Tiffany Haney
Shrimp scampi is a classic Italian-American dish that is buttery, garlicky, and lemony, with a hint of spice. It is usually cooked in a pan, but it can also be made in an air fryer, which is easier and faster. The air fryer also keeps your kitchen cool while cooking up mouthwatering shrimp. The dish is easy to make and can be served as an appetizer, main course, or snack. It can be served with pasta, crusty bread, or toasted baguette rounds to soak up the scampi sauce.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Shrimp, butter, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, salt, pepper, basil, chives, red pepper, parsley, white wine |
| Equipment | Air fryer, air fryer basket, cake pan or small pan, bowl, wire rack |
| Preparation | Devein shrimp and remove large tails. Pat dry with paper towel. Season shrimp with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, garlic, and other seasonings. |
| Cooking | Place pan in air fryer basket and preheat air fryer to 325°F-400°F for 5-8 minutes. Add remaining ingredients to pan and cook for 2 minutes. Return pan to air fryer and cook for 5-12 minutes, stirring once. Let shrimp rest for 1 minute on a wire rack. |
| Serving | Serve with pasta, crusty bread, or toasted baguette rounds. Can also be served as an appetizer with sauces like hot honey or garlic yogurt. |
| Storage | Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months. |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right shrimp
Size
Large or jumbo shrimp are ideal for shrimp scampi as they tend to be juicier than smaller shrimp. Their larger size also makes them easier to work with and ensures that they don't overcook as easily. However, if you only have access to smaller shrimp, don't worry; you can still use them. Just be sure to reduce the cooking time accordingly, as smaller shrimp will cook more quickly.
Freshness
Whenever possible, opt for wild-caught shrimp, as they tend to have better flavour and colour than farm-raised shrimp. Wild-caught shrimp are also generally considered healthier. If you're using frozen shrimp, be sure to thaw them completely before cooking. It's also important to note that shrimp should be a pink/orange colour when cooked. If they turn grey or start to curl into rounds, they're overcooked.
Preparation
Before cooking, it's important to clean and prepare your shrimp properly. This includes removing the digestive tract, which is especially important for larger shrimp. You may also choose to remove the tails, although some people prefer to leave them on for added flavour and presentation. Deveining the shrimp is also optional but can improve the texture and appearance of the dish.
Cooking Time
The cooking time for shrimp scampi will vary depending on the size of your shrimp and the brand of your air fryer. On average, shrimp scampi takes around 8 minutes to cook in an air fryer, but it's important to keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking. Check your shrimp around the 6-minute mark, and use a cooking thermometer to ensure they're cooked to the safe minimum internal temperature of 145°F.
Spices and Seasonings
To enhance the flavour of your shrimp scampi, you can use various spices and seasonings. Lemon juice, kosher salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and Italian seasoning are all great options. You can also experiment with different types of oil, such as olive oil, avocado oil, or vegetable oil, to add depth to your dish.
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Preparing the shrimp
Once you've chosen your shrimp, it's time to devein them and remove any large tails. This is a personal preference, but leaving some tails on can make for a more attractive presentation. If you're using a recipe that calls for the shells to be left on, simply skip this step. After cleaning and preparing the shrimp, pat them dry with a paper towel. This will help the seasoning stick better and ensure even cooking.
Now it's time to season the shrimp. Place the shrimp in a bowl and add your chosen oil and seasonings. You can use olive oil or any other oil you prefer, such as avocado oil or vegetable oil. For seasonings, you can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or get creative with lemon juice, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and Italian seasoning. Mix well until the shrimp are evenly coated.
At this point, you can also add some breading if you like. Try using panko bread crumbs and/or Parmesan cheese for an extra crispy and cheesy bite. However, this step is completely optional, and the shrimp will taste delicious without it.
Finally, it's time to cook the shrimp. Place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overcrowded. This will ensure even cooking and prevent overdone spots. Set your air fryer to the desired temperature, usually between 370°F to 400°F, and cook for 5-8 minutes, flipping halfway through. The exact cooking time will depend on your air fryer and the size of your shrimp, so keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.
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Preparing the air fryer
After seasoning the shrimp, it's time to prepare the air fryer basket. Line the basket with foil, especially if you have a large air fryer that uses a small baking sheet. Make sure to use foil with edges to contain the scampi sauce. Place the shrimp on top of the foil, and add the remaining ingredients. Slice the butter into several pats and put them on top of the shrimp. Add lemon slices, fresh thyme, parsley, and white wine.
Finally, set the air fryer to the desired temperature and cook time. Most recipes recommend cooking shrimp scampi in an air fryer set between 370°F and 400°F for 5 to 12 minutes, depending on the size of the shrimp and the brand of the air fryer. Remember to flip the shrimp halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking on both sides.
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Cooking the shrimp
To cook shrimp scampi in an air fryer, start by lining the air fryer basket with foil. Place the shrimp on top of the oil and season with salt. Sprinkle garlic over the shrimp, and slice the butter into several pads, placing them on top of the shrimp. Lay lemon slices over the top, and add fresh thyme and parsley. Pour in the white wine, and put the basket into the fryer.
Turn the air fryer to high, at 390°F. You can cook at a temperature anywhere from 375°F to 400°F, but adjust the cooking time accordingly. The shrimp will take 8-12 minutes to cook, but the exact time will depend on the size of your shrimp and the brand of your air fryer. Check the shrimp around the 6-minute mark, and flip them halfway through to ensure they are crisp on both sides. The shrimp are done when they are pink/orange in colour and form a clear 'C' shape.
If you want to add extra seasoning to your shrimp, you can add red pepper flakes, a pinch of cayenne pepper, or smoked paprika. You can also add breading or extra crispiness by sprinkling on some parmesan cheese or panko bread crumbs.
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Serving the shrimp scampi
There are many ways to serve your shrimp scampi. It is often served with pasta, such as linguine, spaghetti, or zucchini noodles. You can also serve it with crusty bread, like toasted baguette rounds, to mop up the delicious scampi sauce.
If you want to bulk out the dish, you can serve it with a side of steamed broccoli or air fryer asparagus, green beans, or smashed potatoes.
If you are serving the shrimp scampi as an appetizer, it can be nice to offer a selection of sauces, such as hot honey sauce, garlic yoghurt sauce, or ketchup.
Finally, don't forget to garnish! Fresh herbs like basil or parsley will add a bright, herbal flavor to the dish.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze leftovers for up to 2 months.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need shrimp, butter, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and red pepper flakes. You can also add basil, chives, and white wine.
It takes around 8 minutes to cook shrimp scampi in an air fryer. However, the cooking time may vary depending on the brand of the air fryer and the size of the shrimp.
Set your air fryer to between 370°F and 400°F when cooking shrimp scampi. Adjust the cooking time accordingly if you deviate from this temperature range.
Yes, you can use frozen shrimp, but make sure to thaw them completely before cooking to ensure even cooking and the best texture.
