Air Fryer Garlic Butter Shrimp
Plump prawns in garlicky butter, ready in six minutes.
Kit that makes this foolproof
A few inexpensive bits that get you crispier results with less mess.
A roomy air fryer
A larger basket means fewer batches and crispier results.
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Perforated liners
Less sticking and mess, without blocking the airflow.
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Silicone tongs
Turn and lift without scratching the non-stick basket.
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Before You Start
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.
Instructions
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1
Pat the prawns very dry, then toss them with the olive oil, paprika, chilli flakes and salt.
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2
Preheat the air fryer to 190°C / 375°F. Spread the prawns in a single layer.
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3
Air fry for 5 to 7 minutes, shaking once, until they turn pink and curl into a loose C shape.
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4
While they cook, stir the melted butter with the grated garlic and lemon juice.
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5
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.
♨️ 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 are 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 are done as soon as they are 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.
