These air fryer Old Bay shrimp are crispy, bold, and full of seasoning without much effort. The classic Old Bay spice blend gives these shrimp big flavor with minimal prep, so they're perfect for family dinners, quick weeknight meals, or simple appetizers when you want something satisfying without extra steps.
Short on time? Explore more air fryer dinners for busy nights.
These shrimp cook quickly and pair well with rice, salads, or vegetables for an easy, flexible meal.
Ingredients you'll need to make old bay shrimp.
**Find the full list of ingredients along with the recipe instructions down below**
Large shrimp, peeled and deveined. You can use either fresh or frozen shrimp for this recipe. If you use frozen shrimp, be sure to defrost before cooking either by moving the shrimp to the refrigerator for 24 hours or by sealing the amount you want to use in a ZipTop bag and submerging them in cold water for around 30 minutes and changing the water many times as it needed.
Olive oil. Helps the seasoning coat the shrimp evenly and promotes light crisping in the air fryer.
Old bay seasoning. If you don't have old bay seasoning, you can substitute this for paprika and celery salt. Chili and garlic are also excellent additions to this old bay shrimp recipe.
Freshly squeezed lemon juice. To get the juice, chop the lemon in half and then press through a tea strainer to remove the seeds. Alternatively, you can buy bottled lemon juice.
Fresh chopped parsley. Adds a clean, earthy dimension to the shrimp. You could also try cilantro, chives, or basil.
Seasoning Tip (Read Before Cooking)
Old Bay seasoning can vary in salt and spice level. If you're sensitive to salt or heat, start with ½ to ¾ of the recommended amount, then adjust to taste after cooking.
Many readers enjoy serving these shrimp over rice or salad to balance the seasoning.
Tools used to make the recipe.
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- Air fryer: This is the brand I use for almost all the recipes you find on this site.
- Large bowl: I love this set because it came with an airtight lid, and they look very cute too.
How to make old bay shrimp in an air fryer
Seasoning the Shrimp: In a large bowl, combine shrimp, olive oil, old bay seasoning, and lemon juice.
Ready to air fry: Arrange the shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket; cook the shrimp to 360ºF for 8-10 minutes.
Serve: Remove the shrimp from the air fryer basket and plate and sprinkle with parsley. Serve and Enjoy!
If your shrimp keeps turning rubbery, here's exactly how to stop overcooking shrimp so it stays juicy every time.
Recipe Tips for old bay shrimp
- Pat the shrimp dry before seasoning so the spice sticks.
- Arrange shrimp in a single layer for even cooking.
- Toss halfway through for consistent browning.
- Shrimp are done at 145°F or when opaque and curled.
- Serve immediately for the best texture.
- Shrimp cook quickly, so remove them as soon as they turn opaque and curl slightly to avoid overcooking.
How long does it take to cook shrimp in the air fryer?
Cooking raw shrimp in air fryer usually takes 8-10 minutes, depending on your air fryer and the size of the shrimp.
You can check that the shrimp has reached the correct temperature by using a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 145°F or by checking that the flesh has turned from translucent to opaque at the thickest part.
Getting the timing right is key. Here's how long to cook shrimp in the air fryer so it comes out perfectly every time.
What to serve with old bay air fryer shrimp
Enjoy these spicy Old Bay shrimp served alongside your favorite appetizers like cauliflower tots, air fryer turkey wings, and buffalo cauliflower as part of an impressive spread for game night or on a bed of brown rice for a healthy and delicious entree. These shrimp pair well with sides like air fryer Japanese sweet potatoes or air fryer broccoli bites for a full dinner. They taste amazing with instant pot loaded mashed cauliflower.
Serving the shrimp over rice or alongside vegetables helps balance the seasoning.
How to store leftover old bay shrimp
It's safe to store shrimp cooked in air fryer in the refrigerator for 1-2 days or in the freezer for 3-6 months. Always refrigerate or freeze your shrimp within 2 hours of cooking.
If you're storing it in the fridge, simply seal your leftovers in an airtight container. For freezing, it's best to lay the shrimp out on a baking tray to freeze them before transferring them to a freezer bag - this prevents them from clumping together.
How to reheat cooked shrimp
To reheat air fryer old bay shrimp, heat the fryer to 300°F and then lay the shrimp out in a single layer. Heat for around 2 minutes on each side, or until they have reached an internal temperature of 145°F .(you can check this using an instant meat thermometer). If heating from frozen, allow more time.
In the oven, preheat to 300°F and wrap your shrimp in a loose foil. Then heat for about 15 minutes, or until they have reached 145°F.
FAQ's
Begin by pulling off the head and legs (if they are attached), then grab the shell at the head and pull to remove it.
You may notice a black or dark blue vein running down the back of the shrimp. You don't have to remove this. However, you can do so by cutting a line down the back of the shrimp with a paring knife and then pulling it out with your fingers.
This old bay spicy shrimp recipe calls for 1 ½ tablespoon of old bay seasoning for 2 pounds of shrimp, giving them a gently spicy kick! However, you can use about 1-2 teaspoons of seasoning per pound if you want a less spicy but add more or less according to your preference.
When cooking shrimp, season it by mixing all of your flavorings in a bowl, adding the shrimp, and toss them together.
Old bay is a delicious seasoning for shrimp, as is cajun seasoning, Chinese five spices, or simple garlic and lemon with a dash of pepper.
Absolutely! Simply season the shrimp and air fry as directed for a lighter, gluten-free option. Try these spicy buffalo shrimp or these shrimp with garlic and lemon butter if you're looking for recipe inspiration!
For crispy shrimp, lightly coat them in a thin layer of cornstarch or breadcrumbs before air frying.
You can tell when shrimp is done either by using a meat thermometer to check for a safe internal temperature of 145°F or by checking the color of the flesh at the thickest part. Once it's turned from translucent to opaque, you know it's safe to serve.
Season shrimp with salt and pepper, air fry at 400°F for 6-8 minutes, then chill before serving with cocktail sauce.
More air Fryer Shrimp Recipes you'll love
- Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
- Air Fryer Shrimp
- Shrimp and sausage kabobs
- Air Fryer Shrimp With Shell
- Steak and shrimp kabobs
- Buffalo Shrimp Air Fryer
Looking for more inspiration check out our Air Fryer Jumbo Shrimp and Air fryer Cajun Shrimp
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These shrimp cook up fast and pair beautifully with rice, salads, or veggies for a complete meal without the fuss.
Air Fryer Old Bay Shrimp Recipe
This air fryer old bay shrimp recipe is for you if you’re looking for a crisp, juicy shrimp with just a hint of spicy! Air-frying the shrimp seals in the natural juices, keeping the meat beautifully tender.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon old bay seasoning
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 Tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
Tools
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine shrimp, olive oil, old bay seasoning, and lemon juice.
- Arrange the shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket; cook to 360ºF for 8-10 minutes.
- Remove the shrimp from the air fryer basket and plate and sprinkle with parsley. Serve and Enjoy!
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for 1 to 2 days in the refrigerator or up to 3 months in the freezer.
- Reheat in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes or until warm through.
- Shrimp are done when they reach an internal temperature of 145ºF.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 8 oz.Amount Per Serving: Calories: 304Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 479mgSodium: 940mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 52g
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.
More interesting questions you may have
Yes, air fried shrimp is a healthy option. It uses less oil than traditional frying and retains more protein and nutrients than deep frying.
The best air fryer shrimp recipe combines fresh shrimp, a drizzle of oil, and your favorite seasoning-like Old Bay-for a quick, flavorful meal in under 10 minutes.
"Post Updated January 2026"
