Hey there! I’m super excited to share everything I know about making perfectly air-fried shrimp. As someone who’s been experimenting with air fryer cooking for years, I’ve figured out the exact timing and techniques to get that restaurant-quality shrimp right at home.
The Quick Answer
For jumbo shrimp in the air fryer, cook at 400°F for 5-6 minutes total, shaking the basket halfway through. That’s it! But stick around – I’ve got lots more tips and tricks to share.
Essential Pre-Cooking Steps
Preparing Your Shrimp
Before we talk timing, let’s get your shrimp ready:
- Make sure shrimp are peeled and deveined
- Pat them dry with paper towels
- Season them well (I’ll share my favorite seasoning blend below!)
- Arrange in a single layer in your air fryer basket
Perfect Seasoning Blend
Here’s my go-to seasoning mix for 1¼ pounds (32 pieces) of jumbo shrimp:
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon sweet paprika
- ¾ teaspoon dried parsley
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Detailed Cooking Process
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F
- Mix all seasonings with oil in a medium bowl
- Toss shrimp in seasoning mixture until well coated
- Place shrimp in air fryer basket (don’t overcrowd!)
- Cook for 5-6 minutes total, shaking basket at halfway point
Important Tips for Perfect Results
- Don’t stack shrimp – work in batches if needed
- Shake the basket at 2.5-3 minutes to ensure even cooking
- Watch closely near end to avoid overcooking
- Look for pink color and slight curl to know they’re done
Size Matters: Cooking Time Adjustments
Different shrimp sizes need slightly different cooking times at 400°F
- Small shrimp (51-60 per pound): 4-5 minutes
- Medium shrimp (41-50 per pound): 4-5 minutes
- Large shrimp (31-35 per pound): 5 minutes
- Jumbo shrimp (21-25 per pound): 5-6 minutes
- Colossal shrimp (13-15 per pound): 6-7 minutes
Serving Suggestions
We love serving air fryer shrimp these ways
- On top of quinoa or rice bowls
- In tacos with lime sauce
- Over fresh salads
- As an appetizer with lemon wedges
- In sandwiches with lettuce and tartar sauce
Storage Tips
If you’ve got leftovers (which rarely happens in my house!):
- Store in airtight container
- Keep in fridge for 3-4 days
- Reheat in air fryer for 1-2 minutes at 350°F
- Can be eaten cold in salads too!
Common Questions I Get
Q: Can I use frozen shrimp?
A: Yep! Just thaw them completely first and pat dry before seasoning.
Q How do I know when they’re done?A Shrimp should be pink with a slight C-shape curl. If they’re tightly curled into an O-shape, they’re overcooked.
Q: No air fryer? What then?
A: No worries! Pan-fry them for about 3 minutes per side in a skillet.
Pro Tips from My Kitchen
- Don’t skip the oil – it helps seasonings stick and prevents drying
- Always preheat your air fryer
- Keep lemon wedges ready – fresh citrus makes everything better!
- If doing multiple batches, the second batch might cook slightly faster
- Try different seasoning combos – Old Bay and Tajin are awesome alternatives
My Final Thoughts
Air frying shrimp is seriously one of the easiest ways to get perfect results every time. The key is getting that timing right – 5-6 minutes at 400°F for jumbo shrimp, adjusting slightly for different sizes. I love how quick and consistent it is, plus cleanup is super easy compared to traditional frying.
Remember, these are guidelines based on my experience – your specific air fryer might need minor adjustments. Don’t be afraid to experiment a bit to find what works best with your equipment. Happy air frying, friends!
Nutritional Info (per serving of 8 jumbo shrimp)
- Calories: 163
- Protein: 19.5g
- Carbs: 2g
- Fat: 8g
- Fiber: 0.5g
Would you like me to explain any part in more detail? I’m always happy to share more tips and tricks!
How to Make Air Fryer Shrimp
You don’t need to plan marinating time to make this air fryer shrimp recipe. Just a few moments while your air fryer preheats is enough! Here’s the whole process:
- Mix the wet rub. In a large bowl combine 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, the zest of 1 lemon, 1 teaspoon dill weed, 1 teaspoon sweet or smoked Spanish paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and a big pinch each of salt and freshly ground black pepper. Add 1/4 teaspoon baking soda, if using. Whisk to combine.
- Prep the shrimp. Peel and devein 2 pounds raw extra jumbo (16-20) shrimp, and pat them dry. Add them to the olive oil mixture, turning to completely coat them.
- Air fry the shrimp. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Transfer the shrimp to the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each one. Air fry the shrimp until they are pink throughout, curled, and beginning to brown at the edges, 5 to 6 minutes.
- Serve. While the shrimp cooks, cut the lemon into wedges. Serve the air-fried shrimp with the lemon wedges for squeezing and chopped fresh dill, if you like.
Make It Your Own
This air fryer shrimp recipe is hugely versatile. In fact, you could change up the herbs and spices entirely and just follow this recipe as guidelines for the cook time and temperature. Here are a few ideas for how to change it up.
- Dry brine the shrimp: If you have time, toss the raw, peeled shrimp in the baking soda and salt. Let them brine for about 10 or 15 minutes before adding the olive oil and spices. This extra brining time will increase the impact of the baking soda, resulting in shrimp with an even juicier, snappier texture.
- Add some heat: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the seasoning mix for a more pronounced warmth.
- Swap the citrus: Swap the lemon zest for lime or orange zest to change up the flavor profile.
- Try a different herb: Replace dill with dried Greek oregano, thyme, basil or Italian Seasoning for a different aromatic touch.
- Add a crispy coating: Toss the shrimp in a light dusting of cornstarch before air frying for an extra-crispy exterior.
- Swap the spices: Replace the paprika with smoky ground cumin, a spice blend like ras el hanout, or any other spice that lines up with the dishes you plan to serve with the shrimp.
