How to Cook Shrimp in Air Fryer (6-minute recipe!)
- Gluten-Free
- Low Carb
- Keto
- Low Calorie
Garlic butter air fryer shrimp in just 6 minutes? Yes, please! In this easy recipe I’ll walk you through exactly how to cook shrimp in the air fryer! This tried and true method results in perfectly cooked shrimp every time! It’s simple, quick, and perfect for a quick weeknight meal or delicious appetizer. You can use these succulent shrimp on a salad, in your favorite pasta dish, serve over rice, or use for a quick meal prep protein.
How to Cook Shrimp in Air Fryer
Cooking shrimp in the air fryer could not be easier. Air frying is one of my favorite ways to cook shrimp when I need something quick with minimal cleanup. Great for busy weeknights!
There are many ways to cook shrimp in the air fryer, like simply spraying with cooking oil and seasoning with salt. BUT, let’s make it a little more exciting and just as easy. Enter: Garlic Butter Air Fryer Shrimp. I mean, who doesn’t like garlic butter? Add in a bit of Italian seasoning and you’ve got a winner of a dinner.
There are just a few simple steps for cooking air fryer shrimp:
1) Melt your butter and add in your seasonings to make a quick garlic herb butter.
2) Toss the shrimp in that delicious butter.
3) Air fry for just 3-4 minutes!
That’s it! So quick and easy.
Truly the easiest way to cook shrimp. These tasty shrimp are the perfect main dish for any easy, quick dinner!
I just love air fryer recipes. Easy to make and easy to clean up.
Tips and Tricks for making the best shrimp in the air fryer!
The key to making the perfect, juicy shrimp in the air fryer is to cook them at the right temperature for the right amount of time.
For this easy air fryer shrimp recipe we will be cooking large shrimp at high heat (400ºF/205ºC) for 3-4 minutes.
Shrimp come in a variety of different sizes, so it’s important to check the size of your shrimp to determine the best cook time for them. Different size shrimp cook for different amounts of time.
Below I provide a chart to select the cook time if you have shrimp larger than the “large” size (which is 31-40 shrimp in a pound). This chart makes it super simple and is the best way to get perfect results.
If you follow the cook time chart, you will get juicy, delicious shrimp every single time! No guessing required.
Ingredients to make air fryer shrimp
- 1 lb peeled large shrimp (31-40 shrimp per lb)
- 3 Tbsp salted butter
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp fine sea salt
- ½ lemon
- Chopped fresh parsley and extra lemon wedges for garnish, optional
How to Cook Shrimp in Air Fryer
(Full printable version of this recipe in recipe card at the bottom of this post!)
1. Dry shrimp – Pat raw shrimp dry with a paper towel and place in a large bowl.
2. Make garlic butter – Place butter, garlic, Italian seasoning, and salt in a glass measuring cup and melt in the microwave (about 15-25 seconds).
3. Add butter to shrimp – Stir garlic butter and pour over shrimp. Toss to coat.
4. Air fry shrimp – air fry seasoned shrimp at 400ºF for 3-4 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through (or flipping them over with tongs if you have an air fryer toaster oven model). Cooked shrimp should be pink on the outside and just opaque throughout. Take care not to overcook as they can become rubbery.
5. Remove to a serving platter or plate and squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve with extra lemon wedges.
6. Store any leftover shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
Cooking notes
- The cook time stated in the recipe is for large shrimp (31-40 shrimp per pound). Refer to the size chart if you have shrimp of a different size.
- Shrimp should be in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry in batches, as needed.
- For air fryer toaster oven models, you will need to preheat the air fryer. For standard air fryer models, no preheat is needed.
- Sprinkle with red pepper flakes after cooking for some spice!
- Sprinkle with lemon zest for extra lemon flavor without the added acidity. So good!
- I always recommend using freshly minced or pressed garlic for the superior taste. But if you’re in a hurry, then feel free to use jarred minced garlic in this quick recipe. The goal here is quick and easy! You can also substitute with 1 tsp garlic powder if that is what you have on hand.
- I recommend Kerrygold brand butter for the best flavor.
- The butter can also be replaced with extra virgin olive oil for a different taste or if you want to make this recipe even faster!
- If you have frozen shrimp, just thaw in cold water. It should only take about 15-20 minutes for them to thaw completely.
