Air Fryer Shrimp

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This 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.

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!

Try these homemade seasonings for new flavor profiles:

• Italian seasoning
• Cajun seasoning
• Taco seasoning
• Lemon pepper
• Blackened seasoning

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.

1. Prepare. Preheat the air fryer. Pat the shrimp dry.
2. 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.

3. Arrange. Place shrimp in the air fryer basket in a single layer, working quickly so the preheated air fryer doesn’t cool too much.
4. 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:

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 butter sauce, tangy sugar-free barbecue sauce, or lemon garlic aioli. You could even use 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:

Shrimp Fajitas

Garlic Butter Shrimp

Shrimp Ceviche

Steak And Shrimp

4.91 from 10 votes

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.

Prep: 5 minutes

Cook: 3 minutes

Total: 8 minutes

Author: Maya Krampf from WholesomeYum.com

Servings: 4 (adjust to scale recipe)

Convert:

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb Large shrimp (peeled and deveined, preferably with tails on) ▢
• 2 tbsp Olive oil ▢
• 1 tbsp Lemon juice ▢
• 3/4 tsp Garlic powder ▢
• 3/4 tsp Smoked paprika ▢
• 3/4 tsp Sea salt ▢
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.

1. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C).

2. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels.

3. In a large bowl, toss the shrimp with olive oil and lemon juice.

4. Season the shrimp with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix to coat evenly.

5. 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.)

6. 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

Amount per serving. Serving size in recipe notes above.

Calories 144

Fat 8g

Protein 15.6g

Total Carbs 2g

Net Carbs 1.7g

Fiber 0.3g

Sugar 0.3g

Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keywords: air fryer shrimp, air fryer shrimp recipe, shrimp in the air fryer

Calories: 144 kcal

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