Prawns are the fastest thing you can cook in an air fryer, and the easiest to ruin. Six minutes is the whole window. Pull them the moment they curl into a C shape; a tight O means they're already overcooked and rubbery.
Everything you need
- 600 g large raw prawns, peeled
- 3 tbsp (42 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 4 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 tbsp lime zest
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp chilli flakes
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp fine salt
- ¼ cup fresh coriander, chopped
Single layer, always. Crowding the basket steams food instead of crisping it. Tap any ingredient to open its converter.
Method
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Pat the prawns completely dry. Wet prawns steam and never take on colour, no matter how hot the basket.
For this step
- 600 g large raw prawns
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Mix the melted butter, garlic, lime zest, chilli flakes, paprika and salt. Toss the prawns through half of it and marinate for 20 minutes in the fridge. Reserve the rest.
For this step
- 600 g large raw prawns
- 3 tbsp (42 g) unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp lime zest
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp chilli flakes
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp fine salt
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Thread onto short skewers, three or four prawns each, pushing the skewer through both the head end and the tail so they stay flat.
For this step
- 600 g large raw prawns
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Preheat the air fryer to 200°C / 400°F for 3 minutes. Lay the skewers in a single layer with space between them.
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Air fry for 5 to 6 minutes, turning once at 3 minutes. They're done when pink, opaque and curled into a loose C.
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Brush with the reserved garlic butter, squeeze over the lime juice and scatter the coriander. Serve immediately.
For this step
- 3 tbsp (42 g) unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp lime zest
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- ¼ cup fresh coriander
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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
- Marinate for 20 minutes, not longer. Lime juice will start to cure the prawns into ceviche and turn the texture chalky.
- If using frozen prawns, thaw completely and dry them very well. Ice crystals are the enemy of browning.
Make it your own
- Swap lime for lemon and the coriander for parsley for a scampi-style version.
- Add 1 tbsp honey to the butter for a sweet and spicy glaze.
Storing & reheating
Best immediately. Refrigerate for 2 days and eat cold in a salad rather than reheating, since a second cook makes prawns rubbery.
Frequently asked
How long do prawns take in an air fryer?
5 to 6 minutes at 200°C for large prawns, turned once. Medium prawns need 4. They're done when opaque and curled into a C, not a tight O.
Can I cook prawns from frozen?
You can, adding 3 minutes, but they'll release water and steam rather than char. Thawing and drying them first gives a far better result.
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.