Hey there! I’ve been experimenting with air fryer cooking for years now and let me tell you – shrimp in the air fryer is absolutely amazing! Not only can you cook shrimp in the air fryer but it’s actually one of the best ways to prepare this seafood favorite. Let me share everything I know about making delicious air fryer shrimp.
Why Air Fryer Shrimp is Awesome
Before we dive into the how-to, here’s why you’ll love cooking shrimp this way
- Super quick – takes just 5-10 minutes total
- Uses way less oil than deep frying
- Gives you perfectly cooked, tender shrimp every time
- Clean-up is super easy
- Works with both fresh and frozen shrimp
What You’ll Need
Here’s your shopping list
Main Ingredients:
- Shrimp (fresh or frozen, peeled and deveined)
- Olive oil or any high-smoke-point oil
- Your favorite seasonings
Basic Seasoning Mix:
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Italian seasoning or Old Bay
- Paprika
- Dijon mustard (optional but adds nice flavor!)
Step-by-Step Cooking Guide
If Using Frozen Shrimp:
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F (205°C)
- Place frozen shrimp in basket and cook 5 minutes to thaw
- Remove, pat dry with paper towels
- Toss with oil and seasonings
- Return to air fryer for additional 5 minutes
If Using Fresh Shrimp:
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F (205°C)
- Toss shrimp with oil and seasonings
- Cook for 5-6 minutes total
Pro Tip: I always flip my shrimp halfway through cooking for even results!
Important Tips for Success
-
Don’t Overcrowd:
- Place shrimp in a single layer
- Leave space between pieces
- Cook in batches if needed
-
Size Matters:
- Larger shrimp (jumbo/colossal) work best
- Adjust cooking time based on size
- Smaller shrimp cook faster
-
Temperature Guide:
- Cook at 400°F for best results
- Shrimp is done when pink and opaque
- Internal temp should reach 120°F
Common Questions I Get
Q: Can I cook frozen shrimp without thawing?
A: Yep! Just add 5 minutes to thaw them first.
Q: What about shell-on shrimp?
A: You can! Same temp and time, just peel before eating.
Q: How do I know when they’re done?
A: They should be pink and slightly curled. If they’re super tight C-shapes, they’re overcooked.
Serving Ideas
Here’s what I love serving with air fryer shrimp:
- Remoulade sauce for dipping
- Over rice or pasta
- In tacos with slaw
- With roasted veggies
- On salads
- In pasta dishes
Storage Tips
- Keep leftovers in fridge up to 3 days
- Reheat in air fryer for 2 minutes
- Don’t freeze cooked shrimp
- Best eaten fresh!
My Favorite Simple Recipe
Here’s my go-to quick recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb jumbo shrimp
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp each: garlic powder, salt, pepper
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp paprika
Instructions:
- Mix seasonings with oil
- Toss shrimp in mixture
- Air fry at 400°F
- Cook 5-10 mins (depending if frozen/fresh)
- Flip halfway through
- Enjoy!
Remember: Cooking times might vary slightly depending on your air fryer model and shrimp size. Keep an eye on them the first time you make them!
How to make shrimp in air fryer
Making shrimp in the air fryer couldn’t be easier. Simply season and cook in a single layer to ensure that the shrimp is evenly cooked.
Pro tip: Using peeled, deveined shrimp is a huge time saver! Plan to spend 10 minutes or so of prep time if you must peel and devein your shrimp.
See the recipe card below for full instructions.
- Toss shrimp with olive oil until well coated, then add the seasonings, salt and pepper and toss gently to combine.
- Place the shrimp in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Cook at 400 degrees for 8 minutes until cooked through.
Jumbo shrimp takes about 8 minutes of cooking time in the air fryer at a temperature of 400 degrees. Medium to large-sized shrimp will take 1-2 minutes less cooking time.
For best results, I recommend using fresh or thawed shrimp in the air fryer as it has the best texture. If your shrimp is frozen, cook in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes until thawed, then blot dry as needed and toss with the oil and seasonings and continue to cook for an additional 8 minutes or until cooked through.
- Pro tip: Using peeled, deveined shrimp is a huge time saver! Plan to spend 10 minutes or so of prep time if you must peel and devein your shrimp.
- For best results use fresh shrimp. If using frozen shrimp, thaw and drain well in a colander, then blot dry with paper towels before seasoning.
- Cooking time will vary based on the size of your shrimp. Medium to large-sized shrimp will cook 1-2 minutes faster than jumbo shrimp.
- The seasoning can be customized with your favorite rubs or blends. My blackened seasoning and taco seasoning are great options as well!
- Leftover air fryer shrimp will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- Air fryer shrimp is juicy and flavorful, with a slightly crisp crust that makes it completely addicting.
- It’s an easy appetizer or dinner that’s ready in about 10 minutes.
- It includes 4 basic ingredients which can be easily customized.
- This recipe is a healthy option as it’s low carb, gluten-free and dairy-free.
This air fryer shrimp recipe includes just 4 ingredients which can easily customized with what you have on hand.
- Shrimp. Jumbo shrimp was used in this recipe, which takes about 8 minutes to cook at 400 degrees. If using a smaller size, decrease the cooking time by 1-2 minutes. For best results, use fresh or thawed shrimp as it has the best texture. Frozen shrimp may be used, but it should be cooked just until thawed, then blotted dry as needed and seasoned accordingly before cooking through.
- Seasonings. I used a simple blend of smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper, but you may use your favorite herbs, spices or rubs.
- Oil. The olive oil may be substituted with what you have on hand.
- Lemon. Fresh lemon juice is an optional ingredient to add just before serving for a fresh pop of flavor.