Tender, juicy shrimp coated in garlic, butter, and seasonings, then cooked quickly in the air fryer until perfectly pink and flavorful. This easy recipe makes a fantastic weeknight dinner or appetizer!

🛒 Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• Lemon wedges, for serving

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prepare the shrimp

Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture helps them cook nicely instead of steaming.

2. Make the garlic mixture

In a bowl, combine the melted butter, olive oil, minced garlic, paprika, Italian seasoning, onion powder, black pepper, salt, and lemon juice.

3. Coat the shrimp

Add the shrimp and toss until every piece is evenly coated with the garlic mixture.

4. Preheat the air fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes.

5. Air fry

Arrange the shrimp in a single layer in the basket.

Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 6–8 minutes, turning or shaking the basket halfway through.

Shrimp are ready when they are pink, opaque, and curled into a loose “C” shape. Avoid overcooking, as shrimp can become rubbery.

6. Finish and serve

Transfer the shrimp to a serving plate and sprinkle with fresh parsley. Add another squeeze of lemon and serve immediately.

⭐ Tips for Perfect Garlic Shrimp

• Use large or jumbo shrimp for the juiciest results.
• Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket.
• Frozen shrimp should be completely thawed and patted dry first.
• Cooking time varies depending on shrimp size and your air fryer.
• For extra garlic flavor, add another clove of freshly minced garlic after cooking.

🌶️ Easy Variations

Spicy Garlic Shrimp: Add ¼–½ tsp red pepper flakes.

Lemon Pepper Shrimp: Replace the black pepper with 1 tsp lemon-pepper seasoning.

Parmesan Garlic Shrimp: Sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan immediately after cooking.

Cajun Shrimp: Replace the paprika and Italian seasoning with 1–2 tsp Cajun seasoning.

🍋 Serving Ideas

Serve your garlic shrimp with:

• Air fryer vegetables
• Garlic bread
• Rice
• Pasta
• Fresh salad
• Roasted asparagus
• Lemon wedges

⏱️ Recipe at a Glance

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 6–8 minutes
Total Time: 16–18 minutes
Servings: 4
Temperature: 400°F (200°C)