Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Shrimp for a weeknight

Made with simply 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 the number-one favorite food wrapped around the number-three favorite food."
-Ron Swanson, Parks and Recreation

Ron Swanson's character on Parks and Recreation is one of the favorites. And when he spoke that line in Episode 5, We couldn't believe it. How did he know?! Bacon-wrapped shrimp is the #1 favorite food wrapped around the number two favorite food!

Well, sometimes shrimp is the 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 simple to make in the air fryer!

Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Shrimp

The air fryer is such a useful cooking tool. We use the Air Crisp function of our Pressure-cooker and our Pressure-cooker 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 the #1 favorite food wrapped around the #2 favorite food, the air fryer makes the BEST bacon-wrapped shrimp ever!

Kitchen tools and equipment

For this recipe, you need simply 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 – We use the Pressure-cooker multi-cooker in Air Crisp mode to air fry the 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, the family always had a huge Costco-size container of Johnny's Seasoning Salt. The mom and Lola used it on EVERYTHING. And now, We keep a jar of the same in the 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 tasty flavor for shrimp.

Avocado oil spray – Use your favorite air fryer-friendly cooking oil spray. We 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. We 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 the Pressure-cooker, We use the Crisping Basket and place about 8 bacon-wrapped shrimp on the bottom. Then We 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, simply until the bacon is cooked and the shrimp is pink and cooked through.

Serve immediately.

Recipe FAQs

What's the best way to store leftovers?

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.

What can We use instead of Johnny's Seasoning Salt?

You can use Old Bay Seasoning instead.

Can We use frozen previously cooked shrimp?

Yes! That's usually what We 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 tasty appetizer recipes:

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:

Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp

By Marlynn Schotland Prep Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 10 mins Total Time: 15 mins Servings: 16 shrimp This tasty appetizer is made with simply 3 ingredients in less than 15 minutes!

Equipment

1 Air Fryer

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. We 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, simply until the bacon is cooked and the shrimp is pink and cooked through.
Serve immediately.

Notes

NINJA FOODI NOTE: In the Pressure-cooker XL Deluxe multi-cooker, We use the Crisping Basket and place about 8 bacon-wrapped shrimp on the bottom. Then We add a rack, spray the rack with avocado oil spray, and place 8 more shrimp on the rack. SUBSTITUTIONS: Instead of Johnny's Seasoning Salt, you can use Old Bay Seasoning. It's a totally different flavor profile, but still tasty! STORAGE TIPS: 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.

Nutrition

Calories: 5 kcal, Protein: 1 g, Fat: 1 g, Saturated Fat: 1 g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1 g, Cholesterol: 2 mg, Sodium: 3538 mg, Potassium: 3 mg, Calcium: 3 mg, Iron: 1 mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.