Name: Air Fryer Smokey Garlic Shrimp
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 13 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Cajun, American
Ingredients: 1 bag of around 14 to 16 ounces of large shrimp, peeled and deveined (frozen-thawed, or fresh) cooking times will vary (see notes for alternatives); 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika; 2 tablespoons butter, melted; 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning; 1 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley; 1 can of cooking oil spray for the basket

Easy to make air-fried shrimp in around 8 minutes with a spicy smoked flavor perfect as an appetizer or served over rice and pasta for a whole meal.

Our recipe is super easy to make in around 8 minutes of cooking time, but don't worry if you don't have an air fryer we will be some alternate cooking methods below for those folks to try this delicious shrimp dish.

We make a homemade seasoning blend however feel free to use any of the store-bought brands here is our Cajun Spice which is perfect for seafood and other recipes to try on.

For those with seafood allergies, try one of our alternative meats with this recipe, it's so versatile you can substitute just about any kind you prefer.

If you love a little heat in your meals also try our Cajun Style Rice it's the perfect match in flavors with this shrimp!

Scroll down for a printable recipe of these super easy instructions and if you want to skip the tips and suggestions hit print on the recipe card all the ads will go away.

Air Fryer Easy Shrimp Recipe Steps

Preheat the air fryer basket and oil spray the basket
Toss the shrimp that is thawed if in a frozen state into melted butter with all the herbs and spices
Air Fry for around 4 minutes turn and continue cooking for 4 more minutes.
(The complete recipe is in the printable recipe card at the end of this post scroll down and hit print for no ad intrusions)

Substitutions and Other Cooking Methods

smoked salmon
Mahi-mahi
haddock
crab meat or lobster
chicken breast boneless cubed
boneless pork tenderloin
cubed boneless steak (ribeye, sirloin off the bone is best)
a medley of surf and turf
PAN FRY: heat the pan (we use cast iron) for five minutes before adding the shrimp. Saute for around 2 to 3 minutes on each side.
OVEN BROIL: preheat the oven to high broil for 3 minutes. Oil spray a baking dish and place the shrimp in the broiler pan. Broil the tops watching carefully not to burn for 2 minutes on each side.
BAKED: bake the shrimp in a greased casserole set in a preheated oven of 400 degrees for 7 to 8 minutes or until the shrimp is pink if raw and heated through if frozen thawed reduce the time
OUTDOOR GRILLING: preheat the grill to 400 degrees and saute them in a cast iron skillet or use shish kabob style speared and threaded shrimp straight on the grill for 2 to 3 minutes.

cajun shrimp fried in a pan on the stovetop

Other Serving and Side Dish Suggestions

twice-baked potatoes
black beans
sauteed spinach or other greens
cooked pasta fettuccini or broccoli aioli
garlic mashed potatoes
french fries
a topping for salads
a topping for pasta we love this on cooked orzo pasta
mixed in or a topping for rice
top some steamed vegetables
filling for tacos, pita bread, or even seafood empanadas

Tips

leave tails on or off of the shrimp
raw shrimp is cooked when it turns pink ( most seafood cook very quickly)
if using extra-large shrimp adjust the time of cooking until the shrimp turns pink
if adding fresh garlic add that 1 minute before cooking time is completed
if using meats instead of seafood for cooking allergies adjust the time to how you like meat cooked
you can use cajun seasoning already made in a jar from your local grocery store
mixed greens, spinach, and arugula salad is perfect topped with spicey smoked shrimp
reduce cooking time for frozen cooked and thawed shrimp 2 to 3 minutes

Pin for later

Air Fried Shrimp Made in 8 Minutes or Less!

If you love outdoor grilling, stovetop, air-fried, broiling, or baking, we have all those methods that await you on how to make the easiest tastiest spicey garlic shrimp ever!

We do realize not everyone has an air fryer, but for those who do you're going to love the ease of this recipe along with the flavors, it's a winner.

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Cajun, American

Yield: 4

Author: Claudia Lamascolo

Air Fryer Smokey Garlic Shrimp

This recipe is for air-fried smokey-flavored garlic shrimp made in around 8 minutes and all other cooking methods are available.

Prep time: 5 MinCook time: 8 MinTotal time: 13 Min

Ingredients

1 bag of around 14 to 16 ounces of large shrimp, peeled and deveined (frozen-thawed, or fresh) cooking times will vary (see notes for alternatives)
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
1 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
1 can of cooking oil spray for the basket

Instructions

Oil spray the basket of the air fryer then preheat the air fryer for 2 minutes at 375 degrees before cooking shrimp. Be very careful when removing the hot basket.
In a large bowl add the melted butter.
Clean the shrimp (these should be thawed if frozen)
Toss the shrimp in the butter with all seasonings and mix to coat evenly.
Place in a single row not stacked into the air fryer basket.
Air fry for 3 to 4 minutes then turn with tongs.
Continue to air fry for around 3 to 4 more minutes.
Serve over cooked rice or buttered pasta if desired.
SEE NOTES BELOW: all cooking methods are below in the notes for baked, oven-broiled, outdoor grilling, and pan-fried.

Notes

Tips

leave tails on or off of the shrimp
raw shrimp is cooked when it turns pink ( most seafood cook very quickly)
if using extra-large shrimp adjust the time of cooking until the shrimp turns pink
if adding fresh garlic add that 1 minute before cooking time is completed
if using meats instead of seafood for cooking allergies adjust the time to how you like meat cooked
you can use cajun seasoning already made in a jar from your local grocery store
mixed greens, spinach, and arugula salad is perfect topped with spicey smoked shrimp
reduce cooking time for frozen cooked and thawed shrimp 2 to 3 minutes

Substitutions and Other Cooking Methods

smoked salmon
Mahi-mahi
haddock
crab meat or lobster
chicken breast boneless cubed
boneless pork tenderloin
cubed boneless steak (ribeye and boneless sirloin are the best choices)
a medley of surf and turf
PAN FRY: heat the pan (we use cast iron) for five minutes before adding the shrimp. Saute for around 2 to 3 minutes on each side.
OVEN BROIL: preheat the oven to high broil for 3 minutes. Oil spray a baking dish and place the shrimp in the broiler pan. Broil the tops watching carefully not to burn for 2 minutes on each side.
BAKED: bake the shrimp in a greased casserole set in a preheated oven of 400 degrees for 7 to 8 minutes or until the shrimp is pink if raw and heated through if already cooked reduce the time
OUTDOOR GRILLING: preheat the grill to 400 degrees and saute them in a cast iron skillet or use shish kabob style speared and threaded shrimp straight on the grill for 2 to 3 minutes.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

75.36

Fat (grams)

7.85 g

Sat. Fat (grams)

3.91 g

Carbs (grams)

1.52 g

Fiber (grams)

0.54 g

Net carbs

0.97 g

Sugar (grams)

0.16 g

Protein (grams)

0.47 g

Sodium (milligrams)

46.94 mg

Cholesterol (grams)

15.45 mg

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