Air Fryer Shrimp with Garlic Butter
This air fryer shrimp is plump, juicy, and coated in a simple garlic butter seasoning. It cooks in about 7 minutes, making it one of the quickest proteins you can make for dinner.
Shrimp can turn rubbery when overcooked in a pan, but the air fryer cooks it quickly and evenly. A light coating of oil and spices is all you need for great flavor.
Serve air fryer shrimp over pasta, rice, salads, or tacos, or enjoy it as a quick appetizer with cocktail sauce.
From the same basket: Air Fryer Salmon.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Shrimp
- Juicy, tender shrimp in about 10 minutes
- Rich garlic butter flavor
- Works with fresh or frozen shrimp
- High-protein and low in carbs
- Very little cleanup
- Perfect for pasta, tacos, and salads
Air Fryer Shrimp Ingredients
For the Shrimp
- 🦐 450 g (1 lb) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 🫒 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 🧄 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 🌶️ ½ teaspoon paprika
- 🧂 ½ teaspoon salt
- 🌶️ ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 🌶️ Pinch of chili flakes (optional)
For the Garlic Butter
- 🧈 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 🧄 2 garlic cloves, finely grated
- 🍋 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 🌿 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
Equipment You’ll Need
- Paper towels
- Mixing bowl
- Small bowl for garlic butter
How to Make Air Fryer Shrimp
Dry the Shrimp
Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. If they are frozen, thaw them first and dry them well.
Season the Shrimp
Toss the shrimp with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and chili flakes.
Arrange in the Basket
Spread the shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
Air Fry the Shrimp
Cook at 200°C / 400°F for 6–8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
Check Doneness
The air fryer shrimp is ready when it turns pink and opaque and curls into a loose “C” shape.
Make the Garlic Butter
Mix the melted butter with fresh garlic, lemon juice, and parsley.
Toss and Serve
Toss the hot shrimp in the garlic butter and serve immediately.
- Shrimp cooks very fast; a tight “O” shape means it is overcooked.
- Shrimp should reach 63°C / 145°F and be pink and opaque throughout.
- Large shrimp work best; small shrimp can dry out in the air fryer.
- Pat thawed shrimp dry so they roast instead of steaming.
Air Fryer Shrimp Cooking Time and Temperature
| Stage | Temperature | Time |
| Large shrimp (thawed) | 200°C / 400°F | 6–8 minutes |
| Jumbo shrimp | 200°C / 400°F | 8–9 minutes |
| Frozen raw shrimp | 200°C / 400°F | 9–11 minutes |
| Breaded shrimp | 200°C / 400°F | 8–10 minutes |
Fresh or Frozen Shrimp?
- Fresh or thawed: pat dry and cook 6–8 minutes.
- Frozen raw: cook 9–11 minutes, then add the garlic butter at the end.
- Size: large shrimp stay juicier; small ones dry out fast.
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Shrimp
Variations to Try
- Cajun shrimp: Use Cajun seasoning instead of paprika.
- Coconut shrimp: Coat in egg and shredded coconut before air frying.
- Honey lime shrimp: Toss in honey, lime juice, and chili after cooking.
- Shrimp tacos: Serve in tortillas with slaw and lime crema.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Store and Reheat Air Fryer Shrimp
Refrigerate leftover air fryer shrimp for up to 2 days in an airtight container.
Reheat at 170°C / 340°F for 2–3 minutes, or add cold shrimp to salads and wraps.
Final Thoughts
This air fryer shrimp is juicy, garlicky, and ready in about 10 minutes. It is a quick, healthy protein for busy weeknights.
Toss it with pasta, pile it into tacos, or serve it as a simple appetizer, and enjoy. If you have a few more minutes: Air Fryer Tilapia.
