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The Ultimate No-Thaw Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp (Juicy Inside, Crispy Outside)

A close-up of seasoned and cooked air fryer frozen shrimp piled on a white plate.
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Cook frozen shrimp directly from the freezer in your air fryer for a fast, high-protein meal or appetizer. This method delivers crispy edges and tender centers in under 15 minutes with minimal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound large frozen shrimp, peeled and deveined (no need to thaw)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (200°C).
  2. Place the frozen shrimp in a medium bowl. Drizzle with the oil and toss to coat lightly.
  3. In a small dish, mix together the garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper, if using.
  4. Sprinkle the seasoning mix over the oiled shrimp and toss again until the shrimp are evenly coated.
  5. Place the seasoned shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd the basket; cook in batches if necessary to maintain crispiness.
  6. Air fry for 8 to 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through the cooking time. For larger shrimp, you may need 11 to 12 minutes total.
  7. The shrimp are done when they are pink, opaque, and firm to the touch.
  8. Serve immediately as a quick appetizer or over salad for an easy weeknight dinner.

Notes

  • For best results and maximum crispiness, cook the shrimp in a single layer. Overcrowding causes steaming instead of crisping.
  • If you prefer a garlic butter flavor, melt 1 tablespoon of butter and toss the cooked shrimp in it immediately after removing them from the air fryer.
  • This method works well for raw frozen shrimp. If your shrimp are pre-cooked, reduce the cooking time to 6 to 7 minutes.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingzenith.com/air-fryer-frozen-shrimp/