- There is no need to devein large shrimp, as the vein (digestive tract) is fairly small. But if you are using larger shrimp and would like to devein them, just run a paring knife along the back of the shrimp to create a small slit, then remove the vein with the knife or your fingers.
How long to cook shrimp in air fryer
As written, this recipe is for large shrimp, meaning there are 31-40 shrimp in a pound. You want to cook for just 3-4 minutes. Whether you cook for 3 or 4 minutes really just depends on the model of air fryer you have. Every brand and model cooks a little differently.
For the best results, check your shrimp at the 3-minute mark to see if they have finished cooking through. Cooked shrimp will be opaque throughout, pink/peachy on the outside, and not have an excessive curl to them. Just a nice “C” shape.
| Large | 31/40 | 3-4 minutes |
| Extra Large | 26/30 | 4-5 minutes |
| Jumbo | 21/25 | 5-6 minutes |
| Extra Jumbo/Colossal | 16/20 | 6-7 minutes |
I don’t really recommend this air-fried shrimp recipe for small shrimp (meaning anything smaller than the “large” size). My preferred method for smaller shrimp is searing in a hot skillet on the stovetop. But if you have medium shrimp and want to use the air fryer, this recipe will still work! Just air fry for 2-3 minutes.
Shrimp sizes explained
Shrimp are graded based on their size. I know it can be a little confusing at first if you’re not used to cooking seafood. But these size categories allow us to cook each size to perfection, so they are really quite handy!
Size categories:
When a pound of shrimp has 31-40 individual shrimp in it, they are graded as large shrimp. When a pound of shrimp has 26-30 individual shrimp in it, they are graded as extra large shrimp. When a pound has 21-25 individual shrimp in it, they are graded as jumbo shrimp. When a pound has 12-20 individual shrimp in it, they are graded as extra jumbo or colossal shrimp.
Determining the size of your shrimp:
If you are using pre-packaged shrimp like frozen shrimp, the size grade should be written on the outside of the package. If you are getting fresh shrimp from the seafood counter of your grocery store or directly from a fish market, the size will usually be displayed on the placard. Or you can always ask your fishmonger what size they are.
When in doubt, you can also weigh/count them yourself! If you have a pound of shrimp, just count how many individual shrimp are in that pound. If you have a bunch of shrimp but don’t know the weight, you can weigh them and then count the number of shrimp.
For example, if you have a bag of shrimp from your fishmonger and it weighs 2.2lb and there are 60 shrimp in that bag, you have 27 shrimp per pound. They are extra large shrimp.
2.2/60 = 1/x
x = 60/2.2
x = 27
Keep in mind that all of the shrimp should be the same size within that pound. If you have a mix of different size shrimp, then they will not all cook at the same rate. For this recipe you need to have consistent sizing. Larger shrimp might end up undercooked and smaller shrimp might end up overcooked if they are a variety of different sizes.
Different kinds of shrimp
There are many different species of shrimp and they can vary in color and taste. In fact, there are thousands of different species throughout the world! The most popular in the United States are pink, brown, white, royal red, and brown rock shrimp.
The good news is that the kind of shrimp doesn’t matter for this recipe. Any kind of shrimp is a great option! If you cook them based on their size, as provided in the cooking chart, you will get perfectly cooked shrimp every single time.
Frozen shrimp in air fryer
Will this recipe work with frozen shrimp? The answer is yes and no. I definitely recommend thawing your shrimp first, especially since it only takes about 10 minutes to thaw them under running water. Keep in mind that this recipe is written for fresh or thawed shrimp. I cannot guarantee that it will turn out perfectly if you choose to use frozen shrimp.
But, if you have frozen shrimp and are determined to cook them from frozen, I have some tips! I recommend 2 changes to the recipe: 1) use olive oil or avocado oil instead of butter, and 2) double the cooking time.
Use oil instead of butter:
The reason you want to swap out olive oil or avocado oil for the butter is that when the melted butter comes in contact with the frozen shrimp, it will immediately harden and you won’t be able to get the shrimp completely coated in butter.
Avocado oil will not harden when cooled. Olive oil will harden some, given enough time, but it does stay liquid for longer than butter. You should have enough time to toss the shrimp in the olive oil before it hardens.
