Air Fryer Shrimp Recipe - Fast shrimp recipe with garlic and parmesan (2024)

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Easy Garlic Parmesan Air Fryer Shrimp is one of the fastest and most delicious meals I’ve made in such a long time! From the fridge to the plate in about 30 minutes, these tender shrimp could stand on their own as the main dish or go on top of a fresh salad for a light lunch.

Air Fryer Shrimp Recipe - Fast shrimp recipe with garlic and parmesan (1)

Air Fryer Shrimp with Garlic

I know I don’t talk about it much on here, but I have a secret love affair happening that goes beyond the pellet grill and Instant Pot land.

I am FULLY on-board the air fryer bandwagon, and I’m not even sorry.

Why don’t I post more air fryer recipes, you might be wondering?

Because I cook for a crowd, around here, with 9 people coming to the table three times a day to be fed, and I don’t think there’s an air fryer in existence that can crank out a meal for that many.

For us, we use the air fryer for lunches, and to cook things that we’d normally cook in the oven or in the microwave.

I like it because the kids can throw in some frozen foods or snacks and it is easy to use and they all come out so much better than they do when they are cooked in the microwave.

After I tried this Roasted Shrimp Recipe that I found over on Bowl Me Over, I’m going to change my tune and maybe just employ a small army of air fryers so that my family can all enjoy the fruits of my labor.

Try our Cajun Prawns!

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What kind of shrimp works best for this recipe?

What particular kind of shrimp you use isn’t as important as the actual size of the shrimp you are working with. The bigger, the better, when it comes to shrimp in my humble opinion.

I can enjoy salad shrimp as much as the next person, but it just doesn’t quite compare to a colossal shrimp that’s been cooked perfectly.

So, use what you have and what you can afford and find, but also know that if you go bigger you’ll probably enjoy the end result more.

Smoked Cream Cheese Pasta recipe

Air Fryer Shrimp Recipe - Fast shrimp recipe with garlic and parmesan (3)

Should you keep the shells on shrimp when you cook them?

I prefer shrimp to be cooked without the shells, myself. I think it helps the seasoning wind up on the final dish in a more established way, and I just kind of like to eat my food without having to fuss with it much. Crab and lobster are one thing, but with shrimp, I just want to dig in and eat.

You can buy the shrimp with the shells on if that’s what you have, but I’d suggest shelling it before you cook.

The same goes for the tails. I know some people like to grab onto those while they shovel the shrimp face-side but to me they just kind of get in the way. This is especially true if you’ll be serving the shrimp in or on anything that requires a fork.

So, for instance, if you are throwing this easy (and healthy) shrimp on top of a bed of my Creamy Asparagus Noodles, shells and tails off.

If the shrimp will be a stand-alone appetizer or otherwise served along something else that is in the finger-food-family (like my delicious Traeger Surf and Turf Seafood Board), leave the tails on for easy grabbing.

See all of my Easy Shrimp Recipes!

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Air Fryer Shrimp Shopping List

Need to go to the store? Here’s a quick reference list to see what you have and what you need!

  • 1 pound shrimp
  • olive oil
  • garlic powder
  • salt & pepper
  • freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • fresh parsley

Rockfish and Spot Prawn Ceviche

Where did this recipe come from?

This is a blogger recipe exchange called Freaky Friday!It is organized by one of my favorite bloggers around, Michaela of An Affair From the Heart, and she gets groups of bloggers together for a secret recipe exchange where we’re all assigned another blogger and we make one of their recipes and share it on our site.

The first time I participated was last fall, where I made an awesome Caramel Pecan Bite recipe that featured a recipe by Jennifer Stewart of Take Two Tapas.

The goal of Freaky Friday is that we get to know each other a little better, and we also get to share another blogger with our own audiences.

You guys are going to love Bowl Me Over, so I hope that you go and check it out!

Debra calls herself the “Soup Queen”, and I can see why. She’s got some epic soups on her site, but some that caught my eye that I can’t wait to try out are:

She lives in California with her husband and their dog family and got her start in the food world by catering weddings and whipping out epic dishes at family reunions.

She’s also tenacious. In THIRD GRADE she worked to earn enough money to buy a piano because she wanted to learn so badly. My third graders have barely been able to tie their own shoes or make it from one end of the house to the other and still complete whatever task I gave them, so I’m 17 shades of impressed by her gumption there.

