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Get It NowThis air fryer shrimp recipe delivers juicy, garlicky results every time! Although it’s often easy to overcook them using other methods, cooking shrimp in the air fryer is one of the best ways to get perfect results every time. No more rubbery shrimp! And just like grilled shrimp skewers or Mexican shrimp cocktail, you only need a few minutes of hands-on prep.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Shrimp Recipe
- Fresh lemon garlic butter flavor
- Tender and juicy (never rubbery!)
- Super fast — ready in less than 10 minutes including prep time
- No flour, eggs, or breading needed
- Naturally low carb and gluten free
Ingredients & Substitutions
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for cooking shrimp in air fryer, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
- Shrimp – For best results, make sure to use raw shrimp, not pre-cooked. I used large, raw ones, peeled and deveined (31-40 shrimps per pound). I recommend leaving the tails on for better flavor and presentation, but you can use the kind with tails removed if you like.
- Olive Oil – Use any neutral cooking oil you prefer, or even cooking spray.
- Lemon Juice – Helps to tenderize the shrimp and maintain moisture. Use fresh or bottled.
- Seasonings – Including garlic powder, smoked paprika, sea salt, and black pepper.
VARIATION: Use different spices!
Use the seasonings and spices in my coconut shrimp, or try these homemade seasonings for new flavor profiles:
How To Cook Shrimp In The Air Fryer
This section shows how to make how to air fry shrimp, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
- Prepare. Preheat the air fryer. Pat the shrimp dry.
- Season. Toss shrimp in a large mixing bowl with olive oil and lemon juice. Add garlic powder, smoked paprika, sea salt, and black pepper to the bowl. Mix to coat.
TIP: Avoid marinating shrimp for too long.
If shrimp sit in lemon juice for too long, they will start to “cook” like shrimp ceviche.
- Arrange. Place shrimp in the air fryer basket in a single layer, working quickly so the preheated air fryer doesn’t cool too much.
- Cook. Air fry shrimp until they are pink and opaque. Cook in batches if necessary, keeping cooked shrimp warm by covering them in foil.
How Long To Cook Shrimp In The Air Fryer?
Air frying shrimp can take anywhere between 2 and 7 minutes (after preheating), depending on their size and your air fryer model. They are done when they appear pink and opaque.
Preheat your air fryer first, then use the chart below for approximate cook times based on shrimp size:
| Shrimp Size | Cook Tiime |
|---|---|
| Small To Medium | 2-3 minutes |
| Large | 3-4 minutes |
| Extra Large To Jumbo | 4-7 minutes |
Note: Times can vary depending on your air fryer (I tried two different ones and got times a few minutes apart), so I recommend checking on them every 2 minutes.
Can You Cook Frozen Shrimp In The Air Fryer?
Yes, you can cook air fryer shrimp frozen. For raw frozen shrimp, follow the same air fryer shrimp recipe below, and simply cook for about 8-11 minutes instead, until the shrimp is hot and opaque. If your frozen shrimp is already cooked, 4-5 minutes should be enough time.
Storage Instructions
- Store: The best way to store leftover air fry shrimp is to keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up 2 days.
- Reheat: Serve chilled (such as in a shrimp avocado salad!), or reheat shrimp in the air fryer for 1-3 minutes. Be careful not to overheat or they will be tough.
- Freeze: Cool air fryer shrimp completely and store in freezer-safe containers for up to 4 weeks. Frozen shrimp can reheat in the air fryer (no need to thaw), although they won’t be as firm.
What To Serve With Air Fryer Shrimp Recipes
Air fried shrimp pair perfectly with so many recipes! Try some of these pairing ideas:
- Sauces – Dunk shrimp in sugar-free teriyaki, fresh lemon sauce for fish, tangy sugar-free barbecue sauce, or lemon garlic aioli. You could even use peri peri sauce or caesar dressing for a delicious twist.
- Pasta – Toss with your favorite pasta and sauce! For a healthier alternative, pair with roasted spaghetti squash, shirataki noodles, or make a plate of shrimp scampi with zoodles.
- Salads – Add shrimp to a green goddess salad, shrimp avocado salad, or mango salad.
- Rice – Serve shrimp with your favorite rice (or riced veggies). I love them with cauliflower rice!
- Shrimp Tacos – Stuff your favorite tortillas with air fryer shrimp, salsa, avocado or guacamole, shredded cheese, red onions, taco slaw, and cilantro.
More Healthy Shrimp Recipes
Shrimp are the perfect protein for quick weeknight meals! If you enjoy this air fryer recipe, you’ll like these dishes too:
Recommended Tools
- Air Fryer – A must for this recipe! This one is the perfect size for a batch of shrimp.
Air Fryer Shrimp Recipe
Air Fryer Shrimp (8 Minutes Total!)
This air fryer shrimp recipe is perfectly juicy, easy, and fast! Make it with simple ingredients like shrimp, olive oil, lemon, and spices.
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Ingredients
Tap underlined ingredients to see where to get them. Please turn Safari reader mode OFF to view ingredients.
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.
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Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C).
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Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels.
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In a large bowl, toss the shrimp with olive oil and lemon juice.
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Season the shrimp with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix to coat evenly.
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Working quickly so that the preheated air fryer does not cool too much, arrange the shrimp in the air fryer basket in a single layer. (You may have to cook in batches if it doesn’t all fit. I typically need just one batch for medium or larger shrimp, or two batches for small shrimp.)
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Cook shrimp in the air fryer until pink and opaque. On average, when the air fryer has already been preheated, small to medium shrimp take 2-3 minutes, large shrimp take 3-4 minutes, and extra large to jumbo shrimp take 4-7 minutes. This can vary depending on your air fryer (I tried two different ones and got times a few minutes apart), so I recommend checking on them every 2 minutes.
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Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1/4 lb shrimp, or 1/4 entire recipe
Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.
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10 Comments
MaryAnne
0Neither my husband nor I are fans of “hot, spicy” food. The seasoning with smoked paprika was just right. We do meatless Fridays. Will add this to the rotation.
Linda
0I made this recipe tonight and it was a keeper! My husband and I both loved it.
Pauline Cote
0I have made this recipe a couple of times now. This is wonderful served over roasted spaghetti squash.
Heather
0So simple yet so delicious. We had it with a salad. We’ll definitely be making this recipe on a regular basis.
Pauline Cote
0So delicious and easy. I served this over cooked spaghetti squash and it was a definite hit. This will be a repeat in this house for sure.
Chelsea Halisheff
0These are always the best!!
Roxie
0Super love this recipe. I love the tanginess of the lemon in the shrimp. Thanks
Journa Liz Ramirez
0My family enjoyed these tasty air fryer shrimp. I tossed these with our favorite pasta recipe and it was a hit, everyone loves it. This is a great addition to our family menu.
Elena
0This seasoning for the shrimp was just amazing! I served it with tacos and we enjoyed an easy and delicious dinner. Thanks!
Gen
0Easy, delicious, minimal cleanup – I loved everything about this! Will definitely make it again.