This air fryer shrimp with shells recipe gives you juicy, flavorful shrimp without standing over a hot grill. The shells help protect the shrimp as they cook, and the herb sauce adds bright flavor from mint, oregano, garlic, smoked paprika, lemon, and a little chili powder.
I like this recipe when I want shrimp that feels a little more fun than plain peeled shrimp. It works as a peel-and-eat appetizer, a seafood dinner, or a simple shrimp platter with lemon and sides.
For the best flavor, thaw the shrimp first and let them marinate for at least 30 minutes. The shrimp cook quickly in the air fryer, so once they go in, dinner is almost done.
Quick Success Tips
- Thaw the shrimp first. The marinade sticks and flavors the shrimp better when the shrimp are fully thawed.
- Use raw jumbo shrimp with shells on. The shells help protect the shrimp so they stay juicy.
- Rub the sauce around the shells. I make sure the shrimp are coated well before marinating.
- Marinate for at least 30 minutes. This gives the herbs, garlic, lemon, and paprika time to flavor the shrimp.
- Cook in a single layer. Shrimp cook fast, and stacking them can make them cook unevenly.
- Watch the time closely. Shell-on jumbo shrimp only need about 4 minutes per side.
- Serve right away. Shrimp are best when they come out hot and juicy.
Why This Recipe Works
Shell-on shrimp work well in the air fryer because the shells help protect the shrimp from drying out. Shrimp cook quickly, so that little bit of protection helps keep them juicy.
The herb sauce does two jobs. Half of it flavors the shrimp while they marinate, and the rest gets spooned over the cooked shrimp before serving. That gives you flavor before and after air frying.
I thaw the shrimp first for this recipe because frozen shrimp do not take in the marinade the same way. Once the shrimp are thawed and coated, they only need a few minutes in the air fryer.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- The shells help keep the shrimp juicy. They give the shrimp a little protection while they cook.
- It tastes like grilled shrimp without the grill. You get juicy shell-on shrimp without standing outside or cleaning grill grates.
- The flavor is bright and fresh. Mint, oregano, garlic, lemon, paprika, and olive oil make a bold herb sauce.
- It cooks quickly. Once marinated, the shrimp cook in about 8 minutes.
- It works as dinner or an appetizer. Serve it with sides, pasta, rice, salad, or as peel-and-eat shrimp.
Ingredients you'll need to make shrimp with shells.
**Find the full list of ingredients and exact measurements in the recipe card below.**
- Raw jumbo shrimp with shells: Use raw shrimp, not cooked shrimp. Jumbo shrimp work best because they stay juicy and are easier to peel after cooking.
- Fresh mint: Adds a fresh flavor to the herb sauce.
- Fresh marjoram or oregano: Adds herb flavor that works well with the shrimp and garlic.
- Garlic: Gives the sauce savory flavor.
- Smoked paprika: Adds color and a little smoky flavor.
- Lemon juice: Brightens the sauce and balances the olive oil.
- Salt and pepper: Season the shrimp and sauce.
- Chili powder: Optional, but it adds a little warmth.
- Extra virgin olive oil: Helps bring the herb sauce together and coats the shrimp.
Tools Used to Make This Recipe
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How to Cook Shrimp With Shells in the Air Fryer
Add the mint, marjoram or oregano, garlic, smoked paprika, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and chili powder, if using, to a food processor or blender. Pulse until roughly chopped.
Slowly add the olive oil and pulse until the sauce has a slightly chunky texture.
Place the thawed shrimp in a large bowl. Pour half of the herb sauce over the shrimp and rub it around the shells so the shrimp are well coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Place the shrimp in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry at 350°F for 4 minutes. Flip the shrimp and cook for another 4 minutes, or until the shrimp are pink, firm, and cooked through.
Transfer the cooked shrimp to a serving platter and spoon the remaining sauce over the top. Serve with lemon wedges. Enjoy!
Helpful Tips
- Use thawed shrimp for this recipe. The marinade works better when the shrimp are not frozen.
