Air-Fryer Shrimp: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious

Air fryers are a great way to cook shrimp, which can be a tricky food to get right. They can be easily undercooked or overcooked, but air fryers produce delicious flavours and great textures. It's also a healthier option, as it uses less oil. You can use fresh or frozen shrimp, but you'll need to thaw the frozen shrimp first. You'll also need to peel and devein the shrimp, and pat them dry before cooking. Then, season the shrimp with a mix of spices and oil, and place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry for around five to eight minutes, and serve immediately.

Seasoning: garlic powder, paprika, parsley, salt, and pepper

To make raw shrimp in an air fryer with garlic powder, paprika, parsley, salt, and pepper, you'll need the following ingredients:

• Raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
• Olive oil or vegetable oil
• Garlic powder
• Paprika
• Parsley
• Salt
• Pepper

You can also add lemon juice or lemon wedges to taste.

Here's a step-by-step guide to making this delicious dish:

Step 1: Prepare the Shrimp

Start by preheating your air fryer to 375-400°F. While the air fryer is heating up, prepare your shrimp by patting them dry with paper towels if they are frozen. It's important to remove excess moisture for the best results.

Step 2: Create the Seasoning

In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, parsley, salt, and pepper. You can adjust the amounts of each ingredient to your taste preferences. For a smokier flavour, you can use smoked paprika.

Step 3: Coat the Shrimp

Add the shrimp to the bowl with the seasoning and toss them until they are evenly coated. Make sure each shrimp is well covered for maximum flavour.

Step 4: Arrange the Shrimp in the Air Fryer

Place the shrimp in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding the basket to ensure even cooking. You may need to cook the shrimp in batches.

Step 5: Cook the Shrimp

Cook the shrimp in the air fryer for about 6-10 minutes. Keep an eye on them, as the exact cooking time will depend on the size of your shrimp. The shrimp are done when they turn pink, opaque, and slightly curled.

Step 6: Serve

Once the shrimp are cooked, transfer them to a serving dish. Sprinkle them with fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice, if desired. You can also serve them with lemon wedges on the side.

Enjoy your delicious, crispy, and flavourful air-fried shrimp!

Olive oil: two tablespoons stirred with spices

Olive oil is a key ingredient when making raw shrimp in an air fryer. You'll need two tablespoons of it, stirred with spices, to make sure your shrimp are nice and juicy.

Firstly, you'll want to pat your shrimp dry with a paper towel. Then, add the olive oil and your chosen spices to a bowl and mix. You can use a simple seafood seasoning mix, or make your own with garlic powder, sweet paprika, dried parsley, salt, onion powder, or oregano. You could also add some lemon juice to the mix.

Next, add the shrimp to the bowl and toss until they are completely coated in the olive oil and spice mixture. Make sure each shrimp is well covered.

After this, you can place your shrimp in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overcrowded. You may need to cook them in batches.

Finally, air fry your shrimp for around 5-8 minutes at 400°F. They are ready when they are a pink/orange colour, have formed a ''C' shape, and offer a little resistance when pierced with a fork.

Lemon wedges for serving

Lemon wedges are a great way to add a tangy, fresh flavour to your air-fried shrimp. The sharp citrus notes of the lemon complement the shrimp's natural sweetness, creating a delicious contrast.

Lemon wedges are a simple yet effective way to elevate your dish, and they can be used in several ways. You can squeeze the lemon juice over the shrimp before serving to add a bright, acidic kick to the dish. Alternatively, you can serve the lemon wedges on the side, allowing your guests to add a spritz of lemon to their shrimp as they desire.

Lemon is a versatile ingredient that pairs well with many of the spices used in air-fried shrimp recipes, such as garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, and parsley. The citrus flavour can help to enhance and brighten these spices, creating a more complex and dynamic taste profile.

In addition to its culinary uses, lemon also has some health benefits. It is a good source of vitamin C and antioxidants, which can boost your immune system and improve your overall health.

When preparing lemon wedges for serving, be sure to wash the lemon thoroughly under running water before cutting it into wedges. This will ensure that any dirt or residue is removed, making the lemon safe for consumption.

Lemon wedges are an excellent finishing touch to your air-fried shrimp, adding a burst of freshness and a vibrant pop of colour to your plate.

Air-frying: arrange raw shrimp in a single layer in the basket at 400°F for 5-6 minutes

Air-frying is the best way to cook shrimp, as it only takes a few minutes and produces a delicious flavour and texture. Here is a step-by-step guide to air-frying raw shrimp:

Step 1: Prepare the shrimp

First, you need to clean the shrimp by removing the shells and veins. You can leave the shell on the tail or remove it, depending on your preference and the dish you are making. To devein the shrimp, use a small paring knife to cut along the back of the shrimp where you see the dark black vein. Then, remove the vein with either the tip of your knife or your fingers. Once you have peeled and deveined the shrimp, run each piece under water to remove any unwanted residue.

Step 2: Season the shrimp

Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. This step is important as it helps the oil and seasonings stick to the shrimp during cooking. Next, add your chosen seasonings to a bowl and mix well. You can use a simple seafood seasoning mix or create your own blend. For example, a mixture of garlic powder, sweet paprika, dried parsley and salt works well. Then, add olive oil to the bowl and stir it into the spice mixture. Finally, add the shrimp to the bowl and toss until each one is evenly coated.

Step 3: Arrange the shrimp in the air fryer basket

Arrange the raw shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure they are not overlapping or overcrowded, as this will affect the cooking. If you have a lot of shrimp, you may need to cook them in batches.

Step 4: Air-fry the shrimp

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Once preheated, place the air fryer basket into the air fryer and set the timer for 5-6 minutes. Shake the basket halfway through cooking to ensure the shrimp cook evenly.

Step 5: Serve and enjoy!

Your shrimp will be ready when they are a pink/orange colour and have formed a 'C' shape. They should be slightly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Serve with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and enjoy!

Serving suggestions: tacos, bowls, salads, or as a main dish

There are many ways to serve air-fried shrimp. Here are some suggestions:

Tacos

Add the shrimp to soft or hard-shell tacos, along with salsa, guacamole, and cilantro. You can also season the shrimp with Latin spices, like chili powder and cumin, or use taco seasoning. Lettuce wraps are a great option for those looking to save on carbs.

Bowls

Create a rice bowl by adding the shrimp to a bed of white or brown rice with various toppings such as fresh or roasted veggies, beans, crunchy slaw, and avocado.

Salads

Top any salad with air-fried shrimp for some extra protein. You can also add it to a caesar or Mediterranean chopped salad.

Main Dish

Serve the shrimp with roasted vegetables, such as broccoli rabe, butternut squash, or carrots, or with a carb like roasted potatoes or pasta.

Frequently asked questions