Air-Fried Garlic Shrimp: A Quick, Tasty Treat

Garlic shrimp is a quick and easy meal that can be made in an air fryer in under 15 minutes. The shrimp can be cooked from frozen and is a versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer, with pasta, or on a salad.

How to make garlic butter sauce for shrimp

This garlic butter sauce for shrimp is easy to make and only requires a few simple steps. Here is a detailed guide on how to prepare it:

Ingredients:

• Butter
• Garlic
• Olive Oil (optional)
• Salt and Pepper (to taste)
• Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
• Fresh Herbs (optional)

Instructions:

• Melt the desired amount of butter in a bowl suitable for holding the shrimp. The amount of butter will depend on the quantity of shrimp you are preparing.
• Mince the garlic cloves and chop the fresh herbs, if using. You can use a variety of herbs such as parsley, chives, or thyme.
• Add the minced garlic and chopped herbs to the melted butter. If using olive oil, add it at this step as well. Mix the ingredients together until well combined.
• Add the shrimp to the bowl and season with salt and pepper, or other seasonings of your choice. Toss the shrimp in the garlic butter mixture until they are evenly coated.
• Use a slotted spoon or tongs to transfer the shrimp from the butter mixture to your air fryer basket. Reserve the remaining butter mixture for later.
• Cook the shrimp in the air fryer according to your preferred method and temperature settings. Most recipes recommend cooking shrimp in the air fryer for around 8-10 minutes at temperatures between 320-400°F.
• When the shrimp are almost done cooking, about 4 minutes remaining, add the remaining butter mixture to the shrimp in the air fryer. This will enhance the flavor and create a richer sauce.
• Once the shrimp are cooked to your desired level of doneness, transfer them to a serving bowl or plate. Pour any leftover butter mixture from the air fryer basket over the shrimp.
• Serve the garlic butter shrimp with your choice of sides or accompaniments. They can be served as an appetizer, over rice or pasta, or even as a snack.

Feel free to adjust the quantities of the ingredients to suit your taste preferences and the number of shrimp you are preparing. This garlic butter sauce is a delicious way to enhance the flavor of shrimp and can be easily customized to your liking.

How to defrost shrimp

There are several ways to defrost shrimp, each varying in the time required. However, it is important to note that shrimp should never be left at room temperature as this can cause bacteria to develop.

Refrigerator Thawing:

This method requires some planning ahead. Place the shrimp in the refrigerator 12-24 hours before cooking, depending on their size and quantity. This method is recommended to achieve optimal texture, taste, and freshness.

Cold Water Thawing:

If you are tight on time, you can defrost shrimp using cold water. Fill a large bowl with cold water and place the shrimp in a sealed plastic bag. Make sure the bag is fully submerged, changing the water every 30 minutes. Shrimp will typically defrost in about 1-2 hours using this method.

Cold Water Quick Thawing:

For a faster option, place the shrimp in a colander and run cold water on them for 5-10 minutes. You can also place the shrimp in a bowl of cold water, ensuring the water is changed every 30 minutes to maintain a safe temperature.

Do Not Use Warm or Hot Water:

It is important to always use cold water when defrosting shrimp. Warm or hot water can raise the temperature of the shrimp to the "danger zone", promoting bacterial growth and affecting their texture.

How to cook shrimp in the air fryer

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make garlic shrimp in an air fryer:

• Shrimp (fresh or frozen)
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder
• Minced garlic
• Lemon juice
• Butter
• Red pepper flakes (optional)
• Fresh parsley (optional)

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Prepare the Shrimp

• If using frozen shrimp, make sure to defrost them first. Place the frozen shrimp in a colander and run under cool water until they are completely thawed.
• Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels.
• Place the shrimp in a large bowl.

Step 2: Coat the Shrimp

Add olive oil, salt, garlic powder, onion powder (if using), and black pepper to the bowl with the shrimp. Toss to coat the shrimp evenly.

