Air Fryer Shrimp
These Air Fryer Shrimp are easy to make and absolutely irresistible. They’re lightly crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with flavor. Enjoy these on their own with tartar sauce or cocktail sauce – or stuffed into tacos, or atop a salad or grits!
The Best Air Fryer Shrimp Recipe
If you’re looking for an easy, quick, and delicious way to cook shrimp, Air Fryer Shrimp is it. These seasoned shrimp are made with 5 ingredients in less than 15 minutes!
Succulent shrimp are seasoned super simply with fresh garlic and Old Bay seasoning, and then cooked quickly in the air fryer until tender on the inside, and lightly crispy on the outside.
Once I realized just how easy it is to make a platter of delicious shrimp, this has been on repeat. The shrimp are perfect for an appetizer or light meal with tartar sauce or cocktail sauce, but they also make a flavorful addition to pasta dishes, salads, and even grits!
(If you’re looking for more easy shrimp recipes, be sure to try baked shrimp mac and cheese, sriracha garlic shrimp toast, and shrimp tempura, too!)
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Shrimp
Why is this air fryer shrimp on my current favorites list? Here are a few reasons:
- Super flavorful. Old Bay seasoning is always great but I think this cooking method makes it taste even better!
- Quick and easy to make. This recipe is ready in 15 minutes! If you need dinner or an appetizer on the table ASAP, this air fryer shrimp is just the thing.
- Minimal clean-up. You’ll just need to wash the bowl you toss the shrimp and seasonings in, plus the air fryer basket.
- Crispy without much oil. These shrimp turn out lightly crispy without being fried in a large pot of oil.
Recipe Ingredients
You only need 5 ingredients to make yummy seasoned shrimp in the air fryer. Besides the shrimp, everything’s a pantry staple. (To find exact ingredient amounts or the full set of directions, check out the recipe card below!)
- Shrimp – I’m using jumbo-sized (21-25 count) raw shrimp in this recipe. Keep in mind that you’ll need to adjust the cooking time if you use bigger/smaller shrimp.
- Olive oil – Olive oil helps the shrimp crisp up in the air fryer, plus it helps the seasoning stick to the shrimp.
- Garlic – Garlic pairs well with shrimp and I use quite a bit of it in this recipe. Grate the garlic on a microplane (rather than mincing it), to make sure the garlic evenly coats the shrimp.
- Salt – Salt seasons the shrimp so it tastes perfect. Use kosher or sea salt.
- Old Bay – Old Bay is a classic seafood seasoning mix – it’s an easy, delicious way to add a little spice and an earthy, almost floral, flavor.
Can I Use Different Seasoning?
I love the flavor of Old Bay shrimp, it’s just so versatile and classic. But, yes, of course, you can switch up the seasoning if you prefer! Try taco seasoning, cajun seasoning, Italian seasoning, or whatever your favorite seasoning is on your air fryer shrimp.
Can I Use Frozen Shrimp?
For the most juicy and tender results, I really recommend using fresh raw shrimp. That said, frozen raw shrimp will totally work here. Simply thaw the shrimp, remove any excess moisture, and then follow the recipe as written.
How to Cook Shrimp in the Air Fryer
This is one of the easiest shrimp recipes you’ll ever make. It’s ready in less than 15 minutes!
- Prepare the shrimp. Dry the shrimp with a paper towel. Then, toss it with olive oil, grated garlic, salt, and Old Bay.
- Air fry the shrimp. Place the shrimp in a single layer and cook it for 8-10 minutes. The shrimp should be firm and pink/white in color, no longer opaque.
- Enjoy. Enjoy immediately with homemade tartar sauce or cocktail sauce, or add them to other dishes!
Tips for Success
This old bay air fryer shrimp comes together very easily, but here are a few tips to ensure the best shrimp experience possible.
- Use raw shrimp. While many recipes can sub in pre-cooked shrimp, this one does require raw shrimp for the most tender, succulent eating.
