Crispy Air Fryer Shrimp (Quick & Easy)
No deep frying, no greasy mess — just your trusty air fryer doing its magic. If you love seafood and quick meals that taste like something you’d order at a beachside restaurant, this air fryer shrimp recipe is about to be your new best friend.
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Mixing Bowl
- Tongs
- Measuring spoons
- Paper Towels
- Serving Plate or Tray
Ingredients
For the Shrimp
- 1 lb large shrimp peeled and deveined (tails on or off)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional, for heat
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
For Serving (Optional)
- Fresh lemon wedges
- Chopped parsley
- Dipping sauce cocktail, spicy mayo, or garlic butter
Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Shrimp
- Rinse the shrimp under cold water and pat them completely dry with paper towels.
- Make sure they’re peeled and deveined (tails can be left on for presentation or removed if preferred).
- Pro Tip:
- Dry shrimp = crispy shrimp. Any excess moisture will steam them instead of crisping them up.
Step 2: Season the Shrimp
- In a large mixing bowl, add the shrimp.
- Drizzle the olive oil over them and toss gently to coat.
- Sprinkle in the garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne (if using).
- Add the lemon juice last and toss everything together until the shrimp are evenly coated.
- Pro Tip:
- Use your hands or tongs to really mix the seasoning into every nook and cranny for bold flavor in every bite.
Step 3: Preheat the Air Fryer
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3–5 minutes.
- Pro Tip:
- Preheating helps the shrimp start crisping up right away instead of slowly warming up.
Step 4: Arrange the Shrimp
- Place the shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Make sure they aren’t overlapping — you may need to cook in two batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Pro Tip:
- No overcrowding! Proper airflow is what gives them that golden, crispy finish.
Step 5: Cook the Shrimp
- Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 6–8 minutes total.
- Shake the basket or flip the shrimp halfway through (around the 3–4 minute mark).
- Pro Tip:
- Shrimp cook quickly! As soon as they turn pink and opaque with curled edges, they’re done. Overcooking will make them rubbery.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
- Remove shrimp from the air fryer and transfer to a serving plate.
- Garnish with chopped parsley and fresh lemon wedges, if desired.
- Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce, toss into a salad, or tuck into tacos!
Notes
Estimated Nutritional Value
- Calories: ~160
- Protein: ~22g
- Fat: ~6g
- Carbohydrates: ~2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 0g
- Cholesterol: ~190mg
- Sodium: ~500mg (varies based on salt and seasoning blends)
The nutritional information provided on this website is an estimate only and is intended for general guidance. We cannot guarantee its accuracy and recommend consulting a qualified healthcare professional or registered dietitian for personalized nutrition advice.