Transform your weeknight dinners with this quick and easy method for cooking frozen shrimp in the air fryer. This recipe ensures juicy, flavorful shrimp with minimal effort, making it perfect for busy schedules or last-minute meals.
If you don't already have frozen shrimp in your freezer, you can easily find it in the frozen seafood section of your supermarket. Make sure the shrimp is peeled and deveined for convenience. Olive oil, garlic powder, and paprika are common pantry staples, but if you don't have them, they are readily available in the spice and oil aisles.

Ingredients For Frozen Shrimp In The Air Fryer Recipe
Frozen shrimp: These should be peeled and deveined for ease of preparation.
Olive oil: Adds a rich flavor and helps the shrimp cook evenly.
Garlic powder: Provides a savory, aromatic taste.
Paprika: Adds a mild, smoky flavor and a touch of color.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the shrimp.
Black pepper: Adds a hint of spice and depth to the dish.
Technique Tip for Cooking Shrimp in the Air Fryer
When preparing frozen shrimp in the air fryer, it's crucial to ensure even cooking. To achieve this, make sure the shrimp are spread out in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking and less crispy results. If you have a large batch, consider cooking in multiple batches. Additionally, shaking the basket halfway through the cooking process helps to redistribute the shrimp, ensuring they cook evenly on all sides.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
peeled and deveined frozen shrimp - Substitute with peeled and deveined frozen scallops: Scallops have a similar texture and mild flavor, making them a good alternative for shrimp in air fryer recipes.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a high smoke point and a neutral flavor, making it a suitable replacement for olive oil in air frying.
garlic powder - Substitute with onion powder: Onion powder provides a different but complementary flavor profile that can enhance the dish similarly to garlic powder.
paprika - Substitute with chili powder: Chili powder adds a bit more heat and complexity, which can be a nice variation if you enjoy a spicier dish.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a savory umami flavor and saltiness, though it will also introduce a bit of moisture to the dish.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a slightly different flavor profile but can still provide the necessary heat and spice to the dish.
Alternative Recipes Similar to Air Fryer Shrimp
How to Store and Freeze Your Air Fryer Shrimp
- Allow the shrimp to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the shrimp soggy.
- Transfer the cooled shrimp to an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. If using a bag, squeeze out as much air as possible to maintain freshness.
- Label the container or bag with the date to keep track of how long the shrimp has been stored.
- Store the shrimp in the refrigerator if you plan to consume it within 2-3 days. For longer storage, place the container or bag in the freezer.
- When freezing, consider portioning the shrimp into smaller servings. This makes it easier to thaw only what you need.
- To reheat refrigerated shrimp, preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and cook for 3-4 minutes until heated through.
- For frozen shrimp, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Alternatively, you can reheat directly from frozen by air frying at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
- Always check the shrimp for doneness before serving. It should be opaque and firm to the touch.
- Pair reheated shrimp with fresh vegetables, a side of rice, or a light salad to create a balanced meal.
- For added flavor, consider tossing the reheated shrimp with a bit of lemon juice or a sprinkle of fresh herbs before serving.
How to Reheat Leftover Air Fryer Shrimp
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
Place the leftover shrimp in the air fryer basket in a single layer to ensure even reheating.
Cook for 3-5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to avoid overcooking.
Check the shrimp for doneness; they should be heated through and slightly crispy on the outside.
Alternatively, you can reheat the shrimp in a skillet. Heat a small amount of olive oil over medium heat.
Add the shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are warmed through.
For a microwave option, place the shrimp on a microwave-safe plate.
Cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture.
Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure they do not overcook.
If you prefer an oven method, preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
Spread the shrimp on a baking sheet in a single layer.
Cover with aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
Bake for 10 minutes, or until the shrimp are heated through.
Essential Tools for Cooking Shrimp in the Air Fryer
Air fryer: A kitchen appliance that cooks by circulating hot air around the food, perfect for achieving a crispy texture without deep frying.
Mixing bowl: A large bowl used to combine the shrimp with olive oil and seasonings.
Measuring spoons: Tools used to measure out the garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper accurately.
Tongs: Handy for tossing the shrimp in the mixing bowl and for placing them in the air fryer basket.
Air fryer basket: The part of the air fryer where the shrimp will be placed in a single layer for cooking.
Serving plate: A plate used to serve the cooked shrimp immediately after they are done.
Shaking basket: The action of shaking the air fryer basket halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking.
Time-Saving Tips for Making Air Fryer Shrimp
Preheat the air fryer: Preheat the air fryer while you prepare the shrimp to save time.
Use pre-seasoned shrimp: Buy pre-seasoned frozen shrimp to skip the seasoning step.
Batch cooking: Cook larger batches if your air fryer is big enough to save time on multiple rounds.
Quick thawing: Thaw shrimp quickly in cold water if you prefer not to cook them from frozen.
Prep ahead: Mix the seasoning in advance and store it in an airtight container for future use.
Single layer cooking: Ensure shrimp are in a single layer for even cooking, reducing the need for shaking.

Frozen Shrimp in the Air Fryer Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb Frozen Shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black Pepper
Instructions
- 1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- 2. In a bowl, toss the frozen shrimp with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- 3. Place the shrimp in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- 4. Cook for 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
- 5. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts for Air Fryer Shrimp
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