Name: Best Air Fryer Shrimp
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 13 min
Ingredients: Shrimp & Seasoning:; 1 lb 450 g large raw shrimp, peeled & deveined; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp smoked paprika; ½ tsp fine sea salt; ½ tsp black pepper; ½ tsp onion powder; ¼ –½ tsp cayenne (optional); ½ tsp Italian seasoning or Old Bay

Introduction

Best Air Fryer Shrimp are golden, juicy, restaurant-quality bites in just 8 minutes, perfect for quick weeknight dinners, party appetizers, or taco nights. This foolproof recipe delivers plump shrimp with a crispy, lightly spiced coating — no deep-frying mess and zero babysitting. Presented piled high with lemon wedges and fresh parsley, this Best Air Fryer Shrimp recipe offers a charming, appetizing aesthetic that elevates any gathering. This 5-minute prep method uses pantry staples, is adaptable for dietary preferences, and is ideal for home cooks seeking a go-to seafood dish that brings effortless, crowd-pleasing charm to any occasion.

Why you’ll love this recipe

8 minutes total: Season, spray, air-fry — faster than delivery.
Juicy + crisp: High heat locks in moisture, light oil gives crunch.
Freezer-friendly: Cook from frozen in 10 minutes.
Custom heat: Mild garlic-butter or fiery Cajun.
Endlessly versatile: Tacos, pasta, salad, or straight to the mouth.

Ingredients

Shrimp & Seasoning

1 lb (450 g) large raw shrimp (peeled & deveined, tail-on or off)
1 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp fine sea salt
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp onion powder
¼–½ tsp cayenne or chili powder (optional heat)
½ tsp dried Italian seasoning or Old Bay

For Serving

Lemon wedges
Chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
Melted garlic butter or favorite dipping sauce

Essential Tools and Equipment

Air fryer (basket or oven style)
Large bowl
Tongs
Cooking spray (optional)

Step-by-step process

Pat dry: Spread shrimp on paper towels and pat completely dry — moisture is the enemy of crisp.
Season: In a large bowl, toss shrimp with oil and all spices until evenly coated — every piece should be bright red/orange.
Preheat air fryer: 400°F / (200 °C) for 3 minutes — hot basket = instant sear.
Arrange: Lightly spray the basket. Place shrimp in a single layer (no overlapping). Lightly spray tops with oil for extra golden color.
Air-fry: Cook 5–8 minutes, depending on size — shake basket or flip once at 4-minute mark. Shrimp are done when pink, tightly curled (C-shape), and 120–130 °F internal (carryover brings them to a safe 145 °F).
Rest 1 minute: They’ll finish cooking and stay juicy.
Serve immediately: Squeeze fresh lemon over the top, sprinkle parsley, and dive in while piping hot.

Mistakes to avoid

Wet shrimp: Soggy results — pat dry twice.
Overcrowding: Steams instead of crisps — single layer only.
Overcooking: Rubbery shrimp — pull at C-shape, not O-shape.
Skipping preheat: Pale shrimp — 3 minutes preheat is key.
Frozen block: Break apart first or add 2–3 minutes.

Variations of the Best Air Fryer Shrimp

Garlic Butter: Toss cooked shrimp in melted butter + minced garlic + parsley.
Bang Bang: Drizzle with mayo + sweet chili + sriracha sauce.
Coconut: Coat in cornstarch → egg → sweetened coconut; 8 minutes.
Buffalo: Toss cooked shrimp in Frank’s + melted butter.
Lemon Pepper: Double lemon zest + cracked black pepper.

Tips for better storage

Refrigerator: Airtight up to 2 days — reheat 400°F 2–3 minutes.
Freezer: Flash-freeze raw seasoned shrimp on a tray → bag up to 3 months. Cook from frozen +2–3 minutes.
Meal prep: Freeze in single-serve portions — dinner in 10 minutes.
Revive crisp: Always air fryer or hot skillet — never microwave.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frozen raw shrimp? Yes — cook straight from frozen +2–3 minutes.
No oil? Still works, but the color is less golden.
Tail on or off? On = prettier; off = easier eating.
Double batch? Cook in 2–3 batches — don’t crowd.
Gluten-free? Naturally GF.

Conclusion

Best Air Fryer Shrimp is weeknight seafood magic — each plump, golden bite bursts with juicy sweetness and a crispy, spiced shell that tastes like the boardwalk met your kitchen in just 8 minutes flat. One bowl and one hot basket turn ordinary shrimp into an addictive pile that disappears before the lemon wedge stops dripping. Keep a bag of frozen shrimp and basic spices stocked, and restaurant-quality seafood is literally 10 minutes away. Whether you’re tossing them into tacos, piling them on pasta, or eating them straight from the basket with zero shame, these air fryer shrimp deliver pure, buttery joy in perfect harmony. One bite, endless “I could eat 50 more,” and the quiet thrill of seafood mastery.