Air fryer Buffalo Shrimp

These Buffalo shrimp in air fryer with no breading are a perfect shrimp main. They are slightly crispy outside and perfectly cooked inside. You will love this spicy appetiser.

I love having shrimp. It is high protein, low carb and so very delicious. Not to mention how quick and easy it is to cook.

Air fryer has been a lifesaver when it comes to cooking shrimp evenly and quickly. You may like coconut shrimp, Bang bang shrimp, lemon garlic shrimp, Cajun shrimp, Tandoori shrimp, bacon wrapped shrimp, Tempura shrimp.

This Buffalo Shrimp uses hot sauce to toss in after the shrimp has been air fried. In this recipe, I have used wholewheat flour for a light coating on the shrimp.

Jump to:

• What is Buffalo sauce?
• Ingredients
• Variations
• Storage
• Tips 
• Instructions
• 📖 Recipe Card
• 💬 Reviews

What is Buffalo sauce?

Generally hot sauce along with butter is used to coat deep fried chicken, shrimp, tofu, cauliflower florets. This sauce is called Buffalo sauce.

I have used any hot sauce at hand for this recipe. You can use Sriracha sauce, chili garlic sauce or any other hot sauce that you like.

In case, you want low fat, you can skip butter or reduce its quantity. It does add to the flavour though.

Ingredients

Shrimp: Use fresh or thawed shrimp for this recipe. I have retained tails for easier handling but feel free to remove them if you so wish. I have used large shrimp here. For tiger or jumbo shrimp, your air frying time will increase by a minute or two.

Flour: Normally all purpose flour is used. But I like to use wholewheat flour. You can use other alternatives like pork rind for keto version, chickpea flour or almond flour for gluten-free version.

Buffalo sauce: Any hot sauce with butter is used as Buffalo sauce for coating.

Extra virgin olive oil: This is used for spraying or brushing the shrimp while air frying. This is needed so that the shrimp don’t feel too floury even after cooking.

Spices: I have used garlic powder, pepper and salt for seasoning the flour. You can also add herbs like chopped parsley or cilantro.

Variations

Flour: You can use pork rinds for a keto version. Use chickpea flour or almond flour for gluten free version.

Herbs such as finely chopped parsley can be used to season the flour.

Use any hot sauce of choice. In place of butter, extra virgin olive oil can be used. You can also reduce the quantity used as per taste.

Storage

Preferably avoid storing the shrimp after they have been coated with sauce as they look their crispiness.

If you wish to store the cooked shrimp, you can store in air tight container in the fridge for upto 2 days. Reheat in air fryer and serve after coating with sauce.

I do not recommend freezing cooked shrimp as they overcook on reheating in air fryer.

Tips 

1. Do not overcook the shrimp. Depending upon their size, they make take slightly less or more time for air frying.
2. After coating in seasoned flour, tap to remove excess flour. Also spray oil all over the coated shrimp so that the flour cooks out properly and does not become cakey. If brushing oil, wait for a minute of cooking time and then spray oil all over the shrimp.
3. After the shrimp is cooked, it will be slightly crispy. Brush all over with buffalo sauce and serve hot. You can serve some Buffalo sauce on the side as a dip.
4. In case you wish to store these shrimp in the refrigerator, don’t apply the sauce. Just store in air-tight container. Then you can air fry buffalo shrimp to heat. Coat with sauce and serve. I would not recommend freezing Buffalo shrimp as they will get overcooked on reheating.
5. You can use various types of flours in place of wholewheat flour as mentioned in variations.

Instructions

Take 1 pound or about 450 gms. Peeled and deveined shrimp. Clean and dry them.

I have retained the tails for better hold but you can remove them if you so wish.

Assemble wholewheat flour, garlic powder, salt, pepper and paprika.

Mix the spices with wholewheat flour.

Toss shrimp in the flour mix to coat. Ensure that it is well coated. Lightly tap to remove excessive flour from the shrimp.

Preheat air fryer at 390F or 200C for 4 minutes.

Lightly brush air fryer basket with oil.

Then lay the shrimp in one layer on the air fryer basket. Some flour may fall on the basket. That is not on concern.

Lightly spray oil all over shrimp on the floury areas. You can also brush with oil if you so choose.

Close the basket and air fry for about 2 minutes on each side. Flip after 2 minutes. Spray more oil or brush with oil and air fry for 2 minutes more.

For my large prawns, this cooking time was perfect. 

In case you are using Tiger or Jumbo shrimp, you may need to add 1 to 2 minutes per side of cooking time for shrimp.

Meanwhile prepare the Buffalo sauce. Add 1 tbsp. of melted butter to ¼ cup of hot sauce. Mix well.

Take out the shrimp.

Brush air fried shrimp with Buffalo sauce that you have prepared on both sides. Serve hot with some more Buffalo sauce on the side.

This is how to make buffalo shrimp in air fryer. Enjoy!

For 1 lb. Shrimp or 450 gm., you will need to do two batches.

Here's the recipe card:

📖 Recipe Card

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