Easy Air Fryer Shrimp
Add Preferred SourceThis Air Fryer Shrimp Recipe is a quick, simple way to enjoy perfectly cooked shrimp right at home. Using just a handful of ingredients and your trusty air fryer, you’ll end up with delicious shrimp that’s a hit on any dining table. A tasty dish with minimal effort, it’s perfect for the whole family.
This easy air fryer shrimp recipe is a fantastic choice for anyone looking to make a quick and delicious meal. Ready in about 15 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or a fast lunch. It’s easy enough for beginners, and the result is so delicious that it suits any dining occasion. It’s especially ideal for those impromptu dinner parties or when you’re seeking a fast and healthy meal option.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients in the photograph below.
How to Make Air Fryer Shrimp with Step-By-Step Instructions
A complete printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.
Creating this dish is as simple as it gets, but the flavors are anything but basic. Here’s how to make sure your air fryer shrimp turns out perfectly every time.
Prepare the Shrimp
In a bowl, combine the avocado oil with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Toss the peeled and deveined shrimp in this mixture until they are well coated. Allow them to marinate for about 10 minutes to soak up all the flavors.
DO MORE WITH YOUR
AIR FRYER
This eBook is a collection of 86 recipes I make again and again in my own kitchen. If you love good food and easy instructions, this book was made for you.
Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.
Includes ad-free recipes like:
∙ Cheesy Egg Bites
∙ Broccoli Cheddar Soup
∙ Asparagus Casserole
∙ Walking Taco Casserole
∙ Chocolate Cake Cookies
...and much more!
Preheat and Cook
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3-5 minutes. Once hot, arrange the shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don’t overlap.
Cook them for 5-6 minutes, giving the basket a gentle shake halfway through for even cooking.
Serve and Enjoy
When the shrimp turn pink and opaque, they are done. Remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately with lemon wedges for squeezing and a sprinkle of chopped parsley, if using.
Recipe Notes and Expert Tips
To help you get the best out of your air fryer shrimp, here are a few tips and tricks:
- Thawing Shrimp: If using frozen shrimp, make sure they are completely thawed before seasoning and cooking. This helps them cook evenly and absorb the flavors better.
- Checking Doneness: Shrimp cook quickly and are done when they turn pink and slightly curled. Be careful not to overcook as they can become tough.
- Adjusting Seasonings: Feel free to tweak the amount of garlic powder, paprika, salt, or pepper. Tailoring the spice levels to your taste can make all the difference.
- Oil: While avocado oil is used here for its high smoke point, other oils like coconut or even melted butter can be used depending on your preference.
- What’s the best way to ensure my shrimp don’t come out rubbery? Avoid overcooking the shrimp. They typically need only 5-6 minutes in the air fryer. When they turn pink and slightly curled, they’re done.
- Prevent the shrimp from sticking: To prevent sticking, ensure the shrimp are well coated with oil and use a non-stick cooking spray on the basket before adding the shrimp.
- Oven-Baked Shrimp: While this recipe is optimized for an air fryer, you can adapt it by baking the shrimp in an oven. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and bake for about 8-10 minutes.
How to Store Leftover Air Fryer Shrimp
Storing your leftover shrimp properly is key to enjoying them just as much the next day. Here’s the best way to keep them fresh:
- Cool and Airtight: Allow the shrimp to cool to room temperature before you pack them away in the fridge, and use an airtight container.
- Consume Quickly: For the best quality, eat the leftover shrimp within two days. The sooner, the better, as shrimp can spoil quickly.
- Reheating: When ready to eat, reheat the shrimp gently in the air fryer at 300°F for just a few minutes to get them warm without overcooking.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Shrimp
Here are some top choices that complement the flavors and are easy to prepare.
Hearty Grains
For something filling, serve your shrimp over a bed of cooked quinoa or brown rice. These grains absorb the flavors of the shrimp and marinade, making for a satisfying meal.
