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The Easiest No-Thaw Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp (Juicy & Quick)

A pile of perfectly seasoned and cooked air fryer frozen shrimp served on a white plate.
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Cook frozen shrimp directly in your air fryer without thawing. This fast method yields juicy, tender shrimp with slightly crisp edges, perfect for tacos, salads, or appetizers in under 15 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb large frozen shrimp (peeled and deveined, tail on or off)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Optional: 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning or 1 teaspoon lemon zest

Instructions

  1. Take your frozen shrimp directly from the freezer. Do not thaw them first. Place the frozen shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. If using, add Old Bay or lemon zest now.
  3. Drizzle the seasoning mixture over the frozen shrimp in the basket. Toss gently with tongs to coat them evenly.
  4. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (195°C) for 3 minutes.
  5. Place the seasoned shrimp back into the air fryer basket in a single layer if possible; a slight overlap is acceptable for quick meals.
  6. Air fry for 8 to 10 minutes. At the halfway point (around 4-5 minutes), pull out the basket and shake it well to separate the shrimp and promote even cooking.
  7. Continue cooking until the shrimp are pink, opaque, and cooked through. Total cook time depends on size, but 10 minutes is usually sufficient for large shrimp.
  8. Remove immediately and serve warm. These are great for quick weeknight shrimp meals or as an appetizer with cocktail sauce.

Notes

  • For breaded frozen shrimp, cook at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes, shaking halfway. Do not add oil to breaded varieties.
  • If your shrimp are very large (jumbo size), add 1-2 minutes to the total cook time.
  • To check for doneness, the internal temperature should reach 145°F. The shrimp should curl into a ‘C’ shape.
  • This method saves significant time compared to baking or frying.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://tastethisplate.com/air-fryer-frozen-shrimp/