You’ve got to start making air fryer shrimp! This quick and easy recipe requires no thawing, and it gives you juicy, perfectly seasoned shrimp in under 15 minutes total.
Air Fryer Shrimp Recipe
The air fryer is my favorite kitchen appliance. It saves tons of time and allows me to cook everything from “boiled” eggs to juicy pork chops, crispy kielbasa, and more!
But did you know you can save even more time by cooking hash browns, french fries, tilapia, and even shrimp directly from frozen in the air fryer? Well, you can!
This air fryer shrimp is one of favorite keto air fryer recipes that always comes in handy. It especially great on days when I forget to thaw meat to cook for my main course at dinner because you can air fryer frozen shrimp without thawing them!
You can totally cook shrimp from frozen and it actually saves you time and leads to more properly cooked shrimp, since it’s so easy to accidentally overcook it. It has become my favorite way to make shrimp.
Air fryer keto shrimp is a healthy choice because it’s high in protein and low in fat and calories. The entire recipe is made with simple, whole ingredients and is Paleo, Whole30, and Low Carb/Keto friendly. So if you need an easy shrimp recipe as a main dish for busy weeknights, this should be your go-to! You’re gonna love air frying shrimp.
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
Here’s why you’ll love this tasty, quick, and easy shrimp air fryer recipe:
- The keto shrimps are always so juicy and tender and so well seasoned. Say goodbye to chewy, overcooked shrimp! A low-carb recipe that is still full of flavor and makes perfect shrimp.
- This is a great way to cook plenty of food in a short amount of time. Since it doesn’t take long to make shrimp in air fryer, you can cook a second batch and third batch and have plenty to go around..
- Air fried shrimp are so versatile. Serve the finished shrimp with cocktail sauce for a great keto appetizer, or use it as the protein in tons of different main courses at dinner.
Ingredients
Cooking shrimp in the air fryer is the best way to have perfect results every time. Here is everything you need to make low-carb shrimps. And a bonus, this cooking method makes less mess than everything else!
- large raw shrimp peeled and deveined shrimp: You can use jump shrimp with tails either on or off. I prefer wild-caught rather than farmed shrimp, but whatever you have will work great! It is important to buy deveined though, especially if you are cooking from frozen.
- Old Bay seasoning: Don’t have old bay on hand to cook fresh shrimp? Then mix together ½ teaspoon celery salt, ½ teaspoon paprika, ¼ teaspoon ground mustard, ⅛ teaspoon black pepper, ⅛ teaspoon ground bay leaves, and a pinch of ground ginger.
- minced garlic: Freshly minced garlic provides the best flavor for keto air fryer shrimps
- lemon juice: I recommend making your own fresh squeezed lemon juice rather than using the store-bought juice that comes in a bottle. Fresh squeezed has a better flavor!
- olive oil: If you do not have olive oil, you can use another high heat oil like avocado oil.
Variations
Easily modify the flavor of the shrimp by omitting the Old Bay seasoning and swapping a different seasoning blend. I recommend using Greek seasoning, Ranch seasoning, or BBQ seasoning for a burst of fun flavor!
For spicy shrimp, add 1-2 tablespoons of hot sauce when tossing with the oil and seasonings mixture.
How to Cook Frozen Shrimp
It is so easy to make air fryer shrimp! Here’s everything you need to know about how to make this low carb recipe:
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C) and then juice the lemon and finely mince the garlic.
In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, Old Bay seasoning, lemon juice, and freshly minced garlic.
Gently tap any shrimp that are frozen together to break them apart. Then dd the frozen shrimp to the bowl and toss to combine and coat evenly in the seasoning mixture.
Once the air fryer has finished preheating, transfer the frozen shrimp to the air fryer basket. Make sure they are in a single layer! It’s okay if the pieces touch a little, but there should be enough room for air to circulate between each shrimp.
Close the air fryer basket and cook for 8-10 minutes, stopping halfway to shake the basket and rotate the shrimp around a bit.
Near the end of cooking time, check the shrimp for doneness and remove them as soon as they’re done cooking. They should be light pink in color, opaque, and form a “c” shape. You can also use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. They should be 145°F (63°C).
