Easy Air Fryer Shrimp

One of the great things about cooking shrimp in an air fryer is that it gives you all of the texture and flavor you love from traditional fried shrimp in a way that’s easier, more approachable, and even a bit healthier. The recipe uses extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice for flavor instead of a heavy batter. Air fryers are quick to preheat, use less energy, and are a handy cooking appliance particularly if you are only cooking for one or two. They cook food by circulating hot air around it, which creates a crispy, fried texture without the added oil. This means that your shrimp will come out crispy on the outside while still being juicy on the inside. Plus, cooking in an air fryer is a lot less messy than traditional deep-frying methods and is easy to clean up.

Shrimp Preparation

If you are using frozen shrimp, be sure to let thaw completely before cooking. You can thaw in the refrigerator overnight, or in a ziplock bag submerged in a bowl full of cold water for 10-20 minutes.

If the shrimp didn’t come already peeled and deveined, it’s easy to do it yourself. To devein shrimp, rinse the shrimp in a colander under cold water. If you want to cook your shellfish with the shell on, simply draw a knife across the back of the shrimp using the tip of your knife. Remember: not all raw shrimp have veins! Check to see if yours does and pull it out using your knife.