Air Fryer Garlic Butter Shrimp
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.
Ingredients
- 500g, peeled and deveined large shrimp
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 3 tbsp white wine
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Love how the American come through in every bite.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
