Air Fryer Cajun Shrimp Boil
Shrimp, sausage, corn and potatoes in one spiced basket.
Before You Start
A shrimp boil without the stockpot: everything gets the same cajun butter, and the basket is loaded in order of cooking time so it all finishes together. Potatoes first, then sausage and corn, shrimp last. It lands on the table as one dramatic pile, which is most of the point of a boil.
Instructions
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Stir the melted butter with the cajun seasoning, paprika and garlic. This one butter seasons everything.
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Toss the potatoes in a third of the butter. Air fry at 200°C / 400°F for 10 minutes.
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Toss the sausage and corn in another third. Add them to the basket, shake everything together, and cook 8 minutes more.
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Toss the shrimp in the last of the butter.
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Add the shrimp on top and cook a final 5 to 6 minutes until they curl and turn pink through.
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Tip the whole basket onto a paper-lined table or a big platter, squeeze lemon over everything, and eat with your hands as intended.
♨️ Air fryer notes
- Cook at 200°C / 400°F and preheat for 2 to 3 minutes for the crispiest result.
- Keep everything in a single layer with space around each piece. Overcrowding steams food instead of crisping it, so cook in batches if your basket is small.
- Shake or turn halfway, and check a few minutes early, since air fryers cook faster than ovens and every model runs slightly differently.
💡 Cook's tips
- The staggered loading is the recipe. Everything in at once means raw potatoes or shrimp erasers. Set three timers if it helps.
- Most cajun blends carry salt. Taste yours before adding any more anywhere.
🔀 Make it your own
- Swap shrimp for chunks of firm white fish added at the same stage.
- A pinch of cayenne in the butter if your cajun blend is mild.
📦 Storing & reheating
Fridge for 2 days. Reheat everything except the shrimp at 190°C for 4 minutes, adding the shrimp for the last 90 seconds.
❓ Frequently asked
How long do shrimp take in an air fryer?
5 to 6 minutes at 200°C / 400°F for large raw shrimp. They are done the moment they curl into a loose C and turn opaque. A tight curl means overdone.
Can you cook a shrimp boil without boiling?
Yes. Stagger the ingredients in an air fryer by cooking time and share one seasoned butter. You lose the broth but gain browned edges the pot never gives you.
Adapting your own recipe? Use the oven to air fryer converter for temp and time, or the recipe scaler to halve or double this.
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A note on cooking safely. Recipes are provided for informational purposes only and are not medical or nutritional advice. Cooking times, temperatures and quantities are suggestions: use your own judgement, and check that meat, poultry, fish and eggs are properly cooked before serving.
Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making dietary changes, particularly if you have allergies, a medical condition or specific nutritional requirements.