Air Fryer Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe
Garlic Butter Shrimp in the Air Fryer A simple recipe of garlic butter shrimp cooked in the air fryer is buttery, flavorful, and satisfyingly delicious! All you need is a few ingredients alongside fresh garlic and a good quality butter. Then season the shrimp with the ingredients and melted butter, and simply air fry for…
Garlic Butter Shrimp in the Air Fryer
A simple recipe of garlic butter shrimp cooked in the air fryer is buttery, flavorful, and satisfyingly delicious! All you need is a few ingredients alongside fresh garlic and a good quality butter. Then season the shrimp with the ingredients and melted butter, and simply air fry for less than 10 minutes. Making shrimps in the air fryer may be the easiest thing yet. If you are not using your air fryer to make seafood, you are losing (in the quick meals department)! Let’s fix that; start with this shrimp recipe next, and make my salmon. After that, make this fish and asparagus!
Air fryer garlic butter shrimp is the perfect weeknight or weekday recipe everyone will swoon over! With low carbohydrate and high protein, garlic butter shrimp is an excellent keto meal. Also, it is healthy and super easy to make. You can make these tasty shrimps with just 8 minutes of hands-off cooking time in the air fryer. Once you realize how easy this recipe is, you will have to make it over and over again.
Best Air Fryer Shrimp Recipe
These shrimps are juicy, flavorful, and crispy! Eat them as a snack or appetizer, or turn them into a complete meal by using them for tacos or adding sides. Of course, garlic butter and seafood are a combination that never fails. The comforting flavors of garlic and the smooth, rich, and creaminess of the butter combine to make a fragrant seasoning for shrimp. Shrimp is also a fantastic healthy protein option; it has low fat, low carbs, and high protein. Read on to learn how to cook shrimp in garlic and butter in the air fryer!
Why you will Love Air-fryer Garlic Shrimp:
- With minimal ingredients, you can have yourself a tasty meal!
- When you air fryer garlic butter shrimp, it takes a classic dish and makes it even quicker and easier to make.
- It tastes like you spent hours cooking the dish, but in reality, it only takes a few minutes!
- Garlic butter shrimp is a healthy keto-friendly meal.
- Shrimp is very healthy. It is low in calories and it is high in protein.
- Clean-up is easy since you will only need to clean the bowl you marinate the shrimp in, the spatula, and your air fryer.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Garlic Butter Shrimp:
Frozen shrimp – Keeping frozen shrimp in your freezer makes this recipe easy to make whenever you are craving some seafood. Be sure to let the shrimp completely thaw before cooking.
Butter (salted) – Butter is a key ingredient of this dish, so it is essential to use creamy, quality butter. I use Kerrygold butter because it is high quality and made with grass-fed milk.
Lemon or lime – Adds acidity to the dish giving the shrimp a depth of flavor.
Paprika (optional) – While optional, paprika adds a slightly spicy, smoky flavor that makes the shrimp tastier. It also gives the shrimp a beautiful deep red color.
Avocado oil spray – Use a healthy neutral oil like avocado oil spray to coat your air fryer before air frying. This will prevent the shrimp from sticking and help them cook evenly.
Fresh garlic or Minced garlic – Fresh garlic flavors the shrimp with that strong, iconic garlicky flavor. Garlic is also very healthy and known for its antioxidant and antiviral properties.
Garlic powder – Enhance the garlic flavor. You can skip this; however, I added it!
Knorr bullion (optional) – Adds more flavor to the shrimp.
Black pepper (add to taste)
Salt (you may only need a dash if using salted butter or skip it entirely). On the other hand, add salt to taste if not using salted butter.
Cilantro (optional) – Fresh herbs can be used as a garnish and give the dish a fresh taste. They help brighten up the garlic butter shrimp and make the dish taste lighter.
How to Make Garlic Butter Shrimp in Air Fryer (Step-by-Step):
Here’s how I make this tasty garlicky butter shrimp in the air fryer!
- Thaw and Clean the Shrimp
Before you start cooking, let the shrimp thaw completely. If you need to thaw the shrimp quickly, place the shrimp directly into a bowl of cold water. Thawing them in cold water should take about 25 minutes. Next, proceed to clean/devein the shrimp. Rinse thoroughly with running and pat dry with paper towels and set aside. Always properly clean your shrimp!
- Gather the Ingredients
Always better to have everything you need for the recipe on sight. Also, ensure that the shrimp is at room temperature. As mentioned earlier, paprika is optional, but I like the color it adds to this garlic butter shrimp recipe!
- Season Your Shrimp
Place clean shrimp into a clean bowl; grate in garlic or add a teaspoon of minced garlic. Add paprika, garlic powder, a dash of salt, pepper, chicken bouillon, and melted butter. While wearing gloves or using a spatula, combine; make sure all the seasoning evenly coats all the shrimp.
- Air Fry Garlic Butter Shrimp at 375 degrees for 7 – 8 minutes
Set the air fryer to 375 degrees, add 8 minutes, and preheat. The air fryer will make a beeping noise after preheating. Then, place the shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry the garlic butter shrimp for about 7-8 minutes. You can toss them at the halfway point, but I usually don’t. Shrimp is ready when it turns pink or opaque.
