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Easy air fryer shrimp with juicy tender shrimp, lightly seasoned crispy edges, fresh parsley, lemon wedges, and buttery pan juices, served as an easy high protein seafood meal.
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Easy Air Fryer Shrimp - Fast, Flavorful, and Perfectly Juicy

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

Ingredients

  • 1 pound large shrimp (16–20 or 21–25 count), peeled and deveined, tails on or off
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (or avocado oil)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (or sweet paprika)
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (reduce if using fine salt)
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
  • 1 lemon (zest and wedges for serving)
  • Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)
  • Nonstick spray (optional, for the basket)

Instructions

  • Preheat the air fryer. Set it to 400°F (200°C) for 3–5 minutes. A hot basket helps the shrimp sear quickly.
  • Prep the shrimp. Pat shrimp very dry with paper towels. Moisture is the enemy of browning, so take a minute here.
  • Season. In a bowl, toss shrimp with olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Add lemon zest for a bright, fresh note.
  • Arrange in a single layer. Lightly spray the basket if needed, then place shrimp in one layer with space between. Work in batches if your air fryer is small.
  • Air fry. Cook 4–6 minutes, shaking the basket or flipping halfway. Shrimp are done when they’re pink and opaque with a slight curl in the shape of a gentle “C.”
  • Finish and serve. Squeeze fresh lemon over the top and sprinkle with chopped parsley. Taste and adjust salt or heat if needed.