This is the fastest proper dinner in the house. Prawns need barely five minutes in the basket, and tossing them in garlic butter the moment they come out means the butter melts into a sauce rather than burning off during the cook.
Everything you need
- 500 g large raw prawns, peeled and deveined
- 3 tbsp (43 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, finely grated
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp chilli flakes
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 2 tbsp parsley, chopped
- ½ tsp fine salt
Single layer, always. Crowding the basket steams food instead of crisping it. Tap any ingredient to open its converter.
Method
0 of 5 done-
Pat the prawns very dry, then toss them with the olive oil, paprika, chilli flakes and salt.
For this step
- 500 g large raw prawns
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp chilli flakes
- ½ tsp fine salt
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Preheat the air fryer to 190°C / 375°F. Spread the prawns in a single layer.
For this step
- 500 g large raw prawns
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Air fry for 5 to 7 minutes, shaking once, until they turn pink and curl into a loose C shape.
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While they cook, stir the melted butter with the grated garlic and lemon juice.
For this step
- 3 tbsp (43 g) unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 lemon
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Tip the hot prawns straight into the garlic butter and toss so it melts over them. Scatter with parsley and serve at once, with bread for the sauce.
For this step
- 500 g large raw prawns
- 3 tbsp (43 g) unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp parsley
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Air fryer notes
- Cook at 190°C / 375°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
- A tight O shape means overcooked. Pull them at a loose C, when they're just pink through.
- Add the garlic at the end, not before. Raw garlic in the basket burns bitter in minutes.
Make it your own
- Add a splash of white wine and a pinch of chilli to the butter for a scampi feel.
- Serve over linguine or on garlic toast to turn it into a full meal.
Storing & reheating
Best eaten immediately. Leftovers keep for 1 day in the fridge and are good cold in a salad, since reheating toughens prawns.
Frequently asked
How long do prawns take in an air fryer?
5 to 7 minutes at 190°C / 375°F for large raw prawns. They're done as soon as they're pink and opaque, so check at 5 minutes.
Can I cook frozen prawns in the air fryer?
Thaw and dry them first for the best texture. Cooking from frozen releases water into the basket and the prawns steam instead of browning.
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.