Our first batch of air fryer shrimp was mind-blowing and a game changer. Within minutes we had our best air fried shrimp ever. We’ll never cook shrimp in any other way because we love the crisp texture. 

Air Fryer Garlic Shrimp on a plate

Easy Air Fried Shrimp Recipe

If you love shrimp as much as we do and you have an air fryer, this is the next recipe you should try. Air fried shrimp with garlic and lemon is an outstanding way to easily cook shrimp. The shrimp texture is amazing, healthy, flavorful and delicious. It’s a fantastic quick and easy dinner or anytime you’re craving perfect shrimp. We’ve been obsessed with this shrimp and it’s hard to pass up a meal with healthy shrimp salad, shrimp taco or shrimp for pasta. Low Carb and always delicious, it’s our go-to quick weeknight dinner.

Video: 15 minute Healthy Air Fried Shrimp 

Timing will change depending on the size of your raw shrimp! But after cooking your first batch, you’ll know more about what the best timing if for your preferred texture, shrimp size and air fryer model.

Air Fryer Garlic Shrimp in a basket

How to Cook Air fryer Shrimp Recipe or with Cocktail Sauce

We love cooking shrimp so much in the air fryer and it’s so versatile. One of our favorite ways is to use the shrimp in a shrimp cocktail. We have an easy homemade cocktail sauce that’s way better than any store bought jars. Here’s the recipe for the Shrimp cocktail in the air fryer. This has become one of our go-to appetizers for any party or gathering.

  • Make sure shrimp is all the same size. Everything will cook more evenly if they’re the same.
  • If you’re cooking with frozen shrimp, add about 2-3 more minutes to the cooking time.
  • Try using shrimp that’s as fresh as possible. The flavor and texture is so much better.
  • If you have leftovers, you can store the shrimp in the fridge for up to 2 days.
  • The flavor of the shrimp is fantastic when it’s cooked in the air fryer. It’s hard to convince you until you’ve tried it.

Can You Use Frozen Raw Shrimp? What about pre-cooked frozen?

Sure, you can use frozen RAW shrimp. It might take an additional 2-3 minutes to air fry shrimp from frozen. But if it’s Pre-cooked frozen shrimp, then it might take half the time. Pre-cooked is much quicker because you’re essentially just re-heating the shrimp. Raw shrimp needs that extra time to cook.

Shrimp Recipe that's Healthy and Easy | WhiteOnRiceCouple.com
Air Fryer Shrimp Recipe that's Healthy and Easy | WhiteOnRiceCouple.com

Our Favorite Air Fryer Tools

Evo Oil Sprayers
Evo Oil Sprayers

We LOVE the Evo Oil Sprayers. Great for grilling, air frying, and everyday cooking. They don’t clog up like many others we’ve bought. There’s different styles, but all seem to have the same great spray head. Works great for grilling!

Perforated Silicone Mat
Perforated Silicone Mat

Square Mats or Round Mats depending on your needs. Perforated non-stick silicone mats minimize food sticking in your air fryer or steamer. Holes allow the hot air to circulate, cooking quick & even.

Perforated Parchment Sheets
Perforated Parchment

Parchment sheets make clean up easy and minimize sticking food in your air fryer or bamboo steamer. Choose from different sizes, shapes, white and brown (unbleached). Holes allow air to cook food evenly.

Air Fryer Garlic Shrimp Recipe | WhiteOnRiceCouple.com

Air Fryer Garlic Shrimp with Lemon

Cooking times will vary depending on size of shrimp and on different air fryer brands and styles. Timing is based off of thawed shrimp. If you need to quickly the shrimp, place them in a bowl of water until softened.
5 from 6 votes

Ingredients

  • 1 pound (454 g) raw shrimp , peeled de-veined,
  • Vegetable oil or spray , to coat shrimp
  • 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 ml) garlic powder
  • Salt , to taste
  • Black pepper , to taste
  • lemon wedges
  • minced parsley and/or chili flakes (optional)

Equipment

Instructions 

  • In a bowl, toss the shrimp with the oil or spray to coat. Add garlic powder, salt and pepper and toss to evenly coat the shrimp.
  • Add shrimp to air fryer basket in a single layer.
  • Air Fry at 400°F for about 8-14 minutes, gently shaking and flipping the shrimp over halfway through cooking. Cooking times will vary depending on size of shrimp and on different air fryer brands and styles.
  • Transfer shrimp to bowl, squeeze lemon juice on top. Sprinkle parsley and/or chili flakes and serve hot.

Video

Nutrition Information per Serving

Calories: 164kcal, Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 31g, Fat: 3g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 381mg, Sodium: 1175mg, Potassium: 121mg, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin C: 6mg, Calcium: 219mg, Iron: 3mg

What is the Best Air Fryer?

We have 15 different air fryers, all different brands and we definitely have our favorites.

Here’s our extensive write up on Air Fryer World’s Best Air Fryer Guide. There’s so many on the market now. You just need to research and find the ones that fits your needs, capacity and style. We group the basket style air fryers into 2 main size groups: 3-4 qt. range & the 5-6 qt. range.  There’s oven style and basket style. With so many to choose from, we highlight the ones that are most popular for small to medium sized families. Here’s our favorites:

Good Mid-Sized Air Fryers

The non-stick basket style (non-wire base) & smoothness of the basket tray is great for clean up. Easily cooks 2-3 servings of fish & meat.

Great ceramic coated basket for easy clean-up. Super powerful fan that often cooks food hotter & faster than other air fryers.

Good Larger Air Fryers

One of our favorite larger basket style air fryers. Great basket size for about 4 servings. Clean up is great. It has become one of our kitchen favorites.

Instant Pot Brand makes air fryers. The Vortex plus 9-in-1 is beyond the conventional air fryer. Broil, Bake, Dehydrate, Rotisserie, Roast and Re-heat.

Here’s more great recipes to explore.  They’re great starter recipes for anyone who is new to this appliance. After a few meals, we hope you’ll be hooked and as happy as we are.

This recipe was originally published in 2019 and re-published in 2020 with updated video. If you have any new recipe ideas to share, please share it in the comments below. We’d love to see what you’re making!