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Juicy air fryer teriyaki shrimp glazed with sweet savory sauce and topped with sesame seeds and green onions
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Air Fryer Teriyaki Shrimp - Fast, Flavorful, and Weeknight-Friendly

Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time8 minutes
Total Time18 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • Raw shrimp (1 to 1.25 pounds, peeled and deveined, tails on or off)
  • Soy sauce or tamari (1/4 cup; use low-sodium if preferred)
  • Brown sugar or honey (2 to 3 tablespoons, to taste)
  • Rice vinegar (1 tablespoon)
  • Sesame oil (1 teaspoon)
  • Garlic (2 cloves, minced)
  • Fresh ginger (1 teaspoon, grated)
  • Cornstarch (1 teaspoon, optional for thickening)
  • Neutral oil (1 to 2 teaspoons, for spraying or brushing the basket)
  • Green onions (2, thinly sliced, for garnish)
  • Sesame seeds (1 teaspoon, for garnish)
  • Red pepper flakes or sriracha (optional, for heat)
  • Lime wedges (optional, for serving)
  • Cooked rice, quinoa, or noodles (optional, for serving)

Instructions

  • Pat the shrimp dry. Use paper towels to remove surface moisture. Dry shrimp brown and glaze better.
  • Mix the teriyaki sauce. In a small bowl, whisk soy sauce, brown sugar or honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. Taste and adjust sweetness or salt. If you like a thicker glaze, dissolve cornstarch in 1 teaspoon water and stir it into the sauce.
  • Marinate briefly. Toss shrimp with half the sauce and let sit 10 to 15 minutes at room temperature. Keep the remaining sauce for glazing after cooking.
  • Preheat the air fryer. Set to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes. Lightly spray or brush the basket with oil to help prevent sticking.
  • Arrange the shrimp. Place shrimp in a single layer with a little space between each piece. Work in batches if needed so they cook evenly.
  • Air fry until just cooked. Cook for 4 to 6 minutes total, flipping once halfway. Shrimp are done when they’re pink, opaque, and slightly curled into a C-shape. Avoid overcooking.
  • Thicken the sauce (optional but great). While shrimp cook, pour the remaining sauce into a small pan. Simmer 1 to 2 minutes until glossy and slightly thickened. If using cornstarch, it will thicken quickly.
  • Toss and finish. Transfer cooked shrimp to a bowl and toss with the warm sauce. Sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like heat.
  • Serve right away. Plate over rice, quinoa, or noodles. A squeeze of lime brightens the flavors.