This air fryer shrimp recipe cooks up in less than 10 minutes with minimal ingredients. It’s healthy, flavorful and such a quick and easy protein option that’s super versatile.
Are you ready for the easiest air fryer recipe you’ve ever made? Cue this air fryer shrimp!
Shrimp typically cooks quickly, but in the air fryer it cooks up in just 5-6 minutes! That’s right, you can have juicy, flavorful shrimp on your plate in less than 10 minutes including prep time.
Why You’ll Love Air Fryer Shrimp
- Quick and easy – You only need 1 bowl, your air fryer and about 10 minutes to whip up this simple recipe.
- Healthy – Cooking in the air fryer uses minimal oil, making this a healthier alternative to traditional frying.
- Versatile – Pair this shrimp with grains and veggies for dinner, add it to a salad, serve it as an appetizer with a dipping sauce… the options are endless.
- Customizable – I tossed this shrimp with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt and pepper, but feel free to make this recipe your own with different seasonings.
Air Fryer Shrimp Ingredients
You only need six simple ingredients to make this recipe, four of which are seasonings. I bet you already have all these ingredients in your kitchen!
- large shrimp – large or extra large peeled, peeled and deveined shrimp is best for this recipe. I like to buy already peeled and deveined shrimp to make things faster, but you can do this yourself if desired, just make sure to keep their tails on to make it easier to pick up. You can use frozen shrimp, just make sure it’s fully thawed before using.
- olive oil – just enough to coat the shrimp and help the seasonings stick.
- garlic powder – I used garlic powder for ease, but you can also use fresh minced garlic. I’d suggest using 1-2 cloves.
- Italian seasoning – use a store bought mix, or make your own by combining dried basil, oregano, rosemary and thyme in equal portions.
- salt – a pinch to enhance all the other flavors.
- ground black pepper – for a slight kick and added depth.
How to Make Air Fryer Shrimp
Step 1: Add the olive oil, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper to a medium mixing bowl. Whisk to fully combine.
Step 2: Add the rinsed and peeled shrimp to the bowl and toss to fully coat the shrimp.
Step 3: Place shrimp in the air fryer in a single layer and air fry at 400°F for 5-6 minutes, until the shrimp is opaque and pink. Serve warm and enjoy!
How to Make The Best Air Fryer Shrimp
- Fresh is best. When available, always use fresh, high-quality shrimp for the best flavor and texture. If you are using frozen shrimp, be sure to defrost the shrimp fully before using. Any extra moisture on the shrimp will impact the end result.
- Clean shrimp. Rinse shrimp thoroughly before cooking. Run under cold water to remove any debris, shells, etc.
- Pat dry. Before coating the shrimp in the oil and seasonings, make sure to pat them dry with paper towels. This will help to ensure the shrimp turns out crisp.
- Cook in batches. Cook the shrimp in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. You want one layer of shrimp that isn’t touching each other. If you overcrowd the basket it can lead to the shrimp being cooked unevenly or becoming soggy instead of crispy.
- Don’t overcook. Remember, shrimp cooks up fast! Overcooking the shrimp can make them tough and rubbery. You want your shrimp golden on the outside and opaque in the center.
Air Fryer Shrimp Variations
We’re keeping this recipe simple with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper, but there are so many different variations to experiment with. Here are some ideas:
- Spicy: For a hint of spice, swap the Italian seasoning with chili powder, smoked paprika and/or cayenne pepper.
- Cajun style: Use a Cajun seasoning blend for a spicy, southern twist.
- Asian inspired: Marinate the shrimp in a mixture of soy sauce, honey and a hint of ginger before air frying for an Asian flair.
- Parmesan herb: Toss the shrimp with grated parmesan and dried herbs like basil or oregano before air frying for an Italian-inspired version.
- Garlic butter: Swap the oil with melted butter and skip the Italian seasoning for garlic butter shrimp.
- Coconut shrimp: Craving a breaded shrimp instead? Make this air fryer coconut shrimp.
Serving Suggestions
I typically serve this shrimp with a grain and veggie for a balanced dinner, but the options are endless. Here are some ideas:
How to Store Leftovers
- In the fridge: Store any leftover shrimp in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- In the freezer: I would only freeze the shrimp if you’re starting with raw shrimp. I wouldn’t defrost frozen shrimp and then freeze it again. To freeze, place in a freezer-safe container and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- To reheat: Reheat shrimp in the air fryer or on the stovetop in a skillet for the best results. You can also reheat the shrimp in the microwave, but it’ll lose some of its crispness. If you’re reheating from frozen, let the shrimp thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Shrimp is done cooking when it’s an opaque white with pops of red or pink and it’s curled into a C shape. It should only take 5-6 minutes to cook your shrimp in the air fryer!
Yes! As mentioned above you can use frozen shrimp instead of raw if that’s what you have access to. Just make sure you fully defrost the shrimp before using it in this recipe. Also, I recommend using raw frozen shrimp. If you use cooked frozen shrimp the end result might be a little overcooked since the shrimp has already been cooked and then you’re cooking it again.
More Air Fryer Recipes
More Shrimp Recipes
Be sure to check out all of the shrimp recipes as well as the full collection of air fryer recipes on EBF!
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Pat shrimp dry with a paper towel.
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Whisk olive oil, garlic powder, salt and pepper in a medium mixing bowl.
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Add shrimp and toss to combine so both sides are well coated.
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Add shrimp to air fryer basket, in a single layer. You may have to cook in two batches depending on the size of your air fryer. Air fry at 400℉ for 5-6 minutes. No need to turn them while cooking.
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Once done, remove shrimp from the air fryer and serve with fresh parsley and lemon wedges, if desired.
Serving: 1/3 recipe | Calories: 200kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 229mg | Sodium: 841mg | Potassium: 200mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
