These air fryer shrimp skewers are one of the easiest dinners you can make. Perfectly seasoned, juicy shrimp that are ready in under 10 minutes of cooking time.
The marinade is simple but packed with flavor – garlic, smoked paprika, lemon juice, and a few more seasonings that make the shrimp taste incredible.
I love making these because they work great as a main dish, an appetizer, or even on top of a salad. They’re that versatile.
And the air fryer gives the shrimp these slightly charred edges that you’d normally only get from a grill. Without any of the hassle of actually grilling.
If you’ve been looking for a quick, high-protein meal that doesn’t require a lot of effort, this one is for you.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ready in Under 15 Minutes – From air fryer basket to plate these shrimp skewers take about 7 minutes to cook.
Perfectly Charred Edges – The 400°F air fryer heat gives the shrimp lightly charred edges that taste almost grilled.
Smoky and Bright Flavor – Smoked paprika and fresh lemon juice create a flavor combo that makes every bite pop.
Ingredients
- 1 lb Large Shrimp (21-25 count), peeled and deveined
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice
- 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1/2 tsp Italian Seasoning
- 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
- 1/4 tsp Red Pepper Flakes
- 3/4 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
- 1 tbsp Fresh Parsley, chopped
- Lemon Wedges, for serving
- Wooden or Metal Skewers
How To Make
Step 1
If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 20 minutes before cooking so they do not burn in the air fryer.
Step 2
In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, onion powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until everything is well blended.
Step 3
Add the shrimp to the bowl and toss until every piece is thoroughly coated in the seasoning mixture. Let the shrimp marinate for 10 to 15 minutes at room temperature while the air fryer preheats.
Step 4
Thread 4 to 5 shrimp onto each skewer, piercing each shrimp through both the head and tail end so they lay flat and cook evenly.
Step 5
Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. Lay the skewers in a single layer in the basket, making sure they are not stacked on top of each other.
Step 6
Air fry for 5 to 7 minutes, flipping the skewers once halfway through, until the shrimp are pink, slightly curled, and have lightly charred edges.
Step 7
Transfer to a serving plate, sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley, and serve immediately with lemon wedges alongside.
Tips
Don’t Marinate Too Long
10 to 15 minutes is the sweet spot for this marinade. The lemon juice in it is acidic, and if you leave shrimp sitting in acid for too long, the texture starts to change and gets mushy.
If you want to prep ahead, mix the marinade separately and keep it in the fridge. Then toss the shrimp in it right when you’re ready to start preheating the air fryer.
Pat the Shrimp Dry Before Marinating
Before you toss the shrimp into the seasoning mixture, lay them out on a paper towel and give them a good pat down. This removes the extra moisture sitting on the surface.
If you skip this, the water on the shrimp dilutes the marinade and you won’t get as much flavor sticking to each piece. It also makes it harder to get those lightly charred edges because the moisture creates steam instead of letting the shrimp sear.
Pierce Each Shrimp Twice on the Skewer
When you thread the shrimp, push the skewer through near the tail first and then again through the thicker top part. This keeps each shrimp flat and locked in place so it doesn’t spin or curl up into a tight ball while cooking.
If you only pierce each shrimp once, they’ll twist around on the skewer and the thick parts won’t get enough heat. You’ll end up with some pieces perfectly cooked and others still slightly underdone in the center.
Related Recipes
- Air Fryer Cajun Shrimp Skewers
- Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp
- Air Fryer Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi
- Air Fryer Beef Kabobs
- Air Fryer Lobster Tails
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
Yes, but you need to fully thaw them first. The easiest way is to put the frozen shrimp in a colander and run cold water over them for about 5 to 10 minutes until they are completely defrosted.
Make sure you pat them really dry with paper towels before tossing them in the marinade. Excess moisture will steam the shrimp instead of giving them those nice charred edges you want from the air fryer.
Air Fryer Shrimp Skewers
- skewers
- air fryer
- 1 lb Large Shrimp (21-25 count), peeled and deveined
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice
- 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1/2 tsp Italian Seasoning
- 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
- 1/4 tsp Red Pepper Flakes
- 3/4 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
- 1 tbsp Fresh Parsley, chopped
- Lemon Wedges, for serving
- Wooden or Metal Skewers
- If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 20 minutes before cooking so they do not burn in the air fryer.
- In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, onion powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until everything is well blended.
- Add the shrimp to the bowl and toss until every piece is thoroughly coated in the seasoning mixture. Let the shrimp marinate for 10 to 15 minutes at room temperature while the air fryer preheats.
- Thread 4 to 5 shrimp onto each skewer, piercing each shrimp through both the head and tail end so they lay flat and cook evenly.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. Lay the skewers in a single layer in the basket, making sure they are not stacked on top of each other.
- Air fry for 5 to 7 minutes, flipping the skewers once halfway through, until the shrimp are pink, slightly curled, and have lightly charred edges.
- Transfer to a serving plate, sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley, and serve immediately with lemon wedges alongside.