These Air Fryer Shrimp are plump, juicy, and perfectly seasoned! This healthy dish is ready in just 8 minutes and requires basic pantry staples to make it.
If you enjoy using your air fryer, you may also like my Garlic Parmesan Crusted Salmon recipe and the popular Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets that are always a big hit with kids!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Did you know you can make delicious shrimp in your air fryer? I have been testing this recipe for the past few weeks and I am so happy with the results! I brushed the shrimp with seasoning and oil mixture, then cooked them for 8 minutes in the air fryer. That's it! The result was juicy, plump, and tasty shrimp that pairs so well with pasta, rice, veggies and so many other side dishes!
This healthy dish is quick to make, even if you never cooked shrimp or used the air fryer before. It's really that easy!
Ingredients:
- shrimp - I recommend medium or large size shrimp. Medium shrimp will cook faster.
- oil - I used olive oil but grapeseed oil works too.
- seasoning - I used garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Feel free to experiment with your favorite spices and make a mix that you like!
How to make Air Fryer Shrimp?
- Start by cleaning the shrimp. Remove shells and veins.
- Mix oil with seasoning in a small bowl.
- Brush shrimp with a seasoning mixture.
- Arrange shrimp in an air fryer basket or rack.
- Cook for 8 minutes (no need to turn them).
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Raw or frozen shrimp?
Whether you have raw shrimp or frozen shrimp, you can use both kinds in this recipe. Make sure to thaw the frozen shrimp in the fridge, rinse and tap dry with a paper towel. The seasoned oil will stick better. Also, wet shrimp can burn so you want to dry them before seasoning and cooking.
How to serve air-fried shrimp?
Serve this shrimp as a main dish with rice or pasta, as a taco filling with fresh veggie salsa, or as a salad topping for a light meal. If you read the comments, our readers cook the shrimp to serve with shrimp Alfredo pasta, seafood tacos with cilantro sauce, in rice bowls, or in salads.
Helpful tips!
- Do not spray the shrimp inside of an air fryer basket or tray. The oil spray will get on the walls of your appliance, bake in and be hard to clean. That's why I don't use a spray in this recipe, but mix olive oil with spices and brush on the shrimp. Or better yet, add oil and seasoning to a bowl, add shrimp, and toss to coat!
- Get the largest size of shrimp you can. I don't recommend popcorn shrimp or even small shrimp, as they are tiny when baked.
- The smaller the shrimp, the faster it will cook. I used large shrimp for this recipe and 8 minutes was my magic number. For medium shrimp, set the timer to 6 minutes.
- Feel free to replace the seasoning with your favorite mix: Cajun, lemon pepper, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan cheese, etc.
- I use kosher salt in this recipe. The amount of ½ teaspoon was perfect, however, if you are using table salt, half of a teaspoon can be too much. Cut it down to ¼ teaspoon.
Common questions:
I used thawed shrimp in this recipe. I bought them frozen and thawed them in the fridge. The cooking time is stated in the recipe below as 8 minutes, no flipping needed.
If you use a parchment paper liner in your air fryer, flip the shrimp. Otherwise, the basket (which has holes) or a tray allows the air to circulate around the food so there is no need to flip it.
All leftovers should be stored in a container with a lid, in the fridge, for up to 3 days. You can reheat the shrimp in the air fryer or microwave for a couple of minutes.
If you are using cooked shrimp, you are only reheating them. Apply the seasoning with oil but cut the time to 4 minutes, then check if the shrimp is heated through.
Absolutely! I do recommend air frying the shrimp in batches, so the air can circulate properly around the food. Do not over-crowd the air fryer basket.
I used the "air fry" setting. If you are not familiar with your air fryer, check the manual for more info or simply test it with just a few shrimp.
More air fryer recipes:
If you like this recipe and make it, let me know in the comments below! Don't forget to rate it if you enjoyed it!
Air Fryer Shrimp
Ingredients
- 1 lb shrimp
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cleaning the shrimp by removing shells and veins. Run under tap water, then pat dry with paper towel.1 lb shrimp
- Mix oil with seasoning in a small bowl.2 teaspoons olive oil, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Brush shrimp with seasoning mixture on both sides.
- Arrange shrimp in air fryer basket or rack, in a single layer.
- Cook at 400℉ for 8 minutes (no need to turn them).
- Once the cooking cycle is done, remove shrimp from air fryer. Serve garnished with chopped parsley and your favorite side dishes.
Notes
- I recommend medium or large size shrimp.
