Love cooking seafood in the air fryer? Try my air fryer salmon, air fryer tilapia, air fryer cod, and air fryer scallops next. I love using my air fryer to whip up main meals for my family, and shrimp is a firm favorite. See, shrimp can typically be quite finicky to work with because they are so easy to undercook and overcook. However, compared to deep frying, pan frying, or baking shrimp, my air fryer shrimp recipe guarantees perfectly cooked shellfish every single time.
Why I love this recipe
Easy to make. Besides the shrimp itself, I typically only use a few simple spices to let the shellfish shine and no breading (but if you do want breading, try my air fryer coconut shrimp). Healthy. Air frying foods use little oil, which makes this dish a healthy alternative to traditionally fried shrimp. It’s also low carb and gluten-free. Ready in 10 minutes. From prep to plate, the entire recipe takes less than 10 minutes to make (8 minutes cooking time!). Juicy every single time. I’ve included a secret ingredient that guarantees the shrimp turns out perfectly juicy and tender.
Ingredients needed
Shrimp. Large or jumbo shrimp work best, because they are naturally juicier than smaller ones. However, you can always use small ones and just reduce the cooking time. Also, if you need to, devein them and remove large tails (some tails are fine). Olive oil. My preferred oil, but any oil works, including avocado oil or vegetable oil. Seasonings. I’m using lemon juice, kosher salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and Italian seasoning. Cooking spray. It is optional, but spray the air fryer basket before adding the shrimp.
How to cook shrimp in the air fryer
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post. “My family loved this and asked me to put it on our meal rotation, which is a big deal in our house.” – Wendy
Arman’s recipe tips
Do not overcrowd the air fryer; otherwise, the shrimp will not cook evenly, and certain sides will be overdone. Instead, cook the shrimp in a single layer and in batches. Flipping the shrimp halfway through ensures they are crisp on both sides. Change up the flavor and spices with some fun seasonings, like lemon pepper, Cajun seasoning, and old bay seasoning. If you want some breading or extra crispiness, sprinkle some panko bread crumbs and/or parmesan cheese.
Storage instructions
To store: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container. The average cooking time is 8 minutes. However, it depends on the brand of the air fryer and how large the shrimp are. I use my favorite Phillips air fryer, which fits quite a large air fryer basket, so it cooks perfectly by the 7-minute mark. If yours is larger, it will be a little shorter (check it around the 6-minute mark). While delicious on its own, air fried shrimp is delicious to use in a plethora of ways. Here are some of my favorites-
Shrimp salad. Use the cooked shrimp in my shrimp salad or over your favorite greens. Shrimp sandwich. An easy way to satisfy a shrimp burger craving, I often make a sandwich for myself using cold shrimp, along with a generous slathering of spicy mayo, lettuce, and tomatoes. Shrimp tacos. Add the shrimp to soft or hard shell tacos, along with salsa and guacamole. You can also add the shrimp to my shrimp fajitas and save most of the effort there. Shrimp pasta. Toss some fresh air-fried shrimp through your favorite pasta, or use the pre-cooked shrimp in a shrimp pesto pasta. Sauces. If I’m not serving this shrimp as a dinner, it’s fabulous as an appetizer or party dish with some fun sauces, like hot honey sauce, garlic yogurt sauce (pictured), or ketchup.
To freeze: Place leftovers in a ziplock bag and store it in the freezer for up to 2 months. Reheating: Thaw and then put on the baking sheet or in the air fryer basket to reheat until crispy.
Frequently asked questions
More air fryer favorites to try
Air Fryer chicken wings Air fryer pork chops Air fryer chicken breast Air fryer chicken thighs
