The air fryer makes it easy to cook tender, juicy, and flavorful shrimp in minutes. These Air Fryer Shrimp are seasoned with a savory mix of Old Bay and garlic (no breading) and brightened with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for a classic seafood flavor. Simple, quick, and delicious!
Looking for more shrimp appetizers? Try my Bacon Wrapped Shrimp with Bourbon Glaze, Coconut Shrimp, and Poached Shrimp (for Shrimp Cocktail).
Before You Start Cooking
- You’ll need raw 16/20 count shrimp for this recipe—they’re large enough to stay plump and juicy in the air fryer without overcooking. (Check out my Shrimp Sizes Guide to learn more about shopping for shrimp.)
- Ready in just 15 minutes from prep to plate, Air Fryer Shrimp are perfect for busy weeknights, entertaining, or game-day spreads—no fuss, just great flavor.
- Prefer more heat or a milder seasoning? Easily adjust the spices to make these shrimp as bold or subtle as you like.
How to Make Air Fryer Shrimp
These shrimp couldn’t be easier to make with just a handful of ingredients. Here’s how to get them perfectly seasoned, juicy, and tender every time.
Step 1. Prep the Shrimp
For the best quality, I buy my shrimp cleaned but shell-on and prep them myself, leaving the tail on for presentation—it’s a natural handle for dipping!
Remove the Shell and Devein the Shrimp
EZ-Peel Shrimp come with a pre-split shell along the back for easy removal and are usually deveined. Gently pull the shell away, stopping at the tail section.
Regular Shell-On Shrimp don’t come with pre-split shells. To remove the shells and devein, use a paring knife or kitchen shears to make a shallow cut along the curved back of the shrimp (not the underside where the legs are). Start at the meaty end and stop just above the tail.
Gently lift and remove the dark vein (the shrimp’s digestive tract) running along where you’ve cut. Then, peel away the shell in sections, leaving the tail intact.
Rinse, Dry, and Season
Rinse the shrimp under cold water to remove any leftover bits of shell or vein. Pat them dry with a paper towel—this helps the oil and seasonings stick and removes excess moisture.
In a bowl, toss the shrimp with olive oil, Old Bay seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder. Use a rubber spatula or your hands to evenly coat them.
Switch up the seasonings! Instead of Old Bay, try making these shrimp with your favorite Cajun or Creole seasoning, or lemon pepper.
Step 2. Preheat the Air Fryer
Set your air fryer to 400°F and let it preheat for 3 to 5 minutes. (My Ninja XL Pro, shown here, takes 3 minutes to preheat—check your air fryer’s manual for model-specific preheating recommendations.)
While some foods don’t need a preheated air fryer, it’s key for shrimp—it ensures fast, even cooking and prevents them from turning rubbery.
3. Air Fry the Shrimp
Place the shrimp in the heated air fryer basket in a single layer. A little overlap is fine, but avoid piling them on top of each other. If needed, cook the shrimp batches for good air circulation.
Air fry for 4 to 6 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. The shrimp are done when they’re opaque, pink, and form a loose “C” shape.
If using an instant-read thermometer, they should reach an internal temperature of 145°F in the thickest part of the shrimp.
4. Finish with Lemon
Once the shrimp are cooked, squeeze fresh lemon juice over them while they’re still warm. Transfer them to a serving platter, letting any seasoned oil left in the air fryer basket drip onto the shrimp for extra flavor.
When serving as a main dish or appetizer, I often like to sprinkle the shrimp with chopped parsley for a fresh, pretty finish.
Serving Air Fryer Shrimp
You can serve these Air Fryer Shrimp as a quick and easy main course or a crowd-pleasing appetizer—they’re perfect for busy weeknights and game day spreads alike. They taste just as delicious fresh out of the air fryer as they do slightly cooled, making them great for entertaining.
Here are some of our favorite ways to serve them:
- As a Main Course. Serve with sides like rice pilaf or crispy Air Fryer Potato Wedges. We also like them with roasted asparagus, sautéed green beans, or a fresh cucumber salad.
- As an Appetizer. Add them to a seafood platter with my Air Fryer Crab Cakes or Roux Crab Cakes!
- Pasta. Toss them with penne or angel hair and a lemon-garlic butter sauce for a light, fresh dish. Or, serve over fettuccine Alfredo for a more indulgent meal.
- Salads. Use these shrimp to top a restaurant-quality entrée salad at home with your favorite add-ins and dressing. (I love them over Caesar Salad for a zesty twist on a classic.)
- Sandwiches. Pile Air Fryer shrimp onto a toasted hoagie roll with lettuce, tomato, and remoulade for a twist on a shrimp po’ boy. Or arrange them on a buttery brioche bun with lettuce and tartar sauce for a simple shrimp sandwich.
Dip it! While flavorful on their own, these shrimp are even better with a great dipping sauce. My family loves them with creamy, zesty Comeback Sauce, Homemade Tartar Sauce, or classic Cocktail Sauce.
Storing and Reheating
Store leftover shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. While they can be eaten cold, I like to take the chill off of them for the best flavor and texture.
To reheat, pop the shrimp back in the air fryer at 350°F and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, just until heated through. Be careful not to overcook them so they don’t become rubbery.
More Air Fryer Recipes
Looking for more ways to cook with your Air Fryer? Check out my full Air Fryer recipe collection.
Air Fryer Shrimp
Ingredients
- 1 pound 16/20 shrimp , peeled, and deveined, tails left on
- 1-1/2 tablespoons regular olive oil
- 1 to 1-1/2 teaspoons Old Bay Seasoning (depending on how zesty you like your shrimp–see note below)
- 3/4 teaspoon granulated garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 lemon , juiced
- freshly-ground black pepper (optional)
- chopped fresh parsley , for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 3 to 5 minutes, following your model’s instructions. (For reference, my Ninja Pro XL takes 3 minutes to preheat.)
- Prep the shrimp: After peeling and deveining, rinse and pat them dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, toss the shrimp with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, and Old Bay seasoning until evenly coated. For extra spice, add a few grinds of freshly cracked black pepper (optional).
- Cook the shrimp: Arrange them in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket. A little overlap is fine, but don't pile them on top of each other so the air can circulate. Air fry for 4 to 6 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
- Check for doneness: The shrimp should be opaque, pink, and form a loose “C” shape (not a tight “O”). If using an instant-read thermometer, the internal temperature should reach 145°F in the meatiest part. Since cooking times can vary by air fryer model, check for doneness at 4 minutes to prevent overcooking.
- Serve: Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the shrimp and use tongs to transfer them to a serving platter. Garnish with parsley, if desired, and serve with your favorite dipping sauces.
Notes
- Smaller shrimp (21/25 or 26/30) – Start checking for doneness at 3 minutes instead of 4.
- Larger shrimp (U/12 or U/15) – They’ll likely need closer to 6 minutes, possibly a minute or two longer, depending on your air fryer.
- Shrimp smaller than 26/30 – Not recommended, as they cook too quickly and can dry out.
- Milder Shrimp: Use 1 teaspoon of Old Bay.
- Zestier: Increase to 1 ¼ to 1 ½ teaspoons for bolder seasoning.
- Extra Zesty: Feel free to measure with your heart, but I don’t recommend exceeding 2 teaspoons. Old Bay contains salt and can make the shrimp too salty if used with too heavy a hand.
Nutrition Estimate
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
About our recipes
Please note that our recipes have been developed using the US Customary measurement system and have not been tested for high altitude/elevation cooking and baking.
