Recipes AirfryerOld Bay Cajun Air Fryer Shrimp
This is the fastest party appetizer in the book: a pound of shrimp tossed with Old Bay, smoked paprika and a pinch of cayenne, then air-fried in one quick batch. Think shrimp-boil flavor without the pot of water.
Pile them on a platter with lemon wedges and a bowl of remoulade or cocktail sauce, and they disappear in minutes.
Ingredients
Instructions
Season
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. In a bowl, toss the shrimp with the olive oil, Old Bay, smoked paprika, cayenne and salt until evenly coated.
Air fry
Spread the shrimp in a single layer in the basket and cook for about 5 minutes, until pink, opaque and lightly charred at the edges.
Serve
Finish with a squeeze of lemon and serve right away with your favorite dipping sauce.
- Don't overcook — shrimp are done the moment they curl into a loose C and turn opaque.
- Pat the shrimp dry first so the seasoning sticks and the edges char.
- No Old Bay? Mix celery salt, paprika and a little black pepper.
Frequently asked
How long does shrimp take in the air fryer?
About 5 minutes at 400°F for large shrimp. They cook fast, so check at 4 minutes.
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes — thaw and pat them very dry first, or they'll steam instead of crisp.
What's a good dip?
Remoulade, cocktail sauce or a garlic-lemon aioli all work well with the Cajun seasoning.
