Substitute with chicken breast: Chicken breast can be cut into small pieces and seasoned similarly, providing a different but still delicious protein option.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a high smoke point and a neutral flavor, making it a great alternative for cooking.
chili powder - Substitute with paprika: Paprika provides a mild heat and a similar color, though it is less spicy than chili powder.
garlic powder - Substitute with onion powder: Onion powder offers a different but complementary flavor that can enhance the overall taste of the dish.
cumin - Substitute with coriander: Coriander has a slightly citrusy flavor that can add a unique twist to the seasoning mix.
tortillas - Substitute with lettuce wraps: Lettuce wraps provide a low-carb alternative that is fresh and crunchy.
shredded cabbage - Substitute with shredded lettuce: Shredded lettuce offers a similar texture and can be used as a fresh, crunchy base.
pico de gallo - Substitute with salsa: Salsa provides a similar mix of tomatoes, onions, and peppers, though it may be more liquid than pico de gallo.
sour cream - Substitute with Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt offers a similar creamy texture and tangy flavor, with added protein.
freshly squeezed lime juice - Substitute with lemon juice: Lemon juice provides a similar acidic brightness, though it has a slightly different flavor profile.
Other Recipes Similar to Shrimp Tacos
How to Store or Freeze These Shrimp Tacos
- Allow the shrimp to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the shrimp soggy.
- Transfer the cooled shrimp into an airtight container. For best results, use a container that fits the shrimp snugly to minimize air exposure.
- Store the tortillas separately in a resealable plastic bag or an airtight container to keep them from becoming soggy.
- Place the shredded cabbage and pico de gallo in separate containers. This keeps the vegetables fresh and crisp.
- For the sour cream, use a small airtight container to maintain its texture and prevent it from absorbing other flavors in the fridge.
- If you plan to freeze the shrimp, lay them out on a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container.
- Label the containers with the date to keep track of freshness.
- When ready to reheat, thaw the shrimp in the refrigerator overnight if frozen. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 2-3 minutes or until warmed through.
- Warm the tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave just before serving to restore their pliability.
- Assemble the tacos with reheated shrimp, fresh cabbage, pico de gallo, and sour cream just before eating to maintain the best texture and flavor.
How to Reheat Leftovers
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Wrap the tortillas in aluminum foil and place them in the oven for about 10 minutes until they are warm and pliable.
- For the shrimp, use a skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of olive oil and cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally until they are heated through. Be careful not to overcook them, as they can become rubbery.
- Alternatively, you can reheat the shrimp in the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
- To reheat the shredded cabbage, place it in a microwave-safe bowl with a damp paper towel over it. Microwave on high for 30 seconds to 1 minute until it is slightly warm but still crisp.
- For the pico de gallo, it’s best served fresh, but if you must reheat it, use a microwave-safe bowl and heat it for 15-20 seconds. Be cautious as it can become mushy.
- The sour cream and lime juice should be added fresh to maintain their flavor and texture.
Essential Tools for Making Shrimp Tacos in an Air Fryer
Air fryer: Used to cook the shrimp quickly and evenly with hot air circulation.
Mixing bowl: Used to toss the shrimp with olive oil and spices.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure out the chili powder, garlic powder, and cumin accurately.
Tongs: Used to place the shrimp in the air fryer basket and to shake the basket halfway through cooking.
Dry skillet: Used to warm the tortillas if you prefer not to use a microwave.
Microwave: An alternative method to warm the tortillas quickly.
Cutting board: Used to prepare any additional toppings or to handle the shrimp before cooking.
Knife: Used to cut the lime for freshly squeezed lime juice.
Serving platter: Used to assemble and serve the shrimp tacos.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Preheat the air fryer: Preheat the air fryer while you prepare the shrimp to save time.
Use pre-shredded cabbage: Buy pre-shredded cabbage to cut down on prep time.
Ready-made pico de gallo: Purchase store-bought pico de gallo to avoid chopping vegetables.
Microwave tortillas: Warm tortillas in the microwave for a quicker option.
Batch cook shrimp: Cook shrimp in batches if your air fryer is small, but prep all at once.
Pre-mix spices: Mix chili powder, garlic powder, and cumin ahead of time for quicker seasoning.
Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb Shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 teaspoon Chili Powder
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- 8 pieces Tortillas
- 1 cup Shredded Cabbage
- 1 cup Pico de Gallo
- 1 cup Sour Cream
- 1 tablespoon Lime Juice freshly squeezed
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- In a mixing bowl, toss the shrimp with olive oil, chili powder, garlic powder, and cumin.
- Place the shrimp in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
- Warm the tortillas in a dry skillet or in the microwave.
- Assemble the tacos by placing shrimp on each tortilla, then topping with shredded cabbage, pico de gallo, sour cream, and a squeeze of lime juice.
Nutritional Value
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