I like to experiment with different recipes in the kitchen, and this air fryer shrimp skewers recipe has quickly become a favorite of mine.
These shrimp kabobs are juicy, full of flavor, and amazingly easy to make. The best part is that they cook up in just a few minutes in the air fryer, making them a great option for a quick and delicious meal any night of the week.
In this recipe, We will be using a blend of spices and lemon juice to create a delicious coating for the shrimp.
We’ll also be using wooden skewers to thread the shrimp onto before cooking them in the air fryer.
And if you’re looking for some side dish inspiration to go along with these shrimp skewers, I got you covered with some delicious suggestions.
So, if you’re ready to impress your taste buds and whip up some seriously tasty shrimp skewers in the air fryer, let’s get cooking!
Why You Should Try This Recipe
They’re quick and easy to make: One of the biggest advantages of this recipe is that it’s incredibly quick and easy to make.
With just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of prep time, you can have these shrimp skewers cooked up and ready to go in no time at all.
They’re packed with flavor: The blend of spices, lemon juice, and cilantro creates a delicious coating for the shrimp that’s both savory and slightly tangy.
👨🍳 Air Fryer Shrimp Skewers Ingredients
For this shrimp skewers air fryer recipe you will need:
- 1/2 pound (225g) raw shrimp (peeled, deveined)
- 1 Lemon (juice)
- 3/4 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 3/4 teaspoon Garlic (minced)
- 1/2 teaspoon Cumin (ground)
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
- 1 tablespoon Cilantro (chopped)
🦐 Shrimp Skewers In Air Fryer Recipe
Easily make the best air fryer shrimp kabobs ever! Follow this recipe:
Step 1
Start by preheating the air fryer to 360F (185C) and soaking 6 wooden skewers in water for 25 minutes. This will prevent them from burning in the air fryer.
Step 2
Mix the lemon juice with the smoked paprika, cumin, garlic, and salt. Add the shrimp and mix well until they are coated.
Step 3
Put the shrimp onto the sticks.
Step 4
Place the skewers in the air fryer and cook for 6-8 minutes, turning them halfway through the cooking.
Step 5
Remove from the air fryer and let the shrimp cool for 5 minutes before serving. That’s it! Enjoy these air fryer shrimp skewers!
🟢 More Air Fryer Recipes
If you liked this shrimp skewers in air fryer recipe, make sure to also check out these excellent and easy air fryer recipes:
- Air Fryer Pork Schnitzel
- Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken
- Air Fryer Turkey Steaks
- Air Fryer Oatmeal Cookies
💡 Tips
Here are my best tips for making air fryer shrimp skewers:
1. Experiment With Different Spices And Marinades
While this shrimp skewers in air fryer recipe calls for smoked paprika, cumin, garlic, and salt, there are plenty of other spices and marinades you can try to take your air fryer shrimp skewers to the next level.
For example, you can use Cajun seasoning for a bit of heat, or try a mixture of honey and soy sauce for a sweet and delicious flavor. Don’t be afraid to get creative and try new combinations!
2. Don’t Overcrowd The Air Fryer Basket
To make sure that your shrimp cook evenly and get crispy on all sides, make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket.
If you’re cooking for a larger group, it’s better to cook the shrimp in batches to ensure they cook evenly and have enough space to crisp up.
Overcrowding the basket can cause the shrimp to steam rather than fry, resulting in a less crispy texture (definitely not what are looking for).
3. Add Some Vegetables To The Skewers
While these air fryer shrimp skewers are delicious on their own, you can easily make them into a more balanced meal by adding some vegetables to the skewers.
Add bell peppers, onions, or cherry tomatoes to the skewers for some extra color and nutrition. The vegetables will also add a nice crunch and texture to the skewers.
4. Brush The Skewers With Oil For Extra Crispiness
To get an extra crispy texture on air fryer shrimp kabobs, brush them with a bit of oil before cooking (I use olive oil).
This will help to crisp up the shrimp and give them a nice golden color. You can use any oil of your choice.
5. Garnish With Fresh Herbs
Before serving your air fryer shrimp skewers, you can garnish them with some fresh herbs for added flavor and presentation.
Chopped cilantro, parsley, or basil are all great options that will add a burst of freshness to the dish.
The herbs will also add some color and make the dish look more appetizing.
6. Serve With A Dipping Sauce
While these shrimp skewers are already packed with flavor, a good dipping sauce can take them to the next level.
There are many dipping sauces that pair well with shrimp, so it can be hard to decide which one to make.
Here are a few different dipping sauces that are easy to make and taste great with air fryer shrimp skewers:
Classic Cocktail Sauce: This tangy and slightly sweet sauce is a classic pairing for air fried shrimp. To make it, mix together ketchup, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and hot sauce to taste.
Spicy Mayo: This creamy and spicy sauce is perfect for those who love a bit of heat.
