Crispy Air Fryer Shrimp
Juicy and crispy shrimp cooked quickly in the air fryer, perfect as an appetizer or light main course.
Steps
- 1
Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels to ensure they become crispy in the air fryer.
- 2
In a bowl, toss the shrimp with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika until evenly coated.
- 3
Preheat the air fryer to 200°C (400°F) for 3 minutes.
- 4
Arrange the shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 6–8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until pink and slightly charred at the edges.
- 5
Drizzle with fresh lemon juice and serve immediately.
Shopping list
450 g (1 lb) large shrimp, peeled and deveined, 1 tbsp olive oil, ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp black pepper, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp paprika, 1 tsp lemon juice
Recipe story
Shrimp have been a staple in coastal cuisines worldwide, from the Mediterranean to Southeast Asia. The simple seasoning blend of paprika and garlic draws inspiration from Spanish and Portuguese culinary traditions, where seafood is often cooked with olive oil and smoked spices. This modern recipe adapts those classic flavors for quick, healthy air fryer cooking.
Ingredient Secrets
Black pepper
Known as 'black gold' in antiquity, pepper was so valuable that it served as currency and tribute. In the Middle Ages, Venetian merchants controlled the pepper trade, and individual peppercorns were often counted. Legend has it that when Alaric, king of the Visigoths, demanded tribute from Rome, he included 3,000 pounds of pepper.
Sea salt
Sea salt, extracted from ocean waters by evaporation, was one of the most precious goods of antiquity, used both as food and as currency. In ancient Rome, soldiers were paid with salt, which is the origin of the word 'salary'. Salt roads connected entire civilizations, and in the Middle Ages, salt was so valuable it was called 'white gold'.
Paprika
Paprika, a emblematic spice brought to Europe by Christopher Columbus from the New World. Although associated with Hungarian cuisine, its origins are in Central America, where it was used by the Aztecs.
Garlic
Native to Central Asia, garlic was already known in ancient Egypt, where it was given to slaves to boost their strength. In ancient Greece, athletes consumed it before competitions, and in Rome, legionaries considered it essential for courage. During the Middle Ages, it was used to ward off vampires and the plague.
Olive oil
Originating in the Mediterranean basin, olive oil was already produced in ancient Crete 5,000 years ago. In ancient Greece, it was considered a gift from Athena and used in lamps, cosmetics, and religious ceremonies. The Romans spread it throughout the empire, and in the Middle Ages, monasteries preserved the tradition of its production.
Lemon
The lemon is an ancient hybrid between citron and bitter orange, likely originating in northern India or China. In the Middle Ages, lemons were so valuable that they were given as gifts to kings. Fun fact: during the Gold Rush, British sailors were given lemons to prevent scurvy, leading to the nickname 'limey'.
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