Sometimes, dinner needs to show up fast but still taste like you put in the effort. That was the case last Tuesday, when I got home later than planned, juggling a dozen things at once. The clock was ticking, and I was staring down a bag of frozen shrimp that had been waiting patiently in the freezer. I wasn’t sure how it would all come together — thawing shrimp, slicing peppers, and getting something on the table in under 30 minutes felt like a stretch.
But as I tossed the shrimp and bell peppers with those smoky spices, the kitchen started filling with a warm, inviting scent that made me pause for a second — maybe this wouldn’t be so rushed after all. The air fryer did its magic, and soon enough, the shrimp turned perfectly opaque, the peppers tender-crisp, and the tortillas warmed just right. Sitting down to that first bite, with a squeeze of lime cutting through the spices, made the chaos of the day seem miles away. I didn’t get every detail perfect—maybe a few slices of pepper were uneven or the timing was off by a minute or two—but that’s the charm of a meal like this: forgiving, fast, and delicious.
Why You’ll Love It
- Transforms frozen shrimp into a vibrant, flavorful dinner without a long wait.
- The air fryer keeps the veggies crisp and the shrimp juicy—easy cleanup is a bonus.
- It’s simple—and that’s kind of the point; no fancy skills required.
- Bright lime wedges add a fresh pop, but you could skip them if you’re in a hurry.
- Perfect for busy weeknights when the last thing you want is to spend hours in the kitchen.
Don’t worry if you’re new to air frying shrimp or juggling too many pans. This recipe is pretty forgiving, and you can adjust the spice mix to your mood or what’s in the pantry.
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Air Fryer Shrimp Fajitas with Frozen Shrimp
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Quick and flavorful air fryer shrimp fajitas made with frozen shrimp and colorful bell peppers, served with warm tortillas for an easy weeknight meal.
Ingredients
1 pound frozen peeled and deveined shrimp
1 medium red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
1 medium green bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
1 medium yellow bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
1 medium onion, sliced into thin strips
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
8 small flour tortillas
1 lime, cut into wedges
Instructions
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
In a large bowl, combine the frozen shrimp, sliced red, green, and yellow bell peppers, and sliced onion.
Drizzle the olive oil over the shrimp and vegetables.
In a small bowl, mix together chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
Sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over the shrimp and vegetables and toss everything together until well coated.
Place the shrimp and vegetable mixture in the air fryer basket in a single layer. You may need to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 10 to 12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking, until the shrimp are opaque and cooked through and the vegetables are tender-crisp.
Warm the flour tortillas in the air fryer for 1 to 2 minutes or in a microwave wrapped in a damp paper towel.
Serve the shrimp and vegetables on warm tortillas with lime wedges on the side for squeezing over.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
Kitchen Notes
Using an air fryer basket makes this meal feel almost effortless, especially if you’ve got one that fits a decent amount of shrimp and veggies at once. I usually warm the tortillas in the air fryer right after cooking the shrimp, which saves time and keeps things warm. If you want to switch things up, you could swap the bell peppers for poblano or add some sliced mushrooms—though I haven’t tested those variations thoroughly. For a milder option, cutting back on the crushed red pepper flakes helps, but I like that little kick. Serving these fajitas with a simple side like black beans or a quick avocado salad is a nice way to round out the meal.
FAQ
Can I use fresh shrimp instead of frozen? Absolutely. Just adjust the cooking time slightly; fresh shrimp will cook a bit faster.
Can I make this without an air fryer? You can, but the texture might change. Oven roasting or skillet cooking works fine but won’t be quite the same.
How spicy is this dish? It has a gentle heat that you can dial up or down by adjusting the red pepper flakes.
Can leftovers be refrigerated? Yes, store them in an airtight container for up to three days and reheat gently in the air fryer or microwave.
Ready to turn frozen shrimp into a colorful, speedy meal tonight? Give this recipe a try and see how simple weeknight cooking can be.