Air Fryer Shrimp

5 from 22 votes
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My favorite air fryer shrimp is ready in 10 minutes—perfectly seasoned, tender, and juicy. Serve it with salads, bowls, or as a main paired with veggies!

Air fried shrimp still in the air fryer basket.

Cooking shrimp can be tricky—it’s easy to undercook or overcook. But with the air fryer, you can enjoy perfectly cooked, juicy shrimp every time. Just press a few buttons, and you’re set!

I’ve shared my favorite seasoning blend for air-frying shrimp (no breading!), but you can get creative and switch up the flavors! Plus, using the air fryer cuts down on fat while keeping all the delicious flavor intact. It’s a win-win for a low-carb, tasty protein—making air fryer shrimp the perfect quick meal for any busy weeknight!

Air fried shirmp topped with parsley and served with a lemon wedge.

Seafood lover? Try these air fryer recipes next: air fryer fish, air fryer cod, and air fryer salmon—so tasty! And for something extra special, my Chilean sea bass is a must-try!

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Watch how to make it

Ingredients

A photo of the ingredients making air fryer shrimp.
  • Shrimp: Use fresh or frozen shrimp, medium or large. For convenience, you can buy fully prepped shrimp.
  • Olive oil: You can also use your favorite cooking oil.
  • Seasoning: My favorite combination is with sweet or smoked paprika, Italian seasoning (or just oregano), garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
  • To garnish: I love to add lemon juice and some fresh parsley.

See the printable recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.

How to cook shrimp in the air fryer

Cooking air fryer shrimp is quick and easy with just a few simple steps.

Prepare the Shrimp: First, if needed, clean the shrimp, removing the shells and veins. You can check out how to peel and devein shrimp for the detailed steps.

Then, pat dry the shrimp with paper towels—this is the best way to have them crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Doing so will also help the oil and seasonings stick to the shrimp during cooking.

A photo of cleaned and prepared shrimp.

At this point, you can preheat your air fryer to 400ºF/200ºC. I like to let mine heat for just a few minutes to make sure the shrimp starts cooking quickly.

Season the shrimp: In a small bowl, mix the spices, then add the oil and mix well.

Then, pour the seasoning over the shrimp in a large bowl. Toss to coat, or use your hands to rub the shrimp with the seasoning on both sides.

A collage of steps for preparing seasoning and coating shrimp.

Air fry: Optionally, you can spray a bit of olive oil on the air fryer basket. Then, arrange the shrimp in the basket. Be careful not to crowd them and keep them in a single layer. If you have a lot of shrimp, work in batches.

Air fry shrimp for 6 minutes at 400ºF/200ºC, flipping halfway through. Large shrimp can take up to 8-9 minutes to fully cook.

A collage of the steps for cooking shrimp in an air fryer.

Recipe tips

  • Pat your shrimp dry for that perfect crispy texture. Getting rid of extra moisture helps the seasoning stick and gives you the best cook.
  • Don’t overcrowd the air fryer. Lay the shrimp in a single layer for even cooking, and cook in batches if you need to.
  • Flip the shrimp halfway to make sure they crisp up nicely on both sides.

What to serve with air fryer shrimp

Air fryer shrimp is delicious on its own, but it pairs perfectly with a variety of dishes. Here are some of my favorite ideas to enjoy alongside it:

Air fried shirmp topped with parsley and served with a lemon wedge and chili sauce.

FAQs

How to know when air fryer shrimp is done?

Before cooking, shrimp have a rather dull grey and white color. When fully cooked, the shrimp will turn a pink/orange color and form a C shape. When pierced with a fork, the cooked shrimp will give a little bit of resistance but still be tender.

Can I use frozen shrimp?

Yes! First, let the frozen shrimp thaw and pat them thoroughly dry. Then, you can follow the same recipe for seasoning and cooking them.

How to store leftovers?

How to store leftovers: To store your leftover air fryer shrimp, let them cool completely, then transfer them to an airtight container. In the fridge, they’ll last for up to 4 days, though they’re best when eaten right after cooking. If you want to freeze them, just make sure to store them in a freezer-safe container after cooling. They’ll stay good for up to 2 months—just be sure to thaw before reheating. When reheating, use the same method as cooking but lower the temperature to avoid overcooking and making them rubbery.

If you try this air fryer shrimp recipe, let me know how it goes in the comments below. I’d appreciate a recipe card rating and would love to see your recipe recreations – tag me on Instagram @Alphafoodie!

10 Minute Air Fryer Shrimp

5 from 22 votes
By: Samira
This air fryer shrimp cooks up in just 10 minutes! Tender, juicy, and perfectly seasoned, it’s perfect as a main with veggies or added to salads and bowls for extra flavor!
Prep Time: 4 minutes
Cook Time: 6 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4

Equipment

Ingredients 
 

  • 1 lb shrimp medium to large
  • 1.5 Tbsp olive oil or grapeseed oil
  • 1/2 tsp sweet paprika or smoked
  • 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • To garnish lemon wedges, sprinkle of fresh parsley

Instructions 

  • If needed, clean the shrimp by removing the shells and veins. Pat dry with paper towels.
  • Preheat the air fryer to 400ºF/200ºC.
  • In a small small bowl, mix the paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Add the olive oil and whisk well.
  • Place the shrimp in a bowl and pour the seasoning over them. Toss to coat, or rub the seasoning on all sides with your hands.
  • Arrange the shrimp in the air fryer basket in a single layer. If needed, cook in batches for the best results.
  • Air fry for 6 minutes at 400ºF/200ºC, flipping once halfway.
    Note that Larger shrimp can take up to 8-9 minutes.
    Once ready, enjoy the air fryer shrimp with a drizzle of lemon juice and a sprinkle of fresh parsley.

Video

Notes

Seasoning options: Other great seasonings include cayenne pepper, Cajun seasoning, allspice, cloves, lemon pepper, nutmeg, and cardamom.
How can you tell if the shrimp is cooked? When fully cooked, the shrimp will turn pink or orange and form a C shape. When pierced with a fork, the cooked shrimp will give a little resistance but still be tender.
Check the blog post for more tips and serving ideas!
Course: Appetizer, Main
Cuisine: American
Freezer friendly: 2 Months
Shelf life: 4 Days

Nutrition

Calories: 147kcal, Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 23g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 0.01g, Cholesterol: 183mg, Sodium: 283mg, Potassium: 316mg, Fiber: 0.3g, Sugar: 0.1g, Vitamin A: 130IU, Vitamin C: 0.04mg, Calcium: 79mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

5 from 22 votes (20 ratings without comment)

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4 Comments

  1. Kent says:

    5 stars
    I followed the recipe and set the fryer for the suggested six minutes but checked them at 5 minutes and they were overcooked circles . Great flavor and easy to prep . I will definitely try again and lower the temp to 350 degrees and check at 4- 5 minutes . These were jumbo shrimp too! I have a Ninja airfryer .

    1. Support @ Alphafoodie says:

      Hi Kent! Thanks for trying out the recipe, and I’m Sorry to hear the shrimp got overcooked. I hope you give it another try. You can indeed lower the temperature a bit, as you suggested. I hope your next batch turns out perfect!

  2. Alexandre Rodrigues says:

    5 stars
    Tudo muito fácil e rápido, adorei esta receita, muito obrigado!!!!!

    1. Support @ Alphafoodie says:

      Thank you so much, Alexandre!