Easy Air Fryer Shrimp
Air frying is a great way to cook shrimp. This easy air fryer shrimp recipe is delicious served with creamy lemon butter sauce for a simple appetizer or easy low carb lunch.
Ingredients
- Shrimp/prawns. I used frozen shrimp. Allow to thaw then peel and devein the shrimp before cooking
- Olive oil/avocado oil.
- Spices: I used smoked paprika, garlic powder and lemon pepper. Other seasonings like onion powder, chilli flakes, cayenne pepper etc. can also be used.
- Salt.
- Butter.
- Fresh garlic cloves.
- Fresh lemon juice.
- Heavy cream/whipping cream.
How to cook shrimp in an air fryer
Place the shrimp/prawns in a large bowl. Drizzle over olive oil and lemon/lime juice then add the paprika, a teaspoon garlic powder, lemon pepper and a 1-2 teaspoon salt. Toss to coat the shrimp in the seasoning then transfer to an air fryer basket in a single layer. If you’re cooking a large amount of shrimp, cook them in batches.
Air fry the shrimp at 200ºC/400ºF for 5-6 minutes (depending on their size) until the shrimp are golden and brown and just cooked.
While the shrimp is cooking, melt the butter in a small saucepan then mince in one garlic clove. Squeeze in the lemon juice then pour in the cream. Season with salt and black pepper and allow to simmer for 5 minutes.
Serve the shrimp with the lemon butter sauce.
How long to cook shrimp in an air fryer
Cook time will depend on the size of shrimp. I prefer cooking shrimp at a high temperature so that they cook quickly before they turn tough or chewy. Large shrimp will take 5-6 minutes air fried at 200ºC/400ºF.
Can I make this ahead?
The shrimp can be seasoned and kept in an airtight container overnight in the fridge before cooking. The sauce can be made ahead but might split once reheated. Add a few tablespoons of water if this happens.
What to serve with air fryer shrimp
I love serving this dish as a simple appetizer or gluten free/low carb lunch however this is a great protein to serve with side dishes for an easy dinner. A crisp salad and roasted potatoes or steamed rice would be a delicious alongside the juicy shrimp. I served the shrimp with lemon butter sauce but garlic butter sauce is always delicious. Air fryer shrimp are also excellent used in tacos served with salsa, avocado and cilantro in flour tortillas or on salads and great for meal prepping ahead.
FAQ
You can air fry frozen shrimp at 400°F/200°C. I always prefer cooking thawed shrimp but to save time, you can cook the shrimp from frozen.
Once the shrimp has curled and is opaque in color, they’re cooked.
You can, but most air fryers have a non-stick coating on the inside so using foil isn’t necessary. It can also effect the air flow in your air fryer basket.
Easy shrimp recipes
Air fryer recipes
Air Fryer Shrimp with Lemon Butter Sauce
Ingredients
- 500 g / 1lb shrimp/prawns peeled and deveined
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp lemon pepper
- 2 tsp salt
For the lemon butter sauce
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1-2 garlic cloves minced
- 2-3 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 cup cream
Instructions
- Place the shrimp/prawns in a large bowl.
- Drizzle over olive oil and lemon juice then add the paprika, lemon pepper, garlic powder and salt.
- Mix well to coat the shrimp in the seasoning then transfer to an air fryer basket. If you're cooking a large amount of shrimp, cook them in batches.
- Air fry the shrimp at 200ºC/400ºF for 5-6 minutes (depending on their size) until the shrimp are golden and brown and just cooked.
- While the shrimp is cooking, melt the butter in a small saucepan then mince in one garlic clove.
- Squeeze in the lemon juice then pour in the cream.
- Season with salt and pepper and allow to simmer for 5 minutes.
- Serve the shrimp with the lemon butter sauce.