If you're looking for an easy and delicious seafood dish to make at home, look no further than our Air Fryer Shrimp recipe with a delicious lemon garlic butter sauce. This dish is simple to follow and can be made with just a few ingredients. Plus, the shrimp are cooked to perfection in the air fryer in under 15 minutes.
Looking for a delicious and easy way to cook shrimp? Look no further than your air fryer! In just a few minutes, you can have perfectly cooked shrimp that are juicy and tender.
Shrimp are a healthy and delicious protein that can be cooked in many ways. One of the easiest methods is to cook them in an air fryer. This results in juicy, tender shrimp that are perfect as a main dish or a side.
Plus, this method doesn't require a lot of oil, so it's a great healthy option for busy weeknights. This easy air fryer shrimp recipe is also great for keto diets because it is very low carb. Keep reading for a complete list of ingredients and instructions.
Should shrimp be thawed before air frying?
It's best to cook shrimp that are already thawed. If you're using frozen shrimp, be sure to thaw them first. To do this, place the shrimp in a large bowl of cold water for about 15 minutes.
What You'll Need
Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Medium-sized shrimp, peeled and deveined - For this recipe, I'm using 15-16 count shrimp (which means that there should be 15-16 shrimp per pound). Keep in mind that smaller shrimp will cook faster, while larger shrimp may take a bit longer.
- Olive oil
- Butter, melted
- Lemon, juiced
- Grated garlic
- Fresh thyme, minced
How to Make Air Fryer Shrimp
Prepare. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and drizzle them with olive oil. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
Cook. Place shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket and air fry at 400F for 6 minutes. While the shrimp cook, whisk together the melted butter, lemon juice, grated garlic, and minced thyme.
Finish. When the air fryer has finished, brush each shrimp with garlic butter and air fry at 400F for another 1-2 minutes, or until the shrimp are bright pink and no longer limp to the touch.
Enjoy these shrimp with cocktail sauce, on a salad, or with your favorite sides.
Tips for Success
Here's how to make sure your Air Fryer Shrimp turns out perfect!
- Check shrimp for doneness. You will know the shrimp is done when it is pink and no longer translucent. If it is still opaque, cook for 1-2 minutes more.
- Don't overcook. Do not air fryer your shrimp for too long, or they will become rubbery and tough. Instead, follow the recipe below for perfectly cooked shrimp every time.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer. Make sure to cook the shrimp in a single layer so that they cook evenly on all sides. If you have too many shrimp, cook them in batches. Serve immediately.
Easy Sides for Pairing with Air Fryer Shrimp
If you want to keep things super simple, pair your Air Fryer Shrimp with angel hair pasta or sauteed asparagus. If you're up for putting in a little more effort, here are some easy side dish ideas that will go well with the flavors in this recipe:
- Grilled or steamed veggies
- Rice
- Potato salad
- Coleslaw
- Baked sweet potato
- Fruit salad
- Garlic bread
- Caesar salad
- Green beans
Substitutions
Grated garlic. You can use garlic powder if you do not have grated garlic on hand.
Butter. If you are looking for a dairy-free option, you can use olive oil or vegan butter instead of the butter.
Lemon juice. You can also use lime juice in this recipe if you prefer.
Thyme. If you do not have fresh thyme, you can use dried thyme or another herb of your choice.
Variations
I'm flavoring these shrimp with garlic and thyme, but you could really use anything you like– fresh minced parsley, old bay seasoning, lemon pepper, Cajun seasoning, etc.
Shrimp cocktail. Add your cooked shrimp to some cocktail sauce and serve as an appetizer.
Shrimp salad. Add cooked shrimp to your favorite salad recipe.
Coconut shrimp. Coat your shrimp in some shredded coconut before air frying for a delicious tropical twist.
Crispy shrimp tacos. Use your air fryer shrimp to make some delicious tacos. Top with cabbage, cilantro, and your favorite sauce.
Popcorn shrimp. Use smaller shrimp, an egg mixture, and bread crumbs to make some delicious popcorn shrimp.
Shrimp scampi. Toss your cooked shrimp with some pasta, tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, and some parmesan cheese.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Store any leftover shrimp in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. To reheat, place the shrimp on a baking sheet and bake at 400F until warmed through. You could also reheat them in the air fryer for a few minutes.
Can I Freeze This Recipe?
Yes! This recipe freezes well. To freeze, place cooked shrimp in a freezer-safe container and store for up to three months. When you're ready to eat, thaw the shrimp overnight in the fridge and then reheat according to the instructions above.
Recipe FAQ's
To cook frozen shrimp in an air fryer, thaw them according to the instructions on the package. Then, add the shrimp to a large bowl, the spices, and other needed ingredients.
Toss everything together until the shrimp are evenly coated. Then, place the shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer and cook according to the recipe directions.
According to the cook time in the air fryer shrimp recipe above, you should cook the shrimp for 6 minutes at 400F. Then, brush them with garlic butter and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
Keep in mind that the cooking time may vary depending on the size and type of air fryer you're using.
More Air Fryer Recipes
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Air Fryer Shrimp
Ingredients
- 1 pound medium-size shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 4 Tablespoons salted butter, melted
- ½ lemon, juiced
- ½ teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme
Instructions
- Pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel and drizzle them with olive oil. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Place the shrimp in a single layer and air fry at 400°F for 6 minutes.
- While the shrimp cook, whisk together the melted butter, lemon juice, grated garlic, and minced thyme.
- When the air fryer has finished, brush each shrimp with garlic butter and air fry at 400°F for another 1-2 minutes, or until the shrimp are bright pink and no longer limp to the touch.
- Enjoy these shrimp with cocktail sauce, on a salad, or with your favorite sides.
Notes
- Storage: Store leftover shrimp in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days.
- Serving size: The nutrition is calculated using an online nutrition calculator based on 4 entree-sized servings.
- Shrimp: For this recipe, I’m using 15-16 count shrimp (which means that there should be 15-16 shrimp per pound). Keep in mind that smaller shrimp will cook faster while larger shrimp may take a bit longer.
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