Step 3: Preheat the Air Fryer

• Preheat your air fryer to 400° Fahrenheit.
• Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray to prevent sticking.

Step 4: Cook the Shrimp

• Place the shrimp in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overlapping.
• Air fry for 6-10 minutes, or until the shrimp are pink, curled, and opaque.
• If you are cooking a large batch, you may need to cook the shrimp in batches to ensure even cooking.

Step 5: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce

• While the shrimp are cooking, melt butter in a small skillet or saucepan over medium-low heat.
• Add minced garlic to the melted butter and cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
• Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, red pepper flakes, and fresh parsley.

Step 6: Combine and Serve

• Drizzle the garlic butter sauce over the cooked shrimp.
• Serve the shrimp with a wedge of lemon and your choice of sides, such as rice, salad, or roasted vegetables.

Tips:

• It is best to use fresh garlic in the sauce for the best flavor.
• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the shrimp in batches if needed.
• Preheating the air fryer ensures that the proper temperature is reached and helps the shrimp cook evenly.
• Cooking time may vary depending on the size of the shrimp. Adjust the time as needed.
• Any leftover shrimp and garlic butter can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.

How to tell if shrimp is cooked

When cooking shrimp, it is important to know when they are done to avoid overcooking or undercooking. Here are some signs to look for to determine if your shrimp are cooked just right:

• Visual cues: Undercooked shrimp will appear grey and translucent, with uncurled tails. Perfectly cooked shrimp will be opaque and have a colour ranging from pink, orange, or red, with tails that curl slightly into a C-shape. Overcooked shrimp will be a solid white-pink colour, with their tails completely curled into a tight circle.
• Firmness: Raw shrimp will be soft and squishy, while cooked shrimp will be firm to the touch.
• Thermometer: Although not always reliable due to the small size of shrimp, a meat thermometer can be used to check the internal temperature. The safe internal temperature for cooked shrimp is 145°F (63°C).
• Curl: The curl of the shrimp can be a rough guide to doneness. Shrimp start with a natural C-shape. Aim for a U-shape for slightly undercooked (as they will continue to cook after removed from heat), and a C-shape for perfectly cooked. Overcooked shrimp will curl into an O-shape.
• Opacity: Raw shrimp are translucent, while cooked shrimp will be opaque white with some pink or red accents.
• Colour: Raw shrimp will turn from grey to red or pink when cooked. Once they start losing their opacity and turn bright pink, they are almost done.

Remember that carryover cooking will continue to cook the shrimp even after they are removed from the heat, so it is best to take them off the heat just before they are fully opaque.

What to serve with garlic shrimp

Garlic shrimp is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of sides. Here are some ideas to accompany your air-fried garlic shrimp:

Salads

A fresh, tangy salad can complement the richness of garlic shrimp. Try a simple arugula salad or a citrusy salad with a vinaigrette dressing. If you want something more substantial, a Greek salad with feta cheese and olives or a black bean and corn salad would be a great choice.

Rice

Rice is a great option to soak up all the garlic butter sauce. You can serve the shrimp over a scoop of plain rice or try something more flavourful like dill rice or Haitian black rice. For a tropical twist, cook basmati or jasmine rice in a mix of chicken broth and coconut milk, and toss in some mangoes and pistachios.

Pasta

Pasta is another option to soak up all that delicious garlic butter. Angel hair pasta is light and airy and goes well with shrimp. You could also try cilantro lime rice or a pesto sauce with gnocchi.

Breads

French bread or garlic bread are great for mopping up any leftover sauce.

Vegetables

There are several vegetable sides that go well with garlic shrimp. Try roasted asparagus, broccoli, or mini potatoes. You could also serve sauteed peppers and onions, or Parmesan Brussels sprouts.

Other Sides

Other sides that would go well with garlic shrimp include polenta, macaroni salad, or a classic Caesar salad or coleslaw.

Frequently asked questions