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Crispy Air Fryer Shrimp Étouffée with Maple Dijon Glaze

crispy air fryer shrimp étouffée - featured image

A quick and easy recipe featuring crispy air fryer shrimp paired with a creamy, flavorful étouffée base and a sweet-tangy maple Dijon glaze. Perfect for a modern twist on classic Southern comfort food.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450 g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or thawed frozen)
  • ½ cup (60 g) all-purpose flour (or almond flour for gluten-free)
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp cayenne pepper
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Cooking spray or 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter (or vegan butter)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
  • 1 small green bell pepper, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 cup (240 ml) seafood or chicken broth
  • 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
  • 3 tbsp pure maple syrup
  • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • Pinch of salt and black pepper

Instructions

  1. Rinse and pat dry 1 lb large shrimp. In a bowl, combine ½ cup all-purpose flour, 1 tsp smoked paprika, ½ tsp cayenne, ½ tsp garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss shrimp in this seasoned flour until coated evenly. Set aside for a few minutes.
  2. Heat 1 tbsp butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add 1 finely chopped onion, 1 celery stalk, and 1 green bell pepper. Sauté for about 5 minutes until veggies soften. Stir in 2 minced garlic cloves and cook another minute.
  3. Mix in 1 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour in 1 cup seafood or chicken broth and sprinkle 1 tsp Cajun seasoning. Let simmer gently for 8-10 minutes until slightly thickened. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  4. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes.
  5. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush with olive oil. Place shrimp in a single layer without overcrowding. Cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until shrimp are pink, opaque, and coating is golden and crispy.
  6. While shrimp cook, whisk together 3 tbsp pure maple syrup, 2 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Adjust balance if desired.
  7. Toss cooked shrimp gently in the maple Dijon glaze. Serve shrimp over a bed of warm étouffée base or alongside steamed rice. Garnish with chopped green onions or fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

Pat shrimp dry before dredging for best crispiness. Preheat air fryer to lock in juices and ensure even cooking. Add a light spray of oil halfway through cooking if shrimp aren’t crisping enough. The étouffée base can be made ahead and reheated gently. For gluten-free, use almond or chickpea flour. For dairy-free, use vegan butter or coconut oil.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp étouffée, air fryer shrimp, maple Dijon glaze, crispy shrimp, Cajun shrimp, quick dinner, Southern comfort food, gluten-free shrimp