Air Fryer Shrimp

This air fryer shrimp takes just 8 minutes to make and turns out perfectly tender and juicy every single time! Minimal ingredients and perfect to add to a plethora of dishes.

Who loves using their air fryer for anything and everything? I’ve been using it to make my family’s main meals, especially seafood. Our favorites include air fryer salmon, air fryer tilapia, and now, juicy shrimp.

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 you’ll 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 do want breading, try 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.

By the way, if you love fast shrimp recipes, try blackened shrimp and sauteed shrimp.

Ingredients needed 

Besides the shrimp, you should have the remaining ingredients in your pantry! Here is what you’ll need:

• 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- You’ll need lemon juice, kosher salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and Italian seasoning.
• Cooking spray– Optional, but to spray the air fryer basket before adding the shrimp.

Find the printable recipe with measurements below.

How to cook shrimp in the air fryer 

Pat dry the shrimp: Pat dry the shrimp with a paper towel.

Season the shrimp: Add the shrimp to a bowl, add the olive oil and seasonings, and mix until the shrimp is covered.

Cook in the air fryer: Air fry the shrimp for 7-8 minutes at 200C/400F.

Serve: Serve the shrimp immediately.

Ideal cooking time

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).

Recipe tips and variations

• Do not overcrowd the air fryer otherwise the shrimp won’t 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.

Serving suggestions

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 through some freshly air fried shrimp through your favorite pasta or use the pre-cooked shrimp in a 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.

Storage instructions

To store: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container.

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