Air Fryer Garlic Butter Shrimp

Air fryer garlic butter shrimp are decadent with a garlic butter sauce that is brightened with fresh lemon juice. This meal is like air fryer shrimp scampi that are easy to make and cook in less than 10 minutes.

I feel like I've won something. I've learned how to make one of my favorite meals in my air fryer.

This air fryer garlic butter shrimp reminds me just of shrimp scampi. And so often, I do serve it over pasta and it is incredibly delicious.

But it makes a great appetizer too! Or main dish. Or snack.

And it's super easy and cooks in less than 10 minutes. I've already made it three times this week. So easy. So delicious. So fast!

I always keep frozen shrimp in my freezer, but I just thaw them before making the air fryer shrimp scampi. So easy and yummy.

Ingredients

• Large, raw shrimp
• Butter
• Garlic cloves
• Lemon (you'll use fresh lemon juice from ½ a lemon)
• Salt
• Parsley (optional)

How to make air fryer garlic butter shrimp

In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter. (You can also do this on the stove, if you prefer).

Add minced garlic cloves, salt, and juice from half a lemon. Then, stir to combine.

Add the shrimp, and stir until shrimp are coated. Don't worry if the butter solidifies some as it touches the cold shrimp. It will all melt again in the air fryer!

Add it all to your air fryer basket. Yes, all of it. Pour the butter mixture in there. That will become your sauce as it heats up in the bottom of the air fryer.

Cook at 370 degrees F for 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Plate and serve as desired! I topped mine with fresh parsley as shown below, but I've eaten these air fried garlic butter shrimp in so many ways! Keep reading for ideas on how to serve and customize.

Recipe tips

• All air fryers cook differently. You may need to adjust cooking times based on your air fryer. Cook times will also depend on the size of your shrimp. Small shrimp may only need 4-5 minutes to cook through.
• You should cook this in an air fryer that has an area for the butter sauce to cook as well, like a basket air fryer. Most tray air fryers will work with this as well, as the butter can cook in the tray. Butter should not touch a heating element.
• If using frozen shrimp, thaw completely before cooking.

How to serve the garlic butter shrimp

I like to do a version of air fryer shrimp scampi and cook up some spaghetti or pasta and serve the garlic butter shrimp and sauce with pasta. (I've also used zucchini noodles and it's been a delicious low carb meal!)

You can simply serve these as an appetizer or with some crusty bread.

The air fried garlic butter shrimp scampi is delicious with air fryer smashed potatoes, air fryer asparagus, or air fryer green beans.

Customization ideas

The garlic butter shrimp can be customized in so many ways. While they are delicious as is, if you want them spicier, you can add some red pepper flakes or a pinch of ground cayenne pepper.

You can also add different seasonings and spices! You could add some chili powder or smoked paprika for a different flavor. Or season with a bit of cumin.

And then, of course you can add dried herbs! I love parsley, dried thyme leaves, or dried tarragon with the shrimp.

Can you use frozen shrimp?

Yes, and that is how I usually do it. However, I've found the recipe works best when you thaw the shrimp beforehand. You can do that in the refrigerator, or to speed things up, place in a ziplock bag in a bowl of cold water and place in the refrigerator.

More air fryer shrimp recipes

• Air fryer frozen shrimp
• Air fryer pesto shrimp