Can I air-fry frozen shrimp?

Thaw first for the best texture.

What sauce goes with air fryer shrimp?

Cocktail sauce, spicy mayonnaise or garlic butter.

Air Fryer Shrimp

Large shrimp tossed with olive oil, garlic, paprika and a little Parmesan and air-fried in 6 minutes until crisp-edged and juicy. Serves 4.

Naturally gluten-free Vegetarian with swaps Keto Low-carb High-protein MediterraneanNo added sugar

Contains: milk, shellfish. Based on the ingredients as written; check package labels, which can change.

Prep 10 min
Cook 6 min
Total 16 min
Yield 4 servings
Level Easy

Updated November 4, 2026

Plate of crispy seasoned air fryer shrimp with lemon and dipping sauce

Air fryer shrimp is one of the quickest dinners there is: season, cook for 6 minutes, done. A little Parmesan in the seasoning helps the edges crisp.

Serve over pasta or salad, in tacos, or as an appetizer with cocktail sauce or a spicy mayo.

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan
Lemon wedges and chopped parsley

Where to buy shrimpThis recipe calls for large shrimp. Lobster Anywhere ships super colossal shrimp, 8 to 12 per pound, which are bigger: cut each into 2 or 3 pieces so they cook in the same time.

Shop shrimp

More picks: where to buy seafood. We may make money from the links on this page, but it doesn't affect what you pay.

To make it vegetarian

For the shrimp, use king oyster mushrooms cut into thick coins, or a plant-based shrimp.

Meat substitutes change the flavor, texture and cooking time: cook plant-based meats to the package directions, and tofu and mushrooms only need to brown and heat through. The nutrition on this page is for the original recipe. See all our vegetarian recipes.

New to an ingredient? See Smoked paprika in our kitchen glossary.

What you’ll need

air fryer

Instructions

Season. Pat the shrimp dry and toss with the oil, spices and Parmesan.
Air-fry. Heat the air fryer to 400°F. Cook the shrimp in a single layer 5 to 7 minutes, shaking halfway, until pink and opaque.
Serve. Sprinkle with parsley and serve with lemon wedges.

Nutrition per serving (estimated)

190Calories

1 gCarbohydrates

0 gFiber

<1 gNet carbs

35 gProtein

5 gFat

Estimated per serving, based on 4 servings, using USDA FoodData Central values for each ingredient. Net carbs are carbohydrates minus fiber. Optional ingredients, garnishes and anything served on the side are not included, and marinades are counted at about a third because most is discarded. Brands and portion sizes change the numbers.

Keto Low-carb High-protein Gluten-free Mediterranean Vegetarian with swapsNo added sugar

Tips

Dry shrimp crisp better.
Do not overcook; shrimp turn rubbery quickly.

Having trouble? See rubbery shrimp and sticking fish in our kitchen troubleshooting guide.

Printable: safe cooking temperatures chart (PDF).

Storage and leftovers

Refrigerate up to 3 days. Eat cold in salads or tacos, or warm briefly in a skillet for 1 minute; reheated shrimp turn rubbery fast.

Questions about this recipe

Can I air-fry frozen shrimp?: Thaw first for the best texture.
What sauce goes with air fryer shrimp?: Cocktail sauce, spicy mayonnaise or garlic butter.

Serve it with

Build the whole dinner: sides, sauce and dessert ›

Pairs with: Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadet or a dry rosé. Wine pairing guide

More seafood recipes

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