Description
Sizzling air fryer shrimp brings Mediterranean flavors straight to home kitchens with minimal prep time. Crispy, golden exteriors and tender interiors make this dish a quick protein solution for busy cooks.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails on or off)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional for spice)
- Fresh lemon wedges (for serving)
- Chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat: Ignite the air fryer to a scorching 400F (200C), allowing it to reach peak temperature for optimal culinary performance.
- Season: In a generous mixing bowl, tenderly coat shrimp with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne, massaging the spices into every crevice for maximum flavor infusion.
- Arrange and Cook: Distribute seasoned shrimp in a meticulous single layer within the air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding. Slide the basket into the air fryer and cook for 6-8 minutes, flipping midway to ensure uniform golden-pink transformation and consistent doneness.
- Finish and Garnish: Once shrimp turn opaque and succulent, remove from air fryer. Drench with fresh lemon juice and crown with a verdant shower of chopped parsley, creating a vibrant, aromatic finale.
- Serve: Present immediately, allowing the shrimp to showcase their crispy exterior and tantalizing flavor profile at the height of their culinary brilliance.
Notes
- Optimize Spacing: Prevent overcrowding by leaving small gaps between shrimp in the air fryer basket for crispy, evenly cooked results.
- Control Seasoning Intensity: Adjust cayenne and spice levels to match personal heat tolerance without overwhelming the delicate shrimp flavor.
- Monitor Cooking Time Carefully: Check shrimp at 5-6 minutes to avoid overcooking, which can make them tough and rubbery – they cook quickly in air fryers.
- Enhance Flavor Flexibility: Experiment with alternative seasoning blends like Cajun, Mediterranean, or Asian-inspired spice mixes to transform the base recipe.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 460 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 170 mg