Air fryer frozen shrimp recipe

Recipe image shows a plate of air fryer frozen shrimp made in a baking dish inside of air fryer basket.

5 from 1 vote

Air fryer frozen shrimp recipe

Make perfectly cooked frozen shrimp in the air fryer with this easy recipe. Juicy, tender shrimp with paprika and a bright lemony finish.

Prep Time2

Cook Time6

Total Time8

Course: Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: air fryer frozen shrimp, frozen shrimp in air fryer

Servings: servings

Author: ChihYu Smith

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

US - Metric

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.

Video

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