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GET IT NOWMy Air Fryer Shrimp Recipe Is Juicy In A Flash
I’ve cooked shrimp many different ways, but this air fryer shrimp is one of my juiciest, easiest of them all. Here’s why:
- Harder to overcook – You probably know that seafood turns tough and rubbery if cooked too long. While I love other methods (like baked shrimp, sauteed shrimp, and grilled shrimp) in their own ways, cooking shrimp in the air fryer is more forgiving. The air flow keeps it juicy!
- Flavorful, but simple – Many air fryer shrimp recipes are breaded, but mine keeps it simple with flavorful spices instead. Big fan of simplicity over here!
- Fast and easy – This dish is ready in less than 10 minutes and that includes the prep time. It’s a lifesaver for nights when we get home late.
If you need something lightning fast on a busy weeknight, you can’t go wrong with this air fried shrimp. Make it with me!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for my air fryer shrimp recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
- Shrimp – I used large 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 & Lemon Juice – These work together to add flavor, keep the shrimp juicy, and help the seasonings stick. Avocado oil and lime juice work well, too. If you like a buttery flavor, I recommend adding a tablespoon of melted butter at the end rather than cooking with it, due to the high heat.
- Spices – I used garlic powder, smoked paprika, sea salt, and black pepper. Feel free to add Italian seasoning, or swap in Cajun seasoning, DIY taco seasoning, or lemon pepper. If you like a light breading, you can air fry my coconut shrimp, too!
How To Cook Shrimp In The Air Fryer
I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
- Season in a bowl. While your air fryer preheats, pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and toss it in a large mixing bowl with olive oil and lemon juice. Add the garlic powder, smoked paprika, sea salt, and black pepper to the bowl. Mix to coat.
- Arrange shrimp in the air fryer. Place it in a single layer, working quickly so the preheated air fryer doesn’t cool too much.
- Air fry shrimp until pink and opaque. See my tips below for juicy results! I like to serve these with a sprinkle of parsley and fresh lemon wedges.
My Recipe Tips
- Get raw shrimp, not pre-cooked. Already cooked shrimp won’t absorb the flavors of the marinade, and it’ll be rubbery after cooking again.
- Avoid leaving the shrimp in the marinade. If shrimp sit in lemon juice for more than 10-15 minutes, they will start to “cook” like shrimp ceviche.
- Don’t crowd the basket — cook in batches if needed. I can fit this entire recipe in the basket of my air fryer in one batch, but if you need to cook in batches, just keep cooked shrimp covered in foil while you wait.
- Be careful not to overcook. Cook time can vary depending on the size of your shrimp, and also your air fryer model. The most common time range is 3-4 minutes, but I tried two different models and got times a few minutes apart, so I recommend checking on your air fried shrimp every 2 minutes.
- Can you cook frozen shrimp in the air fryer? Yes, you can! I’ve used this same recipe with raw frozen shrimp, and it takes 8-11 minutes to cook. Of course you can also thaw the shrimp overnight if you’re planning ahead.
Air Fryer Shrimp (8-Minute Recipe)
My air fryer shrimp recipe is juicy, easy, and lightning fast! Make it with simple ingredients like shrimp, olive oil, lemon, and spices.
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Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.
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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. In a large bowl, toss the shrimp with olive oil and lemon juice. Add the 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.
LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!
Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1/4 lb shrimp, or 1/4 entire recipe
- Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get juicy air fryer shrimp, what to avoid, and instructions for using frozen shrimp.
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. It’s not the same as fresh, but I’ve enjoyed it in a shrimp avocado salad.
- Reheat: If you want it warm again, just 1 minute is enough time to reheat shrimp in the air fryer. If it’s frozen (and already cooked), 3-5 minutes is good.
- Freeze: Feel free to freeze after cooking! The cooked shrimp will be good in the freezer for up to 3 months. I recommend reheating from frozen.
I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy.
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Air Fryer Shrimp
Serving Ideas
Air fryer shrimp can work as an appetizer or a main dish! When I’m turning it into a meal, here are some of my favorite ways to serve it:
- Bowls – I love these over a salad (like green goddess salad or mango salad), noodles (I like zoodles but feel free to use your favorite pasta), or rice (cauliflower rice works, too). For the rice or noodle options, just add some sauteed veggies and drizzle lemon butter sauce, chimichurri, or peri peri sauce over the whole thing!
- Tacos – Stuff your favorite tortillas with air fried shrimp, fresh tomato salsa, avocado or guacamole, shredded cheese, red onions, taco slaw, and cilantro.
- Steak – Make it a surf and turf meal by adding my fast, tender air fryer steak bites!
- Veggies – When it’s a busy weeknight and getting creative feels too much, my simple air fryer zucchini or air fryer sweet potato fries will solve dinner all in one appliance.
19 Comments
Maria E
1Delish! This recipe is one of our week night family favorites. It’s so simple and delicious even my teenage boys can make it. I serve it with a large salad and extra veggies. Thank you Maya!
Cyndi
0Hello Maya, Thank you for posting these delicious recipes. They are spot on. I’ve tried others, now I’m about to try this Air Fry Shrimp recipe. I will also try the broiled snow crab legs. I will let you know how it turns out.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hope you loved it, Cyndi! Let me know how it turns out. I also have a crab legs recipe if you need it.
Pam
0Delicious, had to add extra cooking time for our Ninja. Flavors were great, can’t wait to fix it again.
Wholesome Yum D
0Pam, so glad it turned out delicious for you! Good call adjusting the time for your Ninja, too. Love hearing you’re already excited to make it again.
Winifred Thacker
0So so good, and loved the Air Fry method.
Wholesome Yum D
0Winifred, I love hearing that! The air fryer really does make things so quick and easy.
NANCY MAY
0Wow this was DELICIOUS! Easy to make and very tasty. More please!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you, Nancy! I love the air fryer so will definitely be posting more air fryer recipes regularly!
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.