Air Fryer Cajun Shrimp Recipe (2024)

These juicy air fryer cajun shrimp are incredibly tender and beautifully seasoned with bold Cajun spices. Ready in under 10 minutes, perfect for a quick summer dinner!

You’ll love how the bold yet subtle cajun spice compliments this tender air fryer cajun shrimp, and the zesty lemon juice ties them together. This shrimp is truly special with a delicate crunch outside and succulent meat in the middle.

Making cajun shrimp in air fryer brings out the best textures and flavors! The cajun spices create gentle warmth, and air frying stops the shrimp's natural juices from evaporating for meat so tender it practically melts in your mouth.

Using only five ingredients and less than 10 minutes, this cajun air fryer shrimp is an excellent option for busy families who want a healthy and delicious option for a light dinner.

Cajun Shrimp Ingredients you’ll need

**Find the full list of ingredients along with the recipe instructions at the end of this post**

Large shrimp (peeled and deveined) - you can use fresh or frozen shrimp for this recipe. See the below for more detail on how to prepare your shrimp!

Olive oil - olive oil is the best option for air frying because it has a mild flavor that adds to the dish without overpowering and has a high smoke point.

Cajun seasoning - smoky and spicy, cajun seasoning is what gives this dish its flavor! Cajun shrimp seasoning is available in most grocery stores, or you can make your own by combining paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, pepper, and oregano. You can also use creole seasoning for this recipe.

Garlic powder - adding an extra layer of spicy, sweet, earthy garlic is always a favorite ingredient! Try minced fresh garlic instead if you don’t have any garlic powder.

Freshly squeezed lemon juice - lemon juice adds a zesty taste to this dish that ties everything together! If you don’t have fresh lemons, you can use bottled lemon juice or lime juice instead.

• Air Fryer
• Large Bowl

How to make cajun shrimp in the air fryer

First, in a large bowl, add the shrimp, olive oil, cajun seasoning, garlic powder, and lemon juice, and toss to coat the shrimp.

Next, transfer the seasoned cajun shrimp to the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook to 360ºF for 4 minutes on each side or until cooked through.

Finally, remove from the basket and serve immediately. Enjoy!

Recipe tips

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days or in the freezer for up to 4 months.
• Reheat in a preheated air fryer for 3-5 minutes or until warm.

Preparing fresh shrimp

If you are using fresh shrimp to make this recipe, you may need to peel and devein it. To peel a shrimp, simply grab the shell at the head end and pull it to peel the whole thing off.

If you see a dark blue or black vein running down the length of the shrimp, you may wish to remove it (although you don’t have to - it isn’t harmful provided that you cook the shrimp correctly, but it may add a gritty texture). To remove the vein, cut a slit down the back of the shrimp using a chef's knife, then, using either your fingers or the tip of the knife, pull out the vein.

Preparing frozen shrimp

If you make cajun shrimp using frozen shrimp, you will need to defrost frozen shrimp first so that the seasoning sticks appropriately. There are three methods to defrost shrimp:

1. In the refrigerator (takes around 24 hours): simply move the frozen shrimp from the freezer to the fridge, and allow them to defrost for 24 hours. Ensure that the shrimp are kept in a sealed container to avoid contamination with other food.
2. Using cold water (takes around 30 minutes): ensure that the shrimp is in an airtight bag, and then submerge the bag in cold water for approximately 30 minutes. You may need to weigh the bag down to keep it submerged.
3. In the microwave (takes a few minutes): follow the instructions on your microwave oven to defrost shrimp. Always cook shrimp immediately after thawing in the microwave, as they may become warm during this process, which means that bacteria may grow if left out.

How long to cook blackened shrimp in air fryer

It takes around 8 minutes at 360°F to cook air fryer blackened shrimp, depending on the size of the shrimp and the model of air fryer you are using.

You can check whether the shrimp is cooked by looking at the color of the flesh; when the flesh turns opaque, it indicates that the shrimp is cooked.

What to serve with cajun shrimp

• Light and fluffy instant pot brown rice.
• Fresh strawberry pineapple salsa.
• Sweet air fryer plantains.

How to store leftover shrimp

This keto cajun shrimp can be stored safely in the fridge or freezer for a quick dinner or low-carb snack!

To store in the fridge, simply seal the shrimp in an airtight container. To freeze, lay the shrimp on a baking sheet and freeze for 1-2 hours, then transfer to an airtight bag (this prevents the shrimp from sticking together).

It’s safe to keep shrimp in the fridge for 3-4 days and in the freezer for 4-6 months. Always move shrimp to the refrigerator or freezer within 2 hours of cooking, preventing bacteria from growing.

How to reheat cajun shrimp

The easiest way to reheat cajun shrimp is in the air fryer. Simply preheat it to 370°F, and then cook for 3-4 minutes until warm (flip halfway through). If heating from frozen, allow another 5-8 minutes.

You can also reheat shrimp on the stovetop by heating a small amount of oil over medium heat and cooking them for 3-4 minutes.

FAQ'S

More Air Fryer Shrimp Recipes

• Air Fryer Shrimp
• Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
• Jumbo Shrimp in Air Fryer
• Air Fryer Shrimp with Shell
• Buffalo Shrimp in Air Fryer

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Air Fryer Cajun Shrimp Recipe

Yield: 3-4

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 8 minutes

Using only five ingredients and less than 10 minutes, this cajun air fryer shrimp is an excellent option for busy families who want a healthy and delicious option for a light dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• 1 1/2 Tablespoons cajun or creole seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

Tools

• Air Fryer
• Large Bowl

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, add the shrimp, olive oil, cajun seasoning, garlic powder, and lemon juice, and toss to coat the shrimp.
2. Transfer the shrimp to the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook to 360ºF for 4 minutes on each side or until cooked through.
3. Remove from the basket and serve immediately. Enjoy!

Notes

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days or in the freezer for up to 4 months.
• Reheat in a preheated air fryer for 3-5 minutes or until warm.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4Serving Size: 6 oz
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 240Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 359mgSodium: 832mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 39g

Please keep in mind that the nutritional information is calculated using a nutrition facts calculator. It is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on products used. When the recipe list salt to taste the amount of salt is not calculated​, only the sodium in the other ingredients​ is calculated.