This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
I was blown away the first time I tried cooking shrimp in the air fryer. 🤯 It’s fast and easy, and the shrimp turned out so good! I have many air fryer shrimp recipes, but this one is my favorite. Seasoned with five spices and served with melted paprika butter, they’re beyond flavorful. You’re going to love them!
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Shrimp Recipe
I love a spicy shrimp dish, and wow, is this air fryer shrimp with no breading easy and delicious?! Toss them in spices, coat them with oil, and air fry them for just 10 minutes. It’s the perfect dish when you’re short on time but want a filling, yummy meal.
🍤 Air Fryer Shrimp Ingredients
- 🍤 Shrimp: Peel and devein raw shrimp, but leave the tail on. Use fresh or frozen shrimp (If frozen, thaw first).
- 🧂 Seasoning: Chipotle powder, onion powder, lemon pepper, garlic powder (optional), salt
- 🫒 Olive Oil coats the shrimp and prevents them from sticking to the air fryer basket.
- 🧈 Melted Butter: Butter (salted or unsalted) and smoked paprika
👩🍳 How to Air Fry Shrimp
- Season the Shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry and sprinkle with all the spices. Then, lightly drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat.
- How Long to Air Fry Shrimp: Place the shrimp in the air fryer basket and air fry for 10 minutes at 370℉.
- Seasoned Butter: While the shrimp cook, melt the butter and season with smoked paprika.
Watch my air fryer shrimp video to see me make them.
🪄 Tips and Tricks
- Time Saver: Buy shrimp that’s already peeled and deveined.
- Why leave the tails on? The tails help the shrimp retain moisture and hold their shape.
- Cook in Batches: Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the shrimp in two batches so you don’t overcrowd the basket.
🗒 Variations
If you don’t have an air fryer, saute the shrimp in a skillet on the stove. And if you’re looking to buy one, I have and love my Wonder Oven.
🗒 Substitutions
- Mild Shrimp: The chipotle powder makes the shrimp spicy, so replace it with chili powder for a mild version. And if you don’t have chipotle powder, you can use cayenne pepper.
- Other Seasoning: You can substitute any of the spices, such as paprika, dried herbs, Cajun seasoning, or Old Bay.
- Oil: Sub avocado oil for olive oil.
- Can’t eat dairy? Omit the paprika butter or swap it with dairy-free butter, like Miyoko’s.
🍽️ Best served with
I love to serve these spicy shrimp one of two ways:
- Shrimp Pasta: Pour the paprika butter over pasta and shrimp.
- Lime: Squeeze fresh lime juice over the shrimp and dip them in pasta. Serve them with veggies, like broccoli, green beans, or this celery salad. For a starch, try this orzo pasta salad on the side.
They’d also be great in grain bowls, wraps, or salads.
👝 How to Store Shrimp
Cooked shrimp will last for three days in an airtight container in the fridge. Microwave them until warm, or eat them cold.
🤔 Common Questions
The easiest method is to place the bag in the refrigerator the day before cooking them. If you’re short on time, put the bag in a bowl of cold water for 30 minutes. If they’re still frozen, pour out the water and fill up the bowl again with fresh water. After another 30 minutes, they should be completely thawed and ready to cook.
I use both! I toss the shrimp in olive oil before cooking them and then dip them in melted butter when eating.
The shrimp will turn from translucent to opaque and pink in color. They will also form a C-shape when done. If you think your air fryer may run hot, check them around 7 minutes to see how they’re doing. Overcooked shrimp are no good!
Air Fryer Shrimp
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 25-30 deveined and peeled shrimp, leave the tail on
- ½ teaspoon chipotle powder
- ½ teaspoon lemon pepper
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder, optional
- Salt to taste
- Olive oil
Melted Butter for Serving
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- Place the shrimp in a medium bowl and pat them dry. Sprinkle the chipotle powder, lemon pepper, onion powder, garlic powder (if using), and salt over the shrimp. Then, drizzle oil over the shrimp and stir to coat.
- Place shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 370℉ for 10 minutes.
- Place the butter in a small bowl and microwave until melted. Stir in the smoked paprika.
- Once cooked, add the shrimp to the butter mixture and toss until they’re evenly coated and add to pasta. Or squeeze with lime juice and dip into melted butter.