Go Back
Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos with Lime Slaw, air fryer dinner recipes for busy nights
Brittany Stage

Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos with Lime Slaw

Cumin and chili-seasoned shrimp air fry in just 5 to 6 minutes, then get loaded into warm tortillas with a quick lime slaw for a fresh, fast taco night that takes less than 20 minutes start to finish.
Prep Time 12 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Total Time 18 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Mexican-American
Calories: 360

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 lbs large shrimp peeled and deveined, fresh or thawed from frozen, patted very dry
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp cumin ground
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 3 cups green cabbage shredded thin, about half a small head
  • 3 tbsp mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp fresh lime juice from 1 large lime, plus lime wedges for serving
  • 1/4 tsp kosher salt for the slaw
  • 2 tbsp fresh cilantro chopped, plus more for serving
  • 8 small corn or flour tortillas warmed
  • 1 medium avocado sliced, optional
  • hot sauce hot sauce for serving, optional

Equipment

  • air fryer
  • large mixing bowl
  • small bowl
  • tongs

Method
 

  1. Make sure your shrimp are thawed completely if using frozen, then pat them very dry with paper towels. Any extra moisture on the surface will steam instead of giving you that light caramelized char. Add the shrimp to a large bowl.
  2. Drizzle the olive oil over the shrimp, then sprinkle on the cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss well until every shrimp is evenly coated in the seasoning.
  3. Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F for 3 minutes. Arrange the shrimp in a single layer in the basket. They can be close but should not overlap. Air fry for 5 to 6 minutes, flipping or shaking the basket once at the 3 minute mark. Pull them the moment they are pink, opaque, and just slightly curled into a loose C shape. A tight curl means they are overdone.
  4. While the shrimp cook, make the lime slaw. Combine the shredded cabbage, mayonnaise, lime juice, salt, and cilantro in a bowl. Toss well and taste. Add a little more lime juice or salt if it needs it. The slaw should taste bright and a little tangy. Set aside.
  5. Warm the tortillas directly over a gas flame for about 20 seconds per side, or wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave for 30 to 45 seconds until pliable and steamy.
  6. Assemble the tacos. Lay a spoonful of slaw in each tortilla, add 3 or 4 shrimp on top, then finish with avocado slices, extra cilantro, a squeeze of lime, and hot sauce if you like. Serve immediately while the shrimp are still warm.

Notes

Do not walk away from shrimp in a hot air fryer. They go from perfectly cooked to rubbery in under a minute. Use the 5 minute mark as your check-in point and pull them as soon as they look done. Leftovers keep 2 days in the fridge but are best eaten fresh.