- Garnish and serve!
Sprinkle air-fried garlic butter shrimp with more melted butter (if desired) and more cilantro (or any fresh herbs). Serve with tortillas to make a complete meal, or use them as appetizers.
What to Serve with Air-Fried Garlic Butter Shrimp?
As you can see below, we served today’s garlic butter shrimp with tortilla wraps. Simply warm up some tortilla wraps, and add air-fried garlic butter shrimps and other toppings. We also added some shredded cabbage, smashed avocado, aka guacamole, onions, feta, and a dollop of sour cream. So so good! My children love this shrimp recipe and enjoy eating it this way!
We generally use Carb Balance whole wheat tortilla wraps from Mission. The wraps are only 70 calories with only 3 net carbs. Carb Balance tortilla wraps are an excellent replacement for regular corn tortillas and a great low-carb option.
How to Store Leftover Air Fryer Shrimp
You can store leftover air fryer shrimp in a sealed container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. When you want to eat them, reheat them in the air fryer at 350 degrees for 2 minutes.
Recipe Notes/Tips:
- While the shrimp vein is edible, it can be disturbing to know it is the intestinal tract and contains the shrimp’s waste. You can leave it or remove it if you have time, but I prefer to remove it as the vein can be grainy and unpleasant.
- Those who don’t have an air fryer can also make these garlic butter shrimp on a stovetop with a frying pan. To make them in the frying pan, season them, add them to a pan on medium-high heat, and let them cook until they are no longer translucent.
- If you don’t want all the oil from making these shrimp in a frying pan, you can also make these shrimp in the oven. Simply place a baking rack on a sheet pan and place the seasoned shrimp on a single layer. Bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes.
- You will know the shrimp is ready when the color changes from a translucent grey color to a solid pink and white color. Remove the shrimp from the air fryer as soon as they are ready, so they don’t overcook and get chewy.
- Enjoy shrimp while they are still hot/warm.
Air Fryer Shrimp FAQs
Yes, you can put aluminum foil in an air fryer. Since an air fryer is essentially a mini-convention oven, you can put anything you would generally put in an oven in the air fryer. Lining the air fryer with tin foil makes cleaning easier since you can just remove the tin foil and throw it out.
Shrimp should be cooked in the air fryer at 375 degrees for about 7-9 minutes. You may have to cook it for longer, depending on how big the shrimp are and how many you have in your basket. Since the time may vary, keep an eye on the color and texture of the shrimp.
Many people also like to add Old Bay seafood seasoning to shrimp recipes. Relatively, Creole and Cajun seasonings work well with shrimp and seafood. Another simple shrimp seasoning would be to mix salt, pepper, and cayenne. You can season air fryer shrimp with garlic butter sauce like in this recipe. Equally, feel free to get creative with seasoning your shrimp with your preferred spices or herbs.
Deveining the shrimp is a vital part of cleaning the shrimp. The ‘vein’ is a dark line that goes down the back of the shrimp, and it is the intestine and digestive tract of the shrimp. To remove the digestive tract, use a sharp knife to cut along the back of the shrimp. Then take a fork and remove the dark line.
HOW TO MAKE AIR FRYER GARLIC BUTTER SHRIMP (STEP-BY-STEP):
PrintAir Fryer Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 13 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A simple recipe of garlic butter shrimp cooked in the air fryer is buttery, flavorful, and satisfyingly delicious! All you need is a few ingredients alongside fresh garlic and a good quality butter. Then season the shrimp with the ingredients and melted butter, and simply air fry for less than 10 minutes. Air fryer garlic butter shrimp is the perfect weeknight or weekday recipe everyone will swoon over! This garlic butter shrimp is an excellent keto meal with low carbohydrate and high protein.
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Frozen Shrimp (allow to thaw)
- 2½ tablespoons of Butter (salted & melted); I used Kerrygold.
- 2 – 3 fresh garlic or Minced garlic
- ½ whole lemon or 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons of paprika (optional for color)
- 1 tipping teaspoon of Garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Knorr boullion (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon Black pepper (or add to your preference)
- A dash of salt (be mindful with salt if using salted butter)
- Avocado oil spray (for spraying the air fryer
- 2 tablespoons chopped Cilantro (optional; for garnishing)
- 1 Fresh lime (optional; for garnishing)
Instructions
- Thaw and Clean the Shrimp. Before you start cooking, let the shrimp thaw completely overnight in the refrigerator. If you need to thaw the shrimp quickly, place the shrimp directly into a bowl of cold water. Thawing them in cold water should take about 25 minutes. Next, proceed to clean/devein the shrimp. Rinse thoroughly with running and pat dry with paper towels and set aside. If using already cleaned and deveined shrimps, skip the second step. Always properly clean your shrimp!
- Gather the Ingredients. Always better to have everything you need for the recipe on sight. Also, ensure that the shrimp is at room temperature. As mentioned earlier, paprika is optional, but I like the color it adds to this garlic butter shrimp recipe!
