8-Minute Spicy Air Fryer Shrimp
Plump, juicy, Old Bay-kissed shrimp in under 10 minutes — weeknight gold.
Method · 9 steps
- 1
Pat shrimp DRY with paper towels on both sides. Wet shrimp steam instead of searing.
- 2
In a large bowl, toss shrimp with avocado oil, Old Bay, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and cayenne until each piece is evenly coated.
- 3
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes.
- 4
Arrange shrimp in a single layer in the preheated basket — do not stack. Work in batches if your basket is small.
- 5
Air fry at 400°F for 4 minutes.
- 6
Shake the basket to redistribute and flip shrimp. Air fry at 400°F for 3-4 more minutes.
- 7
Shrimp are done when opaque, pink, and curled into a loose 'C' shape. A tight 'O' shape means overcooked.
- 8
Transfer to a serving bowl, squeeze fresh lemon juice over, and toss with parsley.
- 9
Serve immediately with lemon wedges.
Chef's notes
- →Size matters — use 21/25 count extra-large shrimp. Small shrimp overcook in 2 minutes.
- →Shrimp curled into a 'C' = done. Shrimp curled into an 'O' = overcooked and rubbery.
- →Do not pre-thaw shrimp in the bag or they go mushy. Thaw under cold running water in a colander for 5 minutes.
Storage
Fridge 2 days in airtight container. Reheat at 350°F for 2 minutes — any longer and they turn rubbery.