Tacos and Wraps
Transform your shrimp into a fun meal with tortillas. Add some guacamole, lettuce, and a squeeze of lime for shrimp tacos or wraps that are perfect for a casual dinner or gathering.
Delicious Dips
No shrimp dish is complete without a great dip to accompany it. Whether it’s a classic cocktail sauce, a creamy garlic aioli, or even a spicy Cajun remoulade, having a variety of dips can elevate this simple air fryer shrimp dish.
More Recipes You Will Love
- Air Fryer Tuna Casserole
- Air Fryer Crack Chicken Casserole
- Air Fryer Pork Chops
- Air Fryer Million Dollar Casserole
- Air Fryer French Onion Soup
Ingredients
- 1 pound large shrimp peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Lemon wedges for serving (optional)
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the avocado oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.2 tablespoons avocado oil, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the bowl and toss until they are evenly coated with the seasoning mixture. Let the shrimp marinate for about 10 minutes.1 pound large shrimp
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3-5 minutes.
- Once the air fryer is preheated, place the seasoned shrimp in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overlapping.
- Cook the shrimp in the air fryer for 5-6 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.
- Once the shrimp are pink and opaque, remove them from the air fryer.
- Serve the air fryer shrimp hot with lemon wedges for squeezing over the top and garnish with chopped parsley, if desired.Lemon wedges, Chopped parsley
Notes
- Thawing Shrimp: If using frozen shrimp, make sure they are completely thawed before seasoning and cooking. This helps them cook evenly and absorb the flavors better.
- Checking Doneness: Shrimp cook quickly and are done when they turn pink and slightly curled. Be careful not to overcook as they can become tough.
- Adjusting Seasonings: Feel free to tweak the amount of garlic powder, paprika, salt, or pepper. Tailoring the spice levels to your taste can make all the difference.
- Oil: While avocado oil is used here for its high smoke point, other oils like coconut or even melted butter can be used depending on your preference.
- What’s the best way to ensure my shrimp don’t come out rubbery? Avoid overcooking the shrimp. They typically need only 5-6 minutes in the air fryer. When they turn pink and slightly curled, they’re done.
- Prevent the shrimp from sticking: To prevent sticking, ensure the shrimp are well coated with oil and use a non-stick cooking spray on the basket before adding the shrimp.
- Oven-Baked Shrimp: While this recipe is optimized for an air fryer, you can adapt it by baking the shrimp in an oven. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and bake for about 8-10 minutes.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Cool and Airtight: Allow the shrimp to cool to room temperature before you pack them away in the fridge, and use an airtight container.
- Consume Quickly: For the best quality, eat the leftover shrimp within two days. The sooner, the better, as shrimp can spoil quickly.
- Reheating: When ready to eat, reheat the shrimp gently in the air fryer at 300°F for just a few minutes to get them warm without overcooking.
Nutrition
DO MORE WITH YOUR
AIR FRYER
This eBook is a collection of 86 recipes I make again and again in my own kitchen. If you love good food and easy instructions, this book was made for you.
Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.
Includes ad-free recipes like:
∙ Cheesy Egg Bites
∙ Broccoli Cheddar Soup
∙ Asparagus Casserole
∙ Walking Taco Casserole
∙ Chocolate Cake Cookies
...and much more!
About the Author
Hey there! I’m Mandy
Mandy Applegate is a home cook, food blogger, and writer who believes the best meals are the ones shared with the people you love.
She’s all about easy recipes that taste amazing, the kind that make ordinary days feel a little more special and remind you why cooking at home matters.
She has been published on NBC, the Daily News, the Boston Herald, and the Chicago Sun-Times, amongst many others.
Came out fantastic. I used jumbo shrimp and olive oil. Cooked for 6 minutes and they were perfect. My mom who always wants the shrimp sautéed in butter LOVED these. No leftovers for sure.
Yay! I am really pleased your Mom loved them!