These Air Fryer Garlic Butter Shrimp are juicy, buttery and packed with fresh garlic and herbs—and they’re ready in about 10 minutes. Jumbo shrimp are tossed in a simple garlic butter sauce, then cooked quickly in the air fryer for an easy weeknight dinner or appetizer.
If there’s one seafood recipe worth keeping in your back pocket for busy nights, friend, this is it.
Shrimp already cooks quickly, but the air fryer makes the process even easier. No standing over the stove, no complicated ingredients, and very little cleanup afterward.
And that garlic butter?
Don’t leave any of it behind. 😂Serve these shrimp with rice, pasta, vegetables or a good piece of crusty bread to catch every last bit of that sauce.
Why Our Readers Love This Recipe
There are a few reasons this recipe has remained one of our favorite ways to prepare shrimp:
It’s fast. Large shrimp only need a few minutes in the air fryer.
The ingredient list is simple. Butter, fresh garlic, herbs, citrus and a few seasonings do most of the work.
The shrimp stay juicy. The key is using large or jumbo shrimp and not overcooking them.
That garlic butter does double duty. It flavors the shrimp while cooking and gives us a delicious buttery finish.
Dinner can go in several directions. Serve the shrimp with rice for dinner, over pasta, alongside vegetables or by themselves as an appetizer.
How Long Do You Cook Shrimp in an Air Fryer?
Shrimp cook incredibly quickly in an air fryer.
The exact cooking time depends on the size of the shrimp, the air fryer model you have and cooking temperature per model.
The most important thing is not simply watching the clock.
Look at the shrimp.
Properly cooked shrimp should be opaque and pink with a gentle C-shaped curl. Remember, when shrimp become tightly curled and rubbery, they’ve usually cooked too long. As a general rule, a loose C-shape as useful doneness cue when making shrimp.
Fresh vs. Frozen Shrimp
Both fresh and frozen shrimp work well for this air fryer recipe.
In fact, frozen shrimp can be incredibly convenient because you can keep a bag in the freezer for quick dinners.
For the best results, thaw frozen shrimp first, wash, then pat them thoroughly dry before adding the garlic butter or seasoning.
Quick Way to Thaw Frozen Shrimp
Place the frozen shrimp in a colander and run cold water over them until thawed.
Then drain thoroughly and pat dry.
How To Keep Air Fryer Shrimp From Becoming Rubbery
There are three things to remember:
Use large shrimp. Small shrimp cook incredibly quickly.
Don’t overcrowd the basket. Give the hot air room to circulate around the shrimp.
Don’t overcook them. Start checking early. You’re looking for shrimp that are opaque with a gentle C-shaped curl.
And remember that shrimp continue cooking slightly from residual heat after leaving the air fryer.
What To Serve With Garlic Butter Shrimp
These garlic butter shrimp work beautifully with rice, pasta, vegetables or salad.
I’d particularly recommend serving them with Haitian Black Rice – the bold flavors from both dish works well together, providing a burst of unexpected flavor.
Add it to this Dill Rice.
Serve it on top of this Watercress Salad.
Can you cook raw shrimp in an air fryer?
Yes. Raw shrimp cook very quickly in the air fryer. Use peeled and deveined large or jumbo shrimp and cook until they’re opaque and completely cooked through.
Can I put frozen shrimp directly in the air fryer?
You can air fry frozen shrimp, but for this particular garlic butter recipe I recommend thawing them first. Removing excess moisture helps the butter and seasonings cling to the shrimp.
Do you have to flip shrimp in the air fryer?
Not necessarily. Air circulates around the shrimp during cooking, although shaking the basket or turning the shrimp halfway through can promote even cooking depending on your air fryer.
Why are my air fryer shrimp rubbery?
They were most likely overcooked. Shrimp cook quickly, particularly in an air fryer. Start checking them before the maximum cooking time.
What temperature should shrimp be cooked to?
For food safety, shrimp and other seafood should reach 145°F internally.
Can I make garlic butter shrimp ahead of time?
They’re best immediately after cooking. You can prepare the garlic butter and clean the shrimp ahead of time, then air fry shortly before serving.
