Easy Frozen Shrimp in the Air Fryer

Frozen shrimp in the air fryer is the easiest way to get a healthy dinner on the table during those busy weeknights. With a 10 minute cook time, no need to defrost, and so much versatility, this air fryer recipe will quickly become a favorite. This easy, delicious shrimp makes a great healthy dinner or easy side dish that’s ready in no time at all.

Let’s face it, sometimes life just feels like it’s going at a million miles an hour. You’ve got work, meetings, appointments, family events, and with all that going on, cooking a healthy dinner can sometimes get pushed to the bottom of the scale of importance. However, that’s exactly why I wanted to share this recipe for perfectly cooked frozen shrimp in the air fryer; so that you can cook a delicious and healthy meal in under 15 minutes!

This recipe for air fryer frozen shrimp gives you tender, incredibly cooked shrimp in 10 minutes and all you have to do is pull the bag out of the freezer and pop it into the air fryer. Once cooked, you can use it to make shrimp tacos, top salads, or enjoy over rice with broccoli for both a simply delicious, yet perfectly healthy dinner. I can almost guarantee that you’ll be making this at least once a week!

IS SHRIMP HEALTHY?

Yes, shrimp is very healthy! Just a 3 ounce serving contains 90 calories and 20 grams of protein, as well as 0 grams of fat and carbs. They also contain many other nutrients and minerals that are good for your heart. If you’d like to read more about shrimp’s nutrition, click here.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE

• No need to defrost
• Great healthy dinner option for busy weeknights
• Very versatile, can be use in many recipes
• Perfectly tender shrimp in under 10 minutes
• Can make a quick main dish or chill and serve as an easy side dish

WHAT YOU NEED TO COOK FROZEN SHRIMP IN THE AIR FRYER

Equipment:

• Air Fryer- I used a Cosori 5.8 Quart
• Mixing bowl

Ingredients:

• Frozen shrimp: I use the 26/30 count size raw shrimp because I like the size
• Salt and black pepper: I like to keep the seasoning simple because most time I use it in other recipes and I don’t want conflicting flavors
• Olive oil spray: This is optional, but gives the shrimp a nice exterior

HOW TO COOK FROZEN SHRIMP IN THE AIR FRYER

1. Preheat your air fryer at 380 degrees F for 3-4 minutes
2. Next, take the frozen bag of shrimp out of the freezer and place them in a single layer in your air fryer basket
3. Spray lightly with olive oil spray and season with salt and black pepper
4. Return the basket to the air fryer and set the cook time to 8 minutes
5. After 8 minutes, check the shrimp. If they’re pink, then they are done, if not, air fry shrimp for 1-2 more minutes
6. Use tongs to carefully remove the cooked shrimp and enjoy

HOW TO MAKE CAJUN COCKTAIL SAUCE

Cocktail sauce is a super simple, classic recipe typically served with cold shrimp. Traditionally, it’s a 4 ingredient sauce with a spicy, but sweet flavor profile. I jazzed mine up a bit and added Cajun seasoning so you have a delicious Cajun cocktail sauce. Here’s how to make it:

What you need:

• 1/3 cup ketchup
• 1 heaping teaspoon horseradish
• 1 1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Directions:

1. In a small bowl stir everything together. Adjust to taste, add more ketchup if too spicy or more seasoning if desired.

AIR FRYER SHRIMP VARIATIONS AND WAYS TO SERVE

SEAONING VARIATIONS

• Lemon pepper
• Cajun seasoning
• Chili powder
• Garlic powder, paprika, and cumin
• Taco seasoning
• Ranch seasoning
• Italian seasoning
• Chili lime

WAYS TO SERVE:

• Shrimp tacos (my favorite way)
• Shrimp cocktail (be sure to chill after cooking)
• Buffalo shrimp
• Use in salads
• Add leftovers to my spicy chipotle chicken pasta for extra protein
• Over white rice with roasted broccoli and tahini sauce

DIPPING SAUCES:

• Cajun cocktail sauce
• Classic cocktail sauce (leave the Cajun spice out of my recipe)
• Avocado ranch
• Buffalo sauce
• Lemon garlic tahini
• Teriyaki sauce

STORAGE AND REHEATING

You can keep leftover shrimp in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Shrimp tends to not reheat well, but the best way would be to cook in a preheated air fryer at 350 degrees F for 2-3 minutes. I actually recommend eating leftovers chilled and serve with your favorite dipping sauce, or throw on top of a salad as a healthy source of protein.

EXPERT TIPS

• Preheat your air fryer
• Don’t thaw shrimp before cooking
• Season with your favorite seasoning
• Shrimp are cooked when they’re pink
• Larger shrimp will take more time to cook
• Finish with a squeeze of lemon juice
• Olive oil spray is optional
• Store leftovers in the fridge for up to three days

FAQs

Can you cook frozen shrimp the in the air fryer?

Yes, that’s why I tested this cooking method! I wanted to share an easy shrimp recipe that required no prep for a quick meal on busy weeknights.

Do you thaw frozen shrimp?

No, there is no need to thaw them! These cook right from frozen, thawed or fresh shrimp would have a slightly shorter cooking time.

Can I air fry with the shell on?

Absolutely you can! I actually usually buy the E-Z peel shrimp and don’t take the shells off before air frying. Once cooked, I let them cool slightly before peeling and taking the tails off.

How do I know when it’s cooked through?

Shrimp is easy to tell when it’s cooked because it turns pink! Additionally, you want the internal temperature to reach 145 degrees F which can be checked with a meat thermometer, but may be hard depending on the size of shrimp you have.

Where can I find frozen shrimp?

You can find them at your local grocery store in the freezer section.

How long does it take to cook?

I use medium shrimp it takes about 8-10 minutes. However the cook time will vary based on the size of the shrimp you buy. Jumbo shrimp will take longer, while smaller ones will take less time.

Did you make this delicious frozen shrimp in the air fryer? If you did, I would greatly appreciate you leaving a comment and star rating down below. Additionally, you can follow me on Instagram and tag me if you make this or any other of my easy air fryer recipes.

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