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Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp (No Thaw): Quick and Juicy Weeknight Dinner

A close-up of seasoned, cooked air fryer frozen shrimp piled on a white plate, sprinkled with spices.
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Learn the fastest way to cook frozen shrimp in your air fryer without thawing. This simple method yields tender, plump shrimp with slightly crisp edges, perfect for tacos, salads, or a fast appetizer.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound frozen raw shrimp (peeled and deveined, medium to large size)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Optional: 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning or 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano for variation

Instructions

  1. Take your frozen shrimp directly from the freezer. Do not thaw them first. Place the frozen shrimp in a single layer in a bowl.
  2. Drizzle the olive oil over the frozen shrimp. Toss gently to coat the shrimp lightly.
  3. In a small bowl, mix together the garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and any optional seasonings you choose.
  4. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over the oiled shrimp. Toss again until the shrimp are coated.
  5. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (195°C). This preheating step helps achieve better texture.
  6. Place the seasoned frozen shrimp in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Do not overcrowd the basket; cook in batches if necessary to promote crisping.
  7. Air fry for 8 to 10 minutes.
  8. At the 5-minute mark, pause the air fryer and shake the basket well to flip the shrimp.
  9. Continue cooking until the shrimp are pink, opaque, and curled into a C shape. For breaded frozen shrimp, you may need 10-12 minutes at 390°F (200°C).
  10. Remove immediately and serve hot. These are great for shrimp tacos, salads, or as a quick appetizer with cocktail sauce.

Notes

  • For breaded frozen shrimp, cook at 390°F (200°C) for 10 to 12 minutes, shaking halfway through. The air fryer creates a crispy coating without excess oil.
  • 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.
  • Check the shrimp at 8 minutes; cooking time varies based on the size of the shrimp and your specific air fryer model.
  • This method works well for quick weeknight meals and healthy air fryer shrimp cooking.

Nutrition

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