Easy Quick Air Fryer Shrimp Scampi Recipe With Garlic Butter for Perfect Dinner

Why Make This Recipe

Air fryer shrimp scampi is a quick and easy dish that brings the delicious flavors of garlic butter shrimp right to your table in no time. It’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or an impressive dish when you have guests over. With just a few ingredients and a short cooking time, you’ll have a tasty meal that is sure to please everyone.

How to Make Easy Quick Air Fryer Shrimp Scampi

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound (450g) raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 4 tablespoons (60g) unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) lemon juice, freshly squeezed preferred
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Directions:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes.
  2. Pat your shrimp dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
  3. Toss the shrimp with olive oil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using) in a mixing bowl until evenly coated.
  4. Arrange the shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overcrowding; cook in batches if necessary.
  5. Air fry the shrimp for 6-8 minutes, shaking or flipping halfway through, until pink and curled.
  6. While shrimp cook, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
  7. Add minced garlic to the melted butter and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  8. Remove from heat and stir in fresh lemon juice.
  9. Transfer cooked shrimp to a bowl and pour the garlic butter sauce over them; toss gently to coat.
  10. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top and serve immediately.

How to Serve Easy Quick Air Fryer Shrimp Scampi

Serving shrimp scampi is easy! You can enjoy it over a bed of pasta for a hearty meal, or serve it with crusty bread to soak up the delicious garlic butter sauce. A side salad is a great addition to complete the meal. This dish is best enjoyed fresh and hot.

How to Store Easy Quick Air Fryer Shrimp Scampi

If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will last for up to 2 days. When you are ready to eat, reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop to avoid overcooking the shrimp.

Tips to Make Easy Quick Air Fryer Shrimp Scampi

  • Make sure your shrimp are patted dry before tossing with the seasonings to help them crisp up in the air fryer.
  • Feel free to adjust the amount of garlic or lemon juice according to your taste.
  • Adding some extra seasoning like Italian herbs or Parmesan cheese can enhance the flavor even more.

Variation

You can easily customize this recipe by adding some veggies. Try tossing in some cherry tomatoes or bell peppers with the shrimp for a colorful and nutritious twist.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen shrimp! Just make sure they are thawed and patted dry before cooking.

What if I don’t have an air fryer?

You can make this shrimp scampi in a skillet on the stove. Just sauté the shrimp in butter and garlic until cooked through.

Can I make this recipe spicy?

Absolutely! You can increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce to make it spicier.

Air Fryer Shrimp Scampi

A quick and delicious shrimp scampi recipe made in the air fryer, perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 18 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 250

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed preferred
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • to taste Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes.
  2. Pat your shrimp dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
  3. Toss the shrimp with olive oil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes in a mixing bowl until evenly coated.
  4. Arrange the shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overcrowding; cook in batches if necessary.
Cooking
  1. Air fry the shrimp for 6-8 minutes, shaking or flipping halfway through, until pink and curled.
  2. While shrimp cook, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
  3. Add minced garlic to the melted butter and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Remove from heat and stir in fresh lemon juice.
  5. Transfer cooked shrimp to a bowl and pour the garlic butter sauce over them; toss gently to coat.
  6. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top and serve immediately.

Notes

This dish is best enjoyed fresh and hot. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently to avoid overcooking the shrimp.