This shrimp in the air fryer only takes 8 minutes to make and always comes out tender and juicy. It only needs a few simple ingredients and goes well with a lot of different dishes.
Who loves using their air fryer for everything? I’ve been making main meals for my family with it, mostly seafood. Our favorites include air fryer salmon, air fryer tilapia, and now, juicy shrimp.
You see, shrimp can be hard to work with because they are so easy to overcook or undercook. Not like deep-frying, pan-frying, or baking shrimp, though, my air fryer shrimp recipe always makes the shellfish perfectly cooked. Table of Contents.
Air fryers have become one of the most popular kitchen appliances in recent years. Their ability to make crispy foods like fries and chicken wings with little to no oil is revolutionary. But can these mini convection ovens also be used to cook tender, juicy shrimp? The short answer is yes!
Cooking shrimp in the air fryer is quick easy, and results in perfectly cooked shrimp every time. In this detailed guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to make delicious air fryer shrimp recipes at home.
Benefits of Cooking Shrimp in an Air Fryer
There are several advantages to preparing shrimp in an air fryer rather than oven baking, pan frying or grilling them
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Quick cooking time – Shrimp cooks fast in an air fryer, usually taking only 5-8 minutes. This makes it ideal for weeknight meals when you need dinner on the table fast.
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Even cooking – The circulating hot air surrounds the shrimp on all sides, preventing any over or undercooked spots.
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Perfectly crisp exterior – The high heat of the air fryer gives the shrimp a crispy, crunchy outer layer.
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Retains moisture – Unlike oven baking which can dry out shrimp, the short cook time in the air fryer keeps the shrimp tender and juicy inside.
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Minimal mess – With no simmering pots or sizzling pans, cooking shrimp in the air fryer contains the mess.
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Healthy – No need for loads of butter or oil to fry shrimp. Air fryer shrimp is cooked in just a small amount of oil.
With all those benefits, it’s easy to see why cooking shrimp in the air fryer is a great idea!
Air Fryer Shrimp Tips and Tricks
Follow these simple tips and tricks for foolproof air fryer shrimp every time:
1. Choose the Right Shrimp Size
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Opt for medium or large shrimp. Extra large shrimp may not cook evenly.
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Avoid using small shrimp which can overcook quickly.
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For the most even cooking, choose shrimp that are similar in size.
2. Peel and Devein Shrimp
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It’s best to buy shrimp with shells already removed.
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If shells are on, peel them off before cooking. Leaving shells on can cause them to burn.
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Use a paring knife to slice along the shrimp back and remove the digestive tract.
3. Pat Shrimp Dry
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Always pat shrimp dry with paper towels before cooking.
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Extra moisture on the surface can cause steaming instead of frying.
4. Season Shrimp Lightly
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A simple sprinkle of salt, pepper and spices is all you need.
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Avoid overly wet shrimp marinades which can make the coating soggy.
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Let any wet marinade fully dry before cooking shrimp.
5. Use a Light Coating
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A light coating helps the seasonings stick without heavy batter.
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Try cooking spray, oil, melted butter or dry breadcrumbs.
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Heavier batters like beer batter don’t work as well in the air fryer.
6. Arrange Shrimp in a Single Layer
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Overcrowding causes uneven cooking.
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Arrange shrimp in a single layer without overlapping.
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Cook in batches for larger amounts of shrimp.
7. Set Air Fryer to 400°F
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The high heat helps crisp the shrimp outer layer.
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Adjust time for larger or smaller shrimp sizes.
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Some air fryer models require preheating before adding food.
8. Flip Shrimp Halfway Through
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Flipping the shrimp prevents one side from overcooking.
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Use tongs to carefully flip small batches of shrimp.
9. Don’t Overcook the Shrimp
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Cook just until the shrimp turn opaque in color.
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Shrimp overcooks quickly, so watch the cooking time.
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Undercooked is better than overcooked when in doubt.
Follow those simple shrimp air fryer tips and you’ll have tender, lightly crisped shrimp in minutes!
5 Simple Air Fryer Shrimp Recipes
Here are 5 delicious shrimp air fryer recipes to try making at home:
1. Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp
Give your shrimp a spicy crunch with this 15-minute bang bang shrimp. Toss shrimp in mayo, breadcrumbs and cajun seasoning before air frying until golden brown. Serve with bang bang sauce for dipping. The mayo helps the breading adhere while keeping the shrimp juicy.
2. Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp
Escape to the tropics with this coconut shrimp made right in the air fryer. Dip shrimp in coconut milk then toasted coconut before frying for 8 minutes. The coconut coating gets crispy while the shrimp stays tender and moist inside. Serve with a tangy mango dipping sauce.
3. Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Shrimp
This easy 5-ingredient shrimp recipe is ready in less than 15 minutes. Toss shrimp with olive oil, lemon pepper seasoning, lemon zest and juice before air frying. The citrus flavors pair perfectly with the crispy shrimp.
4. Air Fryer Cajun Shrimp
For Quick cajun shrimp, coat shrimp in cajun seasoning, paprika and garlic powder before air frying. Cook 5 minutes, flip and cook 3 minutes more. Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving. Pair with dirty rice for a fast cajun meal.
5. Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos
Your new go-to taco night recipe is here! Season shrimp with taco seasoning, oil and lime juice then cook in the air fryer for 6 minutes. Warm tortillas while cooking then fill with the shrimp, shredded cabbage, avocado and cotija cheese for instant tacos.
