Air Fryer Spanish-Style Garlic Shrimp with Smoked Paprika

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

Quick and vibrant shrimp tossed with smoked paprika and garlic, air-fried to juicy perfection for a flavorful tapa or light main dish. This spanish-inspired seafood (low carb, gluten free) ready in about 18 minutes pairs peeled and deveined large shrimp, olive oil, smoked paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 190 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: 8 min Serves 4 Spanish cuisine 190 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a mixing bowl, combine 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 3 finely minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp lemon zest, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 3/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Add 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp and toss until evenly coated.
  2. Step 2: Preheat air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes. Arrange the shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
  3. Step 3: Cook shrimp at 400°F for 6-8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until shrimp are pink and opaque with slightly crispy edges.
  4. Step 4: Remove shrimp from air fryer, transfer to a serving dish, and sprinkle with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Air Fryer Spanish-Style Garlic Shrimp with Smoked Paprika take to make?

Total time is about 18 minutes (10 min prep + 8 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 Spanish-Style Garlic Shrimp with Smoked Paprika?

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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Air Fryer Spanish-Style Garlic Shrimp with Smoked Paprika?

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 Spanish-Style Garlic Shrimp with Smoked Paprika 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 Spanish-Style Garlic Shrimp with Smoked Paprika low carb?

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

Related recipes