Air-Fryer Shrimp Scampi: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

Shrimp scampi is a classic dish that's easy to make in an air fryer. The air fryer method keeps your kitchen cool while cooking up mouthwatering shrimp. With just a few simple ingredients, this recipe is a cinch to whip up, leaving you more time to enjoy the garlicky, buttery flavors. You can serve the shrimp with crusty bread or toss it with cooked linguine.

Preparing the ingredients

Firstly, gather your ingredients. You will need shrimp, butter or ghee, fresh lemon, garlic, red pepper flakes, chicken broth or dry white wine, fresh basil, and fresh chives. You can also prepare some additional ingredients like olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste. If you plan to serve it with pasta, ensure you have your preferred type of pasta on hand as well.

For the shrimp, you will need about 1 pound, and it is recommended to use shrimp that are peeled and deveined. Leaving the tails on is optional, but they can add a nice presentation to the dish.

Next, prepare your aromatics. Mince or thinly slice the garlic cloves. You will need about 1 tablespoon of minced garlic or 3 cloves sliced. Finely chop the fresh basil and chives. You will need 2 tablespoons of each, plus more for sprinkling or garnishing if desired. You can also add some fresh thyme sprigs for extra flavor.

For the lemon, you will need about 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice, and you can adjust the amount to your taste preferences. You can also use lemon zest or slice the lemon into thin wedges for serving on the side.

Now, measure out the remaining ingredients. Gather 4 tablespoons of butter or ghee, 2 teaspoons of red pepper flakes, and 2 tablespoons of chicken broth or dry white wine. If using butter, cut it into tablespoon-sized pieces or slice it into pats.

Finally, prepare any additional ingredients you may want to use. For example, if serving with pasta, cook the desired amount according to the package instructions. You can also prepare some crusty bread or toasted baguette rounds to soak up the delicious scampi sauce.

With all your ingredients prepared, you are now ready to start cooking your Air Fryer Shrimp Scampi!

Cooking the sauce

To make the sauce for your shrimp scampi in an air fryer, you'll need to first prepare your air fryer and gather your ingredients. Preheat your air fryer to between 325°F and 400°F, depending on your model. You'll need a 7- or 8-inch round baking pan or cake pan that fits in the basket of your air fryer. For the sauce, gather butter, lemon juice, garlic, and red pepper flakes.

Once your air fryer is preheated, carefully remove the pan and add the butter, lemon juice, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Place the pan back in the air fryer and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring once, until the butter has melted. This step is important as it infuses the butter with the garlic flavor, which gives the dish its distinctive taste.

After the butter has melted, carefully remove the pan from the air fryer and add the remaining ingredients: shrimp, chicken broth or white wine, basil, and chives. Stir the ingredients gently until they are well combined.

Return the pan to the air fryer and cook for an additional 5 minutes, stirring once. When the shrimp is cooked, thoroughly stir the mixture and let it rest for a minute on a wire rack. This allows the shrimp to cook perfectly in the residual heat and prevents overcooking.

Finally, give the shrimp mixture one last stir, sprinkle with additional chopped fresh basil, and serve. Your shrimp scampi is now ready to be enjoyed!

Adding the shrimp

Now it's time to add the shrimp to your air fryer. If you're using frozen shrimp, make sure you've thawed them completely before cooking. You'll want to peel and devein the shrimp first, and you can choose to leave the tails on or off, depending on your preference.

Line your air fryer basket with foil. If you have a large air fryer with a small baking sheet, use that and line it with foil, making sure to use a sheet with edges to contain the sauce.

Add a tablespoon of olive oil to the foil-lined basket, then place the shrimp on top. Season the shrimp with salt and sprinkle minced garlic over them.

Slice butter into several pats and put them on top of the shrimp. You can also melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl or skillet first, then add the garlic, lemon juice, and salt before pouring the mixture over the shrimp.

Lay lemon slices over the shrimp, followed by fresh thyme and parsley.

Pour in some white wine, then place the basket into the air fryer.

Cooking the shrimp

Turn the air fryer to high. Most recipes recommend cooking the shrimp at around 375°F to 400°F for 8 to 12 minutes. However, you may need to adjust the temperature and cooking time based on your air fryer and the size of your shrimp.

Cook until the shrimp reach an internal temperature of at least 120°F for ideal texture and to prevent dryness. The FDA recommends an internal temperature of 145°F.

Once the shrimp are cooked, give the mixture a thorough stir and let it rest for a minute on a wire rack. This allows the shrimp to cook in the residual heat and prevents overcooking.

Serving the shrimp

Your shrimp scampi is now ready to serve! You can serve it as an appetizer or with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce. It also goes well with cooked linguine or zucchini noodles. For a more filling meal, try serving it with air fryer smashed potatoes, asparagus, or green beans on the side.

Cooking the shrimp

The first step in cooking shrimp scampi in an air fryer is to prepare the ingredients. This includes peeling and deveining the shrimp, chopping the garlic, and slicing the lemons. Some recipes also suggest lining the air fryer basket with foil.

Next, place a baking pan inside the air fryer basket. The size of the pan may vary depending on the size of your air fryer; a 7-inch or 8-inch round baking pan is commonly used. Preheat the air fryer with the pan inside to a temperature between 325°F and 400°F for about 5 to 8 minutes. This step helps the butter melt faster once added to the pan.

After preheating, carefully remove the pan from the air fryer and add the butter, lemon juice, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Place the pan back into the air fryer and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring once, until the butter has melted. This step is crucial as it infuses the butter with the garlic flavor, enhancing the taste of the dish.

Now it's time to add the shrimp. Carefully remove the pan from the air fryer again and add the shrimp, along with the broth, basil, and chives. Gently stir the ingredients until they are well combined. Return the pan to the air fryer and cook for approximately 5 minutes, stirring once during the cooking process.

Once the shrimp are cooked, thoroughly stir the shrimp mixture and let it rest for about 1 minute on a wire rack. This step ensures the shrimp cooks evenly in the residual heat and prevents overcooking, which can result in a rubbery texture.

Finally, give the shrimp mixture one last stir, sprinkle with additional chopped fresh basil, and it's ready to be served!

Serving suggestions

Shrimp scampi is a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions to make the most of your air-fried shrimp scampi:

Pasta

One popular way to serve shrimp scampi is over pasta. You can use a variety of pasta shapes such as linguine, spaghetti, or campanelle. Simply cook the pasta according to the package instructions and toss it with the shrimp scampi. You can also add some extra virgin olive oil, chopped fresh parsley, and a squeeze of lemon juice to the pasta for added flavour.

Bread

If you're looking for a simpler option, you can serve the shrimp scampi with crusty bread. This can be a great way to soak up all the delicious garlic butter sauce. You can also serve it with toasted baguette rounds or air fryer smashed potatoes on the side for dunking.

Vegetables

For a lighter option, you can serve the shrimp scampi with vegetables such as asparagus, green beans, or zucchini noodles. This can be a delicious and healthy alternative to pasta.

Appetizer or Snack

The shrimp scampi can also be served as an appetizer or snack. You can provide some toothpicks and serve the shrimp as bite-sized appetizers. They can be a tasty and elegant addition to your next party or gathering.

Customizations

The great thing about shrimp scampi is that it can be customized to your taste preferences. If you like it spicy, you can add some red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper. You can also add different seasonings such as chili powder, smoked paprika, or cumin. Additionally, you can add dried herbs like parsley, thyme, or tarragon to enhance the flavour.

Storing and Reheating

If you have any leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can use the air fryer at a lower temperature (around 300°F) or heat the shrimp scampi in a pan on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent overcooking.

Frequently asked questions