Air fryers are versatile kitchen tools that go beyond just reheating frozen chicken nuggets or French fries. If you're in the mood for shrimp but don't have much time to cook or prepare an elaborate meal, the air fryer is an excellent option.

Whether you're making shrimp tacos, shrimp pasta, or serving shrimp with rice and vegetables, the air fryer can help you save time and effort while giving your shrimp a deliciously crispy exterior.

To discover the best method for cooking shrimp in an air fryer, we spoke with Kathy Brooks, the owner of Circa Air Fryer. Continue reading to learn her simple, foolproof recipe, and don't forget to check out The Best Way to Cook Salmon in an Air Fryer.

Gather your ingredients.

Before you start on your air fryer shrimp, gather your ingredients to ensure you have everything you need. Fresh, raw shrimp is best, and we recommend peeling and deveining them before placing them in the air fryer.

We used the Elite Gourmet 4-Quart Air Fryer for this recipe, which holds about half a pound of shrimp at a time, but you can use any type of air fryer you prefer, as long as it can reach 400 degrees.

What you'll need:

  • 1 lb raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • Lemon wedges (for serving)
  • Air fryer (one that reaches 400 degrees)

Get your air fryer and shrimp ready.

  1. Before you prepare your shrimp, preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Grab a bowl large enough to toss the shrimp in the seasonings.
  3. Toss the shrimp with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.

Cook your shrimp.

Now it's time to cook your shrimp.

  1. Arrange the shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
  2. Cook for about 6 to 8 minutes.
  3. Shake the shrimp halfway through cooking time to ensure even cooking.
  4. The shrimp should be opaque and slightly crisp.

Serve and enjoy!

  1. When your shrimp is ready, transfer the cooked shrimp to a plate.
  2. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over them and garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
  3. Serve immediately.
  4. You can eat your shrimp with pasta or rice and veggies or make tasty shrimp tacos with tortillas, fruit salsa, avocados, and cotija cheese.
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