Air Fryer Battered Prawns
Air fryer battered prawns get their crunch from the classic three-step coating of flour, egg and panko, which sets in the hot air and turns golden in about 8 minutes at 190°C. A wet batter would simply drip through the basket, so this dry coating is what works in an air fryer. Serve the prawns with lemon and a dip as a snack, starter or light supper for two.
- Total
- 36 min
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 11 min
- Serves
- 2
- Per serving
- 390kcal
Ingredients and swaps for air fryer battered prawns
Choose raw, peeled king prawns, as they stay juicy and take the full 8 minutes without overcooking. Smaller prawns will cook faster, so check them after 5–6 minutes. The tails make handy handles for dipping.
Strictly speaking this is a breadcrumb coating rather than a batter, and the name is just the one most people search for. Panko gives the crunchiest finish. Dry fine breadcrumbs also work, but use 50g and press them on firmly. A pinch of cayenne in the flour adds heat.
Air fryer battered prawns, step by step
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Set up three bowls Mix the flour, paprika, salt and pepper in the first bowl. Put the beaten egg in the second and the panko in the third.
- Dry the prawns Pat the prawns dry with kitchen paper. If they were frozen, defrost them overnight in the fridge first. Dry prawns are the key to a coating that sticks.
- Coat the prawns Dip each prawn in the flour and shake off the excess, then in the egg, letting the extra drip off. Roll it in the panko and press the crumbs on firmly. Lay the prawns on a plate, not touching.
- Chill Put the plate in the fridge for , so the coating sets and stays on in the basket.
- Preheat and load Heat the air fryer to 190°C for . Brush or spray the prawns lightly all over with oil, covering any pale, dry crumbs. Lay them in a single layer in the basket with space between them.
- Cook Cook at 190°C for , turning the prawns over halfway, until the coating is golden and crisp and the prawns are pink and opaque all the way through. Serve straight away with lemon wedges and sweet chilli sauce.
Basket size and serving
A standard 4–5 litre basket holds 16 prawns in a single layer. If your air fryer is smaller, cook them in two batches of 8 minutes each and keep the first batch warm on a plate. Do not stack the prawns, or the coating will turn soft where they touch.
Serve them with lemon wedges and sweet chilli sauce, or alongside a summer salad with prawns for a light supper. For prawns without the coating, try air fryer king prawns.
Common problems and fixes for Air Fryer Battered Prawns
- The coating falls off in the basket.
- The prawns were damp or the crumbs were not pressed on. Dry them well, press the panko on firmly and chill the coated prawns for 10 minutes before cooking.
- Some patches of coating are pale and floury.
- They did not get any oil. Brush or spray every side lightly, because the crumbs only brown where fat reaches them.
- The prawns are tough.
- They have cooked too long. Large king prawns need 8 minutes at 190°C, so check from 7 minutes and stop when they are pink and opaque.
Frequently asked questions about Air Fryer Battered Prawns
How long do you cook battered prawns in an air fryer?
Cook raw king prawns for 8 minutes at 190°C, turning them over halfway, after a 3-minute preheat. They are done when the coating is golden and the prawns are pink and opaque.
Can I use wet batter in an air fryer?
No, because wet batter drips through the basket before it sets. Use a dry coating of flour, egg and breadcrumbs, as here. For a true battered prawn you would need a deep fryer.
Can you cook the prawns from frozen?
No, not with this coating. Defrost raw prawns overnight in the fridge, pat them dry, then coat them. Frozen prawns shed water, which makes the crumbs fall off.
Can I use cooked prawns?
Yes, but they overcook easily. Coat them the same way and cook at 190°C for 4–5 minutes, just until the coating is golden.
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