This air fryer yum yum shrimp recipe delivers crispy, flavorful shrimp coated in a delicious yum yum sauce. It’s a quick and easy dish perfect for weeknight dinners or as an appetizer for gatherings.
Using an air fryer allows you to achieve a crunchy texture without the excess oil, making it a healthier option while still being satisfying.
Quick and Easy Air Fryer Yum Yum Shrimp
This delightful dish features succulent shrimp that are coated in a homemade yum yum sauce and air-fried to achieve a crispy texture.
With a total preparation and cooking time of just 25 minutes, it’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or as an appetizer for gatherings.
The use of an air fryer allows for a healthier cooking method, eliminating the need for excess oil while still delivering that satisfying crunch.
This recipe serves four, making it ideal for sharing with family or friends.
Ingredients for a Flavorful Experience
The key to achieving the perfect yum yum shrimp lies in the selection of ingredients.
Start with one pound of large shrimp, peeled and deveined, which will provide a tender and juicy base for the dish.
A combination of panko or regular breadcrumbs, all-purpose flour, and eggs creates a crispy coating that enhances the shrimp’s natural flavor.
For the yum yum sauce, a blend of mayonnaise, ketchup, rice vinegar, sugar, and optional sriracha adds a creamy and tangy element that complements the shrimp beautifully.
Don’t forget to garnish with chopped green onions for a pop of color and freshness!
Preparation Steps for Perfectly Crispy Shrimp
Begin by rinsing the shrimp under cold water and patting them dry with paper towels.
Setting up a breading station is essential: combine flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in one bowl, beat the eggs in another, and place the breadcrumbs in a third.
Dip each shrimp into the flour mixture, then the beaten eggs, and finally coat with breadcrumbs.
This three-step process ensures that each shrimp is evenly coated, resulting in a perfectly crispy exterior once cooked.
Cooking in the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about five minutes.
Arrange the breaded shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded for optimal cooking.
Cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping the shrimp halfway through to achieve an even golden brown color.
The air fryer will give the shrimp a delightful crunch without the added calories from frying.
Creating the Yum Yum Sauce
While the shrimp are cooking, prepare the yum yum sauce.
In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, ketchup, rice vinegar, sugar, and sriracha until smooth.
This sauce is the perfect accompaniment, adding a creamy and tangy flavor that enhances the shrimp.
Once the shrimp are done, drizzle the yum yum sauce over the crispy shrimp or serve it on the side for dipping.
Garnish with chopped green onions for an extra touch of flavor and presentation.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
These crispy air fryer yum yum shrimp can be served as a standalone appetizer or alongside a fresh salad for a light meal.
Pair them with a refreshing beverage, such as iced tea or a light beer, to complement the flavors.
For a complete dining experience, consider adding sides like steamed vegetables or rice.
This dish is versatile and can easily be adapted to suit various tastes and occasions.
Quick and Easy Air Fryer Yum Yum Shrimp

This recipe features succulent shrimp tossed in a homemade yum yum sauce, then air-fried to perfection. The dish takes about 25 minutes from start to finish and serves 4 people.
Ingredients
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon sriracha (optional, for heat)
- Chopped green onions for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prep the Shrimp: Rinse the shrimp under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
- Set Up Breading Station: In one bowl, combine flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. In a second bowl, beat the eggs. In a third bowl, place the breadcrumbs.
- Bread the Shrimp: Dip each shrimp into the flour mixture, then into the beaten eggs, and finally coat with breadcrumbs. Place the breaded shrimp on a plate.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.
- Air Fry the Shrimp: Arrange the breaded shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
- Make the Yum Yum Sauce: In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, ketchup, rice vinegar, sugar, and sriracha until smooth.
- Serve: Drizzle the yum yum sauce over the crispy shrimp or serve it on the side for dipping. Garnish with chopped green onions if desired.
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Servings: 4 servings
- Calories: 300kcal
- Fat: 15g
- Protein: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 25g