Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp (No Thaw Method)

You can cook frozen shrimp in air fryer without thawing in under 15 minutes. follow my the step-by-step recipe directions for the best tips and exact cooking times.

An air fryer is hands down the best cooking method for frozen foods. Besides frozen shrimp, I have been enjoying making frozen chicken breasts, frozen steak, frozen fish fillets, frozen chicken wings, frozen asparagus, and frozen butternut squash in my air fryer. And the results have been consistently amazing. 

With higher food prices, it is very convenient to buy frozen foods in bulk and keep them in the freezer to have on hand.

You can cook as little as you need and keep the rest in the freezer for later. 

If you do not have the air fryer, you can easily cook frozen shrimp in a skillet.

How long to air fry frozen shrimp

Before getting to step-by-step recipe directions, it is important to note that the cooking time for frozen shrimp will depend on the size of the shrimp.

When I have tried air frying different types of shrimp, I have also noticed that the cooking time might slightly differ if they are peeled or not.

Always use a food thermometer to make sure the internal temperature of shrimp reaches at 145°F.

Large and extra-large shrimp takes 12-14 minutes to cook, while medium and small shrimp take 6-8 minutes. If cooking with the shell on, add 1-2 extra minutes to the cooking time.

Ingredients

Please, see the recipe card at the end of this post for ingredient quantities and directions.

• Raw Frozen shrimp (do not thaw them): you can air fry frozen raw, frozen cooked shrimp, or frozen breaded shrimp. I prefer buying larger shrimp when cooking them from frozen. They will become much smaller after cooking.
• Olive oil: Olive oil prevents the shrimp from drying and sticking to the basket. It also adds flavor. You can also use a cooking spray. 
• Seasonings: do not add salt, if it is already listed in the ingredients on the packaging. Otherwise, you can use any favorite seasonings. This time I used paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper. 
• Lemon or lime: for serving I like to add a squeeze before cooking the shrimp.

Air fryer frozen shrimp recipe directions

For this recipe, I used one pound of frozen raw pink shrimp (peeled, 31-35 per pound), and my Ninja Air fryer.

Step 1. add one pound of shrimp into a large bowl. Drizzle them with olive oil, and any seasonings. My bag of shrimp had listed salt in the ingredients, so I only used paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper. I also like to add a good squeeze of lemon juice or lime juice (whatever you have on hand). Toss the shrimp so it gets lightly coated in oil and seasonings. 

Step 2. Preheat the air fryer at 400 degrees F for about 5 minutes. Arrange seasoned frozen shrimp in the preheated air fryer basket. Make sure they are in a single layer with some space in between each shrimp.

Step 3. Air fry them for 8-10 minutes, shaking them 2 times every 3-4 minutes. The shrimp are cooked when they are not translucent inside, become slightly springy to the touch, and usually curl up into C when fully cooked. But the easiest way is to use the meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 145°F.

Pro tips

• Adjust the cooking time depending on the size of the frozen shrimp.
• Do not overcrowd the basket, I usually cook one pound of large or medium shrimp at once.
• Frozen shrimp will become smaller after cooking, so it is better to use larger or jumbo shrimp.
• Use the meat thermometer to ensure it is fully cooked.

Favorite shrimp seasonings

Below are our favorite seasonings we have in our pantry to use on shrimp depending on what we are serving them with: 

• Old bay seasoning - when served with roasted vegetables or potato dishes. 
• Cajun seasoning - when served with grits, sausage, or salad.
• Lemon pepper seasoning - great for any dish with linguine. 
• Italian seasoning - when served with creamy Alfredo sauce over fettuccine or when served with grilled veggies.
• Taco seasoning - for making shrimp tacos, shrimp taco bowls, or shrimp fajitas.

Favorite sides and serving ideas

• With a side of vegetables: roasted green beans and potatoes, sweet potato fries, regular french fries, air fryer roasted potatoes, air fryer carrots and potatoes.
• With a side of a dipping sauce: cocktail sauce, homemade tartar sauce, sweet chili sauce, lemon, and Greek yogurt sauce, or garlic aioli.
• As shrimp tacos: in soft tortillas with some cotija cheese, shredded cabbage, and a lime crema or cilantro sauce.
• As a salad: on a bed with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes and a light vinaigrette dressing or try my favorite shrimp and avocado salad (with fresh cucumbers, dill and lemon mayonnaise dressing)

How to store leftovers

The best part of cooking frozen foods in the air fryer is that you cook only as much as you will eat.

Cooked shrimp from frozen is best when enjoyed right away, but any leftovers will last in the fridge for 2-3 days. 

Make sure to cool down any leftover shrimp promptly and transfer them to the airtight container before placing them in the fridge. 

You can reheat them in the microwave or air fryer at 350°.

More delicious seafood recipes

• Baked salmon fillets
• Mango and salmon salad
• Herring salad with beets and potatoes
• Canned tuna appetizer salad
• Caviar canapes