Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Shrimp

Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Shrimp is a mouthwatering combo of succulent shrimp wrapped snug in crispy bacon, and cooked quickly in the air fryer. Trust me, this recipe is a game-changer!

If you like this bacon wrapped shrimp air fryer recipe, you will also love these Chinese Pineapple Shrimp and Hibachi Shrimp!

Why you will love this air fryer bacon wrapped shrimp recipe

These shrimp are super easy to prepare and cook, which makes them perfect for weeknight dinners or spontaneous get-togethers when you need to bring an appetizer.

The air fryer gets the bacon nice and crispy while keeping the shrimp tender and juicy. And let’s not forget about the amazing combination of savory bacon and succulent shrimp – it’s simply irresistible! 

You only need a few ingredients and about 30 minutes so you’ll have them ready to enjoy in no time! If you’re super short on time and don’t want to make a homemade garlic aioli, grab this one instead.

Ingredients you will need

• Shrimp: Fresh or frozen shrimp will work for this recipe. You can use either jumbo or medium-sized shrimp, depending on your preference.
• Bacon: Use thin-cut bacon slices to ensure that it cooks evenly and gets crispy in the air fryer. If you use thick cut bacon, it won’t get crispy and you’ll end up overcooking your shrimp.
• Cajun seasoning: If you don’t want to use cajun seasoning, you can also use Old Bay seasoning or a combination of garlic powder and paprika for a delicious flavor.
• Garlic aioli: The homemade garlic aioli is made from mayonnaise, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.

How to Make Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Shrimp

• Soak the toothpicks in boiling water for 30 minutes before air frying.
• Prepare the shrimp: Place the raw shrimp in a bowl with olive oil and cajun seasoning, Wrap each shrimp with 1/2 piece of bacon and then hold the bacon in place with a toothpick. Repeat this with the remaining shrimp. Once each piece of shrimp and bacon is skewered, spray with the remaining 1 tsp of olive oil.
• Air-fry shrimp: Place the wrapped shrimp in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook the shrimp for about 8 minutes or until the shrimp is pink and the bacon is crispy.
• Make the garlic aioli: Mix all the ingredients together in a small bowl. Serve with chopped chives or green onions, aioli mayo, barbecue sauce or your favorite dipping sauce.

How do you pre cook bacon for wrapping?

To pre-cook bacon for wrapping shrimp, you’ll first want to partially cook your bacon strips in the air fryer. Set the air fryer to 160 degrees and cook the bacon for about 5 minutes.

This will ensure that your bacon is pliable enough to wrap around the shrimp but will still finish cooking to a perfect crisp once it’s back in the air fryer with the shrimp.

This is good to do if you’re using small shrimp that will cook quickly or if you’re using a thicker cut bacon, but a thinner cut of bacon is best for this recipe to help you achieve a crispier result.

How to make shrimp juicy?

To make your shrimp juicy, it’s all about the cooking time and temperature. Overcooking shrimp can quickly lead to a dry and rubbery texture.

Make sure to keep an eye on them while they’re in the air fryer and avoid leaving them in for too long. Additionally, adding a little bit of oil or marinade to the shrimp before cooking can help lock in moisture and keep them juicy. 

Storing and reheating bacon wrapped shrimp

If you happen to have leftover shrimp, don’t worry – they can easily be stored and reheated for a tasty snack or meal later on.

Let the shrimp cool completely before storing them in an airtight container in the fridge. When it’s time to reheat, simply place them back in the air fryer for a few minutes until heated through. 

How long to cook bacon wrapped shrimp in an air fryer?

The cooking time for bacon-wrapped shrimp in an air fryer largely depends on the shrimp size. Generally, an average-sized shrimp wrapped in bacon will take about 5-7 minutes at 400°F.

However, if you’re using jumbo shrimp, you might need to add an extra minute or two to ensure that both the shrimp and bacon are cooked thoroughly.

If your shrimp are on the smaller side, you might want to reduce the cooking time by a minute or two to prevent overcooking. 

Remember, the goal is to achieve tender, juicy shrimp and crispy, fully-cooked bacon. Monitoring the cooking process and making necessary time adjustments can definitely help attain that perfect balance. 

Bacon wrapped shrimp in oven

If you’re planning to prepare a larger batch of bacon-wrapped shrimp, the oven is an excellent option. Preheat your oven to 400°F. Arrange the bacon-wrapped shrimp in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.

Bake them for about 15 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the shrimp are cooked through. Be sure to turn the shrimp halfway through the cooking time to ensure even crispness. Remember, the key to juicy shrimp is not to overcook them, so keep a close eye on the oven during the final few minutes of baking.

How to make bacon wrapped shrimp on the grill?

Grilling bacon-wrapped shrimp adds a great smoky flavor to this delicious appetizer. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (around 400°F). Skewer the shrimp and bacon tightly together, making sure that they stay in place while cooking.

Place them on the grill and cook for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until the bacon is crispy and the shrimp are fully cooked. 

Be sure to keep a close eye on the grill, as bacon has a tendency to flare up and burn quickly. Use tongs to turn the skewers gently, if necessary. Once done, remove the skewers from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.

Different ways to prepare bacon wrapped shrimp

Bacon-wrapped shrimp can be prepared in many different ways, depending on personal preference and available ingredients.

Some popular variations include adding a sprinkle of brown sugar or chili powder to the bacon before wrapping it around the shrimp or stuffing the shrimp with cream cheese or jalapeño peppers before wrapping it in bacon. 

Experiment with different spices and seasonings to find your perfect combination of flavorful shrimp. You can also try grilling the bacon-wrapped shrimp on a cedar plank for added flavor, or basting them with a glaze made from honey and soy sauce while they cook on the grill.

What to serve with bacon wrapped shrimp

Air fryer bacon-wrapped shrimp make an easy appetizer or can be served as the main dish. They pair well with a variety of side dishes, like grilled vegetables, rice pilaf, or a little gem salad. For a more filling main course, you can serve them with mashed potatoes as a side dish or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful juices from the shrimp and bacon.

Bacon-wrapped shrimp also go well with a variety of sauces, like cocktail sauce, garlic aioli, or a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce. You can even try dipping them in melted butter for an indulgent treat!

If you’re serving them as an appetizer, these air fryer banana peppers or these air fryer polenta fries are great to serve alongside them!

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