15-Minute Air Fryer Shrimp Recipe
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This air fryer shrimp recipe is a fast, flavorful, and foolproof dinner idea. The shrimp is seasoned with smoky and savory spices, air fried, then finished off with a squeeze of lemon for brightness. You get tender, flavorful shrimp that’s slightly crisp on the edges, perfect for adding to rice bowls, pastas, salads, sandwiches, and more.
My air fryer is definitely a lifesaver on busy days. I make air fryer pork chops or air fryer steak bites for an easy dinner, and I’m happy that I learned how to cook shrimp in the air fryer, too! This recipe calls for just shrimp and simple pantry ingredients you probably already have at home.
This dish is quick enough for a weeknight dinner, light enough for a healthy lunch, and elegant enough to serve as an appetizer at parties. Since it’s high in protein, naturally low in carbs, and gluten-free, it fits well into keto, paleo, Whole30, or just about any clean-eating lifestyle.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- 5-minute cook time
- Air fryer ease: The air fryer ensures even cooking, so you never have to worry about rubbery or overcooked shrimp.
- Tastes amazing: Juicy, tender shrimp with a smoky kick from paprika, a hint of garlic, and a bright pop of lemon.
- Customizable: Adjust spices or swap seasonings to match your mood.
- Versatile serving options: Serve as an appetizer, enjoy as a main dish, or add to other dishes.
How to Make Air Fryer Shrimp
This easy recipe is as simple as marinating the shrimp quickly and air frying! You can either use fresh or frozen, but know you can’t directly cook frozen shrimp in the air fryer. Make sure to thaw completely before seasoning and cooking shrimp in the air fryer.
Scroll to the bottom of this post for a printable recipe card with a full list of ingredients, measurements, and step-by-step instructions.
Ingredients You Need
- Shrimp: For convenience, I use frozen shrimp that have been peeled, deveined, and thawed. Choose large or extra-large shrimp, and you can leave the tails on if you like a nice presentation or take them off for easier eating.
- Avocado oil:
- Seasonings: We will use garlic powder, paprika, salt, and ground black pepper for this recipe.
- Lemon: Cut into wedges for serving.
- Parsley
Step-By-Step Instructions
You only need about 10 minutes of easy prep, then let the air fryer take it from there. In minutes, this light yet filling dish will be ready to serve with lemon and parsley.
Step 1: Mix the seasoning
Combine the avocado oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl.
Step 2: Add the shrimp and marinate
Add the peeled and deveined shrimp and toss in the seasoning until they are evenly coated. Set aside and marinate for about 10 minutes.
Step 3: Air fry
Preheat your air fryer to 400 F for about 3 to 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 at 400 F for 5 to 6 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking. Shrimp are done once they turn pink and opaque.
Step 4: Garnish and serve
Remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately with a parsley garnish and lemon wedges on the side.
Substitutions
It doesn’t take much to make this but if something’s missing or you’d rather use what you have, I recommend these easy swaps:
- Avocado oil: Swap with coconut oil or melted butter if you prefer. Just make sure it has a high smoke point suitable for air frying.
- Seasonings: Substitute the seasoning blend with Old Bay seasoning, Cajun spice, Italian herbs, or even curry powder for a different flavor profile.
- Lemon: Replace with lime, or use a splash of vinegar (like apple cider or rice vinegar) for tang if you’re out of citrus.
- Parsley: Use fresh cilantro, dill, chives, or green onions instead.
Expert Tips
- Pat shrimp dry: Excess moisture can cause the shrimp to steam instead of crisp, so blot with paper towels before seasoning.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket: Arrange shrimp in a single layer so they cook evenly and achieve that golden, slightly crisp exterior.
- Don’t walk away: Shrimp cooks fast. If you leave it too long, it gets rubbery. Keep an eye on it!
- Make ahead: For deeper flavor, toss the shrimp with the oil and seasonings for up to an hour before cooking.
- Get creative: Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds, crushed peanuts, or crispy fried garlic for a crunch factor or add a drizzle of sriracha, chili oil, or a dusting of cayenne for some heat.
- Serve immediately: Shrimp cool quickly and can turn rubbery if left sitting, so have your sides ready before you air fry.
How to Store This Recipe
Store leftover air fryer shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, pop them back in the air fryer at 350 F for 2 to 3 minutes until warmed through. They’ll stay much crispier than if microwaved. Avoid reheating too long, as shrimp can become rubbery. If you prefer, you can enjoy them cold if adding to salads or wraps.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Shrimp
Air fryer shrimp is super versatile, so you’ve got lots of options depending on the vibe you want for your meal. Serve it with a creamy dip like feta dip, ranch dip, or spinach and artichoke dip at parties. Pile it over rice, toss it with pasta or pasta alternatives, use as a filling for tacos, wraps, and sandwiches, or throw it on a salad for a heartier meal.
More Easy Shrimp Recipes To Try
Easy Air Fryer Shrimp Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound large shrimp peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 medium lemon cut into wedges, for serving
- ½ tablespoon parsley chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Combine the avocado oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl.
- Add the peeled and deveined shrimp and toss in the seasoning until they are evenly coated. Set aside and marinate for about 10 minutes.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400 °F for about 3 to 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 at 400 °F for 5 to 6 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking. Shrimp are done once they turn pink and opaque.
- Remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately with a parsley garnish and lemon wedges on the side.
Notes
- Pat shrimp dry with paper towels so they crisp instead of steam.
- Lay them out in a single layer for even cooking and that golden edge.
- Shrimp cook quickly—watch closely so they don’t turn rubbery.
- For extra flavor, let them sit in oil and seasonings for up to an hour before cooking.
- Add crunch with sesame seeds, peanuts, or crispy garlic, or bring the heat with sriracha, chili oil, or cayenne.
- Have your sides ready since shrimp cool fast and can lose their texture if they sit too long.
Nutrition & Macros
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