Air Fryer Shrimp Skewers
These shell-on air fryer shrimp skewers are crafted with simple, everyday seasonings that deliver a bold burst of flavor. Don’t be misled by how straightforward this dish seems; it turns out unbelievably tasty. The shrimp come out extra tender and juicy, and I challenge you to not go back for another skewer. This recipe is ideal for grilling season, but you already know what we do here: air fryer, all the way.
Why you will enjoy my air fryer peel and eat shrimp
Simple to tailor: I seasoned the shrimp with garlic, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper, though you can season them in any way you like. Pairing them with chimichurri meant I didn’t need to load the shrimp with heavy seasoning, so their natural flavor could take center stage.
It is low mess and calls for very little cleanup.
You can serve it as an appetizer or as part of a bigger spread, and it also makes a solid source of protein.
Cooking the shrimp with the shell on helps you avoid overcooking them. As a result, they stay juicy. Just peel and enjoy the shrimp, and you’re good to go.
Tools needed
Wooden or metal skewers: I like using metal skewers because I can quickly put together any skewer-style meal without needing to soak the wooden ones or worry about them catching during cooking.
What you will need
Large shrimp with shells: If you’re working with frozen shrimp, confirm they’re fully thawed before you cook them. Do it safely by thawing them in the fridge overnight.
Oregano
Smoked paprika
Garlic granules
Lemon juice
Olive oil
Salt and black pepper
How to make air fryer shrimp skewers
Rinse the shrimp and devein them, keeping the shell on. You may leave the head attached if you’d rather, but I took it off this time.
Season the shrimp with salt, black pepper, oregano, smoked paprika, lemon juice, and olive oil. Toss everything together, then let the shrimp marinate for at least 15 minutes to develop better flavor.
Preheat the air fryer to 400F/200C.
Slide the seasoned shrimp onto skewers, spacing them out a bit. This will help ensure they cook evenly.
Arrange the skewers in a single layer in the air fryer basket, or on the tray (if you’re using a tray-style air fryer). Cook for 6-8 minutes, turning halfway through, until the shrimp are pink and fully cooked.
Enjoy hot with your go-to dipping sauce or alongside a meal. I finished these with my homemade cilantro parsley chimichurri sauce.
What to serve with shrimp skewers
Air fried shrimp is a flexible option that works in lots of different ways. Here are a few suggestions to help you start:
- As an appetizer with dipping sauce, air-fried shrimp makes a tasty, simple grab-and-go finger food.
- With rice: For a complete meal, serve the air-fried shrimp with fluffy white rice or seasoned rice, or try caulirice. You can also add some sautéed vegetables on the side.
- In tacos or wraps, just be sure to take off the tail. The shell is soft enough to eat in wraps or tacos. Still, it’s your call—feel free to remove the shell before serving.
Air Fryer Shrimp Skewers
These shell-on air fryer shrimp skewers are prepared with simple, everyday spices that deliver a punchy hit of flavor. Don’t let the straightforward nature of this recipe trick you; the results are absolutely scrumptious. The shrimp are wonderfully tender and juicy, and I dare you to stop at just one skewer.
- 12 large shrimp with shells Substitute with prawns (about ½lb)
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic granules
- juice of ½ a lemon
- 1 Tablespoon Olive oil
- Salt and black pepper
Keep your screen from turning off
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Rinse the shrimp and remove the vein, but keep the shells on. If you’d like, you may leave the head attached; however, I took it off for this batch.
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Season the shrimp with salt, black pepper, oregano, smoked paprika, lemon juice, and olive oil. Toss well, then let the shrimp marinate for at least 15 minutes to boost the flavor.
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Set the air fryer to 400F/200C to preheat.
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Skewer the seasoned shrimp, spacing them slightly apart. This helps the cooking stay even.
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Arrange the skewers in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, or set them on the tray (if your air fryer uses one). Cook for 6-8 minutes, turning them halfway, until the shrimp turn pink and are fully cooked.
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Enjoy immediately while hot, with your preferred dipping sauce or as part of a larger dish. I finished mine with my homemade parsley cilantro chimichurri sauce.
When using frozen shrimp, make sure they’re fully defrosted before cooking. For a simple method, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight.
Calories: 57kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein Content: 4gFat Content: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.003gCholesterol: 38mgSodium: 171mgPotassium: 61mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 0.1gVitamin A: 309IUVitamin C: 0.03mgCalcium: 26mgIron: 0.4mg
Nutritional information: Please keep in mind that the nutrition label shown here is a rough estimate generated with an online nutrition calculator. The results may differ depending on the particular ingredients and brands you choose. In no case will thedinnerbite.com accept responsibility for any loss or damage that may occur from depending on the nutritional information.
And that’s it—an appetizing, easy air fryer shrimp with shell recipe that you can whip up at home in no time. As always, if you made this recipe, I’d truly enjoy hearing from you! Please consider rating the recipe with 5 stars and sharing your thoughts in the comment section below. Mention me @thedinnerbite on Instagram and pin it to your Pinterest. If you haven’t yet, subscribe to the blog for free new recipes delivered to your inbox.
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