Air Fryer Seafood Appetizer: Bacon Wrapped Popcorn Shrimp with Cocktail Sauce

With Summer in full swing, everyone needs a few recipes that can be assembled and cooked quickly for family and drop-in guests. There are dozens of bacon-wrapped shrimp recipes online, and most of them use jumbo shrimp. But, as we know, jumbo shrimp can be pricy. After thinking about it, I realized we love fried popcorn shrimp, so why not make bacon-wrapped popcorn shrimp? The smaller shrimp are more economical, and plus, they’re just fun to eat!

 

Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Popcorn Shrimp

You can use either fresh or frozen shrimp for this recipe. However, thin-sliced bacon will work much better with the smaller shrimp. Because shrimp will be different sizes even if they’re labeled small, I suggest purchasing a pound of thin-sliced bacon, using what you need for the shrimp, and enjoying the remainder for breakfast the following day.

 

1 lb. small shrimp, shelled and deveined, fresh or frozen

1 pound bacon, slices cut into thirds

sea salt

1/2 t. granulated garlic

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley

 

Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees.

Peel and devein shrimp. Lightly season the shrimp with sea salt and sprinkle with granulated garlic. 

 

Wrap a bacon piece around each shrimp, and place it on the air fryer tray or fryer basket seam side down. Be especially careful not to overlap the bacon or allow the shrimp to touch each other. The hot air needs to be able to circulate around the shrimp. Depending on how many shrimp you have, you may need to cook in batches.

 

Cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until bacon is fully cooked. Repeat with remaining shrimp if necessary. Serve immediately and garnish with chopped parsley.

 

If you’re like me and always want/need a dipping sauce, here’s my version of cocktail sauce. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and refrigerate until ready to serve.

 

1/2 cup chili sauce

1/2 cup ketchup

3 T. prepared horseradish

2 t. fresh lemon juice

1/2 t. Worcestershire sauce

1/4 t. hot sauce 

 

If you’re not a fan of cocktail sauce, another idea would be to brush with your favorite BBQ sauce when there is a minute remaining to cook.