Air Fryer Shrimp Tempura is made with flour, cornstarch, baking powder, ice-cold sparkling water; air fry at 400°F for 8 minutes to serve 4. 260 calories per serving.
Ingredients
Steps
- 1
Make shallow cuts along the belly of each shrimp to prevent curling. Press flat.
- 2
Mix flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. Stir in ice-cold sparkling water — lumps are OK.
- 3
Dust shrimp with flour. Dip in tempura batter, letting excess drip off.
- 4
Spray generously with cooking spray. Air fry at 400°F for 6-8 minutes, flipping once, until light golden and crispy.
- 5
Serve immediately with tempura dipping sauce and steamed rice.
Tip: The batter must be ICE cold — this is the secret to light, crispy tempura. Don't overmix; lumps create a more textured coating. Sparkling water adds extra lift. The belly cuts straighten the shrimp and prevent them from curling into a ball.
Why Air Fry This?
- 🫒Uses up to 80% less oil than deep frying, bringing this down to 260 calories per serving.
- ✨Achieves the same golden, crispy texture without submerging food in oil.
- 🧹No splatter, no lingering oil smell — cleanup is just a quick basket wipe.
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