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Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp (No Thaw)

A pile of perfectly cooked, seasoned air fryer frozen shrimp served on a white plate near a window.

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Cook frozen shrimp directly in your air fryer for perfectly tender, juicy results in under 15 minutes. This minimal prep seafood recipe is ideal for quick weeknight dinners or easy appetizers.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb large frozen raw shrimp, shell on or off
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning (or your preferred seasoning blend)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Pinch of salt and black pepper

Instructions

  1. Take the frozen shrimp directly from the freezer. Do not thaw them first.
  2. Place the frozen shrimp in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. If you are cooking a large batch, work in two smaller batches to prevent overcrowding, which affects crispness.
  3. Drizzle the olive oil over the frozen shrimp.
  4. Sprinkle the Old Bay seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper evenly over the shrimp. Toss gently to coat.
  5. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (195°C) for 3 minutes.
  6. Place the seasoned shrimp in the air fryer basket.
  7. Air fry for 8 minutes.
  8. Open the basket, shake the shrimp well, and check for doneness. If the shrimp are still slightly opaque in the center, continue cooking for another 2 to 4 minutes, until they are pink and opaque throughout.
  9. Remove immediately and serve with cocktail sauce, lemon wedges, or use in tacos and salads.

Notes

  • For extra crispy air fryer frozen shrimp, you can spray them lightly with cooking spray halfway through the cooking time.
  • If you prefer a garlic butter flavor, substitute the olive oil with 1 tablespoon of melted butter and add 1/2 teaspoon of dried parsley with the seasonings.
  • This method works well for both raw and pre-cooked frozen shrimp, but adjust the cooking time down by 2-3 minutes for pre-cooked varieties.

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