Hey there! I’m Linda from Microwave Insider, and today I’m gonna show you the easiest way to cook raw shrimp in your Ninja Foodi. Trust me once you try these methods you’ll never want to cook shrimp any other way!
What You’ll Learn in This Guide
- Multiple cooking methods (air frying, steaming, pressure cooking)
- Perfect timing for different shrimp sizes
- Pro tips for seasoning and preparation
- Yummy serving suggestions
Quick Steps for Perfect Shrimp
1. Prep Your Shrimp
Before we start cooking, let’s get those shrimp ready:
- Rinse under cold water
- Peel and devein (unless you bought them already cleaned)
- Pat dry with paper towels
- Season as desired (I’ll share my fave seasonings below!)
2. Choose Your Cooking Method
Air Frying Method (My Personal Fave!)
Temperature: 400°FTime: 6-8 minutesSteps:1. Preheat Ninja Foodi2. Toss shrimp with oil and seasonings3. Place in single layer4. Flip halfway throughSteaming Method
Time: 3-5 minutesSteps:1. Add 1 cup water to pot2. Place shrimp on rack3. Steam until pinkPressure Cooking Method
Time: 2-3 minutesPressure: HighSteps:1. Add 1 cup liquid2. Place shrimp on rack2. Quick release when doneCooking Times by Shrimp Size
| Shrimp Size | Air Fry | Steam | Pressure Cook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 5 min | 3 min | 2 min |
| Medium | 6 min | 4 min | 2 min |
| Large | 7 min | 4 min | 3 min |
| Jumbo | 8 min | 5 min | 3 min |
My Favorite Seasoning Combos
Classic Garlic Butter
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- Salt & pepper
- Squeeze of lemon
Spicy Cajun
- Olive oil
- Cajun seasoning
- Paprika
- Cayenne (if you’re brave!)
Pro Tips from My Kitchen
- Don’t overcrowd! Work in batches if needed
- Look for that pink color – when they’re curled into a loose “C” shape, they’re done
- If they’re in a tight curl, oops! They’re overcooked
- Internal temp should hit 120°F
Storage Tips
Keep your leftover shrimp fresh
- Store in airtight container
- Good for 3 days in fridge
- Reheat using air fry function (2-3 mins at 350°F)
Serving Ideas
We love serving our Ninja Foodi shrimp with:
- Over garlic pasta
- In tacos with slaw
- On rice with stir-fried veggies
- As an appetizer with cocktail sauce
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping the drying step
- Cooking frozen shrimp (thaw first!)
- Using too much oil
- Forgetting to flip during air frying
Final Thoughts
Cooking shrimp in your Ninja Foodi is seriously a game-changer! I use mine at least once a week for quick and healthy dinners. The best part? It’s almost impossible to mess up if you follow these guidelines!
Got questions about cooking shrimp in your Ninja Foodi? Drop them in the comments below – I’d love to help! And don’t forget to check out our other Ninja Foodi recipes while you’re here.
Happy cooking!
Would you like me to explain or break down any part of this article?
How to Make Air Fryer Shrimp
- To cook shrimp in the air fryer, start by preheating your air fryer at 400° F for 5 minutes.
- Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Drying the shrimp well helps the oil and seasonings to stick.
- In a small bowl, stir together the seasonings.
- Brush half of the olive oil over the top sides of the shrimp.
- Sprinkle with half of the seasonings, gently patting the seasoning onto the shrimp.
- Flip the shrimp over and brush oil over the other side, then sprinkle on the remaining seasonings.
- Place the shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer. Air fry at 400° F for 3 minutes. Flip the shrimp over and cook for 1-5 more minutes, until shrimp are cooked through.
Air Fryer Shrimp Recipe Ingredients
Besides the shrimp, the only ingredients you need for this recipe are olive oil and a few pantry seasonings. It doesn’t get any easier than that!
