Air Fryer Scampi
Air fryer scampi goes from freezer to plate in about 13 minutes, with a crisp, golden coating and a hot, tender middle. There is no need to defrost it or add any oil: the breadcrumb coating on frozen scampi already contains enough fat to brown. Serve it as a quick starter, a snack, or with chips and peas for a pub-style supper.
- Total
- 15 min
- Prep
- 2 min
- Cook
- 13 min
- Serves
- 2
- Per serving
- 330kcal
Before you start: air fryer scampi
Most shop-bought scampi is frozen and breaded, and that is what this method is for. Brands differ in size, so use the packet timing as your guide and the 10 minutes here as a starting point. A standard 4–5 litre basket takes 250g in a single layer. If you cook more, do it in batches, because overlapping pieces steam instead of crisping. Check the pack for any warning about cooking from frozen, and never refreeze scampi once it has been cooked.
The method for air fryer scampi
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Preheat Heat the air fryer to 200°C for . Check the packet too, as cooking instructions vary between brands.
- Fill the basket Tip the scampi straight from the freezer into the basket in a single layer, with a little space between each piece so the hot air can circulate.
- Cook Cook at 200°C for , shaking the basket after so the pieces brown evenly.
- Check and serve Cut one piece open: the coating should be deep golden and the scampi hot all the way through, with no cold or icy patches. Add if needed. Lift out with tongs and serve straight away with lemon wedges and tartar sauce.
What to serve with air fryer scampi
The classic British way is scampi, chips and peas with tartar sauce and a wedge of lemon. Tartar sauce is traditional, but a squeeze of lemon on its own is just as good. If you are out of tartar sauce, stir a little finely chopped gherkin or capers and a squeeze of lemon into mayonnaise. Serve the scampi as soon as it comes out, because the crumb softens within a few minutes as steam builds up under the pieces.
No air fryer? Bake the scampi on a tray at 200°C (180°C fan), gas 6, for 15–20 minutes, turning halfway, or follow the packet.
Common problems and fixes for Air Fryer Scampi
- The coating is pale or soggy.
- The basket is overcrowded. Keep the scampi in one layer and cook larger amounts in batches, keeping the first batch warm in a low oven at 110°C (90°C fan), gas ¼ while the second cooks.
- The scampi is rubbery or dry.
- It has been cooked for too long. Start checking at 8 minutes and stop as soon as the pieces are hot throughout and the crumb is golden.
- The crumb sticks to the basket.
- Let the basket heat up with the preheat, and shake the pieces loose after 5 minutes. A perforated air fryer liner also helps.
Frequently asked questions about Air Fryer Scampi
How long does scampi take in the air fryer?
Frozen breaded scampi takes 10 minutes at 200°C, plus a 3-minute preheat. Smaller pieces may need 8 minutes, so check the packet and cut one open to be sure.
Do I need to defrost scampi first?
No. Cook it straight from frozen, as thawing makes the coating soft and soggy.
Do I need to add oil?
No. Frozen breaded scampi already contains oil in the coating, which is enough for it to crisp up.
What is scampi?
Scampi are the tails of langoustines, also called Norway lobsters or Dublin Bay prawns. In the UK they are usually sold breaded in the freezer aisle.
How did you like the recipe?
4.7 / 5 · 36 ratings
