Cheesy Shrimp Stuffed Bread Bowls (Air Fryer)

These Cheesy Shrimp Stuffed Bread Bowls are crispy on the outside and filled with a rich, creamy shrimp and cheese mixture. Cooked in the air fryer, they're an easy yet impressive appetizer, lunch, or party snack with a perfectly golden crust and gooey, melty center.

🍽 Yield

Servings: 4

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 12–15 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients

Bread Bowls

• 4 small round crusty bread rolls

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tbsp melted butter

Shrimp Filling

• 12 oz (340 g) medium shrimp, peeled, deveined, and chopped

• 1 tbsp butter

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 4 oz (115 g) cream cheese, softened

• ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream

• ½ cup (50 g) shredded mozzarella cheese

• ½ cup (50 g) shredded Parmesan cheese

• ¼ cup (30 g) Monterey Jack cheese

• 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning

• ½ tsp paprika

• ¼ tsp black pepper

• Salt to taste

• 2 tbsp chopped parsley

Topping

• ½ cup shredded mozzarella

• 2 tbsp grated Parmesan

• Chopped parsley

• Lemon wedges for serving

Instructions

Step 1 – Prepare the Bread

1. Cut the tops off the bread rolls.

2. Hollow out the centers, leaving about a ½-inch (1 cm) thick shell.

3. Lightly brush the inside with olive oil or melted butter.

Step 2 – Cook the Shrimp

1. Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat.

2. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.

3. Add chopped shrimp.

4. Cook for 2–3 minutes until just pink.

5. Remove from heat.

Step 3 – Make the Creamy Filling

1. In the same pan, add cream cheese and heavy cream.

2. Stir until smooth.

3. Add mozzarella, Parmesan, and Monterey Jack.

4. Mix until melted and creamy.

5. Stir in Old Bay seasoning, paprika, pepper, parsley, and cooked shrimp.

Step 4 – Fill the Bread Bowls

1. Spoon the shrimp mixture into each bread bowl.

2. Top with additional mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

Step 5 – Air Fry

1. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C).

2. Place the stuffed bread bowls in the basket.

3. Cook for 10–12 minutes, or until the bread is crisp and the cheese is bubbly and golden.

4. If needed, cook an additional 2–3 minutes for extra browning.

Step 6 – Serve

1. Sprinkle with fresh parsley.

2. Serve immediately with lemon wedges.

3. Enjoy while the cheese is hot and stretchy.

Chef's Tips

• Use fresh shrimp for the sweetest flavor.

• Do not overcook the shrimp before air frying—they will continue cooking in the bread.

• For extra richness, add a few pieces of lump crab meat to the filling.

• Sprinkle a little garlic butter over the bread before serving.

• Freshly grated cheese melts much better than pre-shredded cheese.

Delicious Variations

Cajun Style

• Add Cajun seasoning

• Diced bell peppers

• Pepper Jack cheese

Lobster Version

• Replace shrimp with cooked lobster meat

• Add Gruyère cheese

• Finish with chives

Crab & Shrimp

• Half shrimp

• Half lump crab meat

• Add a splash of white wine

Serving Suggestions

Serve with:

• Caesar salad

• Tomato bisque

• Roasted asparagus

• Garlic butter green beans

• Lemon aioli

• Chilled white wine

Storage

• Refrigerate leftovers for up to 2 days.

• Reheat in the air fryer at 325°F (160°C) for 5–6 minutes.

• Not recommended for freezing, as the creamy filling may separate.

Approximate Nutrition (Per Bread Bowl)

• Calories: 560

• Protein: 29 g

• Fat: 28 g

• Carbohydrates: 44 g

• Fiber: 2 g

• Sugar: 4 g

• Sodium: 820 mg

These Cheesy Shrimp Stuffed Bread Bowls are irresistibly creamy, loaded with juicy shrimp, and topped with bubbling golden cheese. The crispy artisan bread makes the perfect edible bowl, creating a comforting seafood dish that's ideal for family dinners, game days, or entertaining guests.