Air Fryer Cajun Butter Shrimp

5

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 7 minutes
Total Time: 17 minutes
Servings: 4

These Air Fryer Cajun Butter Shrimp are juicy, tender, and coated in a rich garlic butter sauce with just the right amount of Cajun spice. They’re perfect as a quick appetizer or served over rice, pasta, or salad.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• Lemon wedges, for serving

Instructions

1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3–5 minutes.
2. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, olive oil, garlic, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, onion powder, and black pepper.
4. Add the shrimp and toss until evenly coated.
5. Arrange the shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each shrimp.
6. Air fry for 6–8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking. The shrimp are done when they are pink, opaque, and lightly browned.
7. Transfer the shrimp to a serving platter and drizzle with the lemon juice.
8. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve immediately with lemon wedges.

Chef’s Tips

• Don’t overcook. Shrimp cook very quickly; remove them as soon as they turn pink and opaque.
• Dry shrimp = better texture. Patting the shrimp dry helps them brown instead of steam.
• Cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the basket.
• For a richer finish, toss the cooked shrimp with 1 extra tablespoon of melted butter before serving.

Optional Variations

• Spicier: Add ¼–½ teaspoon cayenne pepper.
• Honey Cajun: Stir 1 tablespoon of honey into the butter mixture.
• Parmesan Cajun: Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan over the hot shrimp.
• Herb Butter: Add fresh thyme or chives along with the parsley.

What to Serve With

• Garlic butter rice
• Creamy mashed potatoes
• Buttered pasta
• Caesar salad
• Roasted asparagus or broccoli
• Warm crusty bread

Storage

• Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
• Reheat: Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 2–3 minutes, or just until warmed through.
• Freezing: Not recommended after cooking, as shrimp can become rubbery when reheated.

Tip: If using frozen shrimp, thaw them completely and pat them dry before seasoning for the best flavor and texture.