Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
Plump, juicy shrimp get coated in a simple seasoning, snugly wrapped in thin-cut bacon, and cooked in the air fryer until everything is perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. A garlic butter glaze ties everything together, adding richness and depth to every bite.
Equipment
- Basket-style air fryer - at least 5-quart capacity recommended
- Mixing bowls - medium and small
- Silicone Pastry Brush - for applying the glaze
- Cutting board
- Sharp Knife or Kitchen Scissors - for cutting bacon
- Toothpicks
- Paper towels - for patting shrimp dry
- Tongs - for turning the shrimp during cooking
- Plate lined with paper towels - for resting the cooked shrimp
- Shallow baking sheet or tray - for assembling before air frying
Ingredients
- 1 pound large or jumbo raw shrimp - 450g, 21-25 count per pound, peeled and deveined, tails on or off
- 12 strips thin-cut bacon - cut in half crosswise
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter - 30ml, melted
- 3 cloves garlic - minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley - 15ml, finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder - 2.5ml
- 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning - 2.5ml, or Cajun seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper - 1.25ml
- 1/4 teaspoon salt - 1.25ml, omit if your bacon is heavily salted
- Cooking spray or avocado oil spray - for greasing the air fryer basket
- Toothpicks - for securing the bacon
- Lemon wedges - for serving
For Dipping Sauce (optional)
- Honey mustard - optional, for serving
- Cocktail sauce - optional, for serving
- Bang bang sauce - optional, for serving
- Ranch dressing - optional, for serving
Instructions
- If using frozen shrimp, thaw completely by placing in a sealed bag submerged in cold water for 15-20 minutes. Peel and devein if needed, then pat each shrimp thoroughly dry with paper towels.
- Drizzle shrimp with a light mist of cooking spray, then sprinkle with garlic powder, Old Bay seasoning, pepper, and salt. Toss until evenly coated.
- In a small bowl, microwave butter for 20-30 seconds until melted. Stir in minced garlic and fresh parsley to create the garlic butter glaze.
- Cut each bacon strip in half crosswise. Wrap one half-strip tightly around each seasoned shrimp, overlapping the ends. Secure with a toothpick inserted through the bacon and shrimp.
- Using a silicone pastry brush, generously apply the garlic butter glaze over all sides of each bacon-wrapped shrimp. Reserve about 1 tablespoon of glaze for later.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F (205°C) for 3-5 minutes. Lightly spray the basket with cooking spray. Place shrimp in a single layer without overlapping.
- Air fry at 400°F (205°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping each shrimp halfway through. Cook until bacon is golden and crispy, and shrimp are pink and opaque.
- Remove shrimp from the air fryer and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Rest for 1-2 minutes, brush with remaining glaze if desired, and remove toothpicks before serving with lemon wedges.
Notes
- Always use thin-cut bacon: Thick-cut bacon takes too long to crisp and will overcook the shrimp before it's done.
- Pat shrimp completely dry: Excess moisture causes steaming instead of crisping, resulting in pale, soft bacon.
- Use large or jumbo raw shrimp: 21-25 or 16-20 per pound is ideal. Smaller shrimp will overcook before the bacon is crispy.
- Don't skip the preheat: Starting in a preheated air fryer creates the immediate high heat needed to crisp the bacon properly.
- Cook in a single layer only: Overlapping shrimp traps steam and prevents even crisping. Cook in batches if needed.
- Flip halfway through: Turning the shrimp at the midpoint ensures even browning and crispiness on both sides.
- Toothpicks are essential: Bacon shrinks as it cooks and can unravel. Securing with toothpicks keeps everything tightly wrapped.
- Make-ahead tip: Assemble and glaze the shrimp up to 24 hours in advance, then cook fresh when ready to serve.
- Reheating instructions: Reheat in the air fryer at 375°F for 3-4 minutes. Avoid the microwave as it makes the bacon soggy.
- Variations: Try with BBQ glaze, spicy brown sugar, maple soy, Cajun seasoning, teriyaki, or stuffed with cream cheese for different flavor profiles.