Crispy Garlic Butter Air Fryer Shrimp: Quick Bites (Print Version)
Crispy Garlic Butter Air Fryer Shrimp in minutes! Get tender, juicy shrimp with golden-brown edges. My easy recipe for a fast, flavorful meal or appetizer.
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 10 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 8 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 18 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
# Ingredients:
→ Main Stars
01 -
1 ½ lbs Large Shrimp (peeled, deveined, tail-on or off)
02 -
1 tbsp Olive Oil
→ Flavor Builders
03 -
1 tbsp Garlic (minced)
04 -
4 tbsp Unsalted Butter (melted)
05 -
1 tsp Smoked Paprika
06 -
1/2 tsp Onion Powder
07 -
1/2 tsp Salt
08 -
1/4 tsp Black Pepper
09 -
Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
→ Finishing Touches
10 -
Fresh Parsley (chopped, for garnish)
11 -
Lemon Wedges (for serving)
# Instructions:
01 -
First things first, get those shrimp ready! If they're frozen, make sure they’re completely thawed and then pat them really, really dry with paper towels. This step is crucial for crispiness, honestly. I've rushed this before, and the extra moisture just steams them in the air fryer, which is not what we're going for. You want them as dry as possible, almost squeaky clean. This is where I always spend a little extra time.
02 -
In a medium bowl, toss your dry shrimp with the olive oil. Then, sprinkle in the minced garlic, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and those red pepper flakes if you're feeling spicy. Give it a good mix until every single shrimp is coated in that delicious spice blend. It should smell amazing already, a promise of good things to come! I sometimes use my hands for this, it just feels more personal.
03 -
Go ahead and preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3-5 minutes. Don't skip this, it helps get that initial sear and ensures even cooking. While it’s heating up, melt your unsalted butter. We’ll use this magic butter later to create that irresistible garlic butter coating. You'll start to smell the butter getting warm, which is always a good sign.
04 -
Arrange the seasoned shrimp in a single layer in your preheated air fryer basket. This is where my "overloaded basket" mistake comes in! Work in batches if you need to; overcrowding means steaming, not crisping. Air fry for 4-5 minutes, giving the basket a good shake halfway through. You'll see them starting to turn pink and curl up, looking beautiful.
05 -
Once that first batch of shrimp is cooked, quickly transfer them to a clean bowl. Pour that melted unsalted butter over the hot shrimp and toss gently to coat. The warmth of the shrimp will really absorb that buttery goodness. This step makes the shrimp so incredibly flavorful and rich, it's what truly sets them apart!
06 -
Return the butter-coated shrimp to the air fryer for another 1-2 minutes, just to crisp them up a little more and get that butter sizzling. Keep a close eye on them; shrimp cook fast! Once they're golden, slightly crispy, and opaque throughout, they're done. Garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately with lemon wedges. Honestly, they smell so good, waiting is the hardest part!
# Notes:
01 -
Always pat your shrimp super dry before seasoning; it's the secret to getting them truly crispy.
02 -
Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket, or you'll end up with steamed shrimp instead of golden perfection.
03 -
Adding the melted butter *after* the initial air frying ensures the butter doesn't burn and coats the hot shrimp beautifully.
# Tools You'll Need:
01 -
Air Fryer
02 -
mixing bowl
03 -
tongs
# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
Calories: 250 kcal
Total Fat: 15 g
Total Carbohydrate: 5 g
Protein: 25 g