This Air Fryer Cajun Shrimp recipe combines tender, medium-sized shrimp with a zesty Cajun seasoning for a spicy kick, all cooked to perfection in an air fryer. The dish is served with fresh lemon wedges for a tangy touch and can be paired with a rich and savory Garlic Butter Dipping Sauce for extra indulgence! It’s a delightful and flavorful dish that is perfect for seafood lovers. Plus, you can also make the shrimp on the stovetop or in the oven! If you love the sound of this recipe, you will also love my Cajun Shrimp Pasta!

Pan of Air Fryer Cajun Shrimp with Butter from Overhead.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Shrimp: Fresh shrimp is best, and it’s easy to peel and devein. To peel, start from underneath. To devein, make a slit (not too deep) along the back of the shrimp, pulling out the black vein with the tip of a knife. It is up to you if you leave the tails on or off. (We left the tails on.) If using smaller or larger shrimp, adjust the cooking time as needed.

Cajun Seasoning: Making homemade seasonings always gives you more flavor! And, homemade Cajun seasoning is no exception. So, if you don’t have any store-bought seasoning on hand, make your own. You probably have the ingredients to make it on hand, too! Once you taste the shrimp, it’s easy to adjust the amount of seasoning to reach your desired level of spice.

Garlic Butter Dipping Sauce: The easy-to-make garlic dipping sauce is optional, but SO GOOD!

Raw Cajun Shrimp in Air Fryer Before Baking.

Can I Use Frozen Shrimp?

Sure! You can use either raw frozen shrimp or precooked frozen shrimp. If you are using any frozen shrimp, first, let it thaw for best results when cooking. After they have thawed, gently pat them dry before seasoning them and cooking. If using precooked shrimp, you will not need to cook them as long as raw, so watch them carefully.

Using Cajun Shrimp In Recipes

Cajun shrimp is a versatile and flavorful dish that can be used in various ways beyond serving it on its own. Here are some creative ideas for using Cajun shrimp in different dishes:

Cajun Shrimp Pasta
Cajun Shrimp Salad
Tacos
Rice Bowl
Pizza
Quesadillas
Stir Fry

Hand Holding a Piece of Cajun Shrimp Over Butter.

Storing & Reheating Air Fryer Cajun Shrimp

Leftover Cajun shrimp can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will last up to 3-4 days. To reheat the shrimp:

Stovetop: Heat up a little bit of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the cooked shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side.
Oven: Preheat the oven to a low temperature (300°F-325°F). Place the cooked shrimp onto a baking sheet in a single layer. Heat them for about 5-7 minutes, or until warmed through.
Air Fryer: Reheat the shrimp in an air fryer for 5-6 minutes at 350°F.

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Air Fryer Cajun Shrimp

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 6

Total Time 16

This Air Fryer Cajun Shrimp recipe combines tender, medium-sized shrimp with a zesty Cajun seasoning for a spicy kick, all cooked to perfection in an air fryer. The dish is served with fresh lemon wedges for a tangy touch and can be paired with a rich and savory Garlic Butter Dipping Sauce for extra indulgence! It's a delightful and flavorful dish that is perfect for seafood lovers.

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Ingredients

▢ 1 pound medium uncooked shrimp, peeled, deveined, tails on
▢ 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
▢ 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
▢ 1 medium lemon, cut into wedges
▢ parsley, chopped for garnish

Garlic Butter Dipping Sauce (Optional)

▢ ¼ cup (½ stick / 57 g) unsalted butter, melted
▢ 2 teaspoons garlic minced
▢ 1 teaspoon parsley minced
▢ ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine the shrimp, olive oil, and Cajun seasoning. Toss thoroughly to ensure the shrimp are evenly coated with the seasoning.
Arrange the seasoned shrimp in a single layer in the basket of your air fryer. (Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the shrimp in batches to avoid overcrowding.)
Air fry at 375°F for 4 minutes.*
Open the air fryer, flip the shrimp over to ensure even cooking, and continue to cook for an additional 2 minutes, if needed.
Garnish the shrimp with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley. Serve with garlic butter for dipping.

Garlic Butter Dipping Sauce

In a medium bowl combine butter, garlic, parsley, and salt. Stir until well combined. Serve with Cajun shrimp.

Notes

*Stovetop and Oven Instructions

Stovetop Instructions:

Season the shrimp as instructed.
Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Once hot, add seasoned shrimp in a single layer.
Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until fully cooked.

Oven Instructions:

Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Place seasoned shrimp in a single layer onto the lined baking sheet.
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until fully cooked. (Shrimp are done cooking when they have turned opaque and pink in color, and they feel slightly firm to the touch, maintaining a ‘C’ shape rather than curling into an ‘O.)
Serve with optional garlic butter.

Did you make this recipe?

You can tag me at @iamhomesteader.

What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:

Autumn

I love easy air fryer recipes! Quick dinner options are great for those nights when you don't have a ton of time to prep. These air fryer Cajun shrimp would be great served with some rice or pasta.