Air Fryer Shrimp Po’Boys

Looking for an easy seafood recipe without having to leave your house? Make the BEST Air Fryer Shrimp Po Boys in just 30 minutes! 

Is it just me or do you sometimes forget about the dinner options you have with shrimp? Recently I had a hankering for a po boy that I just couldn’t shake.

So what did I do? I decided to test these out in the air fryer, and I’m so glad I did! 

While shrimp is super nutritious, many people enjoy eating them fried and then we feel guilty because of the whole “deep fried is bad for your health” issue.

But when you use the air fryer, you still can get the crispy, crunchy outside without overcooking the shrimp on the inside. And because we’re skipping the oil, these tasty Cajun shrimp sandwiches are healthier than their deep-fried counterpart.

And that means you can dress up your sandwich with a little sauce. You don’t want to skip the homemade Cajun sauce, because it truly makes this sandwich delicious! 

Air Fryer Shrimp Po Boys Ingredients 

Sauce Ingredients:

• Tony Chachere’s Creole seasoning – this is our fave, but if you can’t find it feel free to use your favorite brand of Cajun seasoning.
• Mayonnaise – please, whatever you do, DO NOT USE Miracle Whip! I know some people don’t like the thought of mayo, but in this case substitutions aren’t an option 🙂

Po’Boy Ingredients:

• Raw shrimp – save time by grabbing the ones that are already peeled and deveined. 
• Cornstarch – this is the secret ingredient for the super crispy outside. 
• Nature’s Seasons – I love using this blend! It has a little salt, pepper, onion, and garlic powder, and a couple of other ingredients all wrapped into one versatile seasoning. 
• Eggs
• Panko crumbs – gives the coating a nice crunch.
• Cornmeal
• Lettuce – iceberg is traditional but you can use mixed greens if that’s what you have on hand.
• Tomatoes – I like to use thin slices for this sandwich.
• Hoagie rolls – You can swap hoagie rolls for a baguette – look for bread with a crisp, chewy outside and soft interior. 

How To Make Shrimp Po Boys in the Air Fryer

Before you bread the shrimp, make the sauce by mixing the mayo and Cajun seasoning in a small bowl and setting aside. You can refrigerate the sauce until you’re ready to use it.

Rinse the shrimp and pat them dry, removing all of the moisture. This step helps to keep the shrimp crispy.

Prepare your dredging station by setting up 3 medium bowls. The first one will contain the cornstarch and Nature’s Seasoning. Beat the eggs in the second bowl. Add the panko breadcrumbs and cornmeal to the third bowl. 

Dredge the shrimp in the cornstarch mixture, then the egg wash, followed by a dip in the panko and cornmeal. 

Set the breaded shrimp on a rack or plate while the air fryer preheats. 

Spray the basket with a thin layer of oil. If you are going to use parchment paper liners, do not preheat with the liner in the basket. Instead place it in the bottom of the basket just before you add the shrimp. 

Add the shrimp to the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure to leave room in between for the air to circulate. Spritz shrimps with a little oil. 

Cook for 6 minutes, turning the shrimp or shaking the basket at the 4 minute mark. Continue cooking until done.

Assembling the Sandwiches 

Open the rolls and add the shredded lettuce to the bottom bun. Next add your shrimp and then the tomatoes. 

Drizzle with the delicious Cajun sauce or a homemade remoulade sauce before serving. 

Tips for Making Air Fried Shrimp Po Boys

• Don’t overload your air fryer basket. A crowded basket means your shrimp won’t get crispy. 
• If you have time, toast the cut sides of the rolls before building the sandwiches.
• You can prepare the sauce and prep the veggies up to a day ahead. Store both in the refrigerator until you’re ready to fry the shrimp.
• Shrimp po boys are best eaten immediately after cooking. You can reheat the shrimp later, but they won’t be as crispy.