This Air Fryer Shrimp with Garlic Butter is a game-changer for seafood lovers! In just 15 minutes, you’ll have perfectly cooked, succulent shrimp drenched in a rich garlic butter sauce that’s simply irresistible. The air fryer gives the shrimp a beautiful texture without the mess of traditional frying, while the homemade garlic butter adds that restaurant-quality finish that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Lightning Fast: From start to finish in 15 minutes! This is your new go-to for those evenings when you’re starving and need something delicious ASAP.
- Minimal Cleanup: The air fryer does all the heavy lifting without the splatter and mess of stovetop cooking.
- Restaurant-Quality Results: This dish tastes like something you’d order at a fancy seafood restaurant, but you’re making it at home for a fraction of the cost.
- Versatile: Works as an appetizer, main dish, or even as a topping for pasta or salad. The possibilities are endless!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Shrimp: Large shrimp with the tails on provides the best presentation and helps maintain moisture while cooking. Look for fresh or properly thawed frozen shrimp for the best texture.
- Olive Oil: Just a touch to help the seasonings stick to the shrimp and promote even cooking in the air fryer.
- Salt & Pepper: The foundation of flavor – don’t skimp on proper seasoning!
- Garlic Powder: Provides an even coating of garlic flavor throughout the dish that complements the fresh garlic in the butter sauce.
- Onion Powder: Adds a subtle depth that enhances the overall flavor profile without overwhelming.
- Butter: The star of the sauce! Use unsalted butter so you can control the salt level yourself.
- Fresh Garlic: Nothing compares to the aromatic punch of freshly minced garlic – it makes all the difference in the sauce.
- Lemon Juice: The acidity cuts through the richness of the butter and brightens the entire dish.
- Red Pepper Flakes: For a touch of heat that works beautifully with the garlic and butter.
- Fresh Parsley: Adds a pop of color and fresh herbaceous notes to finish the dish perfectly.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Variations
Spice it Up
Add a dash of cajun seasoning to the shrimp before air frying for a New Orleans-inspired twist.
Lemon Pepper Love
Replace the standard seasonings with lemon pepper seasoning for a citrusy kick.
Coconut Shrimp Fusion
Dip the seasoned shrimp in beaten egg, then in a mixture of panko breadcrumbs and shredded coconut before air frying.
Honey Garlic Option
Add a tablespoon of honey to the garlic butter sauce for a sweet and savory combination.
How to Make Air Fryer Shrimp with Garlic Butter
Step 1: Season the Shrimp
In a large bowl, toss the shrimp with olive oil, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder until evenly coated.
Step 2: Preheat and Prep
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for a few minutes. Spray the basket with olive oil spray to prevent sticking.
Step 3: Air Fry the Shrimp
Arrange the seasoned shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket, being careful not to overlap them. Cook for 6 minutes or until the shrimp turn pink, curl up, and become opaque. Work in batches if necessary.
Step 4: Prepare the Garlic Butter
While the shrimp cooks, melt butter in a small skillet over medium-low heat. Add the minced garlic and cook just until fragrant, about 30 seconds (don’t let it brown!). Remove from heat and whisk in lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, red pepper flakes, and parsley.
Step 5: Combine and Serve
Transfer the cooked shrimp to a serving dish and drizzle generously with the warm garlic butter sauce. Serve immediately for maximum flavor and enjoyment.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Don’t Overcook: Shrimp cook incredibly quickly, and overcooked shrimp become tough and rubbery. They’re done when they form a “C” shape – if they curl into an “O”, they’re overcooked.
- Pat Dry: Before seasoning, pat the shrimp dry with paper towels to ensure the seasonings stick and to prevent excess moisture in the air fryer.
- Watch the Garlic: When making the butter sauce, cook the garlic just until fragrant. Burnt garlic is bitter and will ruin your sauce.
- Warm Butter Drizzle: Make sure to drizzle the garlic butter over the shrimp while it’s still warm for the best flavor absorption.
How to Serve
Perfect Pairings
Serve over fluffy white rice or cauliflower rice to soak up all that delicious garlic butter sauce.
