This 4-Ingredient Frozen Shrimp recipe is a game changer for quick dinners. Pop them in the air fryer with butter and garlic, and in 15 minutes, you’re all set. No thawing necessary!
I always keep a stash of frozen shrimp in the freezer because they’re so easy to whip up into something tasty and quick. Honestly, with just four ingredients and about 5 minutes to prep, you can pop them in the air fryer and in 10 minutes, you’re all set.
The first time I tried making frozen shrimp in the air fryer, I was blown away. They come out with this perfect crispy, caramelized outside and remain super tender and juicy on the inside.
Once you try this recipe, you’ll find yourself making it more often than you’d expect. It’s just so quick to throw together, and the results are consistently amazing.
🍤 What Shrimp I Used for This Recipe?
I used frozen, uncooked, shell-off shrimp sized 16-20, which means there are 16-20 shrimp per pound. You can also use pre-cooked shrimp; just cut the cooking time down to 6 minutes instead of 10.
🥰 Why You Will Love This Recipe?
- You don’t need to defrost the shrimp which means that you can make this recipe quick and spontaneous. You can just pull them out from the fridge, to make a butter marinade, or if you want to cook them even faster, just pull them in the air fryer and cook them as is.
- You can use any different mixes of spices that you like, and you will get different flavors every time.
🥘 Ingredients And Substitutes
- Frozen Shrimp offers a sweet and succulent taste. No shrimp? Scallops are a great quick-cooking alternative that soak up flavors just as well.
- Ghee Butter. Adds a nutty, aromatic richness to the dish. If you’re out of ghee, clarified butter is a good swap, or coconut oil for a dairy-free touch of sweetness.
- Garlic Cloves. They bring a punchy depth that’s key here. Out of garlic? Try shallots for a milder taste, or a pinch of garlic powder in a pinch.
- Chili Flakes. They add just enough heat to balance everything out. Too spicy? Switch to paprika for smoky heat or a pinch of cayenne for a different kind of warmth.
- Parsley. Gives a fresh, clean finish. No parsley? Cilantro or a bit of tarragon can work, each adding their own unique flair.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
These Air fryer Shrimps will go very well with the following:
- Air Fryer Spicy Broccoli
- Spicy Nando Rice
- Marinara Sauce
- Risotto Zafferano
- Pumpkin Risotto
- Potato Wedges With Dill Sauce
- Tzatziki Sauce
- Roasted Vegetables
As you can see, the air fryer shrimps are very versatile and you can serve them near a lot of dishes.
⏱️ For How Long to Cook the Shrimps?
The time may differ from the shrimp sizes and if they are cooked or raw:
- If the shrimp on the package are marked as uncooked, you will need to cook them in the air fryer for about 10 minutes,
- If they are marked as cooked, then you will need only 6 minutes to cook them in the air fryer.
Quick Note: Take into consideration that not all air fryers heat and cook in the same way. Because of that, be with an eye on the shrimps, check them in the last minutes, and if needed adjust the timing. Personally, for this recipe, I used Cosori Air Fryer 5.8QT.
👩🍳 Step-By-Step Directions
I start by melting the ghee butter, either in the microwave or on the stove.
Quick Note: We melt the butter so the spices can really open up in the heat.
While that’s going, I pull the shrimp out of the freezer and give them a quick rinse under room temperature water. Once the butter’s melted, I toss in the chopped garlic and spices, stirring everything together well. Then, I pour this spicy butter mixture over the shrimp.
Quick Note: The melted butter will solidify when it hits the cold shrimp, so mix fast to coat them as evenly as possible.
Next, I lay the shrimp out in a single layer in the air fryer basket to ensure they cook evenly. If there’s any leftover spiced butter, I drizzle it over the shrimp.
I preheat the air fryer to 370°F (185°C) and cook the shrimp for about 10 minutes.
Quick Note: Air fryers can vary, so keep an eye on your shrimp and adjust the time if needed. I’m using a Cosori Air Fryer 5.8QT for this recipe.
Once done, I plate the shrimp and, for a finishing touch, sprinkle some finely chopped parsley over them.
Our air fryer shrimp are ready to enjoy!
Quick Note: For extra garlic flavor, spoon some of the butter sauce that’s collected in the tray over the shrimp. If you’re watching your fat intake, you might want to skip this step.
🏆 Tips for Success? How to Make It Better?
- Remember that shrimps may vary in size, they may come raw, pre-cooked, or coated, so pay attention to that and adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- By sprinkling the shrimp with oil or butter you will get more uniform frying, you will avoid them dry and the taste will become more intense.
- Don’t overlap the shrimp in the air fryer basket. Spread them evenly and leave some space between them, to allow the hot air to circulate and cook the shrimp evenly on all sides. If you need a larger quantity, consider cooking them in a few batches to obtain the best results.
