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    Home / Dinners / Easy Air Fryer Shrimp

    Easy Air Fryer Shrimp

    Published: Feb 17, 2023 Modified: Feb 17, 2023 by Jillian This post may contain affiliate link. This blog generates income via ads

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    This Shrimp in the Air Fryer Recipe is cooked to perfection! The shrimp are juicy, tender, and loaded with flavor and made with just the right ingredients! They are also ready in ONLY 10 minutes! If you're looking for an easy dinner idea, it doesn't get much easier than this!

    Air fryer shrimp on a white plate on top of a white wooden board with slices of lemon on the side.

    So, I've been on a shrimp kick lately.  I think because I dislike winter so much and wish it was summer right now. This recipe originated from my Grandma.  I was the picky eater growing up and she knew I wouldn't eat a lot, but I ALWAYS loved this shrimp recipe. The flavoring is out of this world!

    The shrimp can easily be enjoyed by themselves or with some veggies on the side. If you are also a shrimp fan, like I am, you NEED to try my Shrimp Scampi Recipe or my Mexican Taco Shrimp!

    Table of contents

    • Ingredients for this recipe
    • Step-by-Step directions for air fryer shrimp
    • Substitutions
    • Why you will LOVE this dish
    • Serving Suggestions
    • How can the kids help
    • Tips and FAQ's
    • Other Air Fryer and shrimp dishes to try

    Ingredients for this recipe

    To make my Grandma's delicious shrimp you will need the following!

    A birds-eye view of all the ingredients needed to make this meal with labels included.
    Ingredients for Air Fryer Shrimp!
    • shrimp - peeled and deveined, I recommend buying shrimp that is already peeled and deveined. You can totally do it yourself, but it's messy and time-consuming.
    • adobo seasoning - this is an all-purpose dry spice blend. It is made with granulated garlic, onion powder, salt, black pepper, oregano, and sometimes citrus zest or turmeric.
    • garlic powder - I prefer using garlic powder over minced garlic for this recipe because the powder has a stronger garlic flavor.
    • old bay - this seasoning doesn't get nearly enough attention. It's a mix of 18 different herbs and spices and is usually used to season seafood. The aroma is unreal and will have your entire house smelling like a deep, rich gumbo!
    • unsalted butter - melted - can also use olive oil or melted coconut oil
    • panko bread crumbs - I prefer panko over regular breadcrumbs. Panko will give your shrimp a nice, sharp crust on the service and will absorb any excess grease.

    Step-by-Step directions for air fryer shrimp

    Step 1 - In a small mixing bowl combine butter (or oil), garlic powder, adobo, old bay, salt, and pepper.

    Step 2 - Mix well to combine.

    Side by side photos of steps 1 and 2 in the directions process. Step 1 is mixing butter and the seasonings then step 2 is mixing them well.
    Steps 1 and 2

    Step 3 - In a large mixing bowl pour your buttered seasoning over the shrimp. Make sure to mix well to be sure all sides of the shrimp are covered.

    Step 4 - For an easy clean-up, lay a piece of foil on the inside of your air fryer basket. Place your seasoned shrimp in a single layer at the bottom of the air fryer.

    Side-by-side photos of steps 3 and 4 in the directions process. Step 3 is mixing butter and seasonings in a bowl and step 4 is laying the shrimp in the air fryer.
    Steps 3 and 4

    Quick Tip - if you have leftover seasoned butter that hardened in the bottom of the mixing bowl, throw it in the microwave for 30 seconds then drizzled it all over the top of your shrimp.

    Step 5 - Sprinkle your panko breadcrumbs on top of the seasoned shrimp.

    Step 6 - Air fry at 400 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the shrimp you are using. If you are using jumbo shrimp the time will be longer, if you are using regular shrimp the time will be shorter. Shake the basket or flip the shrimp halfway through.

    Substitutions

    When it comes to swapping out ingredients there aren't too many substitutions because the flavor of this specific recipe needs to be exact. I am telling you once you make this dish once, you will never make shrimp another way ever again.

    Shrimp - No, you cannot swap out this ingredient, but you can decide what size shrimp you want to use. You can use jumbo, medium, or small. The cooking times will just vary depending on the density of the shrimp.

    Unsalted Butter - Grandma always put dabs of butter on top of the shrimp before cooking it, but I like to melt it and mix it together with the seasonings. If you prefer dabbing it up, you could try swapping the butter out for olive oil instead and just drizzle some on top before adding the seasonings.

    Panko Breadcrumbs - I am a fan of the panko because it absorbs all the excess oil or butter, but you can definitely use regular breadcrumbs here, as well.

    Why you will LOVE this dish

    This is now my go-to recipe for shrimp. All of my friends and family ask for the recipe quite often! Once you start whipping your shrimp up using this recipe, there is no turning back!

    1. First of all, they're made in the Air Fryer! Air fryers seem to be all the rage lately and I understand why. Air fryers give shrimp the perfect texture. I feel like I'm eating shrimp from a restaurant when I make them in the air fryer. This is the air fryer I own, but there are a ton on the market.
    2. They cook in 10 minutes!!!!!!
    3. The flavoring of this specific recipe is super flavorful. Your whole house smells while they are cooking.
    4. Shrimp is low in calories.
    5. Very versatile and can be served as an appetizer, with pasta, over a salad, or in shrimp tacos.
    A close up of the cooked shrimp on a white plate with fresh parsley scattered around.

    Serving Suggestions

    So, you made this deliciously tender shrimp for dinner and are wondering what to serve it with. There are actually countless ways to serve this dish. Here are a few ideas for you to try.

    • On top of a salad - shrimp on top of a salad is so savory! Make your salad gourmet or even throw a few greens on a plate with your shrimp and pair it with your favorite dressing.
    • In tacos - toss your cooked shrimp inside some taco shells or wrap them up inside some whole wheat wraps or inside my Cauliflower Egg Wraps they would be perfect!
    • With the perfect side dish - serve your shrimp with any side of veggies, like my Grilled Veggie Kabobs!

    How can the kids help

    My kids LOVE to cook with me! I LOVE to cook with them, so it's a win, win in my eyes! I always try to include them in all my recipes and like to give you tips on how you can include them in yours. Here are some ideas!

    • Have your kiddos toss all your seasonings together in the mixing bowl.
    • Help them mix the shrimp with the seasoning, but teach them how to stir correctly and not toss the shrimp out of the bowl while doing so.
    • If your child is a bit older, buy easy-peel shrimp and have them peel off the shells. Just remember to teach them good hygiene and wash their hands immediately after handling the raw seafood.

    Tips and FAQ's

    Can I use frozen shrimp?


    Absolutely! Being a mother of 3 (almost 4) sometimes life gets in the way and my meal planning falls short. You don't want your fresh shrimp to go bad if you don't get to cook it the day you originally planned. If you do use frozen shrimp, you want them completely thawed before tossing them in the air fryer.

    How to store this dish.


    Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days! The best part about air fryers is you can heat up the shrimp in the air fryer when you're ready to eat it again. Just a few short minutes at 400 degrees.

    How can you tell when shrimp are cooked all the way through?


    Shrimp are completely done cooking when they are a bright pink color!

    A close up of air fryer shrimp on a white plate with fresh parsley scattered around.

    Other Air Fryer and shrimp dishes to try

    • Air fryer turkey meatballs in a cream colored dish drizzled with creamy avocado dip in a cream colored bowl.
      Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs w/ Creamy Avocado Dip
    • A birds eye view of crispy air fried cutlets on a cream colored plate with fresh parsley scattered on top and a lemon slice placed on the side.
      Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets
    • A birds eye view of shrimp scampi in a cream colored bowl with a wooden slotted spoon and a lemon slice
      Shrimp Scampi Recipe (without wine)
    • birds-eye view of shrimp tacos in corn tortillas on a white plate and topped with red bell peppers, lime slices and drizzled with plain greek yogurt
      Mexican Shrimp Tacos

    If you give this recipe a try don't forget to rate the recipe below! I always love hearing what you all think. You can also Stay in touch with me through social media on @Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. Don't forget to tag me when you try one of my healthy recipes!

    Air fryer shrimp on a white plate on top of a white wooden board with slices of lemon on the side.

    Easy Air Fryer Shrimp

    This Shrimp in Air Fryer Recipe is cooked to perfection! The shrimp are juicy, tender, and loaded with flavor and made with just the right ingredients! They are also ready in ONLY 10 minutes! If you're looking for an easy dinner idea, it doesn't get much easier than this!
    No ratings yet
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: dinner, lunch
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Low Calorie
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 224kcal
    Author: Jillian Schneider

    Equipment

    • mixing bowls
    • air fryer

    Ingredients

    • 1 lb shrimp peeled and deveined
    • 1 tsp kosher salt
    • ½ tsp ground black pepper
    • 1 tsp adobo seasoning
    • 1 tbsp garlic powder
    • 1 tbsp old bay
    • ¼ cup unsalted butter melted, can also use olive oil or melted coconut oil
    • ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
    • parsley optional topping
    • lemon slice optional topping

    Instructions

    • Step 1 - In a small mixing bowl combine butter (or oil), garlic powder, adobo, old bay, salt, and pepper.
    • Step 2 - Mix well to combine.
    • Step 3 - In a large mixing bowl pour your buttered seasoning over the shrimp. Make sure to mix well to be sure all sides of the shrimp are covered.
    • Step 4 - For an easy clean-up, lay a piece of foil on the inside of your air fryer basket. Place your seasoned shrimp in a single layer at the bottom of the air fryer.
    • Step 5 - Sprinkle your panko breadcrumbs on top of the seasoned shrimp.
    • Step 6 - Air fry at 400 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the shrimp you are using. If you are using jumbo shrimp the time will be longer, if you are using regular shrimp the time will be shorter. Shake the basket or flip the shrimp halfway through.
    • Step 7 - Plate your shrimp, sprinkle with parsley, and serve with a lemon slice. If desired, take the foil packet out of the air fryer and pour the juices on top of your finished shrimp.

    Notes

    Quick Tip - if you have leftover seasoned butter that hardened in the bottom of the mixing bowl, throw it in the microwave for 30 seconds then drizzled it all over the top of your shrimp.
    How can the kids help?
    • Have your kiddos toss all your seasonings together in the mixing bowl.
    • Help them mix the shrimp with the seasoning, but teach them how to stir correctly and not toss the shrimp out of the bowl while doing so.
    • If your child is a bit older, buy easy peel shrimp and have them peel off the shells. Just remember to teach them good hygiene and wash their hands immediately after handling the raw seafood.
    If you use frozen shrimp, you want the shrimp completely thawed before tossing them in the air fryer.
    Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days! The best part about air fryers is you can heat up the shrimp in the air fryer when you're ready to eat it again. Just a few short minutes at 400 degrees.
    Shrimp are completely done cooking when they are a bright pink color!
     

    Nutrition

    Serving: 5shrimp | Calories: 224kcal | Carbohydrates: 0.3g | Protein: 28.7g | Fat: 12.2g | Saturated Fat: 7.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3.4g | Cholesterol: 258.6mg | Sodium: 461.5mg | Potassium: 8mg | Vitamin A: 11IU | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 4mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @JilliansHealthfulEats or tag #jillianshealthfuleats!
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