Made with just three ingredients and in under 15 minutes, this air fryer bacon wrapped shrimp recipe is always a crowd favorite! Perfect party appetizer or snack.
"...this hotel always serves bacon-wrapped shrimp. That's my number-one favorite food wrapped around my number-three favorite food."
-Ron Swanson, Parks and Recreation
Ron Swanson's character on Parks and Recreation is one of my favorites. And when he spoke that line in Episode 5, I couldn't believe it. How did he know?! Bacon-wrapped shrimp is my #1 favorite food wrapped around my number two favorite food!
Well, sometimes shrimp is my second fave - it alternates with pasta, depending on the day.
Needless to say, bacon-wrapped shrimp is a popular appetizer and snack, beloved by so many around the globe. And it's super fast and easy to make in the air fryer!
Table of contents
Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
The air fryer is such a useful cooking tool. We use the Air Crisp function of our Ninja Foodi and our Instant Pot Vortex air fryers every single day.
They are awesome for quick veggie side dishes like Air Fryer Broccoli, and for snacks like Air Fryer Ravioli and Homemade Air Fryer Pizza Rolls.
You can even make amazing Air Fryer Lobster Tails and desserts like Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies!
And when it comes to making my #1 favorite food wrapped around my #2 favorite food, the air fryer makes the BEST bacon-wrapped shrimp ever!
Kitchen tools and equipment
For this recipe, you need just a few kitchen tools:
Cutting board and knife - You'll need a sturdy cutting board and sharp knife to slice the bacon. Be sure to use a cutting board that you only use for meat, so that you don't run the risk of cross contamination.
Mixing bowl - You'll need a mixing bowl to season the shrimp.
Air Fryer - I use my Ninja Foodi multi-cooker in Air Crisp mode to air fry my bacon-wrapped shrimp. You can use a basket-style air fryer or a tray-style air fryer. Depending on the size of your shrimp and the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches.
Foil or parchment paper - As you are wrapping the shrimp in bacon, place them on a sheet of aluminum foil or parchment paper while you work.
3-ingredient recipe
Bacon - Use thinly sliced bacon, and not thick sliced bacon. If the bacon is too thick, it won't stay wrapped around the shrimp as nicely. Thinly sliced bacon tends to cling to the shrimp better.
Shrimp - You can use large frozen raw shrimp, thawed, or frozen cooked shrimp, thawed, for this recipe. If using frozen raw shrimp that is thawed, add one minute to the cook times.
Johnny's seasoning salt - Growing up, my family always had a huge Costco-size container of Johnny's Seasoning Salt. My mom and Lola used it on EVERYTHING. And now, I keep a jar of the same in my own pantry at all times. It's amazing in Filipino lumpia, but also on seafood.
If you don't have or can't find Johnny's Seasoning Salt, you can also use Old Bay Seasoning instead. It offers a different flavor profile, but still a delicious flavor for shrimp.
Avocado oil spray - Use your favorite air fryer-friendly cooking oil spray. I use this non-aerosol Avocado Oil Spray. It's best to avoid aerosol sprays, as the chemicals may strip the nonstick material on your air fryer.
How to make bacon-wrapped shrimp in the air fryer
Make sure the shrimp is peeled and fully thawed, and at room temperature. Dry the shrimp with paper towels. You can take the tails off or leave them on. I prefer to leave them on.
Season the shrimp with Johnny's Seasoning Salt. Toss around the shrimp and seasoning in a bowl to evenly coat all sides of the shrimp.
Cut each bacon slice in half. Then take one halved bacon slice and wrap tightly around the meaty part of the shrimp, overlapping the layers.
Place the wrapped shrimp onto a piece of foil or parchment paper to rest while you continue to wrap the remaining shrimp with the remaining bacon slices.
Spray the inside of your air fryer basket or tray with a non-aerosol avocado oil spray (or non-aerosol coconut oil spray).
Place the bacon-wrapped shrimp onto the basket or tray, taking care not to overcrowd the surface. If necessary, work in batches.
NOTE: In my Ninja Foodi, I use the Crisping Basket and place about 8 bacon-wrapped shrimp on the bottom. Then I add a rack, spray the rack with avocado oil spray, and place 8 more shrimp on the rack.
Air fry at 390°F for 4 minutes.
After 4 minutes, open the air fryer and flip the shrimp to the other side. Return the basket or tray and air fry for 5 to 6 more minutes, just until the bacon is cooked and the shrimp is pink and cooked through.
Serve immediately.
Recipe FAQs
These are best enjoyed warm and fresh from the air fryer. However, you can allow them to cool completely at room temperature, and then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
You can use Old Bay Seasoning instead.
Yes! That's usually what I use, and you can use the cooking times listed for frozen previously cooked shrimp that has been thawed completely. If using fresh or frozen raw shrimp, simply add a minute or two to the cooking time.
Remember: shrimp air fries quickly, so you do need to watch it to ensure you don't end up with overcooked, rubbery shrimp!
What to serve with air fryer bacon-wrapped shrimp
For dipping sauces, serve this appetizer with a side of:
- soy sauce
- mustard
- sweet chili sauce
- cocktail sauce.
If serving as a party appetizer, try making these other delicious appetizer recipes:
- Air Fryer Crab Rangoon
- Bacon-Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Goat Cheese
- Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp
- Simple Fruit Salad
- Soft Pretzel Bites
- Tomato Bruschetta with Balsamic Vinegar
Best wine pairings for bacon-wrapped shrimp
Shrimp traditionally pairs well with white wine. Since this delicate seafood is wrapped in a meaty, salty bacon slice, pair it with a medium- to full-bodied white wine.
A nicely oaked Chardonnay or a Viognier would pair deliciously with bacon-wrapped shrimp, as it does with bacon shrimp pasta (pictured above).
More seafood recipes
Two more great air fryer shrimp recipes to try: Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp and Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp. Also try one of these seafood recipes:
- Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Scallops with Teriyaki
- Pan-Seared Salmon with Basil Pesto
- Grilled Shrimp Pineapple Skewers
- Seafood Jambalada
- Low Country Boil Foil Packets
Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp
Equipment
Ingredients
- 7 sliced thinly sliced bacon
- 14 to 18 large frozen cooked shrimp, peeled, de-veined, and thawed
- ½ cup Johnny's Seasoning Salt
Instructions
- Make sure the shrimp is peeled and fully thawed, and at room temperature. Dry the shrimp with paper towels. You can take the tails off or leave them on. I prefer to leave them on.
- Season the shrimp with Johnny's Seasoning Salt. Toss around the shrimp and seasoning in a bowl to evenly coat all sides of the shrimp.
- Cut each bacon slice in half. Then take one halved bacon slice and wrap tightly around the meaty part of the shrimp, overlapping the layers.
- Place the wrapped shrimp onto a piece of foil or parchment paper to rest while you continue to wrap the remaining shrimp with the remaining bacon slices.
- Spray the inside of your air fryer basket or tray with a non-aerosol avocado oil spray (or non-aerosol coconut oil spray).
- Place the bacon-wrapped shrimp onto the basket or tray, taking care not to overcrowd the surface. If necessary, work in batches.
- Air fry at 390°F for 4 minutes.
- After 4 minutes, open the air fryer and flip the shrimp to the other side. Return the basket or tray and air fry for 5 to 6 more minutes, just until the bacon is cooked and the shrimp is pink and cooked through.
- Serve immediately.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is a general estimate. Actual nutrition details may vary depending on the exact foods & brands you use to make this recipe. It does not take into account any substitutions, toppings, or optional ingredients.
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