Some nights, I just need something easy that doesn’t leave my kitchen looking like a tornado hit it. That’s when I turn to my Air Fryer—seriously, it’s the best thing ever. And if your family loves tacos for dinner as much as mine does, you have to try these Air Fried Shrimp Tacos. They’re crispy, flavorful, and come together in no time.

I used to think making shrimp tacos at home was a whole thing—you know, messy frying pans, oil splattering everywhere, and way too many dishes. But once I started making Shrimp Tacos in the Air Fryer, I never looked back. The shrimp come out perfectly crispy without all the extra oil, and when you wrap them up in a warm tortilla with some crunchy slaw and a creamy sauce? Oh man, so good.
This is truly the best shrimp taco recipe if you’re looking for something fast, easy, and packed with flavor. Whether you call them Air Fried Shrimp Tacos, Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos, or Shrimp Tacos Easy Air Fryer Style, one thing’s for sure—this recipe is a total win. If you need a shrimp dinner recipe that the whole family will love, this is it. Plus, you can use this same method for other Air Fryer Seafood dishes too.
So grab your air fryer shrimp, a few tortillas, and let’s make the best air fryer shrimp tacos ever. Dinner’s about to be way easier (and way more delicious).
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the shrimp:
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined (I use frozen shrimp and thaw them quickly)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Juice of 1 lime
For the slaw:
- 2 cups shredded cabbage (or coleslaw mix for convenience)
- ¼ cup mayo
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon honey
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For the sauce:
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons mayo
- 1 tablespoon sriracha (adjust based on spice preference)
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Extras for serving:
- Small flour or corn tortillas
- Avocado slices
- Chopped cilantro
- Lime wedges
How to Make Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos
Step 1: Season the Shrimp

Toss the shrimp in a bowl with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, cumin, chili powder, salt, black pepper, and lime juice. Mix well so every piece is coated.
Let them sit for about five minutes while you prep the slaw and sauce. If you have extra time, let them marinate for ten to fifteen minutes for even more flavor.
Step 2: Air Fry the Shrimp

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. If your air fryer does not have a preheat setting, just turn it on and let it run for a few minutes.
Place the shrimp in a single layer in the basket. Do not overcrowd them, or they will not crisp up properly. Cook in batches if needed.
Air fry for six to eight minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. The shrimp should be golden, slightly crispy, and curled up when done.
Step 3: Make the Slaw

While the shrimp is cooking, mix the shredded cabbage, mayo, lime juice, honey, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Toss everything together until well combined.
Step 4: Make the Sauce
In a small bowl, mix the sour cream, mayo, sriracha, lime juice, and garlic powder. Taste and adjust as needed—add more sriracha for extra spice or more mayo to make it milder.
Step 5: Warm the Tortillas
Heat the tortillas in a dry skillet for about 30 seconds per side or wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave for 20 seconds to make them soft and pliable.
Step 6: Assemble the Tacos

Load each tortilla with crispy shrimp, slaw, avocado slices, a drizzle of sauce, and a sprinkle of cilantro. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
Dinner is ready. That is it.
Pro Tips for the Best Shrimp Tacos
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer – Cook in batches if needed so the shrimp crisp up properly.
- Use fresh lime juice – It makes a huge difference in flavor.
- Double the sauce – It is so good, you will want extra.
- Add some crunch – Sprinkle crushed tortilla chips on top for extra texture.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast and easy – Ready in 20 minutes, no complicated steps.
- Kid-approved – Even picky eaters love these.
- Less mess – No deep frying or oil splatters.
- Packed with flavor – Spiced shrimp, fresh slaw, and creamy sauce in every bite.
FAQs – Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos
How do I prevent the shrimp from getting rubbery?
Overcooking is the main culprit. Air fry the shrimp at 400°F for 6-8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Shrimp cook fast, so keep an eye on them—once they turn pink and slightly curled, they’re done.
What type of tortillas work best?
Both flour and corn tortillas work great! If you like a softer taco, go with flour. If you want something more authentic and slightly chewy, corn tortillas are the way to go. Just make sure to warm them up so they don’t break.
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes! If using frozen shrimp, just thaw them first. You can do this quickly by running them under cold water for a few minutes or letting them sit in the fridge overnight. Pat them dry before seasoning so they crisp up nicely in the air fryer
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes and no. The shrimp are best fresh out of the air fryer, but you can prep the slaw and sauce ahead of time. If you need to reheat the shrimp, pop them back in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes at 350°F to crisp them back up.
Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos Recipe Card

Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos Recipe
Ingredients
For the shrimp:
- 1 pound shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Juice of 1 lime
For the slaw:
- 2 cups shredded cabbage or coleslaw mix
- ¼ cup mayo
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon honey
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For the sauce:
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons mayo
- 1 tablespoon sriracha adjust for spice level
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
For serving:
- 8 small tortillas corn or flour
- Avocado slices
- Chopped cilantro
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Season the shrimp – In a bowl, toss shrimp with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, cumin, chili powder, salt, black pepper, and lime juice. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
- Air fry the shrimp – Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Place shrimp in a single layer and air fry for 6 to 8 minutes, shaking halfway through.
- Make the slaw – In a bowl, mix shredded cabbage, mayo, lime juice, honey, salt, and pepper. Toss until coated.
- Prepare the sauce – Mix sour cream, mayo, sriracha, lime juice, and garlic powder in a small bowl. Adjust spice level to taste.
- Warm the tortillas – Heat tortillas on a skillet for 30 seconds per side or in the microwave for 20 seconds wrapped in a damp paper towel.
- Assemble the tacos – Fill each tortilla with shrimp, slaw, avocado slices, and a drizzle of sauce. Garnish with cilantro and a squeeze of lime.
Notes
Recipe Tips
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer—cook in batches if needed.
- For extra crunch, top with crumbled tortilla chips.
- Double the sauce because it is that good.
More Shrimp Taco Variations
- Make it dairy-free: Use plant-based mayo and coconut yogurt.
- Add heat: Use extra chili powder or sliced jalapeños.
- Swap the protein: Try this with salmon or tilapia instead of shrimp.
And that’s it—Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos that are so easy, so crispy, and so packed with flavor, you’ll wonder why you ever made tacos any other way. If you’re like me and love a good shrimp dinner recipe without the mess, this is gonna be your new go-to. Seriously, making Air Fried Shrimp in the best air fryer is a total game-changer. No greasy pans, no splattering oil—just perfectly cooked shrimp in minutes.
Whether you call them Air Fry Shrimp Tacos, Shrimp Tacos In Air Fryer, or just the best shrimp taco recipe ever, one thing’s for sure—they’re ridiculously good. And since this method works for pretty much all air fryer seafood, you can switch things up whenever you want.
So next time you’re stuck on what to make for tacos for dinner, grab your air fryer, some tortillas, and whip up these shrimp tacos easy air fryer style. They come together in no time, taste like something from a fancy taco spot, and best of all—zero stress. Let me know if you try them, because I know you’re gonna love them!