You can easily cook shrimp from frozen with this easy air fryer frozen shrimp recipe. Prepare any shrimp from frozen, without having to defrost them first!
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Okay, let's be honest, we've all been there. It's dinner time, everyone is hungry, and you suddenly realize that you completely forgot to take the meat out of the freezer.
Luckily, if you have a pack of frozen shrimp, there's still time to save your meal. It's actually rather easy to cook shrimp from frozen, and my favorite method is cooking it in my air fryer.
Why the air fryer method is the best
- It's quick. Regardless of what kind of shrimp you have, it only takes a few minutes.
- It's super easy - throw the shrimp in the basket, and set the timer.
- You can use your favorite seasoning or sauce.
- The shrimp is juicy, tender, and cooked just right.
- No need to make a mess at the stove top.
- Easy clean-up: Just place the air fryer basket in the dishwasher, and you're good to go.
Browse my collection of healthy air fryer recipes for more dinner inspiration!
Raw vs cooked shrimp
You can buy frozen shrimp that's raw and uncooked, or frozen shrimp that is precooked. These different types of shrimp has different cooking times because the precooked shrimp only needs to be thawed and warmed up, while the raw shrimp has to be completely cooked through to be safe to eat.
The easiest way to tell whether your frozen shrimp is raw or cooked is to check the color: raw shrimp is white and gray, while cooked shrimp is pink or orange.
Luckily, you can cook your frozen shrimp in your air fryer regardless of whether it's raw or precooked. Please check the table below for suggested cooking times.
Instructions
If needed, spray your air fryer basket with cooking spray or olive oil spray.
Add your frozen shrimp to the air fryer, and cook for 3-10 minutes, using the cooking times below as a guide. Shake the basket halfway through, and keep an eye on the shrimp.
Season the cooked shrimp with salt and pepper, and serve.
Cooking times
Use these cooking times as a guide. Keep in mind that the shrimp should be pink, with their tails slightly bent to form a C-shape, and completely warm throughout before serving.
| Type of frozen shrimp | Cooking time |
| Pre-cooked shrimp | 3-5 minutes |
| Raw shrimp | 5-8 minutes |
| Breaded shrimp | 5-10 minutes |
| Whole, unpeeled shrimp | 10-15 minutes |
Top tips
- If your air fryer doesn't have a nonstick surface, you can spray the air fryer with an olive oil spray to prevent the shrimps from sticking.
- I usually don't season the shrimp while they are still frozen, as the seasoning slides right off them as they thaw. Instead, season them after they are cooked.
- The cooking times can vary depending on the make and model of your air fryer. You might have to experiment to find out what works for you.
Serving suggestions
These shrimps can be served as an appetizer or entree, or used in a variety of dishes that require cooked shrimp. Here are some of my favorite ways to serve and enjoy air fryer frozen shrimp:
- Lime and Chili Shrimp Tacos - Air fried shrimp is fantastic in these tacos!
- Shrimp and avocado salad - Use the shrimp in this amazing lunch salad recipe.
- Carrot Rice - Shrimp and carrot rice is perfect as a quick meal.
- Egg Salad with Avocado - Make a sandwich with shrimp and avocado egg salad for a simple but nutritious meal.
Variations
Served with a sauce: Toss the air fried shrimp in your favorite sauce to add some flavor. I love drizzling over some lemon pepper vinaigrette, a little BBQ sauce, or a sticky orange glaze for some fun dinner alternatives.
Seasoning: Add any seasoning you like to the shrimp. Salt and pepper is a great combination. You can also try lemon juice, garlic powder, red pepper flakes or cumin for a tasty alternative.
Leftovers
Leftover cooked shrimp can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. You can use the shrimp in a variety of dishes, and serve them for multiple meals.
I like to prepare a large batch of shrimp in one go, and add them to sandwiches, salads or other meals through the week for quick and simple meals.
Frequently asked questions
No. If you thaw the shrimp first, it's easier to season or marinate it. But you can also cook raw shrimp from frozen without thawing it.
Prawns and shrimps are actually two different animals, and shrimps are usually smaller than prawns. However, shrimps and prawns are used interchangeably in the kitchen, and this recipe works for either.
You might also like these recipes
- Air Fryer Sausage
- Air Fryer Asparagus
- Air Fryer Meatloaf
- Air Fryer Tilapia
- Air Fryer Steak
- Air Fryer Carrots
If you make this recipe, make sure to post a photo to Instagram with #hintofhealthy!
Recipe
Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp
Ingredients
- 1 pound frozen shrimp
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- If needed, spray your air fryer basket with cooking spray or olive oil spray.
- Add your frozen shrimp to the air fryer, and cook for 3-10 minutes, using the cooking times below as a guide. Shake the basket halfway through, and keep an eye on the shrimp.
- Season the cooked shrimp with salt and pepper, and serve.
Video
Notes
- Store leftover shrimp in a refrigerator for up to 3 days.
| Type of frozen shrimp | Cooking time |
| Pre-cooked shrimp | 3-5 minutes |
| Raw shrimp | 5-8 minutes |
| Breaded shrimp | 5-10 minutes |
| Whole, unpeeled shrimp | 10-15 minutes |
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