Transfer the shrimp to a serving plate and serve with lemon wedges and cocktail sauce or any other dipping sauce you enjoy. Horseradish aioli is a personal favorite!
Other Cooking Methods
Cooking pre-cooked frozen shrimp: Follow the same instructions, but cook for 5-6 minutes total.
Using defrosted raw shrimp: Raw shrimp cooks quickly, so follow this recipe but only cook for 4-5 minutes total.
To cook in a skillet: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer, and sauté over medium heat for 7-9 minutes, stopping halfway to flip. Once the shrimp are cooked through, remove from the heat and serve.
What to Serve with Keto Air Fryer Shrimp
These yummy shrimp can go with literally anything! I love to serve them coconut cauliflower rice or over a bed of fresh jasmine rice. You can even make a simple pasta dish with lemon ricotta pasta and fresh shrimp on top. Or, keep it low carb with spaghetti squash.
Use air fryer shrimp as the protein on a green salad to change things up. You can even make shrimp tacos by adding this to your favorite tortillas with a little cabbage and cojito cheese. Add a little mango pico or avocado aioli for an extra burst of flavor.
You can serve them super simply with cocktail picks and your favorite sauce as a simple appetizer. Or serve with air fryer side dishes like baby potatoes, green beans, beets, carrots, or zucchini. Whatever you decide, these shrimp will be perfect.
How to Store Leftover Shrimp
Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also freeze cooked shrimp for a month or two, but it is better to freeze it raw. To reheat, place shrimp back into the air fryer for a few minutes or heat on the stove top. I do not recommend reheating in the microwave because it can make shrimp tough and rubbery.
Expert Tips
A few helpful tips to make sure you have the best tasting air fryer shrimp ever:
- To ensure even cooking, break apart any stuck-together shrimp before cooking. If the shrimp are too frozen to break apart, then let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes until you can easily break shrimp apart.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. It’s better to cook the shrimp in batches than to overcrowd the basket. Depending on your air fryer model, you may be able to fit a lot of shrimp and you may only be able to fit a small amount. Either way, you can always cook multiple batches! If you don’t leave room for the air to circulate between each shrimp, it will lead to unevenly cooked shrimp.
- Stop the cooking process once shrimp are done. If you overcook shrimp, they will be tough and not appetizing!
FAQ
Yes, frozen shrimp cook beautifully! Because raw shrimp can become overcooked so quickly, cooking from freezing builds in a bit of protection for it to cook without drying out.
Fully cooked shrimp is opaque and slightly pink in color, forming a “c” shape. If you are unsure whether it is cooked, you can always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. Fully cooked shrimp should be 145°F (63°C).
Shrimp becomes tough when it’s overcooked. Next time, watch closely near the end of cooking time and stop the cooking process as soon as the shrimp are fully cooked.
More Healthy Shrimp Recipes
I’d love to hear about your experience making this recipe!
Please leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram @cookathomemom.
Easy Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp (No Thaw!)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lbs. frozen large shrimp peeled and deveined
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon old bay seasoning
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice about 1/2 lemon, plus more for serving.
- 2 cloves garlic minced
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (204°C). Meanwhile, juice the lemon and mince the garlic. Meanwhile, combine the olive oil, seasoning, lemon juice, and minced garlic in a large bowl. Add the frozen shrimp to the bowl and toss to coat each piece evenly.
- Transfer the frozen shrimp to the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving room for air to circulate between each shrimp. Close the air fryer basket and cook for 8-10 minutes, stopping halfway to shake the basket and rotate the shrimp around a bit. Check the shrimp near the end of cooking time and remove them as soon as they’re done cooking. They should be light pink and opaque.
Notes
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- If you don’t have Old Bay seasoning, mix together 1/2 teaspoon celery salt, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/4 teaspoon ground mustard, 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, 1/8 teaspoon ground bay leaves, and a pinch of ground ginger.
- Easily modify the flavor of the shrimp by omitting the Old Bay seasoning and swapping a different seasoning blend or simple salt and pepper.
- For evenly cooked shrimp, break apart any stuck-together shrimp before cooking.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer. It’s better to cook the shrimp in batches than to overcrowd the basket.
- Shrimp are cooked when they become opaque, turn light pink in color, and form a “c” shape. Stop the cooking process as soon as the shrimp are fully cooked.