- Shrimp: I used jumbo shrimp, which I bought frozen and thawed before cooking. (See more about cooking frozen shrimp in the air fryer below.) Buying shrimp that’s already peeled and deveined (or easy peel shrimp) will save you time and effort. Be sure to buy raw shrimp, not cooked shrimp.
- Olive Oil: Brushing the shrimp with a small amount of olive oil will help the seasonings to stick.
- Seasonings: I used a Cajun-inspired mix of seasonings. Smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, dried thyme, salt and pepper combine to make a delicious shrimp seasoning. I like using smoked paprika for a touch of spicy, smoky flavor. Feel free to use sweet paprika if you prefer a milder flavor. You can substitute 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning for the individual seasonings in this recipe. Or use your favorite seasoning blend!
Find the full printable recipe with ingredient amounts and instructions in the recipe card below. If you’re just getting started with air frying, read my guide on How to Use an Air Fryer.
Ninja Foodi – Steamed Shrimp
FAQ
How long should you cook raw shrimp in an air fryer?
Mix oil with spices in a medium bowl. Add the shrimp and mix well with the seasoning mixture on both sides to coat. Arrange shrimp in air fryer basket in a single layer, in batches as needed. Air fry 400F for 5 to 6 minutes, shaking the basket halfway.May 22, 2023
How long do you grill shrimp on Ninja Foodi?
Grilling shrimp in a Ninja Foodi Grill typically takes about 3-5 minutes per side, depending on the size of the shrimp and desired level of doneness.
How many minutes do you cook raw shrimp?
Here’s associate food editor Kendra Vaculin’s rule of thumb: Cook medium shrimp for approximately 3 minutes, large shrimp for 4–5 minutes, and jumbo shrimp for 6–7 minutes. As for small shrimp, blink and you could miss it, so don’t walk away. You can buy shrimp either in the shell or peeled.
Do you soak raw shrimp before cooking?
Brine the Shrimp: Soak shrimp in a simple brine (1 tablespoon of salt per cup of water) for 15-30 minutes before cooking. This helps them retain moisture.
How to store Ninja foodi steamed shrimp?
Cilantro lime rice goes so well with shrimp as well, cook the rice while you are waiting for the shrimp to cook. Or make any kind of potato dish, any seafood is delicious with potatoes. Store ninja foodi steamed shrimp in the air tight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Or you can use a bowl covered tightly with foil for storage.
How to cook shrimp in Ninja foodi?
These can also be made in the Ninja Foodi! Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray or line with foil. Add the peppers, onion, and seasoning to the basket. Add a coat of olive oil spray. Mix it all together. Cook at 390 degrees for 12 minutes. Open the lid and add in the shrimp. Apray it again and mix it together.
How do you steam frozen shrimp in a ninja foodi?
Learn the easy steps to perfectly steam shrimp every time (from fresh or frozen!) with this no-fail recipe. Pour water in the Ninja Foodi inner pot. Place a trivet. Press the STEAM button and set for 15 minutes for a frozen shrimp. If cooking from fresh steam for 7 minutes. Do not overcook the shrimp. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Can Ninja foodi steamed shrimp be reheated?
Or make any kind of potato dish, any seafood is delicious with potatoes. Store ninja foodi steamed shrimp in the air tight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Or you can use a bowl covered tightly with foil for storage. Reheat in the microwave or air fryer. You can also reheat the shrimp in ninja foodi, using the air fryer basket.
How long does a ninja foodie steam shrimp?
The Ninja Foodie steams fresh shrimp in only 7 minutes. You close but do not seal the pressure valve, so it is left to vent Therefore the appliance does not need to pressurize and actual cook time is super fast. Can I steam shrimp from frozen? Yes, you absolutely can! Simply increase the cook time to a full 15 minutes for frozen shrimp.
Is Ninja foodi steamed shrimp healthy?
Ninja Foodi steamed shrimp is quick to make and great to serve as a healthy protein with your favorite sides! Learn the easy steps to perfectly steam shrimp every time (from fresh or frozen!) with this no-fail recipe. Plump, tender and tasty shrimp are sure to elevate nearly any meal.