- I used kosher salt in this recipe. If you are using table salt, decrease the amount to ¼ teaspoon.
- You can place oil and seasoning in a bowl, add shrimp and toss to coat.
- You can double the recipe, but cook the shrimp in batches so the air can circulate properly around the food. Do not crowd the air fryer basket.
- I do not recommend popcorn shrimp for this recipe.
- Please note, that the nutrition value can vary depending on what product you use. The information below is an estimate. Always use a calorie counter you are familiar with.
Jennifer says
Combined this recipe with another- simply dipped the seasoned shrimp in butter and coated them with Panko breadcrumbs before air frying. Turned out great! Thanks!
Kristin says
I have cooked frozen shrimp. Will this recipe still work?
Cathy says
First time I used my new air fryer and it came out great. Next time I will cut the salt, pepper and garlic powder in half. I like lightly seasoned food so this was just a tab bit strong in flavor but good.
Natalie says
Tried this today and absolutely loved it! Only problem was I should have bought more because we ate it all and still wanted some hahah. I made it with tortillas and guacamole and it was perfect already planning on making it again next week.
Buffie says
I cooked these tonight. Absolutely delicious. I preheated my air fryer and cooked for only 5 minutes. Will definitely do these again soon.
Anna says
Thank you so much!
Jayne Hanzak says
Made this for dinner tonight, very easy and tasty, no leftovers is always a good sign! I didn't preheat the airfryer and even though they looked pretty much done after 8 minutes, I did put them in for another 3 minutes. They were just a tad crisp but done perfectly for us. Thanks for my new favorite shrimp dish!
jayne
Anna says
Having no leftovers is the best! I am so glad the dish was a hit, Jayne! Thank you for making my recipe!
Caroltn says
Trying this one tonight! I wonder….could I layer with scallops? I have the InstantPot Air Fryer Lid with the basket insert so I can add layers. This sounds so easy to make and I’ll respond with how my “idea” came out! 😂😂😂
Anna says
Hi! I did not test this recipe with scallops but I am curious to know how they turn out. Let me know! Enjoy!
Kai says
This dish was very tasty however, the next time I make it I will use half the amount of salt. Also, it took approx. 5 minutes in my air fryer.
Christine says
Did you preheat air fryer?
Judith Steinbeck says
I made this tonight. Delicious. Only cooked shrimp 4 minutes and they were perfect. I added lemon juice to pasta and shrimp after cooking — I used corkscrew pasta,
Anna says
Thank you so much, Judith!
KAREN PERRY says
This is so good and easy I will be making this frequently. I added a little more smoked paprika love it!
Andrea says
Did you use precooked shrimp or raw?
Phyllis says
I used precooked for full 8 min and they were great!
Anna says
I am so glad! Thank you for making my recipe, Karen!
Deanna says
This was my first try at air frying … got it for Christmas.
Loved the recipe. Super simple.
I went 8 mins and if I use this size shrimp again (jumbo) I’ll only go 7mins.
Also I’ll cut the salt back a little - just my preference. I’ll definitely be watching for more things to try
Sue says
I just made this recipe to exact ingredients, cooked for 7 min as per other comments and this was absolutely delish. I will definitely be making this again. Thanks for sharing
Maria K says
Made 2 lb Shrimp, so I doubled the spice recipe (except the salt) and had to add extra 2 teaspoons of oil. Put everything in a ziplock bag, gave it a good shake to make sure all shrimps were coated. Cook time at 4 minutes was perfectly done.
Megan says
I wanted to use up some shrimp that were getting freezer burnt so I thawed, patted dry, and air fried for 5 minutes, per some other reviewers suggestions. They were moist and delicious. Will definitely make again! Thanks for the recipe 🙂
Kristi says
So good! I had to keep them in the entire 8 minutes and they were perfect. Will be using this recipe again and again... Thank you.
Anna says
Yay! I am so glad you enjoyed the shrimp, Kristi! Thank you for making my recipe!
Rita says
Can you use already cooked frozen shrimp how do you adjust the time and look they are already pink
Laura says
I’m wondering the same thing.
Anna says
Hi Laura! If you are using cooked, frozen shrimp you will need to thaw them first, then just reheat. I did not test this recipe with cooked shrimp so I can't guarantee results.
Pamela says
I used the already cooked, frozen shrimp and just adjusted the temp to 390 degrees and the time to 6-7 minutes.
My 13 year old grandson absolutely LOVED it!
Kathy says
I just got an oven with an air fryer option… I want to do the shrimp…can I also put Brussels sprouts and butternut squash on a separate pan at the same time?