- Drain off excess water after thawing. Very wet shrimp can water down the herb sauce.
- Do not over-marinate. Shrimp are delicate, so I keep the marinade time simple and cook them after they have had time to take on flavor.
- Cook in batches if needed. The shrimp should sit in a single layer so they cook evenly.
- Do not walk away near the end. Shrimp can go from juicy to rubbery quickly.
- Use the shells as part of the experience. Serve them peel-and-eat style with lemon and extra sauce.
- Save the remaining sauce for serving. Do not use sauce that touched raw shrimp as the finishing sauce
How Long to Air Fry Shrimp With Shells
Shell-on jumbo shrimp take about 8 minutes total in the air fryer at 350°F.
Cook them for 4 minutes on the first side, flip, then cook for another 4 minutes. The exact time can vary depending on the size of your shrimp and your air fryer.
The shrimp are done when they are pink, firm, and opaque. Shrimp cook quickly, so start checking as soon as the cook time is close.
Make It a Meal
Peel-and-eat shrimp dinner: Serve the shrimp with lemon wedges, dipping sauce, and a simple salad.
Easy seafood plate: Add air fryer asparagus, baby potatoes, or green beans.
Pasta dinner: Serve the shrimp over creamy pasta, lemon pasta, or garlic butter noodles.
Rice bowl dinner: Peel the shrimp and serve over rice with cucumber, avocado, greens, and extra herb sauce.
Appetizer plate: Serve on a platter with lemon, toothpicks, and a bowl for shells.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover cooked shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, place the shrimp in the air fryer at 350°F for about 2 minutes per side, or just until warmed through. Shrimp can turn rubbery when reheated too long, so keep the time short.
For freezing, remove the shrimp from the shells first. Freeze the cooked shrimp in a freezer-safe bag or container.
FAQs
Yes. Shell-on shrimp work well in the air fryer because the shells help protect the shrimp and keep them juicy.
For this recipe, yes. Thawed shrimp take on the herb marinade better than frozen shrimp.
The shrimp are done when they are pink, firm, and opaque. Jumbo shell-on shrimp usually take about 4 minutes per side at 350°F.
Yes, but peeled shrimp may cook a little faster and will not have the same shell-on peel-and-eat texture. Start checking early so they do not overcook.
Shrimp usually turn rubbery when they are overcooked. They cook quickly, so I watch them closely near the end.
You can serve them shell-on as peel-and-eat shrimp. Set out lemon wedges, extra sauce, and a small bowl for the shells.
More Air Fryer Shrimp Recipes to Try
- Air Fryer Buffalo Shrimp
- Bacon Wrapped Shrimp Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Shrimp
- Air Fryer Honey Garlic Shrimp
- Lemon Garlic Shrimp Bowl
- Air Fryer Cajun Shrimp Recipe
- Air Fryer Old Bay Shrimp Recipe
- Easy Jumbo Shrimp In Air Fryer Recipe
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Air Fryer Shrimp With Shells
Shell-on shrimp in the air fryer are juicy, quick, and full of flavor from a fresh herb, garlic, lemon, and smoked paprika sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 pound raw jumbo shrimp, deveined
- ¼ cup fresh mint
- ¼ cup fresh marjoram or oregano
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ teaspoon chili powder (optional)
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
Tools Used
Instructions
- In a food processor or blender, add the mint, marjoram or oregano, garlic, smoked paprika, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and chili powder, if using. Pulse until roughly chopped. Slowly add the olive oil and pulse until the sauce has a slightly chunky consistency.
- Place the thawed shrimp in a large bowl. Pour half of the herb sauce over the shrimp and rub it around the shells until coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Place the shrimp in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry at 350°F for 4 minutes. Flip and cook for another 4 minutes, depending on the size of your shrimp, or until pink, firm, and cooked through.
- Transfer the cooked shrimp to a serving platter and spoon the remaining sauce over the top. Serve with lemon wedges.
Notes
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 266Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 239mgSodium: 760mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 1gSugar: 0gProtein: 26g
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.
