Cooking frozen shrimp in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to enjoy a delicious seafood meal. This method ensures that the shrimp are perfectly cooked, with a crispy exterior and tender interior. It's a great option for a weeknight dinner or a last-minute appetizer.
Most of the ingredients in this recipe are common pantry staples. However, if you don't usually cook with paprika, you might need to pick some up at the supermarket. It's a versatile spice that adds a mild, sweet flavor and a vibrant color to the dish.

Ingredients for Frozen Shrimp in the Air Fryer Recipe
Shrimp: Peeled and deveined, these are the main protein for the dish.
Olive oil: Helps to coat the shrimp and adds a rich flavor.
Garlic powder: Adds a savory, aromatic element to the shrimp.
Paprika: Provides a mild, sweet flavor and a beautiful color.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
Black pepper: Adds a touch of heat and depth to the seasoning.
Technique Tip for Air Frying Shrimp
When tossing the shrimp with olive oil and spices, make sure each piece is evenly coated. This ensures that the shrimp cooks uniformly and absorbs the flavors well. Additionally, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to allow hot air to circulate freely around each piece, resulting in a perfectly crispy texture.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
peeled and deveined frozen shrimp - Substitute with peeled and deveined frozen scallops: Scallops have a similar texture and mild flavor, making them a good alternative for shrimp in many recipes.
peeled and deveined frozen shrimp - Substitute with firm tofu: For a vegetarian option, firm tofu can mimic the texture of shrimp when marinated and cooked properly.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a high smoke point and a neutral flavor, making it a suitable replacement for olive oil in air fryer recipes.
olive oil - Substitute with grapeseed oil: Grapeseed oil is another neutral oil with a high smoke point, perfect for air frying.
garlic powder - Substitute with onion powder: Onion powder provides a different but complementary flavor profile that can enhance the dish.
garlic powder - Substitute with fresh minced garlic: Fresh garlic offers a more intense and aromatic flavor compared to garlic powder.
paprika - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper adds a spicy kick, though it is hotter than paprika, so use it sparingly.
paprika - Substitute with smoked paprika: Smoked paprika gives a deeper, smoky flavor that can add complexity to the dish.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a salty and umami flavor, though it will also add moisture to the dish.
salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used in the same quantity and provides a slightly different mineral taste.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a milder flavor and is less visually noticeable in the dish.
black pepper - Substitute with red pepper flakes: Red pepper flakes add a bit of heat and a different kind of spiciness to the dish.
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How To Store / Freeze Your Air Fryer Shrimp
Allow the shrimp to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the shrimp soggy.
Place the cooled shrimp in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. If using a plastic bag, try to remove as much air as possible to maintain freshness.
Label the container or bag with the date so you can keep track of how long the shrimp has been stored.
Store the shrimp in the refrigerator if you plan to consume it within 2-3 days. This ensures the shrimp remains fresh and safe to eat.
For longer storage, place the shrimp in the freezer. Frozen shrimp can last up to 3 months without losing its flavor and texture.
When ready to reheat, thaw the shrimp in the refrigerator overnight. This gradual thawing helps maintain the shrimp's quality.
To reheat, preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the thawed shrimp in the air fryer basket and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until heated through.
Alternatively, you can reheat the shrimp in a skillet over medium heat. Add a small amount of olive oil to the skillet and cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Avoid microwaving the shrimp as it can make them rubbery and less appetizing.
If you have leftover shrimp, consider adding them to a fresh salad, pasta dish, or tacos for a quick and delicious meal.
How To Reheat Leftovers
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that the shrimp will reheat evenly and maintain their crispy texture.
- Place the leftover shrimp in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding to ensure even reheating.
- Reheat the shrimp for about 3-5 minutes. Shake the basket halfway through to ensure all sides are heated evenly.
- Check the shrimp for doneness. They should be hot and slightly crispy. If needed, reheat for an additional 1-2 minutes.
- Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce or alongside a fresh salad for a quick and delicious meal.
Essential Tools for Air Frying Shrimp
Air fryer: This is the main appliance used to cook the shrimp, providing a crispy texture without the need for deep frying.
Mixing bowl: Used to toss the shrimp with olive oil and seasonings, ensuring even coating.
Measuring spoons: Essential for accurately measuring the olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Tongs: Handy for placing the shrimp in the air fryer basket and for shaking the basket halfway through cooking.
Serving plate: Used to serve the hot shrimp once they are cooked.
Paper towels: Useful for patting the shrimp dry if needed before tossing with oil and seasonings.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Preheat while prepping: Start preheating the air fryer while you season the shrimp to save time.
Use pre-peeled shrimp: Opt for peeled and deveined frozen shrimp to cut down on prep time.
Batch cooking: If you have a large amount, cook in batches to ensure even cooking and avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.
Quick marinade: Mix the olive oil and spices in a ziplock bag, then add the shrimp and shake to coat evenly. This method is faster and ensures even seasoning.
Shake halfway: Remember to shake the air fryer basket halfway through cooking for even results.
Frozen Shrimp in the Air Fryer Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb Frozen shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- 2. In a bowl, toss the frozen shrimp with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- 3. Place the shrimp in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- 4. Cook for 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
- 5. Serve hot.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts
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