Air Fryer Shrimp (or Prawns)

Perfect for busy weeknights, elegant dinners, or a quick snack, this air fryer shrimp recipe is incredibly quick and easy to make, and adaptable to suit various tastes and dietary preferences.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• It’s really easy – this recipe is hands-down the best way to air fry shrimp, whether you’re a total beginner or a seasoned air frying pro.
• It’s quick – this recipe is perfect for those short on time, as it requires minimal prep work, and the shrimp cooks to perfection in the air fryer in just a few minutes.
• It’s adaptable – the basic recipe is a fantastic way of cooking shrimp, but you can also easily customize it to your personal tastes with different seasonings and sauces.

Scroll down for the printable card for this air fryer shrimp recipe, or read on for all the details.

What do you need?

Full ingredients list and quantities are given in the recipe card below.

Shrimp/ Prawns

This recipe uses peeled, deveined raw shrimp. However, you can also use prawns (see note below for more details).

I used large shrimp (31/40) for this recipe, but you could also use jumbo shrimp (the cooking times will be slightly longer).

You can use frozen shrimp (or prawns), but you will have to thaw it first. Keep the shrimp chilled until you are ready to cook, as they are highly perishable.

Oil

The recipe below uses light olive oil, which is my usual cooking oil when air frying. You can substitute another liquid cooking oil if you like, but be sure to choose one with a high smoke point, like corn oil, vegetable oil, or avocado oil.

Seasoning

This recipe uses a simple seasoning mix made from paprika, garlic powder, salt and black pepper. But you can make some additions to customize the recipe to your taste.

Try using smoked paprika for a smoky wood-grilled flavor, or adding ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper or chili powder to make spicy shrimp. Alternatively, you could substitute lemon pepper seasoning or another favorite spice blend.

How to cook shrimp in an air fryer

This recipe is very simple to make, there are just a few key steps to getting it just right:

1. Dry the shrimp. The shrimp have to be dry before cooking to get the crisp golden edges in the short time they take to air fry. This is especially important if using thawed frozen prawns.
2. Season the shrimp right before cooking. If the shrimp sit for long in the seasoning it can draw some of the moisture out of them making them less juicy, so season them just before you are ready to air fry.

3. Preheat the air fryer, and air fry hot. Because the cook time is short, you will want the air fryer to be up to temperature before adding the shrimp.
4. Don’t overcrowd. Place the shrimp in the air fryer basket in a single layer, and try not to overcrowd the basket. The air needs to be able to circulate around the shrimp so that they cook evenly, and can start to get crispy before becoming overcooked.
5. Air fry shrimp for 8-10 minutes, but keep a close eye on them! Shrimp are easy to overcook, so it is best to check on them regularly close to the end of the cooking time to get them just right.

How long to cook shrimp in the air fryer?

When air frying shrimp, it’s important to remember that the cooking time will vary depending on the size of the shrimp and the power of your air fryer.

Generally, medium-sized shrimp will take about 6-8 minutes, large shrimp may take 8-10 minutes, and jumbo shrimp will take 10-12 minutes. However, always keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking, as shrimp cook quickly and can become rubbery if overdone.

To ensure the shrimp are cooked safely and to the proper doneness, use an instant-read thermometer to check their internal temperature. The USDA recommends an internal temperature of 145°F / 63°C for seafood.

Serving ideas

I like to serve these shrimp as an appetizer, smothered with lemon garlic butter sauce or garlic butter.

But, air-fried shrimp are incredibly versatile, and there are countless ways to serve and enjoy them. Here are a few serving ideas to inspire you:

1. Shrimp tacos: Fill warm corn or flour tortillas with the air-fried shrimp, a zesty slaw, and a dollop of creamy avocado sauce for a delicious spin on shrimp tacos.
2. Surf and turf: Pair the air-fried shrimp with a perfectly cooked steak or grilled chicken breast for a delicious and satisfying surf and turf meal.
3. Shrimp pasta: Stir the shrimp into your favorite pasta dish, like linguine with garlic and white wine sauce, for a quick and delicious weeknight dinner.
4. Salad: Toss the air-fried shrimp with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and your favorite dressing for a light and satisfying salad.
5. Shrimp cocktail: Arrange the air-fried shrimp on a bed of crisp iceberg lettuce and smother them in a tangy cocktail sauce for a refreshing and classic appetizer.

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