Full Air Fryer Shrimp

Equipment

• Air fryer (any size, but avoid overcrowding the basket)
• Paper towels
• Shallow bowl or plate
• Tongs

Ingredients

• 1 pound (455 g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails on or off)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
• ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs (optional, for extra crispness)
• Lemon wedges, for serving
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Shrimp (5 minutes)

1. If using frozen shrimp, thaw them completely under cold running water, then pat them very dry with paper towels. Moisture is the enemy of crispness in an air fryer—wet shrimp will steam rather than crisp.
2. Place the dried shrimp in a bowl. Drizzle with the oil and toss to coat evenly. In a separate small bowl, mix the garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne. Sprinkle the seasoning over the shrimp and toss until each piece is evenly coated. If using panko, add it now and press gently onto the shrimp.
3. Intensity note: This step is gentle—just toss and coat. Do not overwork the shrimp or the coating will clump.

Step 2: Preheat the Air Fryer (2–3 minutes)

1. Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and let it preheat for 2–3 minutes. Preheating is not optional here. A hot basket gives the shrimp an immediate sear-like start, which helps the exterior crisp before the inside overcooks.

Step 3: Arrange and Air Fry (5–7 minutes)

1. Arrange the shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket. They can be close together, but they should not overlap. If your basket is small, cook in two batches—crowding will steam the shrimp and ruin the texture.
2. Set the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cook for 5 minutes . At the 3-minute mark, pull the basket out and shake it gently or flip the shrimp with tongs. This ensures even cooking and browning.
3. Return the basket and continue cooking for another 2–4 minutes , depending on the size of your shrimp. Large shrimp (16–20 per pound) typically need the full 7 minutes. Medium shrimp may be done at 5–6 minutes.
4. How to know they are done: The shrimp should be opaque and pink, with the tail and body curled into a loose “C” shape . If they curl into a tight “O” shape , they are overcooked and will be rubbery . The exterior should look lightly golden and dry to the touch.

Step 4: Serve Immediately

1. Transfer the shrimp to a serving plate. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top and scatter with parsley if using. Serve hot—air fryer shrimp lose their crispness quickly as they sit.
2. Serving ideas: Over coconut rice, in warm tortillas with slaw, tossed with pasta and garlic butter, or simply dipped in cocktail sauce or spicy mayo.

Nutrition

Calories: ~180 kcal · Protein: ~31 g · Fat: ~6 g · Carbohydrates: ~2 g · Saturated Fat: ~1 g · Fiber: ~0.5 g · Sugar: ~0 g · Sodium: ~450 mg