Air-Fryer Shrimp: The Perfect Timing For Succulent Seafood

Air fryers are a great way to cook shrimp, producing a delicious flavour and texture with minimal effort and oil. But how long do you need to put shrimp in the air fryer for? Well, it depends on the size of the shrimp and the model of the air fryer, but generally, it takes between 4 and 10 minutes to cook shrimp in an air fryer. For example, one source recommends cooking medium-sized shrimp for 6 minutes, whereas larger shrimp may take 8-9 minutes. Another source recommends cooking shrimp for 4 to 5 minutes at 390 degrees F.

How to cook shrimp in an air fryer

Ingredients

Depending on your taste and preference, you can use a variety of seasonings and spices to flavour your shrimp. Here are some common ingredients:

• Shrimp (fresh or frozen)
• Olive oil (or avocado oil, vegetable oil, or grapeseed oil)
• Lemon juice
• Spices (garlic powder, sweet or smoked paprika, dried parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, onion powder, cayenne pepper, Cajun seasoning, allspice, cloves, lemon pepper, nutmeg, cardamom, oregano)
• Breadcrumbs (optional)
• Eggs (optional)
• Parmesan (optional)

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 400ºF/200ºC.
• Clean and devein the shrimp, removing the shells and veins. Pat them dry with paper towels.
• In a separate bowl, make your shrimp seasoning blend by mixing the spices, then add the oil and mix well.
• Coat the shrimp with the seasoning by placing them in a bowl and pouring the blend over them. Mix or toss to completely coat the shrimp. Alternatively, you can rub or brush the seasoning on both sides of each shrimp.
• Arrange the shrimp in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they don't overlap. If you have a lot of shrimp, work in batches.
• Air fry the shrimp for 5 to 9 minutes, depending on their size and your air fryer model. There is no need to turn them while cooking.
• The shrimp are done when they turn pink/orange and form a 'C' shape. You can also check by piercing them with a fork—they should offer a little resistance but still be tender.

Tips

• If using frozen shrimp, let them thaw completely and pat them dry before cooking.
• Do not overcrowd the air fryer to ensure even cooking.
• Flipping the shrimp halfway through will make them crisp on both sides.
• For extra crispiness, sprinkle some panko breadcrumbs and/or Parmesan cheese on the shrimp.

How long to air fry shrimp

Air fryer shrimp is a quick and easy meal to make, and it's healthy too, using little oil. It's also versatile, as you can add your own choice of spices and seasonings.

This depends on the size of the shrimp and the type of air fryer you're using. As a general rule, the air fryer should be preheated to 400ºF/200ºC. Then, for jumbo shrimp, cook for 5-6 minutes for jumbo shrimp, and 7-9 minutes for large shrimp. You may need to adjust the cooking time depending on your air fryer model.

How to Cook Shrimp in an Air Fryer

First, clean the shrimp, removing the shells and veins, and pat dry with paper towels. Then, in a separate bowl, mix your chosen spices and oil, and rub or brush the shrimp with the mixture on both sides. Place the shrimp in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they don't overlap. There is no need to turn the shrimp while cooking.

How to Know When Shrimp is Done

When raw, shrimp is a dull grey and white colour. When it is cooked, it will be pink/orange and form a 'C' shape. If it has closed into a circle, it is overcooked. When pierced with a fork, the shrimp should offer a little resistance but still feel tender.

Air fryer shrimp recipes

Air Fryer Shrimp

Shrimp is a great option for a quick and easy weeknight meal. It can be cooked in an air fryer in under 10 minutes and is very versatile, making it perfect for bowls, salads, or as a main served with veggies.

Ingredients:

• Shrimp (fresh or frozen)
• Olive oil
• Spices (garlic powder, sweet paprika, dried parsley, salt, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, etc.)
• Lemon wedges for serving

Instructions:

• Peel and devein the shrimp.
• Combine spices with olive oil and mix well.
• Add the shrimp to the spice mixture and coat well.
• Arrange the shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
• Air fry at 400°F for 5-8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
• Serve immediately with lemon wedges.

Air Fryer Breaded Shrimp

This recipe uses a double dip method, dipping the shrimp in an egg wash and then into a breadcrumb mixture. The breadcrumbs are seasoned with herbs and Parmesan cheese, giving the shrimp a delicious crispy coating.