- Make sure to dry the shrimp. For the oil and seasoning to stick to the shrimp, it’s important to pat the shrimp dry first.
- Do I need to flip the shrimp? Since the air fryer circulates the air, I do not find it necessary to flip the shrimp in the middle of cooking.
- How do you know when shrimp is done? Shrimp is done when it has a firm texture and is no longer translucent. It should turn from somewhat “see-through” looking to white and/or pink.
- Cook the shrimp in multiple batches if needed. The shrimp need to be in a single layer in the air fryer basket, so you may need to do two or three batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
Frequently Asked Questions
I find that 8-10 minutes is perfect for cooking raw shrimp in the air fryer. The time can vary though, depending on the air fryer, so make sure that your shrimp is pink and firm before you pull it out. I also recommend checking your shrimp at 8 minutes just to make sure that you don’t overcook it.
I like to keep it simple and just season my shrimp with Old Bay Seasoning and garlic, but you can definitely go with your own blend of flavors as well! Popular options for seasoning shrimp include paprika, chili powder, oregano, parsley, and of course, salt and pepper. (Citrus is also a great choice!)
Serving Suggestions
There are many ways to serve these air fryer shrimp! Here are some of my favorite choices:
- Dips or sauces. You can serve air fryer shrimp with tartar sauce or cocktail sauce as an appetizer – it’s a classic combination that everyone will love!
- Salad. Toss your shrimp into a salad for a nice light lunch or dinner.
- Tacos. You can also use the shrimp to make shrimp tacos or taco bowls.
- Rice and veggies. Or, serve them as the main course of a larger meal, with rice and roasted veggies.
- Pasta. They’d also make a great addition to pasta, especially garlic pasta or alfredo!
Basically, you can add them to any dish you’d normally add shrimp to, or make them the star of the show!
How to Store & Reheat Leftovers
If you end up with some leftover shrimp, be sure to save it to enjoy later!
- To store. Store leftover shrimp in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- To reheat. Note that shrimp has a tendency to become rubbery when reheated. I recommend reheating them quickly in the air fryer for the best results, or minimally in the microwave or in a hot skillet on the stovetop. Or, just enjoy them cold in salads and wraps!
Can I Freeze Air Fryer Shrimp?
Sure! Once completely cooled, you can freeze your shrimp in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Remember to let it thaw in the fridge overnight before you reheat it!
More Shrimp Recipes
Looking for some more shrimp dinner and appetizer ideas? I’ve got you covered!
- Shrimp Ceviche
- Camarones a la Diabla – deliciously spicy!!
- Grilled Shrimp Cocktail
- Margarita Grilled Shrimp Kebabs
- Shrimp & Corn Chowder
- Shrimp Dip
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Air Fryer Shrimp
Ingredients
- 1 pound jumbo 21-25 count raw shrimp, peeled and deveined (see notes)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh garlic about 4 medium-size cloves
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
- Fresh lemon wedges and chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel and place them in a large bowl.
- Add the olive oil, grated garlic, salt, and Old Bay. Toss to evenly coat the shrimp.
- Place the shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook at 400° F for 8-10 minutes, or just until the shrimp are firm and opaque (shrimp will not have the translucent appearance, they will turn white/pink in color). You may need to cook the shrimp in batches depending on the size of your air fryer basket.
- Enjoy these shrimp with my homemade tartar sauce or cocktail sauce for dipping!
Notes
- Yield. Serves 6 as an appetizer and 4 as an entree.
- To store. Store leftover shrimp in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- To reheat. Note that shrimp has a tendency to become rubbery when reheated. I recommend reheating them quickly in the air fryer for the best results, or minimally in the microwave or in a hot skillet on the stovetop. Or, just enjoy them cold in salads and wraps!
- To freeze. Once completely cooled, you can freeze your shrimp in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Remember to let it thaw in the fridge overnight before you reheat it!
Nutrition Information:
