Easy Air Fryer Shrimp

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!

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!

Ingredients for this recipe

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

• 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.

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.

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.

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

Other Air Fryer and shrimp dishes to try

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!