Do I need to preheat the air fryer for shrimp?

I like to. Starting in a hot air fryer means the shrimp begin cooking immediately on contact, which makes for a better sear.

Can I use frozen shrimp?

You can, but thaw the shrimp completely first. The best method is to place them in a bowl of cold water for 15 minutes, swirling occasionally. Drain and pat dry before seasoning. Do not cook them from frozen! Cooking from frozen will release lots of moisture and steam the shrimp instead of sear them.

How do I know when air fryer shrimp are done?

The shrimp are cooked through when they turn from gray and translucent to pink and opaque. They also curl into a loose "C" shape. If they curl tightly into an "O," they're overcooked.

Can I double the recipe?

You can, but cook in batches rather than crowding the basket. Overlapping shrimp steam instead of air fry, and you'll lose the seared exterior. Most standard air fryers can handle about 1 1/2 pounds comfortably in a single layer -- mine fits 1 1/2 pounds nicely.

Air Fryer Shrimp

Name: Juicy Air Fryer Shrimp
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 7 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1½ pounds peeled medium to large shrimp (tail on or off; I typically use 26/30); 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; ½ teaspoon dried dill; ¾ teaspoon kosher salt; Lemon zest, for garnish; Finely chopped parsley, for serving; Lemon wedges, for serving

Juicy Air Fryer Shrimp

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5 from 1 review

This air fryer shrimp recipe makes deliciously seasoned, juicy shrimp in just 5 minutes! This go-to trick is perfect for quick weeknight meals.

Author: Sonja Overhiser
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 7 minutes
Yield: 4 1x
Category: Dinner
Method: air fryer
Cuisine: American
Diet: Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Low-Carb, Mediterranean Diet, Pescatarian

Ingredients

Scale

1½ pounds peeled medium to large shrimp (tail on or off; I typically use 26/30)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon dried dill
¾ teaspoon kosher salt
Lemon zest, for garnish
Finely chopped parsley, for serving
Lemon wedges, for serving

Instructions

Preheat an air fryer to 400°F.
In a large bowl, gently toss the shrimp with the olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, dill, and salt until evenly coated.
Arrange the shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, until opaque and cooked through, shaking after 3 minutes. Stir in the lemon zest and serve, garnished with chopped parsley and lemon wedges to squeeze over the shrimp, if desired.

Notes

Cook time depends on size: You can technically cook any size of shrimp in the air fryer, but I like medium to large for the juiciest result. Smaller shrimp cooks in a faster time. You can also use jumbo shrimp.

Find it online: https://www.acouplecooks.com/air-fryer-shrimp/