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    Home » All Recipes

    Author: Donna | Published: May 16, 2022 | Modified: May 16, 2022

    Air Fryer Cajun Shrimp Tacos

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    Cajun Spiced Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos

    Get ready for a quick and easy dinner that is just bursting with flavor, and will be a hit with the whole family. These Cajun-spiced air fryer shrimp tacos will no doubt make it to your weekly meal plan as they come together so easily and taste so good. Load up the spiced shrimp in a soft taco with all of the toppings and you are good to go. If you are trying to keep it low in carbs throw the air-fried shrimp on top of a taco salad and you have the best shrimp taco salad around. Air frying the shrimp means that less oil is used when cooking, making this a healthier option for shrimp tacos.

    Air fryer shrimp served in a flour tortilla with lettuce, purple cabbage and other taco toppings
    Air fryer shrimp tacos make a delicious meal for the whole family.

    We love using Cajun spices in our shrimp recipes around here, check out this Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta Alfredo next!

    Cajun-Spiced Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos

    With a simple homemade Cajun spice mix, these shrimp tacos make the perfect family-friendly meal that is also quick and easy to pull together.

    You are going to need:

    • uncooked medium shrimp (or prawns depending on where you live): you will want uncooked shrimp for this recipe. You can buy either fresh or frozen, but they will need to be peeled and deveined before cooking;
    • extra virgin olive oil or other cooking oil of choice such as avocado oil: you can also use a cooking spray to lightly coat the shrimp if you prefer;
    • Cajun seasoning: you can buy the premade version from well-stocked grocery stores or use the simple homemade cajun spice I list for you below and in the recipe card;
    • salt and pepper;
    • tortillas: you can use flour tortillas or corn tortillas depending on preference;
    • cherry tomatoes: we are going to be chopping these into quarters so you can sub in regular tomatoes if preferred;
    • purple cabbage: you can sub in green cabbage if preferred, however, we are going for some color with the purple cabbage;
    • lettuce: I like to use iceberg lettuce in tacos for a subtle flavor and some crunch, but feel free to use your preferred lettuce, or what you have on hand;
    • lime;
    • cilantro or coriander;
    • red chili: this is optional depending on your tolerance for spice. Can be subbed for another type of chili, like jalapenos if preferred or you can add some chili powder to the Cajun seasoning so the shrimps themselves have a bit more kick;
    • feta cheese or Mexican queso if you can find it.

    If you prefer to eat a low-carb diet you can skip the tortillas and load the tacos into lettuce leaves or simply make a taco salad.

    Overhead shot of pink shrimp in a glass bowl with cajun seasoning, olive oil, salt and pepper in small containers on the side.
    Ingredients for the Cajun shrimp: peeled and deveined shrimp, Cajun seasoning, olive oil, salt, and pepper.

    Assembly Tips and Tricks

    Making Cajun shrimp tacos at home is super easy.

    The most important tip I have here is to be sure to pat the shrimp dry and remove any excess moisture before cooking. Use paper towels to do this.

    Once the shrimp is completely dry we are going to toss it with the olive oil and the Cajun seasoning in a medium bowl. Be sure to mix well so that the shrimp is evenly covered in both the oil and seasoning mixture, as we do not want clumps of seasoning on some shrimp, and other shrimp having none.

    Overhead shot of uncooked shrimp in a glass bowl and covered in oil and seasoning.
    It is important to make sure the shrimp is evenly coated in the olive oil and seasonings.

    Add the shrimp in a single layer to the air fryer basket and cook for about 3 minutes on each side.

    Shrimp cooks very quickly so keep an eye on it!

    I have used medium-sized shrimp for this recipe, and this timing will apply to medium-sized shrimp.

    If you have small shrimp maybe start with 2 minutes on each side, and for larger shrimp start with 4 minutes on each side.

    Uncooked seasoned shrimp in the basket of an air fryer in a single layer.
    Make sure the shrimp is spread in an even layer for even cooking.

    The shrimp is ready when it is pink, slightly reduced in size, and cooked through. It should be juicy when bitten into and slightly crispy on the edges.

    Overcooked shrimp will become rubbery, so try not to overcook.

    Add the cooked air fryer shrimps to warm tortillas, load on your favorite toppings and sauce and you are good to go.

    Cooked shrimp in the basket of an air fryer
    The shrimp is cooked when it has slightly reduced in size and turned pink and slightly crispy on the edges.

