Description
This Air Fryer Shrimp recipe delivers crispy, juicy shrimp coated in a flavorful blend of herbs, lemon, and Parmesan. It's a quick, healthy, and crowd-pleasing appetizer or main course that cooks in just minutes using an air fryer.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound jumbo (21 to 25-count) shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails on or off)
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 small lemon, zest and juice, plus additional for serving
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Breading Mixture
- 1/3 cup Italian seasoned whole wheat breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Other
- 1 large egg
- Nonstick cooking spray
- Chopped fresh parsley or chives (optional for serving)
Instructions
- Marinate the shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry and place in a large bowl. Add olive oil, lemon zest and juice, garlic powder, dried parsley, dried oregano, kosher salt, and ground black pepper. Toss to combine evenly, then cover and let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes or refrigerate for 1 hour to infuse flavors without breaking down the shrimp.
- Prepare breading stations: In a shallow dish, stir together the Italian seasoned whole wheat breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese. In a separate shallow dish, beat the large egg. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to place coated shrimp for easy cleanup.
- Bread the shrimp: Remove shrimp from marinade and shake off excess liquid. Dip each shrimp first into the beaten egg, shaking off excess, then coat evenly with the breadcrumb and Parmesan mixture. Place breaded shrimp on the prepared baking sheet.
- Preheat and prepare air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 390 degrees F. Spray the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Arrange shrimp in a single layer in the basket without overlapping; cook in batches if necessary. Lightly spray tops of shrimp with cooking spray.
- Air fry shrimp: Cook shrimp in the air fryer for 2 minutes, then carefully flip using tongs. Continue cooking for an additional 2 minutes until shrimp are golden brown, opaque, and cooked through. Repeat with remaining shrimp. Optionally keep cooked batches warm in a 200 degrees F oven.
- Serve: Serve the shrimp hot, optionally garnished with chopped fresh parsley or chives and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for brightness.
Notes
- For juicier shrimp, marinate for at least 15 minutes but not longer than 1 hour to avoid the lemon juice breaking down the texture.
- Cooking shrimp in batches ensures even crisping and prevents overcrowding in the air fryer basket.
- Use Italian seasoned whole wheat breadcrumbs for a healthier twist and added flavor.
- Keep cooked shrimp warm in a low oven while finishing remaining batches to serve all hot together.
- Feel free to omit Parmesan and use gluten-free breadcrumbs if needed to adapt for dietary restrictions.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 160 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 146 mg
