Cooking Frozen Shrimp in the Air Fryer is a great way to get tender shrimp on the table fast on busy weeknights; the cooking time is less than 10 minutes! The air fryer is the easiest way to cook frozen shrimp, and you don't need to defrost the shrimp first. The air fryer cooks frozen shrimp perfectly without drying them out, and they come out with a delicious crispy coating. You can cook frozen jumbo shrimp or smaller pre-cooked shrimp in the air fryer.
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I love simple meals, and shrimp is a great way to add flavor to your meal. You can cook it in various ways, and it's a quick and easy way to get dinner on the table fast.
My favorite method to cook shrimp is this easy recipe. The first time I made it, I left the shrimp too long and overcooked them. I couldn't believe how fast the shrimp cooked!
Shrimp is versatile and can be used as a main dish or an easy appetizer. My favorite way to use them is in shrimp tacos made with homemade Flatbread.
I also like to serve shrimp on Instant Pot Jasmine Rice with sliced avocado and soy sauce for a complete meal.
My husband prefers to dip his cooked shrimp in cocktail sauce. There are many ways to use shrimp, and the options are endless!
👩🏻🍳 More easy air fryer recipes
Jump to:
- 👩🏻🍳 More easy air fryer recipes
- ❤️ Why you will love cooking air fryer frozen shrimp
- 👪 What are the benefits of cooking frozen shrimp in the air fryer?
- 👩🏻🍳 Is shrimp healthy?
- 🦐 Ingredients
- ⏲️ How do you cook frozen shrimp in the air fryer
- 🦐 Can I use fresh shrimp?
- 📖 Variations
- 🍽 Equipment
- 🌡️ Storage
- 💭 Top tips for this shrimp air fryer recipe
- 🥙 What can frozen shrimp be used in?
- ⭐ Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
- 🧾 Related Recipes
- 📋 Recipe
- 🍜 More recipes
- 💬 Comments
❤️ Why you will love cooking air fryer frozen shrimp
- Fast cook time.
- Low carb.
- Perfect shrimp every time.
- Easy shrimp recipe.
- Shrimp is a healthy alternative to other meats.
- Use a variety of flavors to season the shrimp.
- Forget stopping for take-out. This is a quick and easy way to get dinner on the table fast.
👪 What are the benefits of cooking frozen shrimp in the air fryer?
Cooking frozen shrimp in the air fryer is a great way to get a healthy meal on the table quickly and easily. The shrimp can be cooked with various flavors, so it's a great way to mix things up. The air fryer also cooks the shrimp quickly and evenly, saving you time in the kitchen.
Additionally, the water from the shrimp drips down below the air fryer rack, resulting in beautifully cooked shrimp. This makes the shrimp easy to serve, and the air fryer basket is also easy to clean.
👩🏻🍳 Is shrimp healthy?
Shrimp is a healthy food choice because it has a high protein content yet is low in calories and fat but is high in nutrients. It contains essential nutrients like selenium, magnesium, and vitamin B12. In addition, shrimp is a good source of antioxidants, beneficial for heart and brain health.
🦐 Ingredients
The ingredients for making frozen shrimp in the air fryer are very simple. All you need are:

- Frozen Shrimp: I used frozen pre-cooked shrimp. When looking at frozen shrimp there should not be ice crystals present and they must smell fresh (if they don’t, then leave them out). Sizes of frozen shrimp vary so make sure to pick the right size shrimp for the dish you are aiming to create. You can use tail-on or tail-off shrimp.
- Lemon pepper seasoning. You can also use Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, or your favorite seasoning.
See the recipe card for quantities.
⏲️ How do you cook frozen shrimp in the air fryer
Cooking frozen shrimp in the air fryer is a quick and easy way to get dinner on the table. This is a very simple recipe that is one of my favorites.
To begin, remove the desired amount of frozen shrimp from the packaging.
Then, place the frozen shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket. No need to preheat the air fryer.

Season the frozen shrimp with lemon-pepper seasoning or your favorite seasoning.

Place the air fryer tray back in. Air fry shrimp at 390 degrees F for 3-4 minutes (for pre-cooked frozen shrimp) or until cooked through. (Frozen raw shrimp will take longer, approximately 6-8 minutes).

Serve the shrimp with your favorite dipping sauce or side dish.
When done, frozen shrimp should be a light pink color and turn a golden brown color. If you want crispier shrimp, let them cook for an extra minute.
Serve immediately with a squeeze of lemon or lime juice.