    What Goes On Tacos: Taco Bar Topping Ideas For Serving

    We love having a taco bar set up for dinner and letting everyone load up whatever they would like in their tacos.

    So what do we add to the taco topping bar setup?

    Here are some fun ideas (traditional and non-traditional) for topping your air fryer shrimp tacos:

    • black beans, pinto beans, or refried beans
    • crushed crispy tortilla chips or strips
    • grilled corn
    • cilantro lime rice
    • grilled bell peppers
    • different chilis or hot sauce
    • sour cream or Mexican crema if you can find it
    • shredded cheese
    • chopped red onions
    • avocado slices or guacamole
    • pico de gallo
    • simple slaw: you can even buy the bags or premixed slaw to save on time
    • salsa: either fresh or store-bought

    This is a great way to cater to picky eaters as they get to pick and choose what goes on in their tacos. Just pop everything on the dinner table and let them go to town.

    If you have any other taco toppings you think need to be added to this list then be sure to leave a comment below the recipe card so I can share them with everyone else.

    Overhead shot pf prawn tacos loaded with lettuce and purple cabbage
    Load the tacos with as many toppings as you like.

    Meal Prepping Tips

    The more things that can be meal prepped ahead of time for busy weeknights the better in my opinion.

    This meal can be prepped ahead of time by prepping the shrimp and tossing with the oil, Cajun spice, salt, and pepper and keeping in the fridge until needed. I would only do this a couple of hours beforehand, but every little bit helps.

    Veggies can also be prepped and stored in glass containers in the fridge until needed.

    Prep and marinate the shrimp in the morning so it is ready to throw into the air fryer when you get back from a busy day.

    Overhead shot of shrimp tacos with an air fryer in the background

    How To Make Cajun Seasoning

    Making your own Cajun seasoning at home is easy.

    Simply combine:

    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika,
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt,
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder,
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder,
    • ½ teaspoon pepper,
    • ½ teaspoon oregano,
    • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper,
    • ½ teaspoon thyme. 

    If you like meal prepping you can always make a double or triple batch and store it in an airtight glass jar so you have some on hand when needed.

    homemade spice blend stored in a glass jar with a wooden spoon on the side
    Store leftover spice blends in a glass jar to keep them fresh for next time.

    Storing Tips

    Leftover air fryer shrimp and the taco ingredients can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge.

    Be sure to allow the cooked shrimp to cool completely before popping it into the fridge.

    It will last up to 2 days if stored correctly.

    I would not recommend freezing leftover shrimp, as it tastes way better fresh, and can become somewhat mushy after thawing.

    Overhead close up shot of cajun shrimp served inside tacos with lettuce, purple cabbage and cilantro

    More Taco Recipes

    We love taco Tuesday around here!

    Once you have mastered these healthy air fryer shrimp tacos, why not try out one of these other delicious taco recipes and find your new favorite taco:

    • Spiced Bell Pepper and Chickpea Tacos
    • Fancy Mushroom and Smashed Avocado Tacos
    • Spicy Cauliflower Grilled Tacos with Nectarine Chipotle Salsa

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I use fresh or frozen shrimp?

    Either will work for this recipe. Remember to pat any excess moisture from the shrimp before using.

    How can I tell that the shrimp is cooked?

    The shrimp will turn pink and reduce in size once cooked. It should be slightly crispy on the edges. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp as it will become rubbery when overcooked.

    What size shrimp should be used?

    Stick with a medium-sized shrimp as this is what is used in this recipe, so the cooking time will be correct. If you purchase smaller shrimp you will have to reduce the cooking time, and if you have larger shrimp then you may have to add a minute or two to the cooking time.

    Why use an air fryer to cook the shrimp?

    Using an air fryer to cook the shrimp uses less oil so may be considered the healthier option.

    3 loaded tacos served on a white plate and surrounded by chilli peppers and limes

    Happy Eating.

