Easy Air Fryer Shrimp in Minutes
Air fryer shrimp cook fast and make an easy dinner or appetizer. You can have them on the table in under 10 minutes, which is hard to argue with on a busy night. The air fryer does a nice job with shrimp because it cooks them quickly without much fuss. You get tender shrimp with good flavor and very little cleanup.
This recipe works well when you need a quick main dish, but it also fits party food and shrimp tacos. It is a flexible recipe, which makes it useful. Serve them with a cucumber, onion and vinegar salad for a bright, fresh dinner or lunch.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
- Large shrimp. These are 31/35 shrimp per pound. Select peeled and deveined shrimp to make your preparation easier. I prefer to leave the tails on, but you can do what you prefer. You can use fresh shrimp or frozen shrimp. Pink shrimp the best kind of shrimp and most common and tastiest shrimp. Just don’t expect them to look pink when raw.
- Lemon. Used in both the marinade before air frying and cut into wedges for drizzling on the shrimp when serving.
- Garlic. Freshly minced garlic is used, but minced garlic from a jar works just as well.
- Olive oil. Use oil with a high flash point.
- Old Bay Seasoning. This classic seasoning blend is perfect for air fryer shrimp.
- Spices: celery seed, red chili flakes, kosher salt
How To Make Air Fryer Shrimp
1. Cut the lemon in half. Squeeze juice from one half of the lemon into a large bowl. Cut the remaining half in wedges for serving with the tasty tender shrimp.
2. Combine the minced garlic, oil, Old Bay Seasoning, celery seed, red chili flakes and salt with the lemon juice.
3. Remove any shells and devein the shrimp, if necessary. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels.
4. Toss the shrimp into the bowl of olive oil and seasoning and coat well.
5. Place shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 400°F for 5 to 7 minutes or until the shrimp are pink and transparent.
6. Transfer shrimp to a serving platter and serve with the lemon wedges.
Note: The serving size in this recipe is calculated as a main course serving of 4 ounces per person. If you plan to serve the shrimp as an appetizer, allow for 3 to 4 shrimp per person or about 10 servings.
Tips
- Air fryer brands and models can heat differently, so check the shrimp often for doneness, especially the first time you make this recipe. Shrimp cook very quickly and are easy to overcook.
- The air fryer circulates the hot air, so there is no need to turn the shrimp during cooking.
- Thaw frozen shrimp in the refrigerator overnight. An alternative is to place the shrimp in ice water, changing the water frequently, until thawed. Do not defrost the shrimp in a microwave.
Substitutions
- Use extra large 26/30 count raw shrimp in place of the large shrimp. You may need to add 1 minute or so to the cook time, but visually check the doneness early.
- You can make your own Old Bay Seasoning if you like. This is a wonderful recipe for homemade Old Bay Seasoning plus an amazing list of suggestions of ways to use the seasoning. Even if you don’t make your own Old Bay, make sure to check out all the amazing ways you can use it.
- You can use garlic powder in place of the minced garlic. Use one-quarter of the amount that you would use of fresh garlic.
Variations
Spicy shrimp: Make them Cajun shrimp style with a Cajun seasoning or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to your seasoning mixture.
Lemon pepper: Add an equal amount of lemon pepper seasoning in place of the celery seed.
Italian shrimp: Add Italian seasoning in place of the celery seed for a unique flavor twist.
Storage
- Cooked shrimp can be stored in an airtight container up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- To reheat leftover shrimp, place them in the air fryer at 200 degrees Fahrenheit for about 3 minutes.
FAQs
How long do shrimp take in the air fryer?
Large shrimp usually cook at 400°F in about 5 to 7 minutes. Start checking early because shrimp cook fast.
What temperature should I air fry shrimp at?
400°F is a good temperature for air fryer shrimp. It cooks them quickly and works well for large peeled shrimp.
How do you know when air fryer shrimp are done?
Shrimp are done when they turn firm and opaque instead of translucent. They should not look gray or glassy in the center.
Can you cook frozen shrimp in the air fryer?
Yes, but thawed shrimp usually cook more evenly. For the best texture, thaw them first and pat them dry before seasoning.
Do you need to flip shrimp in the air fryer?
No, not usually. The hot air circulates well, so shrimp can cook evenly without turning.
Why did my air fryer shrimp turn out rubbery?
Shrimp usually turn rubbery when they cook too long. Pull them as soon as they are firm and opaque.
Air Fryer Shrimp Ready in 10 Minutes
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 lemon divided
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tablespoon pure olive oil
- 2 teaspoons Old Bay Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon celery seed
- ½ teaspoon red chili flakes
- Pinch kosher salt
- 1 pound raw large 31/35 count shrimp, peeled and deveined
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
- Cut the lemon in half. From half of the lemon, squeeze 1 tablespoon lemon juice into a medium bowl. Cut the remaining lemon into wedges and set aside.
- Add the minced garlic, oil, Old Bay Seasoning, celery seed, red chili flakes and salt, mixing well. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and add them to the mixture. Toss the shrimp in the seasoning mixture to coat evenly.
- Arrange the shrimp in the air fryer basket. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes or until the shrimp are pink and transparent.
- Transfer shrimp to a serving platter. Serve with the lemon wedges.
Cooks Tips
- Use extra large 26/30 count shrimp in place of the large shrimp. You may need to add 1 to 2 minutes to the cooking time.
- You can make your own Old Bay Seasoning if you like. David Leite has a wonderful recipe for homemade Old Bay plus an amazing list of suggestions of ways to use the seasoning.
