Air Fryer Shrimp cook fast, come out juicy, and only need a handful of pantry spices to make it flavorful. The air fryer gives the shrimp a lightly crisp exterior without overcooking, making it perfect for snacks, appetizers, salads, or tacos. It’s an easy seafood recipe that delivers big flavor in just minutes, and it’s my go-to for fast and easy dinners.
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This is one of my favorite quick weeknight dinners. There’s so much flavor in these shrimp from the dry rub, and you can use any size shrimp you like. Plus, the air fryer cooks them evenly without drying them out. Pair them with rice, load them into tacos, toss them over pasta, or serve them with dipping sauces; once you try them, you’ll want to make them every week.
Ingredients
- Large shrimp – You can use any size shrimp and make it easy on yourself by using easy-peel shrimp or get them already to go.
- Cooking oil – I use vegetable oil for my air frying.
- Garlic powder
- Paprika – For a spicy kick, use smoked spicy paprika.
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Lemon wedges – For serving (optional)
- Chopped parsley – For garnish (optional)
How to Make Air Fryer Shrimp
Scroll down for the full recipe card with exact measurements and printable instructions.
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels, then add them to the bowl and toss until coated. Let the shrimp rest for about 10 minutes so the seasoning sticks well.
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F and allow it to heat for 3–5 minutes. Once the basket is hot, arrange the shrimp in a single layer. Don’t overlap them or they’ll steam instead of crisp; cook in batches if needed. Air fry for 2-3 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to help them cook evenly.
The shrimp are done when they turn pink and opaque with a curled “C” shape. Serve immediately with lemon wedges and fresh parsley.
Chef Jenn’s Tips
- Don’t skip drying the shrimp; moisture prevents browning.
- You can use frozen shrimp, but thaw them first for even cooking.
- If using jumbo shrimp, increase the cooking time by 1–2 minutes.
- For extra flavor, drizzle with melted garlic butter after cooking.
Serving Suggestions
Air fryer shrimp pairs well with rice, quinoa, salads, roasted vegetables, or pasta. You can also serve it as an appetizer with garlic aioli, cocktail sauce, or sweet chili sauce, or add it to tacos and grain bowls.
Storage
Store leftover shrimp in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in the air fryer at 350°F for 2–3 minutes or enjoy cold on salads. Freezing isn’t recommended after cooking because shrimp can become rubbery when reheated.
Air Fryer Seasoned Shrimp
Add Preferred SourceEquipment
- Air fryer
- Tongs
Ingredients
- 1 pound large shrimp peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Optional
- Lemon wedges for serving
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F for 3–5 minutes.
- Mix oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Pat shrimp dry and toss to coat. Let it rest for 10 minutes.
- Arrange shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overlapping.
- Cook at 350°F for 2-3 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to cook evenly.
- Remove once the shrimp are pink and opaque with a curled shape. Serve with lemon wedges and garnish with parsley if desired
Notes
Chef Jenn’s Tips
- Don’t skip drying the shrimp; moisture prevents browning.
- You can use frozen shrimp, but thaw them first for even cooking.
- If using jumbo shrimp, increase the cooking time by 1–2 minutes.
- For extra flavor, drizzle with melted garlic butter after cooking.
Nutrition
A Note on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed.