This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Frozen shrimp in the air fryer is a seriously healthy lean protein main. Cooked straight from frozen (no thawing!), this buttery, tender shrimp is ready in just 6 minutes with minimal effort. It’s garlicky, smokey from a touch of paprika, and finished with bright lemon for that perfect bright lemony flavor.
Follow my simple tips to get the most tender, buttery, and juicy shrimp—you won’t believe they’re cooked from frozen!

Table of Contents
Ingredients
This air fryer frozen shrimp recipe uses simple, accessible ingredients yet the flavor is amazing. I honestly didn’t think seafood in the airfryer could be so good. My husband said they taste like the famous Spanish garlic shrimp from the La Casa del Abuelo in Madrid—a huge compliment!

Save This Recipe
Basic ingredients:
- Frozen shrimp: 1 pound of medium raw frozen shrimp, peeled and deveined.
- Avocado oil spray for the air fryer basket.
Seasonings for frozen shrimp:
- Butter (melted) adds richness and juiciness to the shrimp.
- Olive oil keeps the shrimp moist and juicy.
- Coarse sea salt and ground black pepper
- Garlic powder pairs perfectly with the lemon and butter for a classic seafood flavor.
- Paprika for a subtle smoky flavor—it goes so well with garlic!
To garnish:
- Chopped parsley as a garnish for freshness and a pop of color.
- Lemon wedges on the side for a bright and citrusy finish.
Tip
Types of shrimp to use: Go for shell-off, medium-sized raw white shrimp (26-30 count per pound). They’re just the right size—not too small or too large—and turn out tender and juicy.
How to air fry frozen shrimp
This tasty air fried frozen shrimp is cooked directly from the freezer. We quickly defrost them in the air fryer basket before seasoning the shrimp and finishing cooking in a low-walled baking dish. The total air fryer time for medium frozen raw shrimp is 6 minutes at 380°F (193°C).
- Prepare the air fryer: Spray the air fryer basket with avocado oil to prevent sticking.

- Quick thaw: Place the frozen shrimps in air fryer basket in a single layer leaving space between. Air fry at 380°F (193°C) for 4 minutes to defrost.
- Season the shrimp: Transfer the shrimp to an oven-safe baking dish with low walls. Discard defrosted liquid from the air fryer basket. Toss the shrimp with melted butter and seasonings until well-coated.

- Finish cooking the shrimp: Air fry at 380°F (193°C) for 2 minutes.
- Serve: Remove from the fryer. Toss the shrimp again with the butter sauce in the dish. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot with lemon wedges on the side.
Pro tip!
Why cook shrimp in a baking dish?
We defrost the shrimp in the air fryer basket to remove extra moisture, then finish them in a low-walled baking dish with butter and seasonings. This keeps the shrimp juicy and tender. Cooking directly in the basket, as other recipes do, can make the shrimp dry and lose their natural juices.
What to serve it with
Shrimp is a yummy lean protein that pairs well with anything. It works as a main dish, side dish, appetizer, or topping! Serve over rice or noodles with your favorite veggies or salad for a full meal.
- Pair with vegetables: Keep things simple with frozen asparagus, frozen brussel sprouts, frozen green beans, frozen corn on the cob, or frozen broccoli in air fryer. This miso sweet potato recipe with rich miso butter is another great option!
- Serve as a topping: Enjoy these shrimp served over my gluten-free air fryer chicken fried rice, spicy peanut noodles with chewy rice noodles, or my crispy Cantonese chow mein.
ChihYu’s helpful Notes
- Types of shrimp to use: Medium raw white shrimp (26-30 count per pound) are ideal. Choose peeled (shell-off) and deveined shrimp for the best texture.
- Defrost in the air fryer: Air fry the shrimp in a single layer for a quick thaw—no need to thaw overnight! This step removes extra moisture.
- Season after defrosting: After thawing, transfer the shrimp to a baking dish and toss with butter and seasonings. This helps the flavors stick and prevents moisture from diluting them.
- Why use a low-walled baking dish: The low-walled baking dish allows for better air circulation in the air fryer while catching the juices and melted butter. This keeps the shrimp tender, juicy, and full of flavor as they cook.
- If using pre-cooked shrimp: Air fry at 380°F (193°C) for 2 minutes to thaw, then transfer to a baking dish with butter and seasonings. Air fry for another 1-2 minutes until warmed through.
FAQ
Cooked shrimp turns pink and opaque with a slight curl to the shape (a loose “C” curve). For food safety, shrimp should reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) as recommended by the FDA. However, many chefs suggest cooking shrimp to 120°F (49°C) for the best texture and flavor. Use a food thermometer if you’re unsure, and be careful not to overcook them—overcooked shrimp will curl tightly into an “O” shape and become rubbery.
It’s not recommended to reheat frozen shrimp cooked in an air fryer, as the texture can become dry. However, if you must, place the shrimp in an air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 1-2 minutes, just until warmed through. Avoid overcooking, as reheated shrimp can dry out quickly.
Absolutely! For larger shrimp, add an extra minute or two to the cooking time. For smaller shrimp, reduce the cooking time slightly. Just keep an eye on them—they should turn pink and opaque when done.
More frozen foods in air fryer recipes
Cooking frozen foods in the air fryer is the ultimate hack for a quick and healthy dinner. Here are some easy recipes to try—and don’t forget to download my handy Air fryer cooking times cheat sheet!
- How to cook frozen salmon in air fryer: This ZERO prep recipe is ready in 16 minutes and requires just three ingredients. It’s so tender and flaky!
- Frozen chicken wings in air fryer: Perfect for a last-minute meal, these wings are crispy, tender, and finger-licking-good!
- Air fryer frozen sweet potato fries: Follow my tips for perfectly crispy yet tender sweet potato fries in the air fryer!

