A simple, speedy, and flavorful recipe for perfectly cooked shrimp in your air fryer—ready in minutes with minimal cleanup.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast and fuss‑free: From prep to plate in about 13 minutes
- Healthy cooking: Uses little oil but delivers crisp-tender shrimp
- Customizable flavor: Classic seasoning works well, or tweak with spices, herbs, or citrus
- Versatile serving: Great on its own, over salads, in tacos, or bowls
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 1 lb shrimp (peeled, deveined)
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Directions
- Prepare shrimp: Rinse under cold water, pat completely dry
- Season: In a small bowl, whisk together oil, garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Brush or toss shrimp until evenly coated
- Arrange: Lay shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket—don’t overcrowd
- Cook: Air fry at 400 °F for about 8 minutes, no need to flip unless you want extra crispiness. Shrimp should be pink and opaque
- Serve: Remove, garnish with chopped parsley, and pair with your favorite sides
Servings and Timing
- Yields: 4 servings
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Cook time: 8 minutes
- Total time: ~13 minutes
Variations
- Swap Italian seasoning for Old Bay, Cajun spices, or lemon-pepper blend
- Use frozen shrimp (thawed or raw): cook 8–10 minutes at 400 °F, shaking halfway
- Add a squeeze of lemon juice or toss in garlic-butter sauce after cooking for brightness and richness
Storage/Reheating
- Store cooked shrimp in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days
- Reheat in a 350 °F air fryer for 2–3 minutes, or warm gently in a skillet—avoid microwave as it may toughen shrimp
- Freeze: Cooked shrimp can be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw before reheating
FAQs
1. Can I use frozen shrimp directly in the air fryer?
Yes—place in an even layer, cook at 400°F for 8–10 minutes (shake halfway), until pink and opaque
2. How do I know when shrimp are done?
They turn bright pink, curl into a loose “C” shape, and are opaque. Overcooking makes them tough
3. Should I flip or shake the shrimp?
Shaking halfway ensures even cooking; flipping isn’t required but can enhance crispness
4. Can I make this with smaller shrimp?
Yes—adjust time: small shrimp may cook in 5–7 minutes; medium in 7–9 minutes
5. What oil should I use?
Olive oil is classic, but avocado or vegetable oil works too
6. Do I need to preheat the air fryer?
Preheating to 400 °F for ~3 minutes is recommended for consistent results
7. Can I use different seasonings?
Absolutely—Cajun, lemon-pepper, smoked paprika, or Old Bay all work well
8. Is there a benefit to leaving the tails on?
Yes—tails look nice and offer a handle for dipping; removing them is fine too
9. How to prevent rubbery shrimp?
Avoid overcooking—stop cooking as soon as they curl into a “C” shape and are opaque
10. What to serve with air fryer shrimp?
Great in tacos, pasta, salads, rice bowls, or served with veggies and dipping sauce
Conclusion
This Air Fryer Shrimp recipe is a go-to for busy nights or quick meals—ready in just over ten minutes, featuring flavorful, juicy shrimp with minimal effort. Customize with your favorite spices, serve in bowls or tacos, and enjoy the convenience and taste of perfectly cooked shrimp every time.
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Air Fryer Shrimp
- Total Time: 13 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
A quick and healthy recipe for crisp-tender shrimp made effortlessly in the air fryer. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish delivers bold flavor with minimal ingredients and cleanup.
Ingredients
1 lb shrimp (peeled, deveined)
2 teaspoons olive oil
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare shrimp: Rinse under cold water and pat completely dry.
- Season: In a small bowl, mix olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Toss shrimp until evenly coated.
- Arrange: Lay shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overcrowding.
- Cook: Air fry at 400°F for about 8 minutes. Flip halfway if desired for extra crispiness. Shrimp should be pink and opaque.
- Serve: Remove from air fryer, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve with your favorite sides.
Notes
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket for even cooking.
- Use thawed shrimp for best texture.
- Add lemon juice or garlic butter post-cooking for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 410mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 19g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
