Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp

These air-fryer frozen shrimp come straight out of the freezer and can still be on your table, ready to eat in just 10 minutes. Cooking times are also noted for fresh shrimp, cooked frozen shrimp, and breaded frozen shrimp, so you can have your choice cooked up in no time. Plus, you can also make a tasty shrimp cocktail in a hurry.

Dipping sauces like my drawn butter or Bloves sauce will make this dish the perfect appetizer or snack. Make it a filling seafood meal by serving up some smoked salmon fettuccine Alfredo as the main course after your shrimp. Enjoy!

Jump to:

• 🥘 Ingredients
• 📖 Variations
• 🔪 How To Make Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp
• 💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Notes
• 🥡 Storing & Reheating
• ⏲️ Cooking Times
• ❓ Recipe FAQs
• 🍤 More Tasty Shrimp Recipes
• 📖 Recipe Card
• 💬 Reviews

Keep this super easy shrimp recipe clean, as you see here, which makes the perfect shrimp cocktails. Or coat with some tasty seasoning blends shared below in my variations.

Toss this perfectly cooked shrimp with some pasta, or just grab some tasty seafood dipping sauce and enjoy a healthy snack. All you have to do is take out your frozen shrimp and let the air fryer do all of the work.

🥘 Ingredients

Only 3 ingredients are needed for this super-fast shrimp. The shrimp turn out delightfully tender and tasty on their own, so you don't need much else.

• Frozen Shrimp - 1 pound of frozen shrimp. Although this recipe is for raw frozen shrimp, you can definitely air fry up some breaded, cooked, or thawed raw shrimp. Take a look at my recipe notes for cooking times!
• Coconut Oil - 1 teaspoon of coconut oil (spray bottle or drizzled). Or use your favorite cooking oil. I use a small manual pump spray bottle or brush my air fryer basket with oil directly using a pastry brush (or simply grab a paper towel or napkin).
• Sea Salt - 1 teaspoon sea salt. Sea salt really works with seafood, but you can use whatever salt or seasonings you like. Check out my variations for some ideas.
• Lemon Wedges - 2-4 lemon wedges (optional). Lemon wedges, lemon juice, or a dipping sauce that includes lemon just go hand-in-hand with shrimp (and seafood in general)!
• Cocktail Sauce - (optional) Serve with your favorite cocktail sauce if desired.

📖 Variations

• Cajun - Drizzle the cooked shrimp with some olive oil, then add some of my Cajun seasonings and toss the shrimp until well-coated. Yummy!
• Dynamite - Use my amazing dynamite (bang bang) sauce to toss the shrimp with! Creamy, tangy goodness!
• Lemon Pepper - Use the zest and juice from a lemon to toss the cooked shrimp in, and season with freshly ground black pepper to taste.

🔪 How To Make Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp

This easy air fryer recipe couldn't be simpler. All you need is an air fryer and some silicone kitchen tongs.

1 pound of frozen shrimp makes about 4 servings. You can always make more; just be sure to work in batches.

1. Prepare. For the best shrimp, start out by preheating your air fryer to 400°F (204°C). Lightly oil your air fryer basket or trays using spray or a pastry brush to apply the cooking oil.
2. Transfer. Open the bag of frozen shrimp and transfer them into your air fryer basket or trays. Knock off any big pieces of ice.
3. Spread in a single layer. Arrange shrimp in a single even layer in your basket or on the rack (depending on your model). Be sure that the shrimp are not too crowded or overlap too much (a bit is OK).
4. Air fry. Cook at 400°F (204°C) for approximately 4-5 minutes, then remove the basket or trays and use a pair of kitchen tongs or fork to turn over all the shrimp.
5. Finish cooking. Return the basket or tray(s) to your air fryer and continue cooking at 400°F (204°C) for another 4-5 minutes. If not cooked through, add 1-2 minutes.
6. Cool and serve. Once the shrimp are fully cooked, remove the basket or trays carefully (it's hot!) and allow to cool slightly before serving.

💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Notes

• Preparing the Air Fryer: Before adding the shrimp, lightly oil your air fryer basket or trays. Use spray oil or a pastry brush to apply a thin coat, ensuring the shrimp won't stick. Avoid aerosolized non-stick sprays as they can damage the air fryer's coating.
• Frozen Shrimp Advantage: There's no need to thaw the shrimp before cooking. You can cook them straight from frozen, saving time and maintaining their quality.
• Arranging for Optimal Cooking: Spread the shrimp in the air fryer in a single layer, allowing some space between them for air circulation. While a little overlap is fine, too much crowding can lead to uneven cooking.
• Cooking Time Considerations: Note that all cooking times are approximate. Factors like the size of the shrimp and the specific model of your air fryer can affect the exact cooking time. Keep an eye on the shrimp and adjust as needed for perfectly cooked results.
• Checking for Doneness: Shrimp cook quickly and are done when they turn pink and opaque. To avoid overcooking, start checking a few minutes before the suggested cooking time ends.

🥡 Storing & Reheating

Allow your shrimp to cool completely, then transfer it to a shallow airtight container. Your leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days maximum in an airtight container.

Freezing

While I don't recommend refreezing cooked shrimp (that was previously frozen) due to the texture and flavor loss, it can be done. Cooked shrimp should be fully cooled to room temperature then spread out evenly on a baking sheet.

Reheating

The best way to reheat leftover shrimp is...in the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 300°F (149°C), then spread the shrimp in an even layer in your lightly oiled air fryer basket. Heat for 2 minutes, then flip the shrimp and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes or until warmed to your satisfaction.

⏲️ Cooking Times

All cooking times are estimates. However, in general, your air fryer shrimp should be done when cooked at the suggested temps and times given in the chart below.

Type of Shrimp	Cooking Time
Frozen, Cooked Shrimp	5 minutes
Frozen, Raw Shrimp	10 minutes
Frozen, Breaded Shrimp	10 minutes
Fresh, Raw Shrimp	5 minutes

Add up to 2-4 minutes of cooking time if your frozen shrimp was stored in a chest freezer.

❓ Recipe FAQs

🍤 More Tasty Shrimp Recipes

• Crab Stuffed Shrimp - This recipe is the perfect double dose to make on any occasion!
• New Orleans BBQ Shrimp - In just 15 minutes, you'll have a Cajun-inspired shrimp dish that you will want to make over and over again!
• Southern Shrimp & Grits - Nothing is better than home-cooked comfort food that your family will love!
• Cajun Shrimp - This zesty and buttery shrimp is perfect for serving with pasta, rice, or veggies!
• Dynamite Shrimp - Crispy battered-fried shrimp are tossed in a delicious mayo sriracha sauce!
• Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp - This quick and tasty shrimp main dish is perfect for any busy weeknight dinner!

📖 Recipe Card