Air Fryer Shrimp

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick and ready in under 10 minutes.
• Perfectly cooked shrimp—crispy outside, juicy inside.
• Requires minimal oil and cleanup.
• Works great for salads, tacos, pasta, or as a main dish.
• Easily customizable with different seasonings or marinades.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• Raw shrimp, peeled and deveined (tail on or off)
• Olive oil or melted butter
• Garlic powder
• Paprika (or smoked paprika)
• Salt and black pepper
• Lemon wedges (for serving)
• Optional: cayenne pepper, Italian seasoning, or Old Bay seasoning

Directions

1. Preheat the air fryer
   Set your air fryer to 200 °C (400 °F) and preheat for 3–5 minutes.
2. Prepare the shrimp
   Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels to remove moisture—this helps them crisp up.
3. Season the shrimp
   In a bowl, toss the shrimp with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper until evenly coated. Add any extra seasonings you like.
4. Arrange in the basket
   Place the shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding—cook in batches if needed.
5. Air fry until golden
   Cook for 5–8 minutes, shaking or flipping halfway through. Shrimp are done when they turn pink and opaque, with a slightly crisp exterior.
6. Serve immediately
   Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the shrimp and serve warm. They’re great on their own or with dips like cocktail sauce, garlic butter, or aioli.

Servings and timing

• Servings: 2–4
• Prep time: 5 minutes
• Cook time: 5–8 minutes
• Total time: 10–13 minutes

Variations

• Spicy shrimp: Add cayenne pepper or chili flakes for heat.
• Garlic butter shrimp: Toss air-fried shrimp with melted butter and minced garlic after cooking.
• Coconut shrimp: Coat shrimp in a light coconut and panko mixture before air frying for a crispy twist.
• Cajun style: Use Cajun or Creole seasoning for a Southern kick.
• Asian-inspired: Toss shrimp in soy sauce, ginger, and sesame oil before air frying.

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Store leftover shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheating: Reheat in the air fryer at 180 °C (350 °F) for 2–3 minutes until warmed through. Avoid microwaving—it can make shrimp rubbery.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp?

Yes, but thaw them first and pat dry before seasoning to ensure even cooking and crispiness.

Should I remove the tails?

It’s optional—leave them on for presentation or finger food, or remove for easy eating.

How do I know when the shrimp are done?

They turn pink and opaque with a slight curl in shape. Overcooked shrimp become tough, so keep a close eye.

Can I bread the shrimp?

Yes. Coat in flour, beaten egg, and breadcrumbs (or panko) for a crispy breaded version. Spray lightly with oil before air frying.

Do I need to flip the shrimp?

Flipping or shaking halfway through helps them cook evenly on both sides.

What size shrimp works best?

Medium to large shrimp (around 16–20 count per pound) work best for even cooking.

Can I make them without oil?

Yes, but a light coating of oil helps with browning and prevents sticking.

What seasonings go well with shrimp?

Old Bay, garlic butter, Cajun spice, lemon pepper, or Italian herbs are all great choices.

Can I cook them with vegetables?

Yes—add bell peppers, zucchini, or broccoli for a quick one-basket meal. Just adjust cooking time as needed.

What sauces go best with air fryer shrimp?

Cocktail sauce, tartar sauce, lemon butter, garlic aioli, or sriracha mayo all pair wonderfully.

Conclusion

Air Fryer Shrimp is one of the easiest and fastest seafood dishes you can make. With minimal prep and just a few minutes of cooking, you get perfectly crispy, juicy shrimp every time. Serve them as an appetizer, in tacos, or over pasta for a light and delicious meal.

Air Fryer Shrimp

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Air Fryer Shrimp is a fast, flavorful, and healthy seafood dish featuring juicy, tender shrimp with a lightly crisp exterior. Made in under 10 minutes, it’s perfect for quick dinners, appetizers, or adding to salads and tacos.

• Author: Laura
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 5–8 minutes
• Total Time: 10–13 minutes
• Yield: 2–4 servings
• Category: Main Dish, Appetizer
• Method: Air Fryer
• Cuisine: American, Seafood

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) raw shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails on or off)
• 1 tbsp olive oil or melted butter
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp paprika or smoked paprika
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• Optional: ¼ tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp Old Bay or Cajun seasoning
• Lemon wedges, for serving

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Instructions

1. Preheat air fryer: Set air fryer to 200°C (400°F) and preheat for 3–5 minutes.
2. Prepare shrimp: Pat shrimp dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
3. Season: In a bowl, toss shrimp with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and any optional seasonings until evenly coated.
4. Arrange: Place shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding.
5. Air fry: Cook for 5–8 minutes, shaking or flipping halfway through. Shrimp are done when pink, opaque, and slightly crisp on the edges.
6. Serve: Squeeze fresh lemon juice over shrimp and serve warm with cocktail sauce, garlic butter, or aioli.

Notes

• Thaw frozen shrimp completely and pat dry before cooking.
• Do not overcook—shrimp cook quickly and can become rubbery.
• Try different seasonings like Cajun, lemon pepper, or garlic herb.
• Serve as a main, in tacos, or over rice or pasta.
• For breaded shrimp, coat in panko and spray lightly with oil before air frying.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4 oz (about 115 g)
• Calories: 140
• Sugar: 0g
• Sodium: 430mg
• Fat: 6g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 1g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 21g
• Cholesterol: 170mg