🦐 Can I use fresh shrimp?
Yes, you can use fresh shrimp instead. However, you will need to reduce the cooking time by about a minute.
📖 Variations
There are so many ways you can serve up some tasty shrimp!
- If spicy is what your mouth desires, then go with hot sauce or Sriracha.
- You could also melt butter into a garlic-infused liquid for those who love garlic butter sauce (and there's no shame if this sounds like yourself). 😉
- Use different seasonings on the shrimp. One of our favorites is cajun seasoning.
- Serve the shrimp with a squeeze of lemon juice for extra flavor.
- Place the cooked shrimp on top of a salad.
🍽 Equipment
To make this recipe, you will need an air fryer.
This recipe has been tested in a Ninja Foodi and an Instant Pot Vortex Air Fryer.
Because there are many types of different air fryers and they all cook differently, be sure to keep a close eye on the shrimp to make sure it doesn't overcook.
🌡️ Storage
If you have leftover shrimp, store them in the fridge in an airtight container or wrap them in plastic wrap. They will stay fresh for up to 2 days.
I don't recommend refreezing them after they are cooked.
💭 Top tips for this shrimp air fryer recipe
When cooking frozen shrimp in the air fryer, there are a few things to consider. Here are some top tips:
- Shake the basket occasionally for even cooking.
- Adjust the cooking time for larger shrimp by a minute or two. The actual cooking time will depend on the kind of shrimp, size of shrimp, and how fast your air fryer cooks.
- If you want your shrimp extra crispy, spray the shrimp with cooking spray or olive oil spray before cooking.
🥙 What can frozen shrimp be used in?
Shrimp is an excellent addition to many dishes such as pasta, salads, fajitas, and even appetizers. Frozen shrimp will work well in any recipe that calls for fresh or frozen shrimp in your favorite recipes, so it makes good sense to keep frozen in your freezer to have on hand for a quick meal!

⭐ Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Frozen shrimp is located in the freezer section of your local grocery store.
The cooking time for frozen shrimp in an air fryer will vary depending on the shrimp's size and the air fryer's power. However, with my recipe using pre-cooked frozen shrimp, the shrimp will take about 3-4 minutes to cook in an air fryer.
It depends on the size of the shrimp and the size of your air fryer basket. On average, you can cook up to approximately 12 shrimp at a time in the air fryer. Just make sure they're not too crowded, or they'll cook unevenly.
It takes about 4 minutes to cook frozen shrimp in the air fryer.
The number of calories in frozen shrimp varies depending on the size and weight of the shrimp. However, on average, a 3-ounce serving of frozen shrimp contains about 90 calories.
🧾 Related Recipes
Making frozen shrimp in the air fryer is a great way to add a healthy and delicious dish to your menu. With just a few ingredients and a little preparation, you can have a fantastic meal that the whole family will love. So what are you waiting for? Start cooking!
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📋 Recipe

Easy Frozen Shrimp in Air Fryer
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound frozen shrimp
- ½ tablespoon lemon-pepper seasoning or your favorite seasoning
Instructions
- Remove the desired amount of frozen shrimp from the package.
- Place the frozen shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Season the frozen shrimp with lemon-pepper seasoning or your favorite seasoning.
- Place the air fryer tray back in. Air fry shrimp at 390 degrees F for 3-4 minutes (for frozen pre-cooked shrimp), or until they are cooked through. (Frozen raw shrimp will take about 6-8 minutes). Shake the air fryer basket halfway through the cooking time.
- Serve immediately with a squeeze of lemon or lime juice.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- Shake the basket occasionally for even cooking.
- Adjust the cooking time for larger shrimp by a minute or two. The actual cooking time will depend on the kind of shrimp, size of shrimp, and how fast your air fryer cooks.
- If you want your shrimp extra crispy, spray the shrimp with cooking spray or olive oil spray before cooking.
Amy Liu Dong
Super easy and a tasty recipe to make for my family for tonight's dinner.
Yum!
Kristina
I love making shrimp in my air fryer and it's even better when I can cook it from frozen when I forget to defrost it. Thanks for the reminder that it works!
Marcellina
I didn't know I could use the AF to cook shrimps from frozen. This is going to change my life! So easy and a great weeknight meal!
Jan
Thank heavens for the air fryer, they came out fabulous. The tips were very helpful. Great for quick week night meal.
Jeri
Isn't the air fryer great? I'm so happy you liked it! 🙂 Thanks for commenting!
Rob
Such a simple, healthy and delicious meal! Love how quick this recipe is, especially on a busy weeknight.
Jeri
Yes! It doesn't get much easier! 🙂
Jere
Perfect. I have not had luck using frozen shrimp before, it always seems to come out soggy from being frozen. The AF is definitely the way to go.
Jeri
The shrimp is definitely not soggy when it's cooked in the AF. It's the only way I cook it now! 🙂