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Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp are super easy to make and take under 5 minutes to cook. Marinating the frozen shrimp with garlic & paprika gives them incredible flavor, and it's all topped off with fresh parsley for a green touch.
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This is a new dinner favorite at my house. I always have frozen shrimp in the freezer, and this has quickly become my favorite way to cook shrimp.
It's a great simple meal for busy weeknights! Just grab the frozen shrimp, marinate them while they thaw a bit, and then cook them quickly. So delicious, and so easy!
Why you will love this recipe
- It's quick - an hour to marinate and 5 minutes to cook
- It's easy - just mix the spices, marinate and cook
- Start with frozen shrimp - and let them marinate while thawing a bit
- Loaded with flavor from garlic, paprika and olive oil
- A great appetizer or main course
- A healthy recipe that tastes indulgent
What you need to make it
Ingredient notes & substitutions
- Shrimp: this recipe uses frozen, cooked and peeled jumbo shrimp. If you're using raw shrimp you will need to add more time. See tips & tricks section below for suggested cooking times.
- Olive oil can be swapped for another type of vegetable oil
How to make it
- Place the spices in a small bowl
- Mix well
- Place the frozen shrimp in a freezer bag together with the spices
- Pour over olive oil
- Tie a knot on the bag and then massage the shrimp through the bag to spread the spices and oil evenly
- Place on a plate in room temperature for 1 hour
- After 1 hour, the shrimp should have thawed partly and released some liquid
- Preheat your air fryer by running it for 5 minutes at 400°F (200°C), then place the shrimp in the air fryer basket
- Air fry for 4 minutes at 400°F (200°C), shaking once halfway. After 4 minutes, check to make sure the shrimp are heated through.
- Place the shrimp in a bowl or on a plate
- Add chopped parsley
- Mix, and serve!
Tips & tricks
- To make this with raw, frozen, shrimp you will need to increase cook time. Start with 4 + 4 minutes, check if they're cooked through, and add more time if not.
- To make this with thawed (or fresh) pre-cooked shrimp you will need less time. Start with 1 + 1 minute.
- To make this with raw, thawed (or fresh) shrimp start with 2 +2 minutes, then check if they are cooked through and add more time if needed.
- If using a different size of shrimp adjust the cook time accordingly
- For even more flavor you can marinate the shrimp in the fridge overnight
- Preheat your air fryer for best results - but check to make sure this is recommended for your specific model
- Place shrimp in a single layer for an even cook
- Shrimp are best eaten straight away - if reheating they can turn out rubbery
- Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days
- Reheat leftovers in the air fryer at 400°F (200°C) - start with 1 minute
Recipe FAQ
Yes, you absolutely can. For this recipe they will thaw slightly as they marinate, but you can also air fry shrimp straight from frozen. If doing so, start with 1 minute at 400°F (200°C), then remove the air fryer basket and pour out the liquid that has gathered in the bottom. Then follow the instructions and cook times in this recipe.
Yes, absolutely. But if you want to marinate them as suggested in this recipe it's better to use peeled shrimp.
If using pre-cooked shrimp, you don't need to worry about this - they just need to heat up. If cooking raw shrimp, make sure the exterior is pink and the flesh white and slightly opaque. The internal temperature should be at least 120°F (49° C).
What to serve with them
These air fryer frozen shrimp are great as an appetizer with a simple sauce or a squeeze of lemon juice, or as a main dish together with rice or veggies. Here are some of my favorite recipes to serve alongside them:
- Sour Cream Sauce with Avocado & Lime
- Creamy Butter Rice
- Garlic Roasted Broccoli
- Avocado Lime Ranch Dressing
- Tyrosalata (Whipped Feta Cheese)
- Lime Aioli
- Whipped Lemon Butter
- Chipotle Ranch Dressing
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Recipe
Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp with Garlic & Parsley
Print RateIngredients
- 20 frozen jumbo shrimp pre-cooked and peeled
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ⅛ tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 Tbsp flat leaf parsley finely chopped
Instructions
- Mix together the spices in a small bowl.
- Place frozen shrimp in a freezer bag and add the spices. Pour over olive oil. Tie a knot on the bag and massage the shrimp through the bag to spread the seasoning evenly. Place on a plate in room temperature for 1 hour.
- Just before cooking, preheat your air fryer by running it for 5 minutes at 400°F (200°C).
- Place shrimp in the air fryer basket and air fry for 2 minutes at 400°F (200°C). Then remove the air fryer basket, shake the shrimp a bit, and return to the air fryer to cook for 2 more minutes. After 2 minutes, make sure they are heated through. If not, add more time in 1 minute increments until properly heated.
- When the shrimp are done, place them in a bowl or on a plate and sprinkle with parsley. Mix, then serve!
Equipment needed for this recipe
Notes
Ingredient notes & substitutions
- Shrimp: this recipe uses frozen, cooked and peeled jumbo shrimp. If you're using raw shrimp you will need to add more time. See tips & tricks section below for suggested cooking times.
- Olive oil can be swapped for another type of vegetable oil
Tips & tricks
- To make this with raw, frozen, shrimp you will need to increase cook time. Start with 4 + 4 minutes, check if they're cooked through, and add more time if not.
- To make this with thawed (or fresh) pre-cooked shrimp you will need less time. Start with 1 + 1 minute.
- To make this with raw, thawed (or fresh) shrimp start with 2 +2 minutes, then check if they are cooked through and add more time if needed.
- If using a different size of shrimp adjust the cook time accordingly
- For even more flavor you can marinate the shrimp in the fridge overnight
- Preheat your air fryer for best results - but check to make sure this is recommended for your specific model
- Place shrimp in a single layer for an even cook
- Shrimp are best eaten straight away - if reheating they can turn out rubbery
- Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days
- Reheat leftovers in the air fryer at 400°F (200°C) - start with 1 minute
Nutrition
Nutritional information is approximate and automatically calculated, and should only be viewed as an indication.
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