🍲 Leftovers And Storage
In the Fridge: First, let the shrimp cool completely to avoid any sogginess. Then, tuck them into an airtight container or a tightly sealed bag to keep the air out, which helps prevent them from drying out. They’ll stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days—just make sure your fridge is set below 40°F (4°C).
In the Freezer: If you’re not planning to eat them soon, freezing is your best bet. Spread them out on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a container or freezer bag. This stops them from turning into a giant shrimp ice block. They’ll be good in there for about 3 months. Don’t forget to label with the date so you know how long they’ve been stored.
Thawing and Reheating: Thaw them in the fridge overnight or for a few hours. Avoid leaving them out because it can lead to bacteria growth. To reheat, pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for a couple of minutes until they’re heated through. This keeps them crispy and tasty. Alternatively, you can reheat them in a skillet over medium heat if that’s more your style.
🤔 Answering Your Questions:
Can I Use Fresh Shrimp Instead of Frozen?
Yes, you can use fresh shrimp instead of frozen. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly as fresh shrimp will cook faster.
Can I Use a Different Seasoning Instead of Butter and Garlic?
Yes, you can use any seasoning of your choice. You can try Cajun seasoning, lemon pepper seasoning, or even a simple salt and pepper seasoning.
Do I Need to Thaw the Frozen Shrimp Before Cooking in the Air Fryer?
No, you don’t need to thaw the frozen shrimp before cooking in the air fryer. Simply place the frozen shrimp in the air fryer basket and cook them as directed in the recipe.
Can I Make This Recipe in a Traditional Oven Instead of an Air Fryer?
Yes, you can make this recipe in a traditional oven. Simply preheat the oven to 400°F, place the shrimp on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and bake for 10-12 minutes or until the shrimp are cooked through and crispy.
📋 Recipe Card:
4-Ingredient Air Fryer Shrimp (from frozen)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 20 pieces Shrimp Frozen (Size 16-20)
- 2 tablespoons Ghee Butter
- 2 pieces Garlic
- ⅛ teaspoon Chili Pepper Flakes
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- Chopped Parsley For Decoration.
Instructions
- Melt the ghee butter and mix the spices that you decided to use.2 tablespoons Ghee Butter, 2 pieces Garlic, ¼ teaspoon Salt, ⅛ teaspoon Chili Pepper Flakes
- Rinse the shrimp under running water at room temperature.20 pieces Shrimp
- Pour over the shrimp, the butter with spices.
- Place the shrimp in the air fryer basket and cook them for 10 minutes at 370°F (185°C)
- The shrimp are ready to be served.Chopped Parsley
Quick Note
I highly recommend reading the entire recipe to find more tips and notes about this recipe. Read Full Recipe ⇑
Notes
- Recipe timing is based on a preheated air fryer.
- The melted ghee butter in contact with frozen cold shrimp will harden immediately. This is normal, but do not omit the step of melting the butter and mixing the spices in it. Because, when we put the spices in the hot butter, the flavor of the spices will open better.
- If you do not follow a diet with low amounts of fat, after serving the shrimp on the plate, you can sprinkle them with the remaining butter sauce from the basket of the air fryer. This will give them an extra taste of garlic.
Nutrition Estimates
We love hearing from you! If you tried this Frozen Shrimp in Air Fryer recipe, please leave a rating and a comment below.
Share your experience, any tweaks you made, or tips that might be helpful for others.
Shannon
Wow! This one looks so good! I’m going to make it tonight!
Faeza
Delicious, quick, and easy. My boyfriend loved it!
Clair
I love this recipe! It was delicious, I will definitely make this again!
Jasmine
Just finished eating those shrimps. They turned out perfect. I mean PERFECT!
Rachel
Is this recipe for frozen cooked shrimp? Thank you!
Victoria
Hi Rachel,
In this recipe I used frozen uncooked shrimp without shells. You can use also cooked shrimp for this recipe, but you will need to shorten the time to about 5-6 minutes instead of 10.
Aldona McNamee
I haven’t made this recipe yet so unfortunately I can’t leave a review but reading the recipe I do believe family members will enjoy it. However, I have a question. Can regular unsalted butter be used for this recipe instead of Ghee? I do see ghee in the grocery store but with only 2 of us I wouldn’t need that size container of it and it may not be used for much of anything else and would just be wasted. I hope you can help with my question. Thanks
Victoria
Hi Aldona,
Thank you for your question. If you plan to use the ghee butter only for this recipe, then yes, you can easily replace the ghee butter with regular butter, but you will lose that nutty flavor of the ghee. Personally, I use ghee butter as a healthier alternative to regular butter or oil in a lot of dishes like fried eggs, pancakes, etc.