Perfectly Cooked Shrimp in Air Fryer

Close-up of seasoned, cooked shrimp garnished with herbs, with lemon slices on the side.

Perfectly Cooked Shrimp in Air Fryer

Craving something quick and tasty? This air fryer shrimp recipe cooks up in just minutes, making it an easy appetizer or main dish. Seasoned with a touch of paprika, the shrimp turn out tender, flavorful, and perfectly cooked every time. Easy air fryer shrimp recipe is a beginner-friendly recipe.

Course Appetizer, Main Course, Main Dishes, Side Dish, Sides, Snack, Snacks

Cuisine American, International

Keyword air fry, air fryer, air fryer basket, air fryer shrimp recipe, air-fried shrimp, basket, cook shrimp, frozen shrimp, garlic powder, jumbo shrimp, peel, seasoning, shrimp, shrimp recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 6

Resting Time 10

Servings Portions

Calories 161kcal

Author Zuzana Paar

Equipment

1 Air Fryer
1 Mixing Bowl

Ingredients

1 Pound Shrimp peeled , tails removed
1 teaspoon Paprika
2 Tablespoons Avocado Oil
¼ teaspoon Garlic Granules
½ teaspoon Salt fine
¼ teaspoon Pepper cracked
1 Piece Lemon 4 Wedges for squeezing
Fresh Parsley or cilantro for garnish

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Start by preheating your air fryer to 400°Fahrenheit (200°C) for about 3 minutes so it’s hot and ready. Gather all your ingredients, including peeled shrimp, avocado oil, and spices. Having everything set up ahead makes the cooking process quick and smooth.
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the avocado oil, paprika, garlic granules, salt, and cracked pepper. Stir well until the seasonings are evenly blended into the oil. This mixture will give the shrimp a savory and slightly smoky flavor.
Add the shrimp to the bowl and toss them until each piece is well coated with the oil mixture. Let the shrimp sit for about 10 minutes so the spices can soak in. This step helps deepen the flavor once they’re cooked.
Arrange the shrimp in a single layer inside the preheated air fryer basket, leaving space between them so they crisp up instead of steaming. Cook for 5–6 minutes, flipping or shaking halfway through. When done, garnish with parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice before serving.

Notes

Don’t overcrowd the basket: Give the shrimp space so they cook evenly and get that nice tender texture. Piling them on top of each other will only steam them instead of air frying.
Season before cooking: Toss the shrimp with oil and spices before putting them in the air fryer. This helps the flavor stick and gives every bite a tasty kick.
Flip halfway through: Turn the air-fried shrimp once while cooking so both sides cook evenly. It only takes a minute, but makes a big difference in the result.
Keep an eye on time: Shrimp cook super fast in the air fryer, usually just a few minutes. Pull them out as soon as they turn pink and opaque to avoid overcooking.
Jumbo shrimp: increase the cook time by 2-3 minutes.

Nutrition