    xx

    Recipe

    air fryer shrimp tacos loaded with lettuce, purple cabbage and cilantro

    Cajun Spiced Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos

    Get ready for a quick and easy dinner that is just bursting with flavor, and will be a hit with the whole family. These Cajun-spiced air fryer shrimp tacos will no doubt make it to your weekly meal plan as they come together so easily and taste so good. Load up the spiced shrimp in a soft taco with all of the toppings and you are good to go. If you are trying to keep it low in carbs throw the air-fried shrimp on top of a taco salad and you have the best shrimp taco salad around.
    5 from 13 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Appetizer, Dinner, Main Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 serves
    Calories 344 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 pound (440 grams) medium-sized shrimp (prawns) peeled and deveined.
    • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
    • 1 ½ teaspoons Cajun seasoning
    • sea salt
    • black pepper
    • 8 tortillas corn or flour
    • 4 cups lettuce
    • 1 cup purple cabbage finely shredded
    • 12 cherry tomatoes quartered
    • 1 lime quartered
    • 1 fresh red chili thinly sliced
    • 1 bunch fresh cilantro chopped
    • crumbled feta to serve
    • sauce of choice (i.e. hot sauce)
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the air fryer to 400F (200C)
    • Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Make sure all of the excess moisture has been removed.
    • In a medium bowl combine the peeled shrimp with the olive oil, Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
    • Place the shrimp in a single layer in the basket of the air fryer and cook for about 3 minutes on each side. The shrimp will reduce in size and turn pink when cooked.
    • Remove the shrimp from the air fryer and place in a small bowl until needed.
    • Warm the tortillas in the air fryer for a few seconds.
    • To serve add a lettuce leaf to the warmed tortilla, top with the shredded cabbage, some cilantro, and the shrimp, and then followed by the rest of the toppings. Drizzle on your favorite sauce and enjoy.

    Notes

    Shrimp
    Medium-sized shrimp have been used in this recipe. If you use small shrimp you will need to reduce the cooking time. If you use large shrimp you will have to increase the cooking time.
    Fresh or frozen shrimp can be used.
    Optional Extras For Serving:
    • black beans, pinto beans, or refried beans
    • crushed crispy tortilla chips or strips
    • grilled corn
    • cilantro lime rice
    • grilled bell peppers
    • different chilis or hot sauce
    • sour cream or Mexican crema if you can find it
    • shredded cheese
    • chopped red onions
    • avocado slices or guacamole
    • pico de gallo
    • simple slaw: you can even buy the bags or premixed slaw to save on time
    • salsa: either fresh or store-bought

    Nutrition

    Calories: 344kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 29gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 183mgSodium: 597mgPotassium: 678mgFiber: 5gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 1271IUVitamin C: 31mgCalcium: 196mgIron: 4mg
    Keyword air fryer shrimp
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment HERE and let us know how it was!

    The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

    « Pizza Seasoned Cauliflower Gnocchi In The Air Fryer
    Low Carb Air Fryer Egg White Bites Recipe »
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sachi says

      May 24, 2022 at 1:53 am

      Cajun spice. Shrimp. Tacos. Air fryer. The best combination. WE loved these tacos!

      Reply
    2. Claire says

      May 19, 2022 at 12:55 pm

      We had these for dinner last night! So easy to make and my partner and I loved them! Never added cabbage before, I love it!

      Reply
    3. Alex Bala says

      May 19, 2022 at 11:49 am

      This is a fantastic recipe. My husband loves the spice on the shrimp! Thanks for this delicious recipe.

      Reply
    4. Jennifer says

      May 17, 2022 at 11:53 pm

      These shrimp tacos were amazing! They were so easy to make, and I used just about all your suggestions for toppings. I felt like we were dining in Mexico!

      Reply
    5. Sherry says

      May 17, 2022 at 10:31 pm

      Your Air Fryer Cajun Shrimp Tacos were so easy to make and it tasted amazing. Another great recipe that my family will enjoy again and again!

      Reply
    6. Mandy Applegate says

      May 17, 2022 at 5:54 pm

      It was like I'd never made them - one minute they were there, the next they were gone, my family LOVED their shrimp tacos!

      Reply
    7. Linda says

      May 17, 2022 at 4:05 pm

      Just had this because I've been dreaming on tacos and it's the best one I've ever had!

      Reply
    8. Lynn Polito says

      May 17, 2022 at 2:16 am

      These shrimp tacos are so delicious and so full of flavor!

      Reply

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    Hello and welcome, I'm Donna!

    I am so glad you are here!

    Since I have a part-time job, 3 little kids, and a love of good food (as do you I assume), I have learned how to get the most out of the kitchen in the smallest amount of time.

    Forget about hunting down weird ingredients and making trips to specialty shops.

    We are going to make the most of what is available at the store and farmer's markets all whilst enjoying some delicious meals the whole family (hopefully...if you have fussy eaters I guarantee nothing) will enjoy.

    Pop on that apron and let's get creative in the kitchen!

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