Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Shrimp: Quick & Flavorful (Print Version)

Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Shrimp is a quick, flavorful weeknight meal. Get crispy, tender shrimp coated in garlicky parmesan goodness in minutes. So easy!

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 10 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 8 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 18 minutes
Servings: 3 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Seafood

# Ingredients:

→ Main Players

01 - 1 lb (450g) large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil

→ Flavor Boosters

03 - 4-5 cloves fresh garlic, minced (or more, I won't judge!)
04 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
05 - 1 tsp smoked paprika

→ Essential Seasonings

06 - 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
07 - 1/4 tsp black pepper (freshly ground is best)

→ Finishing Touch

08 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, get your shrimp ready. If they're frozen, thaw them completely under cold running water. This is crucial! Then, pat them super dry with paper towels. I mean, really dry. This is where I almost always get a little impatient, but trust me, dry shrimp means crispy Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Shrimp. Toss them into a medium bowl, ready for their flavor bath.
02 - In that bowl with your dried shrimp, drizzle over the olive oil. Next, add the minced fresh garlic – loads of it, because why not? Then sprinkle in the smoked paprika, a good pinch of salt, and a generous grind of black pepper. Give it all a really good toss to make sure every single shrimp is coated. I like to use my hands for this, it just feels more personal, and you can really feel that marinade getting everywhere. Let them sit for 5 minutes while your air fryer preheats.
03 - Now, get your air fryer going! Preheat it to 380°F (195°C). Seriously, preheating makes a difference for that even cook. Once it's hot, arrange your marinated shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Don't overcrowd it, hon! This is the most common mistake, and it leads to steamed, not crispy, shrimp. You might need to do this in two batches, and that's totally okay.
04 - Pop that basket into the preheated air fryer. Let them cook for about 4-5 minutes. Halfway through, give the basket a good shake or flip the shrimp with tongs. You're looking for that beautiful pink color and a slight curl. They cook fast, so keep an eye on them! I once got distracted by a text and almost overcooked them; disaster averted, barely!
05 - If you had to do a second batch, repeat the air frying process. It’s a little extra time, but it’s worth it for perfectly cooked shrimp. While the second batch cooks, you can start getting your serving dishes ready or chop your fresh parsley. It makes the whole process feel smoother, honestly.
06 - Once all your Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Shrimp are cooked, immediately transfer them back to that mixing bowl (or a clean one). Sprinkle generously with the grated Parmesan cheese and the fresh chopped parsley. Give it another good toss until the cheese is melted and clinging to every piece. Oh, the smell! Serve them up right away, because that warm, cheesy garlic goodness is best fresh!

# Notes:

01 - Always pat your shrimp super dry before cooking; it's the absolute game-changer for that crispy texture.
02 - Leftovers are best reheated gently in the air fryer for a few minutes, not the microwave – trust me on that one!
03 - If you're out of Parmesan, a good Pecorino Romano works, but expect a bolder, saltier kick to your Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Shrimp.
04 - Serve these Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Shrimp with a simple pasta and a crisp white wine for a surprisingly elegant weeknight meal.

# Tools You'll Need:

01 - Air fryer
02 - mixing bowls
03 - tongs

# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):

Calories: 250
Total Fat: 12g
Total Carbohydrate: 5g
Protein: 28g

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