Sunday Supper is an Amazon Associate and may receive compensation for purchases made through affiliate links.
Seasoned with chili and garlic, these Air Fryer Shrimp will become your new favorite appetizer, shrimp taco filling, or topping for rice and stir-fry! The best part? Easy air fried shrimp cook in just 7 minutes!
Jump to:
- Air Fryer Fried Shrimp
- Air Fried Shrimp Ingredients
- Air Fry Shrimp Recipe
- Air Fryer Shrimp Recipes Tips
- Freezing Cooked Shrimp
- Storing Air Fried Shrimp
- Breaded Shrimp in Air Fryer
- Frozen Shrimp in Air Fryer
- How Long to Cook Shrimp in Air Fryer
- Air Fry Shrimp FAQ
- Shrimp Dishes
- 📌 Pin it for later!
- 📋 Recipe
- 💬 Reviews
Air Fryer Fried Shrimp
These days, I air fry just about whatever will fit in the basket, and seafood is no exception. Cooking shrimp can be tricky; if you’re even a minute too late pulling them off the heat, they’re rubbery and inedible.
Not with the air fryer. It’s so easy to air fry shrimp: toss them with your seasoning of choice, put them in the basket, and cook. It takes less than 10 minutes and you don’t have to think about it!
The best part about cooking shrimp in the air fryer is you can use them for any meal you’d normally serve with shrimp. Mix them into shrimp scampi, make a shrimp stir fry, shrimp fried rice, or shrimp tacos; it’s all possible!
Air Fried Shrimp Ingredients
- Shrimp
- Olive oil
- Chili powder
- Garlic powder
- Cumin
- Salt
- Pepper
Although I use a chili and garlic mixture for my shrimp in the air fryer, you can use whatever you like. Try making garlic butter shrimp or use your favorite boxed shrimp seasoning – it all works. Customize it to your preference!
Air Fry Shrimp Recipe
- In a mixing bowl, combine shrimp with olive oil, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Toss to evenly coat.
- Add the shrimp to the air fryer basket in a single layer. Don’t overlap or overcrowd the basket; fry in batches if necessary.
- Air fry for 400°F for 5 to 8 minutes, until they are cooked through and lightly crispy.
- Serve, and enjoy!
Air Fryer Shrimp Recipes Tips
- Do not overcrowd your air fryer! Don’t overlap the shrimp. They won’t cook correctly if you do. If they don’t all fit, cook them in batches.
- It isn’t necessary to flip them when air-frying shrimp, but you may get better results if you do. If you want to, flip halfway through the cooking time.
- You can enjoy shrimp cooked in the air fryer hot or cold. I love cold shrimp appetizers, so I always find myself enjoying them, even more, the next day.
- Paprika or cayenne pepper can be used instead of chili powder.
- Avocado, coconut, or any other vegetable oil may be used instead of olive oil.
- You can use whatever seasoning you like. If you’re making shrimp for pasta, try serving it with garlic butter sauce.
- Air fryer shrimp can be frozen. See freezing tips below.
Freezing Cooked Shrimp
To freeze air fryer fried shrimp, first, allow the shrimp to cool. Add to an airtight container and store in the freezer for 2-3 months. Make sure to label with the freezing date!
When ready to reheat, let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then gently air fry or add to a pan on the stove over a low heat until heated through.
Storing Air Fried Shrimp
Store leftover shrimp for up to 3 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Breaded Shrimp in Air Fryer
You can bread shrimp before air frying them, but you should increase the cook time if you do. It may take up to 10 minutes to cook if you coat the shrimp in breading first.
Frozen Shrimp in Air Fryer
You can use frozen raw shrimp in this recipe without waiting for them to thaw. If you do, make sure to preheat your air fryer first and add on to the cooking time. Add about 2 minutes and check their doneness before removing them from the basket.
It is important you preheat your air fryer before cooking shrimp from frozen so they have no chance of reaching the “danger zone” for bacteria.
Alternatively, let the shrimp thaw overnight in the refrigerator before cooking, or add them to a tightly sealed plastic bag and place the bag in cold water in the sink or a bowl to thaw. Change the water every 30 minutes until the shrimp are thawed through. You don’t need to preheat the air fryer if you thaw them first.
How Long to Cook Shrimp in Air Fryer
Shrimp takes 5 to 8 minutes to cook in the air fryer at 400°F. Once it is opaque pink, has curled inward, and is lightly crispy, air-fried shrimp is ready to enjoy.
The exact timing depends on your air fryer model and the size of the shrimp you’re using: larger models may take less time, while larger shrimp may take a maximum time of 8 minutes. Check on the shrimp when cooking the first time to get it just right.
Air Fry Shrimp FAQ
Shrimp takes 5 to 8 minutes to cook in the air fryer at 400°F. Once it is opaque pink, has curled inward, and is lightly crispy, air-fried shrimp is ready to enjoy.
The exact timing depends on your air fryer model and the size of the shrimp you’re using: larger models may take less time, while larger shrimp may take a maximum time of 8 minutes. Check on the shrimp when cooking the first time to get it just right.
If you’re air frying frozen raw shrimp, cook for 10 minutes at 400°F. If air frying frozen cooked shrimp, cook for 5 minutes at 400°F. I recommend preheating your air fryer beforehand to be on the safe side.
You can leave the shells on shrimp when air frying them if you prefer. The shells help lock in moisture and may result in shrimp that is even more tender.
Large breaded shrimp will take 10 minutes to cook in the air fryer at 400°F, depending on the model. If you can’t quite tell if the shrimp are done, you can check their internal temp – it should read 120°F.
Shrimp Dishes
📌 Pin it for later!
Did you enjoy this page? Save it on Pinterest for later!If you enjoyed the recipe, leave a comment and a rating below!
📋 Recipe
Air Fryer Shrimp
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb raw shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
See our Cooking Conversions Chart for help converting measurements!
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine shrimp with olive oil, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Toss to evenly coat.1 lb raw shrimp, 1 Tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper
- Add the shrimp to the air fryer basket in a single layer. Don’t overlap or overcrowd the basket; fry in batches if necessary.
- Air fry for 400°F for 5 to 8 minutes, until they are cooked through and lightly crispy.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Using frozen shrimp: If frozen raw shrimp, cook for 10 minutes. If frozen cooked shrimp, cook for 5 minutes. Preheat air fryer before cooking frozen shrimp.
- Shells on: You can leave the shells on if you prefer.
- Breaded shrimp: Cook large breaded shrimp for 10 minutes. Smaller shrimp will take less time.
- Freezing leftovers: Let the shrimp cool, then freeze for 2-3 months in an airtight container labeled with the date. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in a pan over low heat, or the air fryer.
- Storing leftovers: Store for up to 3 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Enjoy hot or cold: Serve the shrimp hot or cold, to your preference.
- Use any seasoning: Don’t feel limited to the seasoning we use here. You can season your shrimp however you prefer.
- Any vegetable oil works: You can use avocado, coconut, or another vegetable oil if you prefer. Do not use spray oils in the air fryer – it breaks down the non-stick coating.
- You don’t need to flip them: but you can, halfway through, if you find it makes them crispier.
- Do not overcrowd the fryer: Cook in batches if necessary.
Let us know what you think or ask a question about the recipe!