Looking for a quick and tasty meal option? Try this Air Fryer Shrimp with Paprika and Garlic. It's a perfect blend of smoky paprika and zesty garlic paired with succulent shrimp, all crisped up in the air fryer. Air Fried Shrimp is ideal for those nights when you want a delicious dinner without the fuss, making sure you're out of the kitchen in no time!
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Why This Recipe Works
- Quick Cooking: Air fryers heat up and cook foods quickly, making shrimp ready in just a few minutes.
- Even Cooking: The hot air circulation ensures air fried shrimp are evenly cooked, providing consistent results.
- Flavorful: The rapid cooking process helps retain the shrimp's natural sweetness and enhances seasoning adherence.
🥘 Ingredients
- Shrimp: The centerpiece, known for their quick cooking and sweet flavor.
- Avocado Oil: Ensures even cooking and seasoning adherence, with a high smoke point perfect for air frying.
- Garlic Powder: Adds a savory touch that complements the shrimp.
- Paprika: Offers smoky notes and vibrant color.
- Salt: Brings out the natural flavors of the shrimp and spices.
- Black Pepper: Adds a mild heat that contrasts with the shrimp's sweetness.
- Lemon Wedges: Provide a fresh, acidic burst when squeezed over the cooked shrimp.
- Chopped Parsley: Enhances presentation with a fresh, green garnish.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
- Coconut Shrimp: Dredge shrimp in flour, then dip in beaten eggs, and coat with shredded coconut before air frying for a tropical treat.
- Garlic Parmesan Shrimp: Toss shrimp with olive oil, minced garlic, and grated Parmesan cheese before air frying for a savory, cheesy twist.
- Spicy Cajun Shrimp: Coat shrimp with a mix of Cajun seasoning, paprika, and cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
- Lemon Herb Shrimp: Marinate shrimp in olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and a blend of fresh herbs like parsley and dill before cooking.
- Honey Garlic Shrimp: Mix shrimp with a sauce of honey, soy sauce, garlic, and a pinch of red pepper flakes for a sweet and savory flavor.
🔪How To Cook Raw Shrimp In Air Fryer
Step One: In a mixing bowl, blend the avocado oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper together.
Step Two: Toss the shrimp in the bowl with the oil and spices until they're thoroughly coated. Allow the shrimp to sit in the marinade for about 10 minutes. Heat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and let it warm up for 3-5 minutes.
Step Three: Arrange the marinated shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not overlap. Air fry the shrimp at 400°F (200°C) for 5-6 minutes, shaking the basket halfway for even cooking.
Step Four: Remove the shrimp once they turn pink and opaque. For shrimp skewers, thread the shrimp onto skewers. Serve immediately with lemon wedges and a sprinkle of chopped parsley if desired.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Pat Dry: Ensure shrimp are thoroughly patted dry before seasoning to achieve a crispy texture.
- Even Layer: Arrange shrimp in a single, even layer in the air fryer basket for uniform cooking.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Always preheat your air fryer for optimal cooking results and to ensure even heat distribution.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Avoid overcrowding the basket; cook in batches if necessary to prevent steaming and ensure crispiness.
Best Shrimp Dipping Sauces
- Cocktail Sauce: A classic mix of ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce. Learn about Cocktail Shrimp here.
- Garlic Aioli: A rich blend of mayonnaise, minced garlic, lemon juice, and mustard.
- Lemon Butter Sauce: Melted butter with lemon juice, garlic, and parsley.
- Tartar Sauce: Tangy mayonnaise with chopped pickles, lemon juice, and dill.
- Spicy Mayo: Mayonnaise mixed with Sriracha or Hot Sauce for a creamy, spicy dip.
- Sweet Chili Sauce: A sweet and spicy sauce perfect for a little heat.
- Remoulade Sauce: A Cajun-infused mayonnaise with mustard, garlic, paprika, and capers.
- Cilantro Lime Dip: Refreshing sour cream or Greek yogurt with lime juice, cilantro, and garlic powder.
💭 FAQs
Yes, you can cook frozen shrimp in an air fryer by seasoning them and cooking at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes, shaking halfway through.
Shrimp is cooked when it turns pink and opaque, with a firm texture and a slight curl in shape.
Yes, you can reheat shrimp in an air fryer by cooking them at 350°F (175°C) for 3-4 minutes until they are heated through.
Cook thawed shrimp in an air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Place cooked shrimp in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months.
🧂Serving Suggestions
- Mango Arugula Salad: Pair the shrimp with a light, refreshing salad, such as a mixed green salad or a tangy coleslaw, to complement the smoky flavor.
- Shrimp Tacos: Use the shrimp in soft corn tortillas, topped with shredded cabbage, avocado, and a squeeze of lime for a delicious taco dish.
- Rice or Quinoa: Place the shrimp over a bed of steamed long grain white rice or quinoa for a filling and flavorful meal.
- Pair with Dipping Sauces: Offer a variety of dipping sauces, such as garlic parm sauce, spicy mayo, or cocktail sauce, to elevate the shrimp's flavor and add some extra zest.
🍽 Related Recipes
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Air Fryer Shrimp With Paprika
Ingredients
- 1 pound Shrimp peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons Avocado Oil
- ¼ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black pepper
- Lemon Wedges for serving (optional)
- Chopped Parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, blend the avocado oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper together.
- Toss the shrimp in the bowl with the oil and spices until they're thoroughly coated. Allow the shrimp to sit in the marinade for about 10 minutes.
- Heat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and let it warm up for 3-5 minutes.
- Arrange the marinated shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not overlap.
- Air fry the shrimp at 400°F (200°C) for 5-6 minutes, giving the basket a shake midway through to promote uniform cooking.
- Remove the shrimp from the air fryer once they turn pink and opaque.
- Serve the shrimp immediately, accompanied by lemon wedges for adding a fresh squeeze of lemon, and sprinkle with chopped parsley for garnish if you like.