Ingredients:

• Shrimp (fresh or frozen)
• Olive oil
• Lemon (zest and juice)
• Spices (garlic powder, dried parsley, dried oregano, salt, pepper)
• Egg
• Breadcrumbs (Italian seasoned whole wheat breadcrumbs or panko)
• Parmesan cheese
• Nonstick cooking spray

Instructions:

• Pat the shrimp dry and place in a large bowl.
• Add olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, and spices to the shrimp and toss to combine. Let sit for 15 minutes at room temperature or refrigerate for up to 1 hour.
• In a separate dish, stir together breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese.
• Beat an egg in another dish.
• Dip each shrimp into the egg, then into the breadcrumb mixture.
• Place the shrimp in the air fryer basket in a single layer and coat with nonstick spray.
• Air fry at 390 degrees F for 2 minutes, then flip the shrimp and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.

Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp

For an extra crispy and indulgent treat, try making air fryer coconut shrimp. This recipe uses a similar method as the breaded shrimp, but with a coconut and panko breading.

Ingredients:

• Shrimp (fresh or jumbo)
• Olive oil
• Spices (garlic powder, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, etc.)
• Panko breadcrumbs
• Shredded coconut
• Egg

Instructions:

• Combine the panko breadcrumbs and shredded coconut in a bowl.
• Whisk the egg in a separate bowl.
• Dip the shrimp in the egg, then coat with the breading mixture.
• Air fry at 400°F for 6-8 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.

Air Fryer Garlic Butter Shrimp

For a more savory option, try making garlic butter shrimp in your air fryer. This recipe uses a simple butter sauce made with garlic, lemon juice, and parsley to create a delicious and flavorful dish.

Ingredients:

• Shrimp (fresh or frozen)
• Butter
• Garlic
• Lemon juice
• Fresh parsley

Instructions:

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
• Clean and pat dry the shrimp.
• Melt the butter and mix with minced garlic, lemon juice, and chopped parsley.
• Toss the shrimp in the garlic butter sauce.
• Place the shrimp in the air fryer basket and cook for 6-8 minutes, or until cooked through.

Air fryer shrimp seasoning

Air fryer shrimp is a quick and easy meal that can be ready in under 10 minutes. It's a healthy alternative to traditionally fried shrimp, using little oil and no breading. The key to getting juicy shrimp is to not overcook them.

Ingredients

• Shrimp: Large or jumbo shrimp are juicier, but you can use small shrimp and reduce the cooking time.
• Oil: Olive oil, avocado oil, vegetable oil, or grapeseed oil.
• Seasonings: Garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, black pepper, lemon juice, and/or dried parsley.

Instructions

• Clean the shrimp by removing the shells and veins.
• Pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel.
• Mix the oil and seasonings in a bowl.
• Add the shrimp to the bowl and toss to coat, or brush the shrimp with the seasoning mixture.
• Arrange the shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
• Air fry at 400°F for 5 to 8 minutes, depending on the size of the shrimp and your air fryer. Flip the shrimp halfway through for even cooking.
• Serve immediately with your favourite sides.

Tips

• Do not overcrowd the air fryer. Cook the shrimp in batches if needed.
• Change up the seasonings to suit your taste. Try Cajun seasoning, lemon pepper, or Old Bay seasoning.
• For extra crispiness, sprinkle the shrimp with panko breadcrumbs and/or Parmesan cheese before cooking.

Air fryer shrimp cooking times

Air fryer shrimp is a quick and easy meal to make, and a great alternative to deep-fried, pan-fried, or baked shrimp. The cooking time depends on the size of the shrimp and the brand of the air fryer. Here is a guide to help you get perfectly cooked shrimp every time.

Preparation

Before cooking, clean the shrimp by removing the shells and veins. Pat them dry with paper towels. This will help the oil and seasonings stick to the shrimp during cooking. You can also buy fresh or frozen shrimp that is already peeled and deveined to save time. If you use frozen shrimp, make sure to thaw it before adding the spices.

Spices and Seasonings

You can use a variety of spices and seasonings on your shrimp. Some people just use a squeeze of lemon juice and oil, while others like to add spices such as garlic powder, sweet or smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. You can also experiment with other seasonings like cayenne pepper, Cajun seasoning, allspice, cloves, lemon pepper, nutmeg, and cardamom.

Cooking Time

For large or jumbo shrimp, air fry at 400°F/200°C for 7-8 minutes. Smaller shrimp will cook faster, so adjust the cooking time accordingly. Check the shrimp around the 6-minute mark to ensure they don't overcook. There's no need to turn the shrimp while they're cooking.

How to Know When Shrimp is Done

When fully cooked, the shrimp will be pink/orange in color and form a clear 'C' shape. If the shrimp has closed in on itself and looks like a circle, it's overcooked. When pierced with a fork, the cooked shrimp will give a little bit of resistance but still be tender.

Storing and Reheating

Allow your air-fried shrimp to cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze cooked shrimp for up to 2 months. To reheat, put the shrimp on a baking sheet or in the air fryer basket and cook at a lower temperature to avoid overcooking.

Frequently asked questions