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this Air Fryer Shrimp Recipe Delivers juicy, garlicky results every time! While it’s often easy to overcook them using other methods, cooking shrimp in the air fryer is one of the best ways to get perfect results every time. No more rubber shrimp!like Grilled Shrimp Kebabs or Mexican Shrimp Cocktailyou only need a few minutes of hands-on preparation.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Shrimp Recipe
- Fresh Lemon Garlic Butter
- Tender and juicy (never rubbery!)
- Ultra-fast—ready in less than 10 minutes include Preparation time
- No need for flour, eggs or bread crumbs
- Naturally Low Carb and Gluten Free
Ingredients and Substitutes
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for cooking shrimp in the air fryer, the role each ingredient plays in the recipe, and substitution options.For measurements, see recipe card below.
- shrimp – For best results, make sure to use raw shrimp, not precooked. I use large, raw, peeled and gutted (31-40 shrimp per pound). I recommend leaving the tails on for better flavor and appearance, but you can also use the one with the tails removed if you prefer.
- olive oil – Use any neutral cooking oil you like, even cooking spray.
- lemon juice – Helps tenderize shrimp and retain moisture. Use fresh or bottled.
- seasoning – include garlic powder, smoked paprika, sea saltand Black pepper.

How to Cook Shrimp in the Air Fryer
This section explains how to make air fried shrimp, with detailed step-by-step photos and technical details to help you visualize it.For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see recipe card below.
- Prepare. Preheat air fryer. Pat the shrimp dry.
- season. Place the shrimp in a large bowl and toss with the olive oil and lemon juice. Add garlic powder, smoked paprika, sea salt, and black pepper to a bowl. Mix and apply.


Tip: Avoid marinating shrimp for too long.
If the shrimp are left in the lemon juice for too long, they will start to look like Shrimp Ceviche.
- arrange. Place the shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket, working quickly so the preheated air fryer doesn’t cool down too much.
- chef. Fry the shrimp until pink and opaque. Cook in batches, if necessary, covering cooked shrimp with foil to keep warm.


How long to cook shrimp in the air fryer?
Air frying shrimp may take 2 to 7 minutes (after preheating), depending on their size and your air fryer model. They are done when they are pink and opaque.
Start by preheating the air fryer, then use the table below to estimate approximate cooking times based on shrimp size:
| shrimp size | cooking let’s stop |
|---|---|
| small to medium | 2-3 minutes |
| Big | 3-4 minutes |
| extra large to jumbo | 4-7 minutes |
notes: The time may vary depending on your air fryer (I tried two different ones with a few minutes apart), so I recommend checking every 2 minutes.
Can You Cook Frozen Shrimp in the Air Fryer?
Yes, you can freeze shrimp in the air fryer. For raw frozen shrimp, follow the same air fryer shrimp recipe below, just cook for about 8-11 minutes, until the shrimp are warmed through and opaque. If your frozen shrimp is already cooked, 4-5 minutes should be enough.
storage instructions
- shop: The best way to store leftover air fried shrimp is to store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Reheat: Serve refrigerated (e.g. in Shrimp Avocado Salad!), or reheat the shrimp in the air fryer for 1-3 minutes. Be careful not to overheat or they will harden.
- freeze: Cool air fried shrimp completely and store in a freezer safe container for up to 4 weeks. Frozen shrimp can be reheated in the air fryer (without thawing), although they won’t be as firm.

Foods to Serve with Air Fryer Shrimp Recipe
Air fried shrimp is perfect with so many recipes! Try some of these pairing ideas:
- sauce – Dunk Shrimp Sugar-free braised, Lemon Butter Sauce, Sugar Free BBQ Sauceor Lemony Aioli.
- Spaghetti – toss with your favorite pasta and sauces!For a healthier choice, pair with Roasted Spaghetti Squash, Shirataki noodlesor make a plate Shrimp with zoo.
- salad – add the prawns Green Goddess Salad, Shrimp Avocado Salador mango salad.
- rice – Serve the shrimp with your favorite rice (or riced vegetables).I love them Cauliflower Fried Rice!
- Shrimp Tacos – Fill your favorite tacos with air fried shrimp, salsa sauceavocado or avocadoshredded cheese, red onion, Taco Saladand cilantro.
Healthier Shrimp Recipes
Shrimp is the perfect protein for a quick weeknight meal!if you like this Air Fryer Recipesyou will also like these dishes:
Air Fryer Shrimp (8 minutes total!)
This air fryer shrimp recipe is succulent, easy, and quick! Made with simple ingredients like shrimp, olive oil, lemon, and spices.
Prepare: 5 minute
chef: 3 minute
all: 8 minute
Serving Size: 4 (adjust according to recipe)
raw material
Click on the underlined ingredients to see where to get them. Please turn off Safari reader mode to view ingredients.
instruct
Click a time in the instructions below to start the kitchen timer while you cook.
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warm up Air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius).
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Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels.
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In a large bowl, toss shrimp with olive oil and lemon juice.
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Season the shrimp with garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper. Mix to coat evenly.
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Working quickly so that the preheated air fryer does not cool down too much, place the shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket. (You may need to cook in batches if that doesn’t fit. I usually only need one batch of medium or large shrimp, or two batches of small shrimp.)
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Cook the shrimp in the air fryer until pink and opaque.On average, small to medium shrimp 2-3 minutesprawn take 3-4 minutesand jumbo to jumbo shrimp 4-7 minutes. This may vary depending on your air fryer (I tried two different ones, a few minutes apart) so I suggest you check every once in a while 2 minutes.
recipe notes
serving size: 1/4 pound shrimp, or 1/4 entire recipe
nutrient content
Amount per serving. Serving sizes in recipe instructions above.
calories 84.5
fat 1.2 grams
protein 15.6 grams
total carbohydrates 2 grams
net carbs 1.8 grams
fiber 0.2 grams
sugar 0.3 grams
Nutrition facts are provided politely. Questions about calculations or why are you getting different results?Please see our nutrition policy.
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