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Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp: Quick, No-Thaw Method

A pile of perfectly cooked, seasoned air fryer frozen shrimp on a white plate, showing crispy edges.

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Cook frozen shrimp directly in your air fryer for tender, juicy results in under 15 minutes. This easy recipe requires no thawing and is perfect for weeknight dinners or quick appetizers.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb frozen raw shrimp (peeled and deveined, medium or large size)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

Instructions

  1. Take the frozen shrimp directly from the freezer. You do not need to thaw them.
  2. In a medium bowl, toss the frozen shrimp with olive oil until lightly coated.
  3. In a small dish, mix together the garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and oregano to create your seasoning blend.
  4. Sprinkle the seasoning mix over the oiled shrimp and toss again until the shrimp are evenly coated.
  5. Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 minutes.
  6. Place the seasoned shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding, which prevents crisping.
  7. Air fry for 8 to 10 minutes.
  8. Halfway through the cooking time (around 4 or 5 minutes), pull out the basket and shake the shrimp well to ensure even cooking.
  9. Continue cooking until the shrimp are pink, opaque, and curled into a C-shape. The total cook time will be between 8 and 12 minutes, depending on the size of your shrimp.
  10. Remove immediately and serve warm.

Notes

  • For larger shrimp (jumbo size), you may need to add 1 to 2 minutes to the total cooking time.
  • If you prefer a slight kick, add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the seasoning blend.
  • This method works well for shrimp destined for tacos, salads, or served simply with cocktail sauce.

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