Air Fryer Pesto Shrimp

This two ingredient air fryer pesto shrimp is ready in less than 10 minutes. This is a quick and easy seafood recipe that can add so much flavor to any dish. If you're looking for an air fryer shrimp recipe with no breading, this one is delicious and flavorful!

this recipe

Making shrimp in the air fryer is so quick and easy. Some shrimp recipes use breading, and it can be delicious, but I wanted to make an air fryer shrimp recipe without breading.

To make a more flavorful shrimp recipe, I tossed the shrimp in pesto and voila! A two-ingredient recipe that cooks up so easily.

Why make this recipe

2-ingredient recipe - I love easy recipes. And this one only requires TWO ingredients. Super-easy.

Versatile - You can use this air fryer pesto shrimp in so many ways! As an appetizer, with a bit of extra virgin olive oil and crusty bread, in a salad, or on top of pasta.

Quick - The shrimp cooks in only 6-8 minutes, and because this recipe is so easy, it can be done from start to finish in 10 minutes or less.

Ingredients

• Shrimp - I used raw, tail on shrimp. You can use frozen shrimp, just make sure to defrost completely before using.
• Pesto - Jarred or homemade basil pesto. I used a jarred version for this recipe.

Recipe tips

• Depending on the size of your shrimp, you may need to cook slightly longer or shorter. For small shrimp, you may only need to cook 4-5 minutes.
• If using frozen shrimp, make sure to thaw completely and dry on paper towels before adding the pesto.
• You can use shrimp that already have the tails removed.
• If using fresh shrimp, you may need to devein and clean before using. I used frozen, deveined shrimp for this recipe (that I thawed prior to using).

How to make air fryer pesto shrimp

Thaw shrimp if using frozen shrimp. Dry the shrimp on paper towels.

Add the shrimp to a large bowl, then add the pesto.

Gently toss to combine the pesto and the shrimp.

Add shrimp to the air fryer basket in a single layer.

Air fry at 400 degrees F for 6-8 minutes (depending on your size of shrimp).

Remove the shrimp from the air fryer and enjoy.

I love serving on top of some creamy pasta or with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

What is pesto?

Pesto is an Italian condiment typically made with fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, parmesan cheese, fresh garlic, and olive oil. It originated in Genoa, Italy.

Pesto is typically made in a food processor or manually blended together using a mortar and pesto.

You can easily make your own homemade pesto, or buy jarred at the store. Pesto can be found in most grocery stores, or online.

I also love using pesto to make air fryer pesto salmon.

How to customize

If you want, you can add extra ingredients when you add the pesto to the bowl.

You could add smoked paprika, extra basil, red pepper flakes, etc. to add additional flavors to your pesto shrimp.

How to serve

My favorite way to serve this air fried pesto shrimp is on top of a creamy pasta or lemony pasta.

However, the shrimp is also delicious as an appetizer with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, some lemon zest, and some crusty bread.

You can also serve this in a salad or a grain bowl alongside some vegetables.

More air fryer shrimp recipes

• Air fryer garlic butter shrimp
• Air fryer frozen shrimp