Garlic Butter Air Fryer Shrimp
Shrimp need very little time in the air fryer, which makes them ideal for a garlic-butter preparation. The butter coats the shrimp as they cook, while garlic and lemon bring enough flavor that a long marinade would only get in the way.
The key is to use large shrimp and stop cooking as soon as they turn opaque and curl gently. That keeps them tender rather than rubbery. Serve them over rice, spoon them onto pasta, or put the basket straight on the table with lemon wedges for an easy appetizer.
Garlic Butter Meets Fast, Dry Heat
- Garlic, butter and lemon give the shrimp plenty of flavor with very few ingredients.
- Large shrimp cook in minutes, making this useful for last-minute meals.
- The air fryer keeps splatter and stovetop cleanup to a minimum.
- The finished shrimp can move easily from appetizer to pasta, rice or salad.
Garlic Butter Air Fryer Shrimp
Garlic butter air fryer shrimp is a fast dinner or appetizer with very little cleanup. The air fryer cooks large shrimp in minutes while garlic, butter and lemon provide most of the flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 lb large raw shrimp 450 g, peeled and deveined
- 1 tbsp melted butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves finely minced
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley
Instructions
- Pat shrimp dry.
- Toss with butter, olive oil, garlic, paprika, salt and pepper.
- Preheat air fryer to 390°F / 199°C.
- Arrange shrimp in a single layer.
- Air fry 5–8 minutes, shaking once, until the flesh is pearly, opaque and firm.
- Finish with lemon juice and parsley.
Notes
Cooking times can vary by equipment and ingredient size. Nutrition information is an estimate and may vary based on ingredients, brands, and portion sizes.
Where Garlic Butter Air Fryer Shrimp Can Go Off Track
- Dry shrimp well before seasoning.
- Cook in batches if needed.
- Do not overcook; shrimp turn rubbery quickly.
- Use large or extra-large shrimp for easier timing.
What Works Beside Garlic Butter Air Fryer Shrimp
- Pasta
- Rice
- Garlic bread
- Green salad
- Tacos
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Details the Recipe Card Cannot Explain
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes if thawed and dried first. Direct-from-frozen timing will differ.
How do I know shrimp are done?
FDA guidance says shrimp should be pearly, opaque and firm.
Can I use only olive oil?
Yes. Replace the butter with additional olive oil.