You can also opt to use an olive oil or avocado oil spray to alleviate this issue altogether. Just spray on a little oil, enough to coat both sides, then toss the shrimp in the garlic and seasonings.
Double cook time:
Now, let’s talk about cooking time. For frozen shrimp you will want to double the cook time. Just refer back to the cook time chart, choose your shrimp size, then double the cook time. For example, with large shrimp you will cook for 6-8 minutes and for jumbo shrimp you will cook for 10-12 minutes. Pretty simple!
Please keep in mind that if you have frozen shrimp with large ice crystals on them, these ice crystals will melt as you cook your shrimp and create a lot of water and steam. This will cause the shrimp to be more like steamed shrimp in the end and you won’t get the same results as you would with thawed, dried shrimp. Just something to keep in mind.
One last note, make sure to use peeled frozen shrimp. If you cook them frozen with the shells on, the shells can end up sticking to the meat, making them nearly impossible to peel after cooking.
Does air fryer model change the recipe?
The model of air fryer can affect the recipe.
Most notably, if you have a toaster oven air fryer model, you will need to preheat the air fryer. If you have a standard basket-style air fryer model, then no preheat should be needed. That being said, always refer back to the instruction manual for your specific model to see if they recommend preheating your air fryer. If you need a preheat for your air fryer model, just place the shrimp in the preheated air fryer and cook for the same amount of time.
Another change to anticipate is the cook time. That is why there is a variance in cook time provided for each shrimp size. For example, the instructions say 3-4 minutes for large shrimp, instead of just 3 minutes. Some models will cook them completely in 3 minutes and other models will take 4 minutes. It is a small time difference, but for perfectly cooked shrimp it is important to keep in mind.
The basket-style air fryer models will generally cook a bit faster than toaster oven-style air fryers. Thus, 3 minutes should be just right for basket-style and 4 minutes should be just right for toaster oven-style. Even with this slightly faster cooking time, you will still set the temperature to 400 degrees F for perfect shrimp.
This recipe has been tested with both styles of air fryer!
Here are some of the best air fryers that I recommend:
What to serve with air fryer shrimp
For a delicious meal, there are so many fun ways to use these air fryer shrimp!
My favorite way to serve these delicious garlic butter air fryer shrimp is on top of a big salad! It’s perfect healthy dish for a quick lunch, dinner, or meal prep.
Some other serving ideas are with rice and asparagus, quinoa and green beans, shrimp tacos with a fresh lemony coleslaw, roasted sweet potatoes and a side salad, sushi-style shrimp and rice bowls with avocado, cucumber, radishes, and edamame, or on top of a lemony pasta. Yum!
Equipment needed to air fry shrimp
- Air fryer
- Large bowl
- Glass measuring cup or bowl
- Mixing spoon or spatula
- Tongs
Are air fryer shrimp healthy?
The simplest answer: yes!
This air fryer shrimp recipe is low carb, keto-friendly, and fairly low calorie (approximately 163 calories per serving).
Now I know what you’re thinking, what about the butter? Well, for a pound of shrimp, 3 Tbsp butter really isn’t that much. The fat really helps flavor the shrimp and keeps them nice and juicy while cooking. You could reduce the butter to 2 Tbsp if you want, but I definitely recommend using all 3 Tbsp.
If you really want to reduce the fat content of this recipe, then any easy way to do that is to use an olive oil or avocado oil spray. Just spritz the shrimp lightly with oil, then toss in the garlic and seasonings. It won’t be as tasty as the butter version, but it does help if you want a truly healthy meal.
If you follow a low calorie diet or you have a medically restrictive diet (like a dairy allergy), then a healthy oil spray will work just fine. I hope this helps!
If you need nutritional information, it is listed in the recipe card below. It will give you all the nutrient information you need.
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How to Cook Shrimp in Air Fryer (6-minute recipe!)
- Gluten-Free
- Low Carb
- Keto
- Low Calorie
Ingredients
- 1 lb peeled large shrimp (31-40 shrimp per lb)
- 3 Tbsp salted butter
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp fine sea salt
- ½ lemon
- chopped fresh parsley for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Pat shrimp dry with a paper towel and place in a large bowl.
- Place butter, garlic, Italian seasoning, and salt in a glass measuring cup and melt in the microwave (about 15-25 seconds).
- Stir garlic butter and pour over shrimp. Toss to coat.
