Air fryer peel and eat shrimp cooks shell-on frozen shrimp in 10 minutes with Old Bay and butter for classic seafood shack flavor at home.

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Two Bite Tested

This air fryer peel and eat shrimp recipe is popular because:

• it cooks from frozen, no thawing needed
• it's ready in about 10 minutes start to finish
• it uses a classic Old Bay butter drizzle

I focus on recipes that are practical, repeatable, and worth making again, and this one meets all three!

This recipe includes:

• Detailed ingredient notes
• Answers to frequently asked questions
• Serving and storage suggestions
• A recipe card with nutritional information

A Note From My Kitchen

I love shrimp. I mean, who doesn't? I think it very well may be the perfect food. Shrimp is tasty, healthy, and cooks super quickly. What's not to love?!

I love making this Spanish garlic shrimp when I'm feeling fancy, pesto shrimp on busy weeknights, and fried shrimp when I want something a little indulgent. My new favorite way to make shrimp is in my air fryer. All it takes is just 10 minutes to cook frozen shrimp in the air fryer. Yup, you read that right! You can prepare shrimp in your air fryer right from the freezer. It doesn't get much easier than that.

A little Old Bay seasoning gives this air fryer frozen shrimp recipe a classic seafood flavor that I just love. Serve it with some Garlic Butter Sauce and Air Fryer Broccolini or delicious feta tomato pasta on the side to jazz it up even more! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Happy cooking,

Ingredient Notes

• Shrimp: Use large or jumbo frozen raw shrimp with the peel on and deveined. Shrimp in the 21/25 count range works well. If using medium or small shrimp, reduce the cook time to avoid overcooking. A typical portion is about 4 to 5 shrimp per serving.
• Olive oil: Any standard olive oil works here. Avocado oil is a suitable substitute.
• Old Bay seasoning: Use the standard Old Bay blend available in most grocery stores. The recipe uses it in two stages, so measure out 2 tablespoons total and split evenly before you start.
• Butter: Unsalted or salted butter both work. Melt it just before the shrimp finishes cooking so it's ready to drizzle warm.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Make Frozen Shrimp in an Air Fryer?

Yes, you can make frozen shrimp in an air fryer without defrosting! They'll come out perfectly cooked and delicious when prepared from frozen.

How to Make Shrimp in an Air Fryer

Making shrimp in an air fryer is super easy. Here's how to do it! Take 1 lb of frozen shrimp and place them in an air fryer basket. Drizzle the shrimp with olive oil and Old Bay and toss to coat. Then, air fry the frozen shrimp for 8–9 minutes, depending on the size of your shrimp. The shrimp is drizzled with Old Bay butter before serving. See below for a detailed ingredients list and instructions.

What Size Shrimp Should I Use For Air Fryer Shrimp?

I recommend using large shrimp or jumbo frozen raw shrimp for air frying. If you want to use medium or small shrimp, be sure to reduce the cooking time so that the shrimp don't end up overcooked. You want to air fry until the shrimp flesh just turns pink.

Two Bite Take

"A little Old Bay seasoning gives this air fryer frozen shrimp recipe a classic seafood flavor that I just love."

- Becky Tarala

Serving Suggestions

What to Serve With Air Fryer Peel and Eat Shrimp

I like to serve this peel and eat shrimp recipe as an appetizer or main dish. Serve with lemon wedges and a side of drawn butter or cocktail sauce on the side for dipping. To make the shrimp more of a meal, I like to serve it with a side salad.

Air Fryer Peel and Eat Shrimp Variations

This recipe works is delish as is, but a few ingredient swaps can take it in a different direction if you're feeling creative:

• Swap Old Bay for Cajun seasoning for a spicier, bolder flavor
• Use lemon pepper seasoning in place of Old Bay for a brighter, citrusy profile
• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the butter for a touch of heat
• Substitute garlic butter for the plain melted butter for a richer finish

Got Leftovers?

What To Do With Leftover Air Fryer Peel and Eat Shrimp

After peeling your leftover shrimp, they can be made into a whole new dish:

• Toss into a grain bowl with rice, avocado, and a squeeze of lime
• Use as a filling for wontons or egg rolls
• Fold into scrambled eggs or an omelet for a quick high protein breakfast
• Stir into pasta with garlic and olive oil for a fast weeknight meal
• Make shrimp tacos with shredded cabbage and a drizzle of hot sauce

How To Store Air Fryer Peel and Eat Shrimp

Leftover air fryer shrimp can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. To reheat, place the shrimp back in the air fryer at 350 degrees F for 2–3 minutes until warmed through.

Air Fryer Peel and Eat Shrimp

Yield: 1 lb (about 4 servings)
Prep Time: 3 Minutes
Cook Time: 8–9 Minutes
Total Time: 11 Minutes

Air fryer peel and eat shrimp cooks shell-on frozen shrimp in 10 minutes with Old Bay and butter for classic seafood shack flavor at home.

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INGREDIENTS

1 lb large frozen uncooked shrimp, peel on and deveined
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons Old Bay seasoning, split
3 tablespoons butter, melted

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Rinse the shrimp under cold water to remove any ice crystals and to separate any shrimp that are frozen together. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and place the frozen shrimp into your air fryer basket. Add the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the Old Bay seasoning to the shrimp and toss to coat.
2. Air fry the shrimp at 350 degrees F for 8–9 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp is pink and cooked through.
3. Meanwhile, combine the melted butter and the remaining 1 tablespoon of Old Bay seasoning. Pour the Old Bay butter over the shrimp when it's done air frying and toss to coat.

NOTES

Cooking time may vary between different models of air fryer. I use the Ninja 4-Quart Air Fryer.

Author: Becky Tarala

Nutrition data should not be considered a guarantee. Please see our full Nutrition Data Disclosure.

Behind the Bites

Hi, I'm Becky, the creator of The Two Bite Club, where good food starts with two bites.
I've been cooking and sharing recipes here for years,
sharing the kinds of easy, dependable dishes that tend to become family favorites.

These are the recipes I make in my own kitchen, and I hope you enjoy them as much as we do.
You can read more about me and The Two Bite Club here!

Still Hungry?

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