Some other recipes that are going on my “Must Make” list that you might want to check out:

Air Fryer Shrimp Recipe - Fast shrimp recipe with garlic and parmesan (5)
Air Fryer Shrimp Recipe - Fast shrimp recipe with garlic and parmesan (6)

How do you store air fryer shrimp leftovers?

Shrimp is best eaten on the day it is cooked, but if you have some leftovers you can keep it for 2-3 days in the fridge in a tightly covered container. I do not recommend re-freezing shrimp after it has been cooked.

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What’s the best way to reheat this shrimp?

Stay out of the microwave, if you can. Fish and seafood isn’t done any favors by nuking them, so it is best to just stick these right back in the air fryer when you are ready to eat the next day.

What are some good sides to serve?

Personally, I’m going to make these again as soon as I can, and stick them on top of my Greek Salad.

They would also be fabulous next to a bed of my grilled asparagus, or if you are feeling particularly decadent you can make this mushroom risottoor my creamy mushroom pasta.

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Yield: 4 servings

Air Fryer Shrimp Recipe - Fast shrimp recipe with garlic and parmesan (10)

Simple Air Fryer Shrimp will have dinner on the table in a flash! This easy recipe is endlessly customizable, and can be used in some many different dishes, or all on its own as a main course!

Prep Time5 minutes

Cook Time10 minutes

Total Time15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • 2 tablespoons fresh minced parsley

Instructions

  1. Make sure the shrimp are dry and place them into a bowl.
  2. Drizzle on the olive oil and toss to coat.
  3. Sprinkle on the garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss in the parmesan cheese and parsley.
  4. Place the shrimp into the air fryer basket, and place into the air fryer. Run at 390-400°.
  5. Run the air fryer for 12 minutes, giving the basket a shake halfway through (if necessary).
  6. Serve hot, over a bed of pasta, or on top of a Caesar salad!

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 208Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 242mgSodium: 1390mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 27g

Nutrition data provided here is only an estimate.

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Fall 2020 Freaky Friday Recipes

  1. An Affair from the Heart – Brown Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies
  2. Aunt Bee’s Recipes – Homemade Loaded Queso
  3. Bowl Me Over – Crispy Smashed Potatoes
  4. Hostess at Heart – Chocolate Coffee Cake
  5. House of Nash Eats – Asian Lettuce Wraps
  6. Lemoine Family Kitchen – Easy Homemade Flour Tortillas
  7. Life, Love & Good Food – Italian Grilled Burgers
  8. Lisa’s Dinnertime Dish – Lemon Garlic Brussels Sprout Linguine
  9. Take Two Tapas – Fried Mac and Cheese Balls
  10. The Foodie Affair – Strawberry Bread
  11. The Speckled Palate – Chicken Pesto Pasta
  12. West Via Midwest – Loaded Baked Potato Skins

Air Fryer Shrimp Recipe - Fast shrimp recipe with garlic and parmesan (12)

Nicole Johnson

Website

Nicole Johnson, a self-taught expert in grilling and outdoor cooking, launched Or Whatever You Do in 2010. Her blog, renowned for its comprehensive and creative outdoor cooking recipes, has garnered a vast audience of millions. Nicole's hands-on experience and passion for grilling shine through her work. Her husband, Jeremiah Johnson, also plays a pivotal role in recipe development, adding his culinary flair to the mix. Together, they form a dynamic duo, offering a rich and varied outdoor cooking experience to their followers.

Air Fryer Shrimp Recipe - Fast shrimp recipe with garlic and parmesan (2024)

FAQs

Why do you soak shrimp in milk before frying? ›

Should I Soak My Shrimp? This one comes down to the chef's preference. Some prefer to soak seafood in milk before cooking to keep it from tasting too fishy. If you choose to soak your shrimp, you should do so with whole milk for at least 10 minutes.

Why do you soak shrimp before cooking? ›

You might not know this, but 30 minutes of brining ensures tender, succulent shrimp every time, regardless of the cooking method. I discovered this technique on my own after successfully brining other types of meat - mostly pork, chicken and turkey.

How to make frozen shrimp fast? ›

Tips for Cooking Frozen Shrimp

You can use anywhere from one pound to a pound-and-a-half, which is one (24-ounce) bag. Preheat a baking sheet under the broiler and your shrimp will only need about 5 minutes of cook time. Yup, they are that fast.

