Hey there! I’m super excited to share my tried-and-tested tips for cooking pre-cooked shrimp in an air fryer. After experimenting countless times in my kitchen, I’ve figured out the perfect timing and temperature to get those shrimp just right. Let me break it down for ya!
Quick Answer: Cook pre-cooked shrimp in the air fryer at 380°F-400°F for 2-3 minutes for thawed shrimp, or 3-5 minutes if cooking from frozen. That’s it – super quick and easy!
Why You’ll Love Air Frying Pre-Cooked Shrimp
Listen, I totally get it – sometimes you just want something quick and tasty without much fuss. Here’s why air frying pre-cooked shrimp is gonna be your new favorite method
- Super quick – just 2-3 minutes cooking time
- Way better texture than microwaving
- Uses barely any oil
- Creates a slightly crispy exterior
- Keeps the inside tender and juicy
- Perfect for busy weeknights
What You’ll Need
Basic Ingredients:
- Pre-cooked jumbo shrimp (frozen or thawed)
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- Your favorite seasonings (I’ll share mine below!)
My Go-To Seasoning Mix:
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Equipment:
- Air fryer
- Mixing bowl or freezer bag
- Measuring spoons
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
If Using Thawed Shrimp:
- Mix your seasonings in a small bowl
- Place shrimp in a freezer bag with oil and seasonings
- Massage the bag to coat evenly
- Arrange shrimp in a single layer in air fryer basket
- Cook at 400°F for 2-3 minutes
If Using Frozen Shrimp:
- Pre-cook frozen shrimp for 1 minute at 400°F
- Drain any water
- Season and oil as above
- Cook for additional 2-3 minutes
Pro Tips from My Kitchen
After messing up plenty of batches (so you don’t have to!), here’s what I’ve learned:
- Don’t overcrowd – cook in batches if needed
- Single layer is key – helps them cook evenly
- Pat them dry first if using thawed shrimp
- Want extra flavor? Marinate for 15-30 minutes before cooking
- Watch closely – they can go from perfect to rubbery real quick!
Common Problems & Solutions
Help! My Shrimp Turned Out Rubbery
This usually means they’re overcooked. Remember, we’re just reheating pre-cooked shrimp, not cooking them from raw. Stick to 2-3 minutes max for thawed shrimp.
They’re Not Crispy Enough
Try these fixes:
- Make sure they’re really dry before cooking
- Give them a light spray of oil
- Don’t overlap them in the basket
Serving Suggestions
OMG, there’s so many ways to enjoy these! Here’s what I love doing with mine:
- Toss in garlic butter for quick scampi
- Add to pasta dishes
- Top salads
- Make quick tacos
- Serve with cocktail sauce as an app
Storage Tips
- Fridge: Store leftovers up to 3-4 days
- Freezer: Don’t refreeze already cooked shrimp
- Reheating: Pop back in air fryer for 1-2 minutes at 400°F
Final Thoughts
Y’all air frying pre-cooked shrimp is seriously one of the easiest things you can do in the kitchen. It’s my go-to method when I need something quick but still want it to taste amazing. Just remember high heat short time, and don’t overcook!
Happy cooking! ✨
Note: Cooking times might vary slightly depending on your air fryer model and the size of your shrimp. Always check for doneness at the minimum suggested time and adjust as needed.
Why I love this recipe
Cooking shrimp in the Air Fryer is for sure my new favorite way to cook shrimp for many reasons!
- Shrimp cooks SO fast in the Air Fryer – like in minutes – making this the perfect easy appetizer idea or an easy weeknight dinner.
- No need to buy tasteless, rubbery shrimp cocktail from the store when you can make it yourself for less money.
- This juicy shrimp is perfectly seasoned with simple, pantry ingredients.
- It’s delicious alone, on a salad, on your favorite pasta, or dipped in your favorite cocktail sauce.
- The garlic butter sauce is the perfect way to elevate to this delicious shrimp for a party, but it’s super tasty even without it!
- This healthy dish is a great way to add protein to any meal or holiday spread.
A complete list of ingredients and exact measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
For the Shrimp
- 1 pound raw shrimp – large, peeled and deveined, but tail on. You can use fresh shrimp or previously frozen shrimp, but for best results, thaw first.
- cooking spray – I use avocado oil spray, but extra-virgin olive oil spray works great, too
- kosher salt or your favorite coarse salt
- paprika or smoked paprika
- garlic powder
- zest of one lemon
- fresh herbs for garnish
Garlic Butter Sauce
- butter (I used dairy free)
- splash of fresh lemon juice
- 1 clove of sliced fresh garlic
How to Make Shrimp in the Air Fryer
- Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees. Pat shrimp dry with clean paper towels.
- Spray shrimp generously with avocado oil spray, then coat well with salt and seasonings.
- Place shrimp in the hot air fryer basket in a single layer and cook 3-4 minutes per side, shaking the basket or flipping halfway through cook time.
- While your shrimp is air frying, melt butter in a small microwave safe bowl. Add in garlic slices and lemon juice. Let flavors meld together while the shrimp is cooking. Before drizzling over shrimp, remove the garlic slices (or not if you love garlic!)
- After shrimp is fully cooked, transfer to a serving platter, then drizzle with garlic butter sauce. Finish with lemon zest and fresh herbs for color.
I love this irresistible shrimp recipe as written, but feel free to season it in different ways to suit your taste!
- For a little spice, add some chili powder to the mix
- Switch it up with Lemon pepper or Italian Seasoning
- For a little crunch, sprinkle on some seasoned panko or gluten free panko breadcrumbs
- For a Maryland spin, shake on some old bay seasoning
- Dip in in some cocktail sauce or your favorite sauce (I see you, yum-yum sauce)
Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp NO THAW! Ready in Less Than 10 Minutes
FAQ
How long do you cook pre-cooked shrimp?
How to tell if shrimp is done in an air fryer?
Check for doneness: The shrimp should be opaque, pink, and form a loose “C” shape (not a tight “O”). If using an instant-read thermometer, the internal temperature should reach 145°F in the meatiest part. Since cooking times can vary by air fryer model, check for doneness at 4 minutes to prevent overcooking.
How long to cook shrimp in air fryer at 400 reddit?
What size shrimp? The cook time or temp seems high, I cook frozen jumbo shrimp at 8 minutes 400 degrees.