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Crispy Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos with Zesty Lime Crema

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These crispy air fryer shrimp tacos with zesty lime crema come together in under 20 minutes, delivering incredible crunch without deep frying. Perfect for impressing guests or turning a simple Tuesday into something memorable.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb raw shrimp, peeled and deveined (21–25 count)
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Avocado oil spray
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • Juice of 1 large lime (about 2 tablespoons)
  • 1 teaspoon lime zest
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1 small garlic clove, minced
  • Pinch of salt
  • 8 small corn tortillas
  • 2 cups shredded cabbage
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced (optional)
  • Lime wedges, for serving

Instructions

  1. Rinse the shrimp under cold water and pat them extremely dry with paper towels.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together cornstarch, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cayenne (if using), salt, and pepper. Add the dried shrimp and toss until evenly coated. Shake off excess coating.
  3. Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 2 minutes. Spray the basket lightly with avocado oil. Arrange shrimp in a single layer without overlapping. Spray tops with oil. Air fry for 4 minutes, flip, spray again, and cook for another 3-4 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
  4. While shrimp cooks, make the crema: In a small bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, lime zest, honey, minced garlic, and a pinch of salt. Whisk until smooth. Taste and adjust.
  5. Shred cabbage if needed. Chop cilantro. Slice jalapeño if using. Cut lime wedges. Warm tortillas in a dry skillet over medium-high heat for about 30 seconds per side, or wrap in a damp paper towel and microwave for 30 seconds.
  6. Assemble tacos: Lay out warm tortillas. Add a small handful of shredded cabbage to each. Top with 3-4 crispy shrimp. Drizzle generously with zesty lime crema. Garnish with cilantro and jalapeño slices. Serve immediately with lime wedges.

Notes

Pat shrimp very dry for maximum crispiness. Work in batches if air fryer is small to avoid overcrowding. Spray both sides of shrimp with oil for golden crunch. Let crema rest for at least 5 minutes for flavors to meld. Warm tortillas properly to prevent breaking.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer shrimp tacos, crispy shrimp tacos, lime crema, easy taco recipe, quick dinner, gluten-free tacos

Find it online: https://grubella.com/crispy-air-fryer-shrimp-tacos-with-zesty-lime-crema/