- Air fry at 400ºF for 3-4 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through (or flipping them over with tongs if you have an air fryer toaster oven model. Cooked shrimp should be pink on the outside and just opaque throughout. Take care not to overcook as they can become rubbery.
- Remove to a serving platter or plate and squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top. Garnish with chopped parsley.
Did you love the recipe? I would love it if you left me a 5-star review below! 
Notes
-Shrimp should be in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry in batches, as needed.
-For air fryer toaster oven models, you will need to preheat the air fryer. For standard air fryer models, no preheat is needed.
-Sprinkle with red pepper flakes after cooking for some spice!
-Sprinkle with lemon zest for extra lemon flavor without the added acidity. So good!
-I always recommend using freshly minced or pressed garlic for the superior taste. But if you’re in a hurry, then feel free to use jarred minced garlic in this quick recipe. The goal here is quick and easy! You can also substitute with 1 tsp garlic powder if that is what you have on hand.
-The butter can also be replaced with extra virgin olive oil for a different taste or if you want to make this recipe even faster!
Nutrition
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| Large | 31/40 | 3-4 minutes |
| Extra Large | 26/30 | 4-5 minutes |
| Jumbo | 21/25 | 5-6 minutes |
| Extra Jumbo/Colossal | 16/20 | 6-7 minutes |
Love shrimp? Me too! Check out some of my other favorite shrimp recipes!
- Easy Cashew Shrimp Stir-fry
- Instant Pot Shrimp Risotto
- Air fryer coconut shrimp (a crispy air fryer shrimp similar to popcorn shrimp!)
- Grilled Shrimp with Cilantro Garlic Butter
- The Best Shrimp Boil and Cocktail Sauce
- One Pan Garlic Lovers’ Shrimp and Veggies
- How to Make Ceviche (Fish or Shrimp)
- Easy Thai Red Curry Shrimp & Veggies
- 20-minute Paleo Shrimp Scampi
- And so many more!
Alternative ingredients to make shrimp in air fryer
- Old Bay seasoning – Use instead of Italian seasoning for a delicious, slightly spicy version reminiscent of a seafood boil! Also perfect with cocktail sauce for a cold shrimp cocktail.
- Blackened seasoning – There are many different ways to season these air fryer shrimp and I have to admit this is one of my favorites! Just use the seasoning mix from this recipe for the perfect blackened air fryer shrimp!
- Black pepper – If you love black pepper, feel free to add it to the garlic butter for an extra kick!
- Lemon pepper
- Taco or fajita seasoning – perfect to use these shrimp for taco night!
- Truffle powder – If you want these for a fancy pasta dish, truffle powder is always a good idea!
Frequently Asked Questions
To reheat shrimp in an air fryer, just set air fryer to 400ºF (high heat) and cook for 2 minutes. This should reheat them all the way through without overcooking them. If you have a toaster oven-style air fryer, you might need 3 minutes for them to be heated through.
3-4 minutes for large shrimp. 4-5 minutes for extra-large shrimp. 5-6 minutes for jumbo shrimp. 6-7 minutes for extra-jumbo/colossal shrimp.
To cook thawed shrimp in the air fryer, set air fryer to 400ºF and cook for 3-4 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
To cook frozen shrimp in the air fryer, set temperature to 400ºF and cook for 6-8 minutes.
Yes! Shrimp are perfect for cooking in an air fryer. This method is easy, quick, and has minimal cleanup.
To cook pre-cooked shrimp in the air fryer, set the temperature to 400ºF and cook for just 2 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
Cook time depends on the size of the shrimp. Large shrimp will take 3-4 minutes, extra-large shrimp will take 4-5 minutes, jumbo shrimp will take 5-6 minutes, and colossal shrimp will take 6-7 minutes.
To air fry frozen shrimp, set air fryer to 400ºF and cook for 6-8 minutes.
Cook time depends on the size of the prawns. Large prawns will take 3-4 minutes, extra-large prawns will take 4-5 minutes, jumbo prawns will take 5-6 minutes, and colossal prawns will take 6-7 minutes or more.
Other air fryer recipes
Looking for even more easy air fryer recipes? Here are some to try:
- Air fryer salmon
- Air fryer chicken thighs
- Air fryer chicken breast
- Air fryer chicken wings
- Air fryer asparagus
- Air fryer Brussels sprouts
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