Perfectly seasoned and deliciously crispy air fryer shrimp comes together in just 15 minutes! This quick and healthy protein-packed dish delivers all the succulent flavor you love, with only 81 calories per serving. The air fryer works its magic to create tender, juicy shrimp with a wonderfully crisp exterior – no excess oil needed. Whether you’re planning a light dinner or looking for a protein-rich appetizer, this foolproof recipe promises restaurant-quality results right in your kitchen.
Ingredients
- Medium Sized Shrimp: 10 oz, thawed thoroughly
- Garlic Salt: 1/4 teaspoon for perfect seasoning
- Oil: 1 teaspoon, helps achieve golden exterior
- Lemon Slices: Optional, for fresh citrus finish
Instructions
- Preparation: Thaw shrimp completely either overnight in refrigerator or under cold running water. Place in a clean bowl.
- Oil Coating: Drizzle oil over shrimp and gently toss to ensure even coating for best results.
- Seasoning: Sprinkle garlic salt evenly over the shrimp, tossing again to distribute seasoning thoroughly.
- Air Fryer Setup: Transfer the seasoned shrimp into the air fryer basket, arranging them in a single layer.
- Cooking: Set air fryer to 400°F and cook for 8-10 minutes. Remember to flip halfway through for even cooking.
- Serving: Transfer to serving plate and garnish with fresh lemon slices. Optional: squeeze lemon juice over shrimp for extra zest.
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Shrimp
Want your shrimp to turn out amazing? Here’s what I’ve learned from making this recipe tons of times! Make sure your shrimp are completely thawed and pat them dry with paper towels before adding the oil – this helps them get nice and crispy. You’ll know they’re done when they turn a beautiful pink color and curl into a loose ‘C’ shape. If they curl into a tight ‘O’, they’re a bit overcooked, but still tasty!
Quick Variations
Love trying new flavors? Instead of garlic salt, you can use:
- Old Bay seasoning for a seafood boil taste
- Cajun seasoning for some spicy kick
- Italian seasoning and parmesan for a Mediterranean twist Just keep the oil and cooking time the same, and you’re good to go!
Serving Ideas
These air fryer shrimp are super versatile! I love them:
- On top of a fresh green salad
- Wrapped in warm tortillas for quick shrimp tacos
- Over a bed of pasta with some extra olive oil
- As an appetizer with cocktail sauce Don’t forget the lemon wedges – they add such a bright, fresh taste!
Storing and Reheating
If you have leftovers (which rarely happens at my house!), pop them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To reheat, put them back in the air fryer at 350°F for just 2-3 minutes. Try not to microwave them – they can get a bit rubbery. For best taste, though, these shrimp are amazing served right away!
Air Fryer Shrimp
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 10 oz medium sized shrimp
- 1/4 tsp garlic salt
- 1 tsp oil
- lemon slices optional
Instructions
- Thaw shrimp overnight or under cold water. Place thawed shrimp in a bowl.
- Pour oil over the shrimp and toss gently to coat.
- Sprinkle the garlic salt over the shrimp and toss again to coat evenly.
- Place the seasoned shrimp into your air fryer basket.
- Cook at 400 degrees F for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Serve with sliced lemons, or squeeze half a lemon over the cooked shrimp for flavor (optional).
