Air Fryer Shrimp Recipe Perfect for Busy Nights
This air fryer shrimp recipe makes quick, flavorful seafood for busy nights. It works with fresh or frozen shrimp, so dinner is on the table in under 10 minutes.
You can cook shrimp in the air fryer? Absolutely! The shrimp comes out juicy and perfectly done in only 8 minutes.
Choose large or jumbo shrimp. Smaller shrimp will take less time to cook.
This easy seafood recipe is also low carb, keto, paleo, whole30, gluten free, and dairy free.
Why Use an Air Fryer for Shrimp?
- It’s incredibly easy.
- The shrimp comes out with the perfect texture and is plump and juicy.
- It only takes 8 minutes to cook from fresh.
- Easily cook frozen shrimp – no thawing required. Just pull them out of the freezer and proceed.
- You can cook homemade or store-bought frozen raw shrimp.
- So much faster than baking frozen shrimp in the oven.
- There is minimal cleanup.
What you need for Air Fryer Shrimp
- Shrimp: Buy large or extra large raw shrimp if making them from scratch.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic is best, but you can substitute garlic powder.
- Olive oil: You just need a little. Lightly baste the shrimp.
- Paprika: Optional, but adds a nice color and flavor.
- Lemon juice: Fresh squeezed lemon juice is best, but you can substitute bottled lemon juice.
How to make them
Clean and shrimp. If cooking from frozen, buy fully cleaned and peeled shrimp. You can leave the tails on or remove them. It’s personal preference. Mix oil, garlic, paprika and lemon juice well.
Toss the shrimp in the marinade, ensuring all pieces are well covered.
Arrange the shrimp in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Don’t overcrowd. Air fry for 4 minutes.
Flip the shrimp and air fry for an additional 3-4 minutes.
How do you Know When Shrimp is Done?
- Color: The shrimp should be pink, and the white areas should turn from translucent to opaque.
- Texture: They should be firm and plump
- Temperature: Test with an instant-read thermometer; they should measure 120°F.
NOTE: DO NOT overcook. Shrimp will become dry and/or rubbery if overcooked.
Air Frying Tips & Tricks
- **IMPORTANT!** Air fryers cook at varying degrees and have different wattages, so always consult your owner’s manual before using any of the tips below! Some Air Fryers recommend not using cooking sprays.
- Air fryers cook at different wattages. Therefore, some may take more or less time to cook any recipe. Watch food carefully when first trying a recipe to make sure food doesn’t overcook or burn.
- Preheating the air fryer gives you a crispier outside with little or no added oil.
- Use a non-stick spray instead of oil to control the amount of fat in your food.
- Spray the inside of your air fryer basket with no stick, or wipe it with oil on a paper towel for easy cleanup. Check owners manual first.
- Some foods, such as Air Fryer Doughnuts and Air Fryer Meatballs, need no added oil.
- Line the tray with aluminum foil for easy cleanup. Some air fryer manufacturers suggest using aluminum foil on the lower tray to assist with cleanup. Read your manual carefully before using foil!
- Always spray the rack with non-stick spray for easy cleanup, if it is recommended by the manufacturer.
- Use higher temperatures for quick-cooking foods and lower temperatures for slower food.
- Cut foods in uniform sizes for more even cooking.
If you are a big shrimp fan, don’t miss this creamy cajun shrimp. It’s another quick and easy one-pan dinner. Done in just 20 minutes. This creamy coconut shrimp recipe is delicious and takes just 20 minutes to prepare, too.
Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Shrimp Recipe
These shrimp can be used in a variety of ways that will make a complete meal.
- Top a salad with them to create a light lunch or dinner.
- Serve with rice and vegetables, like this fried rice
- Toss them into in pasta
- Makes a great appetizer. Shrimp cocktail, dip in homemade or store bought cocktail sauce
- Shrimp tacos
- Butterfly shrimp: Butterfly the shrimp before air frying.
- Shrimp salad sandwich
How to Store Leftovers
Cover any leftovers with plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container and store them in the fridge. Leftovers will last 3-4 days. Do not refreeze.
How to Reheat Air Fryer Shrimp
Leftovers can be reheated in the air fryer for about 2 minutes at 400°F. Don’t microwave to reheat. They tend to overcook and become tough. They can also be enjoyed cold.
FAQs
Yes. Just season them and cook about 4 minutes per side at 400°F.
Not at all. Cooking from frozen works well, although you can thaw them in the refrigerator. The timing will vary from frozen. Check them after 2-3 minutes. And then flip and recheck them after 2-3 minutes.
Avoid overcooking and remove them as soon as they turn pink and opaque.
Do not let shrimp marinate more than 5 minutes in the lemon juice, or the acid will start to cook them. If you want to marinate longer, add the lemon juice just before cooking instead.
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
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Enjoy. And have fun cooking!
Incredibly easy Air Fryer Shrimp
Ingredients
- 10 large shrimp
- 1 clove garlic
- 2 tsp Olive Oil
- ½ tsp paprika
- 2 tsp lemon juice, fresh or bottled
Instructions
- Grate garlic into small mixing bowl.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
- Mix olive oil, paprika and lemon juice with garlic.
- Add shrimp. Toss.
- Place shrimp in air fryer basket.
- Air fry shrimp for 4 minutes. Carefully flip and continue to air fry another 4 minutes.
- Serve immediately. Or cool and add to salads or shrimp cocktail.
See all of my favorite tools and gift ideas on my New Amazon Store!Check out Binky's Amazon Store!Notes
- color – should be pink and the white areas should turn from translucent to opaque.
- texture – firm and plump
- temperature– should measure 120°F.
- top a salad with them to create a light lunch or dinner.
- serve with rice and vegetables, like this fried rice
- toss in pasta
- shrimp cocktail
- shrimp salad sandwich
Nutrition
Originally published February 5, 2021. Updated August 19, 2025.
- Recipe Name: Air Fryer Shrimp Recipe Perfect for Busy Nights
- Type: Main Dish, Seafood
- Main Ingredients: Large shrimp, garlic, olive oil, paprika, lemon juice
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 13 minutes
- Serving Size: 4 servings
- Special Diet: Low carb, keto, paleo, Whole30, gluten free, dairy free
Hi Beth,
Could you please tell me how much shrimp and the amounts for the ingredients? I’ve never done shrimp this way and want to be sure I know the amounts are correct.
Thank you.
I’m sorry Susan, I forgot to attach the recipe! It’s there now.