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Crispy Garlic Butter Air Fryer Shrimp

crispy garlic butter air fryer shrimp - featured image

A quick and easy recipe for crispy, buttery garlic shrimp made in the air fryer, perfect for busy weeknights or impressing guests with minimal fuss.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1 lb (450g) of large shrimp under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
  2. In a small saucepan, melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter over low heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and gently cook for 2–3 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Remove from heat and set aside.
  3. In a medium bowl, combine 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional), 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Toss well.
  4. Drizzle 1 tbsp olive oil over the peeled, deveined shrimp and toss to coat evenly. Then, dip each shrimp into the breadcrumb mixture, pressing lightly to adhere the coating.
  5. Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes.
  6. Place the coated shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding; cook in batches if necessary.
  7. Cook shrimp at 400°F (200°C) for 8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy.
  8. Transfer shrimp to a serving bowl and drizzle the warm garlic butter over them. Toss gently to coat evenly.
  9. Sprinkle with 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice. Serve immediately.

Notes

Dry shrimp thoroughly before coating to ensure crispiness. Warm garlic butter should not be too hot to avoid soggy coating. Lightly spray air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking. Do not overcrowd shrimp in the air fryer. Serve immediately for best texture. Reheat leftovers in air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes to regain crispiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer shrimp, garlic butter shrimp, crispy shrimp, easy shrimp recipe, quick dinner, seafood, air fryer recipes