We all love the convenience of throwing frozen scampi and chips into the air-fryer for a quick and easy mid-week meal. But did you know that it’s surprisingly easy to make crispy air fryer scampi from at home? With just a handful of store cupboard ingredients, you can create this pub classic without any hassle. Plus, the air fryer is the perfect appliance for cooking this family-favourite dish quickly and effortlessly. In less than 20 minutes, you can enjoy homemade, breaded scampi that’s just as crispy and tasty as what you’d find at a restaurant.
Scampi is a popular seafood dish typically served in pubs, but you may not realize that you can easily prepare it yourself using the air fryer. By making it from scratch, you get the fresh, flavourful taste of seafood without the hassle of frying. This simple recipe is a game-changer for seafood lovers. Offering a healthier alternative to traditional deep-frying while still achieving that delicious, golden crunch.
To make this dish, you just need a few basic ingredients like shrimp or prawns, breadcrumbs, egg, and a couple of seasonings. The air-fryer ensures a perfectly crispy texture without the excess oil, so you can enjoy all the flavour with fewer calories. Whether you’re serving it alongside some crispy fries or a fresh salad, this homemade scampi will become a family favourite.
Treat yourself to this simple, tasty, and quick meal that’s perfect for any occasion. So skip the frozen version and learn how to make this scrumptious, homemade air fryer scampi from scratch? It’s an easy way to enjoy a restaurant-quality dish in the comfort of your own home.
PREP 5 minutes
COOK 14 minutes
SERVES 2 people
KIT you will need an air fryer, food blender, paper towel, mixing bowls and hand whisk.
Ingredients for air fryer scampi
100g of plain flour for the batter
220ml (1/2 pint) of cider
150g of king prawns (defrost before use if frozen)
100g of plain flour seasoned
100g of panko breadcrumbs
Sea salt and ground black pepper
To serve:
300g of frozen French fries
Store bought tartare sauce
Frozen garden peas
Method
Start by adding 100g of plain flour to a large mixing bowl. Gradually pour in half a pint of cider while whisking continuously by hand. Keep whisking until the mixture becomes a smooth, thick batter with no lumps. Once your batter reaches the right consistency, season it with a generous pinch of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to bring out the flavour.
In a separate bowl, place the remaining 100g of plain flour – this will be used for the first dredge. Then take your breadcrumbs and pulse them in a food processor or blender for about 5 seconds. You don’t want to completely powder them, but breaking them down to a finer texture will help them stick better and give a crispier finish. Transfer the blended breadcrumbs to a third bowl. Now you’ve got your three dipping stations ready: flour, batter, and breadcrumbs.
Preheat your air fryer and begin by cooking your frozen chips. Place them into the drawer with the crisper plate left in, and cook at 190°C for around 5 minutes to get them started and slightly crisped up. While the chips are cooking, take your raw prawns and pat them dry with paper towel. This helps the coating stick better.
Dip each prawn one at a time – first into the plain flour, then into the cider batter, and finally into the breadcrumbs. Make sure each prawn is well-coated at every stage. Lay the coated prawns directly into the air fryer drawer, spaced out evenly.
Cook the scampi at 190°C for 10 minutes, turning them halfway through. Give your chips a quick shake at the same time to ensure even cooking.
Serve your crispy air-fried scampi and golden chips with tartare sauce and a side of garden peas for a classic pub-style meal at home.
Tips for Air Fryer Scampi
1. Use frozen or fresh – both work well!
One of the best things about cooking scampi in the air fryer is how easy it is to use straight from the freezer. No defrosting needed—just take your frozen, breaded scampi and place it directly in the air fryer basket. If you’re using fresh, make sure it’s well-coated in breadcrumbs or batter so it crisps up properly during cooking..
2. Preheat your air fryer
Preheating the air fryer for 2 to 3 minutes at 200°C (390°F) helps to ensure even cooking and gives the scampi a crispier finish.
3. Don’t overcrowd the basket
Place the scampi in a single layer in the basket with a bit of space between each piece. This allows the hot air to circulate fully and crisp up the breadcrumb coating evenly. If needed, cook in batches.
4. Give them a shake or turn halfway
About halfway through cooking (usually around the 6 to 7 minute mark), shake the basket or turn the scampi over. This helps both sides crisp up nicely.
5. Check for golden perfection
Scampi is typically done in around 12 minutes at 200°C, but all air fryers vary slightly. You’ll know it’s ready when the outside is golden brown and crispy, and the inside is piping hot.
6. Serve with dipping sauces
Scampi pairs beautifully with tartare sauce, lemon mayo, or a garlic aioli. A squeeze of fresh lemon over the top just before serving adds brightness.
7. Add sides for a full meal
Turn it into a meal with air fryer chips, a simple salad, or peas. For a pub-style dinner, serve your scampi with chunky chips and mushy peas!
Similar recipes
If you love these easy air fryer scampi, you might like my simple air fryer spicy prawns, the air fryer breaded prawns or the air fryer fish pie recipe.
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