Juicy Garlic Butter Shrimp in the Air Fryer
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb. Jumbo or Large Raw Shrimp Peeled
- 2 Tbsp. Fresh Parsley Chopped
- 4 Thyme Sprigs
- 4 Tbsp. Orange Juice Lemon juice will work too.
- 2 Tbsp. Olive Oil
- 5 Tbsp. Butter Melted
- 2 Cloves Garlic Minced
- ½ Tsp. Kosher Salt
- ½ Tsp. Black Pepper
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a bowl suitable to hold the large shrimp.Mince the garlic and chop the herbs. Add the garlic and herbs to the butter along with the oil and orange juice. Mix well.Then add the shrimp to the mixture in the bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat well.
- Use a slotted spoon to transfer the shrimp from the butter mixture to the air fryer basket. Reserving the butter mixture for later.Cook the shrimp for 8 minutes at 350℉. When the shrimp are halfway done, about 4-minutes left, add the butter mixture over the shrimp and continue cooking for remaining 4 minutes. Transfer the shrimp to a bowl and pour the leftover butter mixture from the air fryer basket over the shrimp. Serve, garnish with lemon slices / wedges and enjoy.
Helene says
bought the shrimp yesterday, so am looking for a good air fryer recipe to use. This sounds perfect.
Celina says
All the information one would need except…What temperature do you cook the shrimp in the air fryer for 8 minutes.
Mirlene says
Cook the shrimp at 320 degrees if using a conventional air fryer. If using the Emeril Lagasse air fryer, cook the shrimp at 400 degrees.
GiniD says
Sounds delish, can’t wait to try this! BTW, shrimp is plural, like Deer! 😊
Mirlene says
Nice Catch! Thank you so much. Have fun with the recipe 🙂
Clancy says
This is an incredibly easy and delicious recipe. I’ve made this twice, first time with raw shrimp, second cooked shrimp. I thought there might be a taste difference but there wasn’t. I added a ‘shake’ of minced onion to the butter mix and used lemon juice instead of orange. For the cooked shrimp I thought to half the cook time, but at 4 minutes they were still a bit rubbery and I found 5 minutes was the perfect cook time. Both times served over linguine with some grated parm. So, so easy I can see eating the shrimps weekly. Thank you for your awesome recipe!
Mirlene says
WOW!!!! Thank you so much Clancy. I really appreciate your comment. We are addicted to this shrimp recipe as well 🙂
Tim H. says
I am going to try this recipe soon
Mirlene says
THANK YOU!
Mary Kay Mason says
I’m really looking forward to making this recipe. It looks delicious, simple and healthy! Thank you.
Mirlene says
Thank you very much Mary. I hope you enjoy it.
Tina says
Is the nutritional info for the entire meal or just one serving?
Mirlene says
Hi Tina!
It is per serving.
Noelle says
Can i cook it in the airfryer without peeling and deveining?
Mirlene says
Hello Noelle,
It is best for you to peel and devein the shrimp to allow proper cleaning, seasoning and cooking.
Carolina says
Hmm I am making this for dinner but I dont see when we use the Orange Juice or Olive Oil 🤔
Mirlene says
Hi Carolina,
Thank you so much for your question. Please see step two in the directions >>> Mince the garlic and chop the herbs. Add the garlic and herbs to the butter along with the oil and orange juice. Mix well.
Also, the step by step pictures will also help guide you. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Andrea Metlika says
This recipe is so for me. The shrimp look perfectly delicious. Making this ASAP!
Mirlene says
Thank you, Andrea!
Lisa Huff says
OMG that garlic butter sauce! Love how easy this is in an air fryer!! I really need to get myself an air fryer.
Jessica Formicola says
I made this shrimp for dinner last night and my whole family loved it! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!
Mirlene says
Thank you, Jessica! So glad everyone loved it.
Charla says
Garlic and shrimp is my favourite, I cannot wait to try this recipe in my air fryer. Looks fantastic!!
Mirlene says
Thank you, Charla!
Deanna says
I love shrimp. I love butter. I love garlic. And I love my air fryer so I love this recipe! So mouthwatering!!!
Mirlene says
Thank you, Deanna!
Sheri says
Orange juice is listed add an ingredient, but not mentioned in the recipe. When is it added or what is it used for?
Mirlene says
Thank you and great catch. I have updated the instructions. Hope you enjoy it. Cheers!