How do you cook shrimp so it doesn't get tough? ›

Bring liquid to a boil, stirring to dissolve salt, then remove pot from heat. Add 1 lb. jumbo shell-on shrimp, deveined, and poach, uncovered (1½–2 minutes for large shrimp, 2–3 minutes for jumbo shrimp, 3–4 minutes for super-jumbo shrimp, or 5+ minutes for colossal shrimp).

Why add baking soda to shrimp before cooking? ›

Alkaline baking soda slightly alters the pH of the shrimp, making them as plump and succulent as lobster and resistant to overcooking. The brine also causes the meat to pull away from the shells while cooking, so you get all the great flavor of shell-on shrimp without the hassle.

Why do you put vinegar in shrimp? ›

Into your water pot, squeeze the juice of 2-3 lemons, then drop what's left of the lemons in too. Add your bag of shrimp/crab boil, salt and vinegar. (The vinegar is the secret ingredient. It makes the shrimp easier to peel.)

What is the secret to making juicy shrimp? ›

A brief soak in brine results in seriously succulent shrimp. Shrimp is the simple, succulent answer to almost any dinner dilemma. But, it's easily overcooked or over-seasoned into a rubbery mess. We have the secret to restaurant-quality shrimp: a quick brine.

What is the best soak for shrimp? ›

Mix ¼ cup kosher salt with ¼ cup granulated sugar, 1 cup boiling water and 2 cups of ice. Add shrimp into a bowl of brine and let sit for 20-30 minutes for peeled shrimp and 40-60 minutes for your unpeeled shrimp. Rinse well with cold water and pat dry afterward. That's all there is to it!

Should I rinse raw shrimp before cooking? ›

If shrimp are still in the shell, use sharp scissors and cut along the middle back of each shrimp, leaving the tail intact. Using a sharp paring knife, cut along the dark vein on the back of each shrimp and remove it. Rinse out the back of each shrimp and pat dry with paper towels.

How do you make frozen shrimp taste better? ›

Dry brine shrimp to make them juicier and firmer.

Just before the shrimp are thawed all the way through, very generously sprinkle them with a lot of salt — about a teaspoon per pound — and gently massage it into the shrimp. (A brine is a saltwater solution, while a dry brine is just salt.)

Is it better to cook shrimp frozen or thawed? ›

Yes – thawing shrimp before you use them in your meal prep will give you a tastier end result. Cooking frozen shrimp won't harm you, but the texture won't be as appetising as if you cook from thawed. If time allows, leave your shrimp in the fridge overnight to thaw.

What happens if you cook frozen shrimp without thawing? ›

Grilling shrimp requires close attention, because the intense heat can easily overcook their delicate flesh. Cooking them from frozen provides a degree of protection against that risk, so the end result can be better than with thawed shrimp.

What not to do when cooking shrimp? ›

Common Mistakes in Cooking Shrimp
  1. Not Cleaning Shrimp Properly. The first and most frequently made mistake in cooking shrimp is not cleaning them properly. ...
  2. Overcooking Shrimp. Overcooking shrimp is a common mistake that can negatively impact its texture and taste quality. ...
  3. Cooking Frozen Shrimp Directly. ...
  4. Not Peeling Shrimp.
Apr 12, 2024

What cooking method is best for shrimp? ›

Sautéing, or pan-frying, is a simple way to prepare shrimp for a variety of meals, from tacos and salads to pasta dishes and more. All you'll need is a light type of oil, such as olive oil and a heavy-duty skillet. To get started, choose a large pan to prevent overcrowding and encourage even cooking.

Do you rinse shrimp after soaking in milk? ›

Well if you put it in a bowl and add cold milk, cover it and let it sit in the fridge for about a half hour the smell goes away. Then just rinse it off, pat it dry and cook as you normally wood. I have used this trick on haddock, cod, swordfish and shrimp.

Should I rinse fish after soaking in milk? ›

Online research had recommended letting the fish soak submerged in milk for around 20 minutes, before rinsing and cooking in your preferred fashion.

How long do you soak seafood in milk? ›

It may sound bizarre, but, according to Epicurious, an effective way to combat fishiness is by soaking the protein in milk prior to cooking. To try this trick in your home kitchen, follow Cook's Illustrated's advice: before cooking, let your fish spend about 20 minutes sitting in milk to absorb any unwanted odors.

How do you keep batter from falling off shrimp? ›

After you mix together the ingredients for your coating, always be sure to pat your shrimp dry before you dip them in your flour dredge, egg, and breading or batter mixture. Shrimp tend to hold onto moisture, and water on their exterior causes coatings to slide off.

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