- Season Your Shrimp. Place clean shrimp into a clean bowl; grate in 2 – 3 cloves or add a teaspoon of minced garlic. Add paprika, garlic powder, a dash of salt, pepper, and chicken bouillon. Melt the butter in the microwave, and sprinkle about one tablespoon and half on the shrimp. Finally, add/squeeze in the lemon juice. While wearing gloves or using a spatula, combine; make sure the seasonings evenly coat all the shrimp. Set aside.
- Air Fry Garlic Butter Shrimp at 375 degrees for 7 – 8 minutes. Set the air fryer to 375 degrees, add 8 minutes, and preheat. The air fryer will make a beeping noise after preheating, and then it will be time to add the seasoned shrimp. First, spray the air fryer basket with the avocado oil spray. Then, place the shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not pack them tightly; spread shrimp out, so they all cook evenly. Air fry the garlic butter shrimp for about 7-8 minutes. You can toss them at the halfway point, but I usually don’t. Shrimp is ready when it turns pink or opaque.
- Garnish and serve! Dish/plate cooked shrimp in a serving plate. Sprinkle air-fried garlic butter shrimp with more melted butter (if desired) and cilantro (or any fresh herbs). Serve with tacos to make a complete meal, or use them as appetizers.
Notes
While the shrimp vein is edible, it can be disturbing to know it is the intestinal tract and contains the shrimp’s waste. You can leave it or remove it if you have time, but I prefer to remove it as the vein can be grainy and unpleasant.
Those who don’t have an air fryer can also make these garlic butter shrimp on a stovetop with a frying pan. To make them in the frying pan, season them, add them to a pan on medium-high heat, and let them cook until they are no longer translucent.
If you don’t want all the oil from making these shrimp in a frying pan, you can also make these shrimp in the oven. Simply place a baking rack on a sheet pan and place the seasoned shrimp on a single layer. Bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes.
You will know the shrimp is ready when the color changes from a translucent grey color to a solid pink and white color. Remove the shrimp from the air fryer as soon as they are ready, so they don’t overcook and get chewy.
Enjoy shrimp while they are still hot/warm.
This is my Air Fryer. If you are still in the market for a quality air fryer, you should check it out!
More Side Dishes that Go with Air Fryer Shrimp:
Braised Red Cabbage; Super easy + healthy braised red cabbage with apples, red onions, and bell pepper is literally the best side dish for air fryer shrimps.
Rice, garlic butter shrimp would go very well with any kind of rice recipe. We love it with white rice, Jollof rice and Nigerian fried rice! Shrimp can complement rice so well.
Green Beans and garlic butter shrimp will be a match made in food heaven! Also, this would make a low-carb option!
Buttery Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes. Crispy, buttery, and tender sweet potato slices are easy to make and satisfyingly delicious! They pair so well with garlic shrimp!
On the other hand, you can also eat these air fryer fried shrimps alone as an appetizer or snack between meals. My babies like snacking on them!
MORE EASY + TASTY AIR FRYER RECIPES TO TRY:
- Tasty Broccoli with Balsamic Vinegar
- Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- Best Steak Bites in Air Fryer
- Homemade Air Fried Popcorn Chicken from Scratch
- Air Fryer Soda Bread
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Slices
- Healthy Chicken Breast Fajitas
- Whole30 Beef Tips and Sweet Potatoes
- Air Fryer Potatoes, Sausage, Carrots and Broccoli.
- Shawarma Chicken Leg Quarters in Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Swai Fish with Asparagus.
- Giant Cinnamon Roll in the Air Fryer.
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Am really excited for you to try this garlic butter shrimp recipe in your air fryer! Don’t forget to let me know when you do!
THANKS FOR STOPPING BY! Stay well, safe and keep living your life to the fullest!
This shrimp turned out great and loved how fast it was to make!!
Nice!!! Thanks for your Feedback!
This is such a tasty recipe! So glad I came across it. Love trying new things with the air fryer and this one will definitely be happening again.
Yippie! Am glad you agree that this recipe is a keeper!
These are so good and so easy! I never thought to make shrimp in the air fryer but it’s my new go-to method!
Glad you found this recipe helpful, Sophia!
This is such an easy recipe for a quick weeknight dinner. The air fryer makes it even faster than then the stovetop. Thank you for this recipe!
You are welcome, Carrie! The Air Fryer is indeed a Game-changer!
This is one of my favorite air fryer recipes! It’s delicious and so easy to make!
I agree, Holley!!! Super easy to put together.👍🏾
Drooling over this garlic butter shrimp. Thanks for sharing.
Glad to hear this, Kushigalu! Wish I could share.😊
Paprika was a nice choice abd I really must try avocado oil.
Thank you, Jacqueline! We love avocado oil here!
Your Air Fryer Garlic Butter Shrimp was a hit at my dinner party last night! The garlic-butter combo elevated the shrimp to new heights, and using the air fryer made the whole process a breeze.
Thanks so much for your feedback, Tavo. Glad you enjoyed making this recipe!