Quick Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Shrimp: Zesty & Fast (Print Version)

Quick Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Shrimp is a speedy, flavorful weeknight meal! Juicy shrimp tossed with garlic, Parmesan, and air-fried to perfection.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 10 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 7 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 17 minutes
Servings: 2 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Gluten-Free (check Parmesan label)

# Ingredients:

→ Base Ingredients

01 - 1 lb (about 21-25 count) raw shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on or off
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil

→ Flavor Boosters

03 - 3-4 cloves garlic, minced (or more, I won't tell!)
04 - 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided
05 - 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a little kick)
06 - 1/2 tsp salt
07 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Finishing Touches

08 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
09 - Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, make sure your shrimp are thawed if they were frozen. Pat them really, really dry with paper towels. This step is crucial, trust me! If they're wet, they'll steam instead of crisp, and we're going for that lovely Quick Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Shrimp exterior. I usually lay them out on a few layers of paper towels for a good 10-15 minutes while I gather everything else. It makes all the difference.
02 - In a medium bowl, toss those dry shrimp with the olive oil, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Give it a good mix with your hands – honestly, it’s the best way to ensure every single shrimp gets coated in all that garlicky goodness. I always make sure to really rub the garlic in there. It smells absolutely divine at this stage, a promise of what’s to come!
03 - Now, sprinkle in half of the freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Toss again gently until the shrimp are evenly coated. You want some of that cheese to cling to the shrimp, ready to get crispy. Don't add all of it now; we're saving some for that final flourish. This is where the magic really starts for our Quick Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Shrimp!
04 - Go ahead and preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3-5 minutes. I've learned the hard way that a preheated air fryer makes for much better, more evenly cooked shrimp. It's like baking – you wouldn't put a cake in a cold oven, right? Same principle applies here for the best Quick Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Shrimp.
05 - Arrange the seasoned shrimp in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Don't overcrowd it! Seriously, overcrowding is the enemy of crispy anything. You might need to cook in two batches, and that's totally fine. Air fry for 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. You're looking for pink, opaque shrimp with slightly crispy edges. Every air fryer is different, so keep an eye on them!
06 - Once cooked, transfer the Quick Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Shrimp to a serving dish. Sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan cheese and the fresh chopped parsley. The residual heat will slightly melt the Parmesan, making it extra delicious. It should smell incredible, a mix of sweet garlic and savory cheese. Serve immediately, perhaps with a squeeze of lemon if you're feeling fancy!

# Notes:

01 - Patting the shrimp dry is non-negotiable for crispy results – trust me on this!
02 - Leftovers are best reheated quickly in the air fryer to regain some crispness.
03 - If you're out of fresh garlic, garlic powder works in a pinch, but fresh is truly superior here.
04 - Serve with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice; it brightens up all those savory flavors beautifully.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Air fryer
02 - mixing bowl
03 - tongs

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 280
Total Fat: 15g
Total Carbohydrate: 5g
Protein: 30g

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