Want air fryer shrimp that take 9 minutes from start to finish and POP in your mouth? This recipe gives you outrageously juicy, flavor-loaded shrimp without loads of dishes.
Summer or winter, these easy air fryer shrimp make an easy and impressive appetizer or main course year-round.
Looking for fresh, kind of fancy, but also easy appetizers? Don't skip past my melon Proscuitto bites, baked brie with fig jam, or this roasted red pepper dip.
Ingredients
If you love cooking, you probably already have a bunch of these ingredients in your kitchen.
- Extra virgin olive oil: Use the best quality you can get. The shrimp deserve it!
- Dijon mustard: This balances out the marinade well.
- Red wine vinegar (optional): The acidity is great with the other ingredients, but you can skip it if you like.
- Garlic powder: I love the savory taste without it being too strong.
- Smoky paprika: For color and smoky-goodness.
- Dried Italian herbs or oregano: Oregano works well if you prefer a single herb.
- Salt and pepper: Seasoning is key so don't skimp on the S&P.
- Raw peeled large shrimp (tails on): These cook quickly and evenly in the air fryer. Keeping the tails on looks pretty and acts as a natural "handle" for eating.
- Lemon wedges (to serve): A squeeze of fresh lemon juice is key.
- Parsley: This is optional, but it brightens the rich flavors.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
This is an ultra-easy recipe to make. All you need to do is marinate your shrimp and then pop them in the air fryer.
Step 1: Mix olive oil, Dijon, red wine vinegar, garlic powder, paprika, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
Step 2: Add shrimp and toss until fully coated.
Step 3: Place shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket, working in batches if needed.
Step 4: Preheat the air fryer, then cook at 400°F for 4-5 minutes, or until done.
Substitutions
There are tons of ingredient swaps to make here. Use what you've got at home and make it your own:
- Oil alternative: Swap with avocado oil or melted butter.
- Dijon mustard: Replace with whole-grain mustard. Use yellow mustard for a milder flavor.
- Red wine vinegar: Substitute with lemon juice, white wine vinegar, or apple cider vinegar.
- Garlic powder: Use freshly minced garlic-it's the stronger option so take note.
- Smoky paprika swap: Use sweet paprika for less smokiness or cayenne pepper for more heat.
- Dried Italian herbs or oregano: I like to use dried thyme or basil sometimes.
- Lemon wedges: Replace with lime wedges.
- Parsley: Swap with fresh cilantro, dill, or chives. Use microgreens or finely chopped spinach.
Variations
The beauty about this recipe is that you can take in different flavor directions. Here are a few variations you can try:
- Teriyaki shrimp: Replace olive oil with sesame oil. Include soy sauce and honey for a teriyaki-style glaze.
- Mediterranean style: Add a sprinkle of feta cheese and cherry tomatoes to the air fryer.
- Coconut lime: Replace red wine vinegar with lime juice and add coconut milk to the marinade.
- Sweet & smoky: Mix brown sugar with the marinade and replace smoky paprika with chipotle powder.
- Balsamic shrimp: Switch the red wine vinegar with balsamic vinegar. Garnish with a drizzle of balsamic reduction.
- Pesto shrimp: Swap the olive oil and Italian herbs with store-bought or homemade pesto. Serve with extra pesto on the side for dipping. This is great with the fresh lemon wedges.
If you love recipes with a little kick, serve this spicy tomato soup as an appetizer with your shrimp.
Equipment
This recipe requires a mixing bowl and your trusty air fryer. It's a low mess, low prep kind of recipe so you won't have much to wash up.
Storage
Let the leftover shrimp cool completely before storing them. Transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Place cooled shrimp in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheat shrimp at 350°F for 2-3 minutes until warmed through, making sure they don't overcook. You can also flask them in the microwave. They will reheat in 15-20-second bursts.
Top tip
Keep your eye on the shrimp when reheating them, as they can turn rubbery in seconds.
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with [this recipe]:
Air fryer Shrimp
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon dijon
- Dash of red wine vinegar optional
- ⅓ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon smokey paprika
- ¾ teaspoon dried Italian herbs or oregano
- Good p inch of salt and pepper
- 450 g raw peeled large shrimp tails on
- Lemon wedges
- Parsley finely chopped
Instructions
- Mix all the marinade ingredients together in a small bowl (olive oil, dijon, red wine vinegar, garlic powder, paprika, Italian herbs, salt and pepper.)
- Add the shrimp and mix well on both sides to fully coat.
- Arrange shrimp in the air fryer basket in a single layer. You may need to do this in batches.
- Preheat the air fryer. Air fry 200C / 400F for 4 to 5 minutes until cooked through to your liking. No need to turn.
- Serve with lemon wedges and sprinkle of parsley.
Equipment
- 1 mixing bowl
- 1 Air Fryer
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
All nutritional information provided is an estimate. For specific dietary needs or concerns, we recommend consulting a nutrition calculator or a qualified expert.
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