Look no further than this easy air fryer shrimp recipe for the best results when cooking shrimp with buttery sauce and Old Bay seasoning.
(Originally published 6/14/19 and updated for content 3/23/24)
If you like this recipe, check out my Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos next!
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I used to not fix seafood at home because I didn’t grow up in a household that served it. But with practice and especially now with my air fryer I have changed that. I used to overcook raw shrimp especially, but no more! I always buy frozen shrimp (not fresh shrimp) since I live in Ohio. But the air fryer is truly the best way for perfectly cooking thawed shrimp. The high heat circulation sears the outside making sure you get juicy shrimp every time. Giving you a quick dinner on busy weeknights.
More air frying recipes
Ingredients for perfect air fryer shrimp
- Shrimp – My recipe works best for frozen large shrimp or jumbo shrimp – peeled and deveined. I like all the work already done for me. If you are using smaller shrimp you’ll need to decrease the cooking time.
- Old Bay Seasoning – My personal favorite seasoning for seafood. You can’t go wrong. I even use it in my Air Fryer Chex Mix!
- Butter – Melted and seasoned for drizzling over the cooked shrimp before serving.
- Parsley – Adds fresh flavor and appetizing pop of green color to the shrimp.
- Garlic – One clove garlic really helps to add an extra punch of flavor to the melted butter. And I personally love garlic shrimp. If you don’t have fresh garlic, use garlic powder instead.
- Lemon Juice – Fresh lemon juice for a little sharpness to offset the rich buttery shrimp.
- Salt and Pepper – Just a little to taste. You can feel free to add your own favorite seasonings, like onion powder, smoked paprika, lemon pepper or even a little cayenne or red pepper flakes.
- Variations – If you don’t want to use the flavored butter, you could dip your cooked shrimp in cocktail sauce or tartar sauce instead.
How to air fry shrimp
Start with cleaned shrimp – frozen, peeled and deveined. Thaw them according to package directions. Dry the shrimp on paper towels. Be sure to preheat your air fryer and brush it with a little oil (avocado oil or olive oil) not cooking spray. Season the shrimp with Old Bay (or your favorite dry rub). Not a lot is needed. The flavor really comes in at the end with the buttery drizzle! Place the shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Then cook at 400 degrees F for 6-7 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking time.
Serving suggestions
I’m probably biased because this happens to be one of my daughter’s favorite main dish meals, but I think perfectly cooked and buttery shrimp belong on top of a pile of my Fettuccine Alfredo (recipe video included).
Here’s some more side dish recipe ideas for cooked shrimp –
Storage directions
I try and only make as many shrimp as I’m going to eat. But you can store the cooked (air fried) shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Once it’s been chilled, I prefer to eat the cooked shimp cold on top of a salad or in a wrap.
Kitchen Tips
- Type of shrimp is up to you, but this is the specific brand of shrimp from my grocery store that I tested.
- Purchased cooking spray (like Pam) will damage the non-stick coating of your air fryer over time. Use a mister or a silicone brush to oil your air fryer basket with vegetable oil instead.
- Brand of the air fryer does make a difference. Times and temperatures of all my air fryer recipes are based on the air fryer I test with in my own kitchen.
- Here’s a great guide for how many shrimp to plan on per person depending on occasion.
Air Fryer Shrimp
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 lb frozen shrimp thawed
- 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
- 4 tbsp salted butter melted
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp Old Bay seasoning
Instructions
- Be sure to purchase extra large or jumbo shrimp. Peeled, deveined and raw - not cooked. Thaw the shrimp according to package directions. Do not attempt to air fry them from frozen.
- Lightly coat the air fryer basket with vegetable oil. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.
- Dry the thawed shrimp with paper towels. Sprinkle both sides evenly with the Old Bay seasoning.
- Place the shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket (you may need to cook them in two batches - depending on the size of your air fryer).
- Cook for 3 - 4 minutes. Use tongs to flip over the shrimp. Cook for an additional 3 minutes.
- While the shrimp is cooking, melt the butter and whisk in the parsley, garlic, lemon juice and Old Bay. Drizzle the butter mixture over the cooked shrimp before serving.
Video
Nutrition
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Sophie says
I love instant pot and air fryer recipes a lot. My sister loves shrimp and she will love this too. Will pass this recipe.
foodtasticmom says
Thank you so much!
The Panicked Foodie says
This looks like an easy and great way to prepare shrimp! I have a few family members who are always on the lookout for new air fryer recipes and I think they would enjoy this!
foodtasticmom says
Great – I hope you pass this recipe along to them!
Adrianne says
That is such a great idea making these in the air fryer! It would save heaps of time as well as being super delicious. The Old Bay Seasoning sounds like something I would like to try!
foodtasticmom says
Old Bay is such a classic with seafood – my favorite!
Iryna says
My husband loves shrimp and he would devour these in no time.
foodtasticmom says
They didn’t last long in our house for sure!
Liz says
I recently got an air fryer and it’s been so fun being able to try new recipes! My husband loves shrimp so this recipe is perfect!
foodtasticmom says
They are so fun to experiment with. Glad to give you another recipe to try!
Lola Osinkolu says
Yum! I can already feel my mouth watering!
foodtasticmom says
Yay!
Lowell says
BUT…..what temperature and cook time is right for PRECOOKED Frozen Jumbo Shrimp??
foodtasticmom says
I have never tried it with precooked shrimp. I would say just a couple of minutes. You only need to reheat the shrimp – you don’t want to cook it more as it would get rubbery.
Laura Tobin says
Great idea to cook shrimps in an air-fryer, I will definitely make them for my next seafood feast.
foodtasticmom says
Glad to hear this.
Dannii says
I bet the air fryer gets these so crispy and delicious. I can’t wait to try it.
foodtasticmom says
Honestly, they aren’t so much crispy. They are very juicy and just perfectly cooked. They exact opposite of overcooked.
Nart | Cooking with Nart says
I’ve never tried cooking shrimp in my air fryer because I always worry it will be too dry. Thanks for sharing the tips, I’ll give it a go!
foodtasticmom says
You would think that, but the air fryer does the opposite. Seals in juices, actually makes them tender and moist.
Julia says
What a great air fryer recipe and so easy to make!
foodtasticmom says
They could not be more simple – and they are perfectly cooked.
dana says
Love these shrimp! We usually enjoy them on the side with our steak for a nice surf n turf combo!
foodtasticmom says
Yes!! Love a good surf and turf!
Cathleen says
I can’t believe that I have never thought of making shrimp in the air fryer before! I am so excited to make this tonight, thank you so much for sharing this recipe 🙂
foodtasticmom says
You’re welcome, enjoy!
Kimberly says
We love shrimp in our family but fried is the only way our son likes to eat it so this is perfect. I’ve got some in the freezer and have some Old Bay in the cupboard – I can taste them already!
foodtasticmom says
Glad to hear this. It’s always great to have more kid-approved recipes!
Gianne says
The shrimp came out perfectly cooked and crispy on the outside. It was super quick and easy to make, and the flavor was delicious.
foodtasticmom says
Happy to hear this! Thanks for taking the time to rate and review the recipe.
Kerri says
These shrimp were so delicious! Love how light and easy they were to make!
foodtasticmom says
I’m so glad you liked the shrimp!