Cooking frozen shrimp in the air fryer is like a culinary magic trick. Transforming frozen shrimp straight from the freezer into tender, juicy bites of perfection, with almost no effort? That's my kind of dinner! It’s the kind of recipe that makes busy weeknights feel manageable.
The first time I made this recipe I wasn't sure what to expect. We'd returned home late from my son's basketball practice and I needed something fast to feed my ravenous crew. I gave this a shot, whipped up some pasta quickly on the side while the shrimp was cooking, and BAM! Dinner on the table in just about 10 minutes. Easy peasy, and super delicious. (This crispy pork belly with air fryer recipe is also a fun dinner recipe when you need something fast!)
This is one of those easy air fryer recipes that I turn to when I want something quick, fresh, and versatile (I love the sauce used here but you can use any sauce you please). I'm now thinking of all the ways I can use this to make shrimp dinners easier - shrimp tacos on a Tuesday, a main dish with white rice, a low-carb salad topper - this is my favorite way to make shrimp, hands down.
And let’s not forget that garlic butter sauce—simple, luxurious, and just the thing to make this dish feel extra special. Bonus: no thawing required. If you’ve got a bag of shrimp in the freezer, you’re halfway to dinner!
(Try this delicious Boom Boom Shrimp recipe for another delicious shrimp dinner!)
In This Post
Key Ingredients
Just a handful of ingredients are needed for this easy shrimp recipe.
- Frozen shrimp. Any kind of shrimp will do—raw frozen shrimp, cooked shrimp, butterfly shrimp, or even frozen breaded shrimp from the freezer section. The size of the shrimp matters; larger shrimp like jumbo shrimp might need a little more time, while popcorn shrimp cooks in less time.
- Garlic butter sauce. This sauce is made with pantry staples: butter, grated garlic, lemon juice, and parsley. It’s the perfect sauce to coat your shrimp, whether you’re serving them as a main course or a side dish.
How To Make Air Fryer Shrimp
Make perfect shrimp in just minutes in the air fryer! Here's how to do it.
- Prep The Shrimp. Take your bag of shrimp—still frozen—and place shrimp directly into the air fryer basket. Spread them out in a single layer. No need for thawing, which is truly the best part of this recipe!
- Cook shrimp. Set the air fryer to 400 degrees F. Cook time will vary depending on the type of shrimp: raw shrimp takes about 8-10 minutes, while cooked shrimp only needs 5-6 minutes. You'll also need to consider the size of your shrimp and adjust accordingly. Jumbo shrimp will take the full 8-10 minutes whereas mini shrimp may only need 4-5. Give the basket a good shake halfway through for even cooking and just keep an eye on them to make sure they aren't cooking too quickly. You’re looking for tender shrimp with an internal temperature of 145 degrees F.
- Make the sauce. While your shrimp is cooking, melt butter in a small pan or microwave-safe bowl. Stir in the grated garlic, fresh lemon juice, and a touch of salt. For an extra punch, toss in some Old Bay seasoning or chili powder.
- Toss and enjoy. Once the shrimp is golden brown and cooked, toss it with the garlic butter sauce in a large bowl. Sprinkle fresh parsley on top for a pop of color and freshness.
Note: I don't typically find it needs it, but you can spray a dab of cooking spray on the bottom of your air fryer basket before adding the shrimp if you tend to notice things sticking to it easily.
Variations And Substitutions
There are seriously so many ways to change up this easy recipe for what you need. Here are a few ideas.
- Try a different type of shrimp. Use fresh shrimp if you have it on hand, but frozen works just as well. Adjust the cooking time depending on the size shrimp you’re using.
- Change up the flavor. Swap the garlic butter for a favorite seasoning blend like Cajun spice, chili-lime, or even a splash of soy sauce for a savory twist.
- Make it breaded! If you’re using frozen breaded shrimp, cook for about 10-12 minutes, shaking halfway through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! It’s the best way to cook shrimp straight from the freezer. No thawing is needed—just place shrimp in an even layer and let the air fryer work its magic.
Raw frozen shrimp typically take 8-10 minutes, while cooked frozen shrimp need only 5-6 minutes. Adjust slightly for larger shrimp or popcorn shrimp.
Store leftover shrimp in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the air fryer for the best results.
How To Serve Air Fryer Shrimp
This delicious shrimp pairs perfectly with so many dishes. Here are a few ideas:
- Shrimp tacos. Load them into warm tortillas with slaw and your favorite sauce for an easy meal.
- Main dish. Serve over white rice, pasta, or even with French fries for a complete dinner.
- Side dish. Pair with grilled vegetables or a simple salad.
- Appetizer. Serve with cocktail sauce or as a topping for garlic bread. So delish!
For seafood lovers (and anyone in desperate need of a quick dinner), this recipe is a total game-changer. The combination of crispy, tender shrimp and the rich garlic butter sauce will win over even the pickiest eaters. Check the bottom of this post for the printable recipe card, and get ready to fall in love with your trusty air fryer all over again.
If you try this Air Fryer Shrimp recipe, let me know what you think in the comments below, or tag me with a pic @frontrangefed on Instagram!
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fry Canned Biscuits
- Corn Dogs In The Air Fryer
- How To Cook Sweet Potato Cubes In The Air Fryer
- Air Fryer French Bread Pizza
- Air Fried Kale Chips
- Air Fryer Country Potatoes
Recipe
How To Make Frozen Shrimp In The Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 lb frozen shrimp (cooked or raw)
Optional Garlic Butter Sauce
- ½ cup butter
- 8 cloves garlic grated
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoon flat-leaf Italian parsley minced
Instructions
- Place the frozen shrimp directly into the air fryer. Cook at 400 degrees for 5 minutes if the shrimp is already cooked, 10 minutes for raw shrimp. Shake the basket halfway through the cooking time.
- Meanwhile, make the sauce by melting the ½ cup butter and adding the grated garlic, lemon juice, and salt.
- Once the shrimp has finished cooking, remove it from the air fryer basket and put it into a large bowl. Toss the shrimp with the sauce, then top with the parsley.
- Serve the air-fried shrimp over pasta, on top of a salad, or alongside steamed or grilled vegetables.
Notes
- Adust the cooking time based on the size of your shrimp. Smaller shrimp will require a shorter cooking time, larger shrimp will take a bit longer.
- Leftovers can be stored for 3 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Experiment with flavors! I love the garlic sauce here, but try using this shrimp in tacos, stuffed into a pita, on top of a salad, etc.
Joe says
Perfect with a big bowl of noodles! Thanks for this easy recipe. Love the garlic butter sauce-we were licking the bowls, lol!
Sarah Jenkins says
Thank you Joe!