To make it, mix together mayonnaise, Sriracha sauce, lime juice, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt. Adjust the seasoning and spice level to your liking.
Lemon Garlic Butter: To make it, melt butter in a small saucepan and add minced garlic, lemon juice, and chopped parsley. Cook for a few minutes until fragrant, then serve alongside the shrimp skewers.
Cilantro Lime Sauce: This bright and refreshing sauce pairs well with the bold flavors of the shrimp skewers.
To make it, blend together fresh cilantro, lime juice, Greek yogurt, garlic, and salt in a blender or food processor until smooth.
Honey Mustard Sauce: Whisk together Dijon mustard, honey, apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of salt. Adjust the sweetness and tanginess to your liking and serve alongside the air fryer shrimp kabobs.
🌟 Side Dishes To Pair With
While the shrimp skewers are delicious on their own, pairing them with a side dish can make for a more balanced and satisfying meal.
Here are five easy side dishes that pair well with air fryer shrimp skewers:
Cucumber and Tomato Salad: This light and refreshing salad is the perfect side dish for hot summer days.
Simply chop up cucumbers and tomatoes and toss them with a simple dressing of olive oil, lemon juice, and salt.
Grilled Vegetables: Grilled vegetables such as zucchini, bell peppers, and onions are a great way to add some extra nutrition and flavor to your meal.
Simply slice the vegetables and grill them in your air fryer until tender and charred.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes: Sweet potatoes are a great source of fiber and vitamins, and their natural sweetness pairs well with the spicy flavors of the shrimp skewers.
Simply peel and chop sweet potatoes, toss them with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and roast them in the air fryer until tender and caramelized.
✔️ Variations
Spicy Cajun Shrimp Skewers: Replace smoked paprika with Cajun seasoning and add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Coat the shrimp well with the seasoning mixture and proceed with the recipe as usual.
These skewers will have a spicy and smoky flavor with a hint of tanginess from the lemon juice.
Honey Garlic Shrimp Skewers: To create a sweet and savory flavor, combine honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Coat the shrimp with the mixture and place on skewers. Cook in the air fryer for 6-8 minutes until the shrimp is pink and glazed with the sauce.
Coconut Shrimp Skewers: For a tropical twist, coat the shrimp in a mixture of shredded coconut, panko breadcrumbs, and salt.
Thread the shrimp onto skewers and cook in the air fryer for 8-10 minutes until crispy and golden brown.
Teriyaki Shrimp Skewers: Marinate the shrimp in teriyaki sauce for at least 30 minutes.
Thread the shrimp onto skewers and cook in the air fryer for 6-8 minutes until the shrimp is pink and glazed with the sauce.
Lemon Herb Shrimp Skewers: To create a fresh and tangy flavor, mix together lemon zest, minced garlic, chopped thyme, salt, and olive oil. Coat the shrimp with the mixture and place them on skewers.
↩️ Ingredient Substitutions
Smoked Paprika – You can substitute smoked paprika with regular paprika or chili powder for a similar smoky flavor.
Garlic – You can use garlic powder instead of minced garlic. One teaspoon of garlic powder is equivalent to one clove of garlic.
Cumin – You can substitute cumin with ground coriander or chili powder for a similar earthy and spicy flavor.
Lemon – You can use lime juice instead of lemon juice for a slightly different tangy flavor.
👪 FAQ
Can I make these shrimp skewers in the oven instead of the air fryer?
Yes, you can make these shrimp skewers in the oven by preheating it to 400°F and placing the skewers on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the shrimp is pink and cooked through.
How do I prevent the wooden skewers from burning in the air fryer?
Answer: To prevent the wooden skewers from burning, soak them in water for at least 25 minutes before using them.
Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
You will have to thaw them before coating them with the seasoning mixture.
You can thaw the shrimp in the refrigerator overnight or by placing them in a bowl of cold water for 10-15 minutes.
I hope you liked my shrimp skewers air fryer recipe. They are so juicy and full of flavor. Try this recipe and let me know what you think! Make sure to also check out other easy air fryer recipes on my website. Thank you for reading!
Air Fryer Shrimp Skewers
- 1/2 pound Raw Shrimp (225g) (peeled, deveined)
- 1 Lemon (juice)
- 3/4 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 3/4 teaspoon Garlic (minced)
- 1/2 teaspoon Cumin (ground)
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
- 1 tablespoon Cilantro (chopped)
- Start by preheating the air fryer to 360F (185C) and soaking 6 wooden skewers in water for 25 minutes. This will prevent them from burning in the air fryer.
- Mix the lemon juice with the smoked paprika, cumin, garlic, and salt. Add the shrimp and mix well until they are coated.
- Put the shrimp onto the sticks.
- Place the skewers in the air fryer and cook for 6-8 minutes, turning them halfway through the cooking.
- Remove from the air fryer and let the shrimp cool for 5 minutes before serving. That’s it! Enjoy these air fryer shrimp skewers!