Appetizer Style
Arrange on a platter with lemon wedges and toothpicks for an elegant party appetizer.
Complete Meal
Pair with roasted asparagus or a simple side salad for a light but satisfying dinner.
Pasta Partner
Toss with linguine or angel hair pasta for a quick and impressive seafood pasta dish.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover shrimp and garlic butter in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The butter will solidify, which is completely normal.
Freezing
I don’t recommend freezing this dish after cooking, as reheated shrimp can become tough. If you must freeze, store the shrimp and sauce separately.
Reheating
Gently reheat the shrimp in a skillet over low heat with a bit of the garlic butter, just until warmed through. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make the shrimp rubbery.
FAQs
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw them completely and pat them dry before seasoning. Place frozen shrimp in a colander and run cold water over them for about 5 minutes, or thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best results.
What if I don’t have an air fryer?
No problem! You can cook these shrimp in a hot skillet for about 2 minutes per side, or broil them in the oven for 3-4 minutes, until pink and opaque. The garlic butter sauce is made the same way regardless of how you cook the shrimp.
Can I make this recipe with different seafood?
This recipe works beautifully with scallops or chunks of firm fish like cod or salmon. Just adjust cooking times accordingly – scallops typically take 5-6 minutes in the air fryer, while fish fillets may need 7-10 minutes depending on thickness.
Is there a way to make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes! Replace the butter with olive oil or a plant-based butter alternative. The flavor profile will be slightly different but still delicious. Add an extra clove of garlic to compensate for the flavor difference.
This Air Fryer Shrimp with Garlic Butter is truly a revelation – minimal effort with maximum flavor! The combination of perfectly cooked, tender shrimp and that rich, aromatic garlic butter sauce creates a dish that feels special enough for company but easy enough for a weeknight dinner. I hope you’ll try this recipe soon – your taste buds (and dinner guests) will thank you!
Print
Air Fryer Shrimp with Garlic Butter Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Description
Succulent jumbo shrimp cooked to perfection in the air fryer and drizzled with a rich, aromatic garlic butter sauce. This quick and easy recipe delivers restaurant-quality results in just 15 minutes, combining the perfect balance of garlic, butter, and a hint of lemon for a delicious main course that pairs wonderfully with rice or your favorite sides.
Ingredients
For the shrimp
- 1 pound large shrimp peeled, deveined, tails on
- 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
For the garlic butter
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 Tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Shrimp
Place the shrimp in a large bowl and add the olive oil, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Toss everything together thoroughly to ensure all shrimp are evenly coated with the seasoning mixture. This step creates the foundation of flavor that will be enhanced by the garlic butter later. - Air Fry the Shrimp
Preheat the air fryer to 400° Fahrenheit. Once hot, spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray to prevent sticking. Arrange the seasoned shrimp in the basket in a single layer, being careful not to overlap them. Air fry for 6 minutes or until the shrimp turn pink, curl up, and become opaque. Work in batches if necessary to maintain a single layer for even cooking. - Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
While the shrimp are cooking, melt the butter in a small skillet or saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds, being careful not to brown it. Remove the pan from heat and whisk in the lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, red pepper flakes, and parsley if using. This creates a rich, aromatic sauce that will complement the shrimp perfectly. - Combine and Serve
After all shrimp are cooked, transfer them to a serving dish. Drizzle the warm garlic butter sauce over the cooked shrimp, ensuring they’re well coated. Serve immediately over rice if desired, or with your favorite side dishes for a complete meal.
Notes
- Use fresh garlic in the butter sauce for the best flavor. Avoid the pre-packed minced garlic in oil.
- Cook shrimp in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer, which ensures even cooking and proper air circulation.
- Always preheat your air fryer for a few minutes before adding the shrimp to ensure the proper cooking temperature is reached.
- Cooking time may vary depending on shrimp size. This recipe uses jumbo 21-30 count shrimp.
- Leftover shrimp and garlic butter can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
- For a spicier version, increase the amount of red pepper flakes.
- Serve with crusty bread to soak up the delicious garlic butter sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 pound shrimp
- Calories: 324
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 215 mg