Air fryer frozen shrimp recipe

Ingredients
- 1 lb frozen raw shrimp 26-30 count per pound, peeled and deveined
- Avocado oil spray
- 2 tbsp butter melted
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ¼ tsp coarse sea salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic granules
- ¼ tsp smoked paprika powder
- Sprinkle Parsley chopped (for garnish)
- Half one whole Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the air fryer: Spray the air fryer basket with avocado oil to prevent sticking.
- Defrost the shrimp: Place the frozen shrimp directly into the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving some space between each shrimp. If needed, cook in two batches depending on the size of your air fryer. Air fry at 380°F (193°C) for 4 minutes to defrost.
- Season the shrimp: Transfer the shrimp to an oven-safe baking dish that fits inside your air fryer basket. Choose a dish with low walls for even cooking. Discard any defrosted liquid in the bottom of the air fryer basket. Toss the shrimp with melted butter, olive oil, sea salt, black pepper, garlic granules, and smoked paprika until well coated.
- Cook the shrimp: Place the baking dish back into the air fryer basket and air fry at 380°F (193°C) for 2 minutes.
- Serve: Carefully remove the dish from the air fryer using oven mitts. Toss the shrimp again with the butter sauce in the dish. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot with lemon wedges on the side.
Notes
- Shrimp Size: This recipe works best with medium-sized shrimp (26-30 count per pound). Adjust cooking time slightly if using larger or smaller shrimp.
- Shell-On vs. Shell-Off: For cooking directly from frozen, we recommend using peeled and deveined (shell-off) shrimp. Shell-off shrimp cook more evenly because there’s no shell acting as a barrier to heat, so the shrimp turns out tender and perfectly cooked. While shell-on shrimp can add more flavor, they’re harder to cook evenly when frozen, as the shell may overcook before the shrimp inside is done just right.
- Avoid Overcrowding: During the initial defrosting stage, it’s important to keep the shrimp in a single layer to ensure even thawing. Once the shrimp are transferred to the baking dish, overcrowding is less of an issue since the dish helps retain their juices while they finish cooking.
- Low-Walled Dish: A shallow baking dish allows the shrimp to cook evenly in the air fryer.
- Why Cook Shrimp in a Baking Dish: Our process is different from other recipes. We defrost the shrimp in the air fryer basket to remove extra moisture, then transfer them to a low-walled baking dish for seasoning and finishing. This keeps the shrimp juicy and tender while cooking. Other recipes season and cook directly in the air fryer basket, which can make the shrimp turn out dry by losing their natural juices.
- If using precooked frozen shrimp: Air fry at 380°F (193°C) in a single layer for 2 minutes to thaw. Transfer the shrimp to a baking dish, add butter and seasonings, and air fry at 380°F (193°C) for 1 to 2 more minutes until warmed through.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.