Recipe from Simpler Savory
The recipe
Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 8 min
- Total
- 13 min
- Servings
- 4 servings
Nutrition Facts
Original author values. Recipe yield: 4 servings.
- calories
- 170
2× the original author values. Recipe yield: 4 servings.
- calories
- 340
3× the original author values. Recipe yield: 4 servings.
- calories
- 510
Values are reproduced from the source recipe; this site only applies the selected linear multiplier and does not estimate nutrients.
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds frozen raw shrimp, 16/20 or 21/25 count — tail-on or tail-off; do not thaw
- 2 teaspoons avocado oil — or olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper — freshly ground
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika — sweet or smoked
- 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper — optional, for heat
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning — optional, classic flavor
- 1 lemon or lime — zest and juice, to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or cilantro — chopped
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter — optional; for garlic-butter finish
- 1 clove garlic — minced; for garlic-butter finish
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 390–400°F for 3–5 minutes so the basket is hot.
- Place frozen shrimp in a bowl. Drizzle with oil, then add salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne and/or Old Bay. Toss to coat; spices will cling to the icy surface.
- Spread shrimp in a single layer in the hot air fryer basket, avoiding heavy overlap for even browning.
- Cook at 390–400°F for 4 minutes until shrimp begin turning pink at the edges.
- Shake or toss the basket, then cook 3–5 minutes more until shrimp are coral-pink and opaque with a gentle C-curve and lightly crisp edges.
- Press a shrimp gently; it should feel springy, not tough. Smaller shrimp may need less time; larger 16/20 may need the full 9 minutes.
- Transfer hot shrimp to a bowl and add lemon or lime zest and juice to taste. Sprinkle with parsley or cilantro.
- Melt butter in a small pan and gently cook minced garlic 30–60 seconds. Toss hot shrimp in the garlic butter and finish with parsley and a squeeze of lemon.
- For taco night, dust cooked shrimp with a pinch of chili powder and cumin, add lime, and serve in warm tortillas with crunchy slaw.
Notes
Store cooled leftover shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 2–3 minutes or in a hot skillet with a splash of oil and lemon. Avoid microwaving to prevent rubbery texture. For longer storage, freeze cooked shrimp up to 1 month, though texture is best when freshly cooked.
Source: https://simplersavory.com/air-fryer-frozen-shrimp/