There’s a certain comfort in knowing dinner won’t take over your evening. This air fryer shrimp dinner shows up ready to save the day — crisped shrimp, vibrant roasted vegetables, and a garlicky butter sauce that feels indulgent without the fuss.
One evening, I was halfway through a cluttered kitchen counter full of half-opened mail and a forgotten grocery list. The clock was ticking, and my stomach was definitely louder than the ticking. I started tossing shrimp in spices, not exactly measuring everything—just somewhere between a pinch and a shake of paprika and garlic powder. The vegetables went in next, a little uneven in size because I was distracted by a text message. But then the air fryer worked its magic, and before I knew it, the kitchen smelled like a cozy restaurant. I caught a whiff of garlic butter as it melted down, the lemon juice adding a bright pop that cut through the richness. Not perfect, but perfectly satisfying.
It’s one of those dinners where you don’t have to stress about timing or fancy plating. It’s quick, it’s flavorful, and it leaves you with enough time to actually sit down and enjoy your meal without rushing. Plus, the air fryer does most of the work, so you’re not stuck in the kitchen the whole evening.
- Ready in under 30 minutes — because sometimes fast food shouldn’t mean takeout.
- Roasted veggies and shrimp cooked together for easy cleanup (and fewer dishes).
- The garlic butter sauce is a simple touch that feels like a treat, though it’s quick enough to whip up while the air fryer is doing its thing.
- It’s simple — and that’s kind of the point. No complicated steps or ingredients hiding in your pantry.
- Leftovers don’t hold up forever, so it’s best enjoyed fresh, but that’s a fair tradeoff for how quickly it comes together.
If you’re worried about the air fryer — don’t be. If you have one sitting on your counter, it probably has a basket big enough for this recipe. And if not, you can always adjust cooking times a bit or split the batch. Serving it with crusty bread or a light salad can round out the meal without much effort.
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Air Fryer Shrimp Dinner
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
A quick and delicious air fryer shrimp dinner featuring crispy seasoned shrimp served with roasted vegetables and a side of garlic butter sauce.
Ingredients
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 medium zucchini, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
1 red bell pepper, sliced into strips
1 cup cherry tomatoes
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
In a medium bowl, combine shrimp, 1 tablespoon olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
In a separate bowl, combine zucchini slices, red bell pepper strips, and cherry tomatoes with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Toss to coat.
Place the seasoned vegetables in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking.
After 8 minutes, add the seasoned shrimp on top of the vegetables in a single layer. Cook for an additional 4 minutes or until the shrimp are pink and opaque and vegetables are tender.
While the shrimp and vegetables cook, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Remove from heat and stir in fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley.
Transfer the cooked shrimp and vegetables to serving plates. Drizzle the garlic butter sauce over the shrimp and vegetables.
Serve immediately and enjoy your air fryer shrimp dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
In my kitchen, this shrimp dinner often gets paired with a glass of chilled white wine or a sparkling water with lemon. Sometimes I swap the zucchini for asparagus or toss in some mushrooms if they’re sitting in the fridge. A sprinkle of chili flakes can add a little kick, but honestly, I usually keep it mild — it’s enough to feel like a treat without overwhelming the delicate shrimp.
For those wondering about reheating, the air fryer works great to freshen up leftovers, but I haven’t tested freezing it. Something about the texture of shrimp and roasted veggies makes me think it’s best fresh, you know?
FAQ
Can I use frozen shrimp? Yes, but thaw completely before seasoning and cooking for the best texture.
What if I don’t have an air fryer? You can roast the shrimp and veggies in the oven, though timing will vary.
Is the garlic butter sauce necessary? It’s definitely worth it for that extra flavor layer, but you can skip it if you’re in a hurry.
Thanks for stopping by! If you try this air fryer shrimp dinner, don’t forget to save it for later and share how it turned out. There’s something satisfying about a quick meal that feels like you really took care of yourself.