Air Fryer Garlic Butter Shrimp

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Succulent shrimp tossed in a rich garlic butter sauce, cooked to golden perfection in the air fryer. A luxurious yet affordable dish that's ready in under 20 minutes. This american-inspired air fryer (low-carb) ready in about 20 minutes pairs peeled and deveined large shrimp, unsalted butter, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 American cuisine 220 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat air fryer to 180°C (350°F). In a large bowl, mix shrimp with 1 tbsp butter, garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper. Let marinate 10 minutes.
  2. Step 2: In a small saucepan, melt remaining 3 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add wine and lemon zest, simmer 3-4 minutes until reduced by half. Stir in shrimp mixture and cook 2 minutes until shrimp turn pink.
  3. Step 3: Transfer shrimp to air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook 8-10 minutes, shaking basket halfway, until shrimp are golden and slightly crispy. Serve immediately with sauce.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Air Fryer Garlic Butter Shrimp take to make?

Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Air Fryer Garlic Butter Shrimp?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep unsalted butter from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Air Fryer Garlic Butter Shrimp?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Air Fryer Garlic Butter Shrimp for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Air Fryer Garlic Butter Shrimp low-carb?

Yes — this recipe is tagged low-carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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