The CRISPIEST Shrimp Recipe

I have a love-love relationship with my air fryer. I mean, how could you not?

This miracle contraption gets dishes on the table so fast!

I have tried my hand at appetizers (Air Fryer Pickles) side dishes (Air Fryer Zucchini) and main dishes (Air Fryer Salmon) – to name a few.

I fell in love with the air fryer salmon so I just had to try out shrimp next. Let me tell you, it was just as good and even easier.

This recipe is so quick to make. The result is a juicy and plump shrimp on the inside and a crispy exterior.

Look no further for a super-fast dinner for weeknights that is also fancy enough to serve guests.

Shrimp is a delicious seafood dinner.
Season shrimp with lemon and parsley after air frying.

Ingredients and Substitutions

For the exact measurements and detailed instructions, please see the recipe card below.

Shrimp, oil, soy sauce, honey, lemon, garlic, and seasonings are the ingredients for this air fryer shrimp recipe.
  • Shrimp. Opt for smaller shrimp, maybe medium-sized, around 20 to 24 count per pound. Be sure to either purchase peeled and deveined or do this yourself. You can leave the tails on or off.
  • Oil. Avocado oil is perfect for the air fryer since it has a high smoke point. However, olive oil works just as well.
  • Soy sauce. This salty sauce is the base of the marinade. For a gluten-free meal, substitute the soy sauce for a gluten-free kind, Tamari, or even coconut liquid aminos.
  • Lemon juice. You need about 1 teaspoon of lemon juice for the sauce, plus more for serving. While you can use a bottled type, the flavor won’t be quite the same.
  • Honey.  You just need a little bit for a floral and sweet undertone to the sauce. You can also use pure maple syrup or agave nectar.
  • Garlic. A couple of cloves of finely minced garlic really gives the sauce a punch. You can sub in garlic powder, but it will affect the taste.

Step-by-step Instructions

Please see the recipe card below for the full instructions, ingredient amounts, and a printable recipe.

Prepare the shrimp.

Do not use frozen shrimp as the added moisture will impact the final result.

First, pat the shrimp dry.

The shrimp needs to be peeled and de-veined. Use your fingers to remove the shell. A fork makes it easy to pull the vein out.

The shrimp are peeled and deveined.
Shrimp are peeled before boiling.

Toss in marinade.

Combine the oil, soy sauce, lemon juice, honey, garlic cloves, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Whisk until it is well combined.

Add the shrimp to the sauce and slightly toss until everything is covered.

Let the shrimp marinate for at least 10 to 20 minutes, or up to 2 hours.

A marinade is whisked in a glass bowl.
Shrimp is tossed with a marinade.

Cook shrimp in the air fryer.

Air frying gives the shrimp a crispy outside and juicy inside. Preheat the air fryer to 370℉ for 3 minutes, then place shrimp in a single layer.

Cook for 3–4 minutes, flip, and baste with leftover marinade. Continue cooking until opaque and fully cooked. Transfer to a paper towel to cool.

Shrimp is air fried in a single layer.
For the best flavor, shrimp is basted halfway through cooking.

Serve with sauces.

When the shrimp are cooked through, squeeze some extra lemon juice and sprinkle fresh parsley on top.

You can also serve these with:

You can serve shrimp with a variety of dipping sauces.

FAQs

How do you know when air fried shrimp is done?

The shrimp is done when it is no longer translucent. If you’d like, use a thermometer. It is fully cooked at 145℉.

How long do you air fry shrimp?

Depending on the size of the shrimp, it should be cooked for 5 to 10 minutes.

What do you serve air fryer shrimp with?

Air fryer shrimp is perfect for salads, pasta, on rice, in shrimp tacos, or as the main dish with your favorite side.

Can I make air fryer shrimp ahead of time or store leftovers?

Shrimp is best fresh, but you can prep the sauce ahead if needed. Leftovers will keep in the fridge for 2–3 days in an airtight container. To freeze, lay cooked shrimp in a single layer on a tray, freeze for a few hours, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 12 months. Reheat in the air fryer at 325°F for 5 minutes for best texture—microwaving may make them mushy.

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What to Serve with it?

Round out your meal with any of these tasty and easy sides:

Tap stars to rate!

5 from 1 vote

Air Fryer Shrimp Recipe

By: London Brazil
Homemade and so quick to make, this is the best Air Fryer Shrimp recipe to get dinner on the table fast. It is so easy to marinate plump, juicy shrimp in a zesty honey, garlic, lemon sauce and cook in the air fryer for 7 minutes.
Air fryer shrimp are in a basket after being cooked.
Yield 4 servings
Prep 5 minutes
Cook 6 minutes
Total 21 minutes
Print Pin Comment
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Ingredients 

  • 1 pound shrimp 20/24 count per pound, peeled and deveined, tails on or off
  • 2 tablespoons oil avocado or olive
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce or Tamari if gluten-free
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice plus more for serving
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 2 cloves garlic finely minced
  • ¼-½ teaspoon salt to taste
  • ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
  • Parsley finely chopped, optional

Instructions 

  • If the shrimp have not already been prepared, peel and devein them. The tails can be left on or off depending on preference.
    1 pound shrimp
  • Whisk together oil, soy sauce, lemon juice, honey, garlic cloves, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl until well combined. Add shrimp and marinate for 10-20 minutes, or up to 2 hours.
    2 tablespoons oil, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon honey, 2 cloves garlic, ¼-½ teaspoon salt, ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
  • Place shrimp in a single layer in a 6-quart air fryer basket. Cook at 370 degrees for 6-7 minutes. Halfway through cooking, baste the shrimp with the remaining marinade from the bowl. Continue cooking until the shrimp are no longer translucent and cooked through.
  • Serve with a squeeze of additional lemon juice and a sprinkle of fresh parsley. Enjoy!
    Parsley
Last step! If you make this, please leave a review letting us know how it was!

Tap stars to rate!

5 from 1 vote

Video

Notes

  • Shrimp: Find small to medium-sized shrimp that so they cook evenly and get tender.
  • Tails: You can leave the tail on the shrimp or remove it, whatever you prefer.
  • Marinating: Give the shrimp enough time to marinate in the sauce.
  • Cook time: If you overcook the shrimp, it will get rubbery. Be sure to remove the shrimp from the air fryer as soon as it’s done.
  • Seasonings: Get creative with the seasonings. Try adding onion powder, paprika, or lemon pepper, or kick up the spice with Cajun seasoning.

Nutrition

Calories: 178kcal, Carbohydrates: 4g, Protein: 23g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 0.03g, Cholesterol: 183mg, Sodium: 461mg, Potassium: 318mg, Fiber: 0.1g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 1IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 77mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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