Common Air Fryer Shrimp Problems and How to Avoid Them
While cooking shrimp in the air fryer is fairly foolproof, you may encounter an issue now and then. Here’s how to troubleshoot the most common problems:
Shrimp are dry and overcooked – This happens when shrimp are cooked too long. Use the minimum recommended cook time and check frequently for doneness.
Breading falls off the shrimp – Make sure shrimp are dry before breading and press the breading onto the shrimp firmly so it adheres.
Shrimp sticks to the air fryer basket – Coat basket very lightly with oil spray before adding shrimp. Don’t overload the basket either.
Shrimp near edges are too dark – Partway through cooking, toss or flip all the shrimp around to promote even cooking.
Shrimp are unevenly cooked – Arrange shrimp in a single layer without overlapping to prevent uneven cooking.
Shrimp are not crispy enough – Increase the air fryer temperature to 400°F. Let any wet marinade fully dry before cooking.
Follow the tips in this guide and you’ll be making restaurant-quality crispy air fryer shrimp in no time!
Frequently Asked Questions About Cooking Shrimp in an Air Fryer
If you’re new to making air fryer shrimp, chances are you still have some questions. Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions:
How long do you cook shrimp in an air fryer?
Cook time can vary slightly based on size, but medium shrimp take 5-6 minutes while large shrimp take 6-8 minutes. Always set the air fryer to 400°F when cooking shrimp.
Can you put frozen shrimp in an air fryer?
Yes, you can cook frozen shrimp straight from the freezer in an air fryer. Add 1-2 minutes to the cook time and cook in smaller batches to allow the shrimp to thaw.
Should you flip shrimp halfway through air frying?
It’s recommended to flip or toss shrimp halfway during cooking to prevent the underside from overcooking. Use tongs to carefully flip a small batch at a time.
Do you need oil to cook shrimp in an air fryer?
You only need a small amount of oil – about 1-2 tsp for a pound of shrimp. This helps the seasoning stick to the shrimp. You can also mist the shrimp with cooking spray.
What is the best way to bread shrimp for the air fryer?
Lighter breading like panko crumbs, crushed cornflakes or flour works best. Avoid thick pasty batters which can block airflow. Let any wet batter or marinade fully dry before frying.
Can I reheat leftover air fryer shrimp?
Yes, leftover air fried shrimp can be refrigerated for 2-3 days and reheated in the air fryer at 400°F for 1-2 minutes until hot. They won’t get as crispy reheated but still taste delicious.
Recipe tips and variations
- Do not put too many shrimp in the air fryer at once, or the shrimp will not cook evenly and some sides will be done too early. Instead, cook the shrimp one layer at a time and in groups.
- If you flip the shrimp over halfway through, both sides will be crispy.
- Some fun seasonings to try are lemon pepper, Cajun seasoning, and old bay seasoning. They will change the taste and spices.
- Sprinkle panko bread crumbs and/or parmesan cheese on top if you want to bread it or make it extra crispy.
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. You can put the cooked shrimp in my shrimp salad or on top of your favorite greens.
- Shrimp sandwich. As a quick and easy way to satisfy my craving for a shrimp burger, I often make myself a sandwich with cold shrimp, spicy mayo, lettuce, and tomatoes.
- Shrimp tacos. Put the shrimp, salsa, and guacamole on soft or hard shell tacos. You can also add the shrimp to my shrimp fajitas and save a lot of work.
- Shrimp pasta. Add air-fried shrimp to your favorite pasta or use shrimp that has already been cooked in a pesto pasta.
- Sauces. This shrimp is great as an appetizer or party dish with fun sauces like hot honey sauce, garlic yogurt sauce (shown), or ketchup if I’m not making it for dinner.
To store: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
If you want to freeze leftovers, put them in a ziplock bag and freeze them for up to two months.
Thaw the food, then put it on a baking sheet or in the air fryer basket to heat it up and make it crispy.
While shrimp may look dull and gray before cooking, it’s very easy to tell when it’s fully cooked. The shrimp should be pink/orange in color and form a clear ‘C’ shape.
Yes, frozen shrimp will work, but you need to make sure it’s been thawed completely. Once it has, I recommend using a paper towel to mop up any excess moisture.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Easy to make. Only a few simple spices and shrimp are what I use most of the time. I don’t bread the shrimp (but try air fryer coconut shrimp if you do want breading).
- Healthy. Being air-fried means that there is less oil used, so this dish is a healthier option than fried shrimp. It’s also low carb and gluten-free.
- Ready in 10 minutes. In less than 10 minutes, you can make the whole recipe (plus 8 minutes of cooking time!).
- Juicy every single time. There is a secret ingredient in this recipe that will make sure the shrimp is juicy and tender.
By the way, if you love fast shrimp recipes, try blackened shrimp and sauteed shrimp.
Besides the shrimp, you should have the remaining ingredients in your pantry! Here is what you’ll need:
- Shrimp: Jumbo or large shrimp work best because they are naturally more juicy than small ones. You can use small ones instead, though; just cut down on the cooking time. Also, take out the veins and big tails if you need to. Some tails are fine.
- Olive oil is my favorite, but any oil will do, even avocado or vegetable oil.
- To season the food, you’ll need pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, lemon juice, and Italian seasoning.
- You can use cooking spray instead, but make sure to spray the air fryer basket first before adding the shrimp.
Find the printable recipe with measurements below.