Mouthwatering Garlic Parmesan Shrimp

My Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Shrimp turns basic seafood into an amazing meal in just minutes. You'll love how the outside gets crispy while the shrimp stays juicy inside. The combo of garlic and Parmesan makes such a tasty flavor that nobody can stop at just one serving.

I came up with this dish when my oven stopped working during a party at my place. My air fryer came to the rescue, and now these garlicky shrimp are what everyone asks me to make whenever they visit.

Ingredients

• 1 pound large shrimp: Make sure they're peeled and deveined. Get raw ones with tails still on for easier handling and nicer look. Don't use already cooked shrimp as they'll get rubbery.
• 2 tablespoons olive oil: Pick a nice extra virgin olive oil to get the best taste.
• 4 cloves garlic: Finely chopped. Always go with fresh garlic instead of the jarred stuff for way better flavor. Add more or less depending on how much you like garlic.
• 1 teaspoon paprika: Normal paprika is fine, but try smoked paprika if you want an extra layer of flavor.
• ½ teaspoon salt: Kosher or sea salt works better than regular table salt for more even seasoning.
• ½ teaspoon black pepper: Grind it fresh for the most fragrant result.
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese: Grate it yourself instead of buying pre-grated for better melting and taste.
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley: Chopped up. This adds nice color and fresh flavor.
• Lemon wedges for serving: The tangy juice balances out the richness and makes the seafood taste even better.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat Your Air Fryer:

Turn your air fryer to 400°F and let it warm up for 5 minutes. Starting with a hot air fryer helps cook everything evenly and gets that nice golden outside without cooking the shrimp too much.

Season The Shrimp:

Put your peeled shrimp in a bowl and coat them with olive oil. Make sure each shrimp gets a light covering. Then add your chopped garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper, and mix everything well. Don't rush this part – you want all the flavors spread evenly on every shrimp.

Add The Parmesan Coating:

Scatter the Parmesan cheese over your seasoned shrimp and mix gently. The cheese will stick to the oily shrimp and make a coating that'll get crispy in the air fryer. Be gentle so you don't break the shrimp while mixing.

Prepare The Air Fryer Basket:

Give the air fryer basket a quick spray with cooking oil so nothing sticks. This really helps because melted cheese can be a pain to clean up later. You just need a thin layer of spray.

Arrange And Cook The Shrimp:

Lay the shrimp out in one layer in your basket, making sure not to pile them up. If you have too many, cook them in batches so air can flow around each piece. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, and shake the basket halfway through. You'll know they're done when they turn pink, curl up a bit, and the cheese gets golden brown.

Serve And Garnish:

Put the hot shrimp on a plate right away after cooking. Sprinkle the chopped parsley on top for a fresh look and taste. Put lemon wedges around the plate so people can squeeze them over the shrimp right before eating.

Save This

The thing I love most about making this is when the garlic starts cooking in the air fryer and the smell fills up my kitchen. It always reminds me of the summers I spent near the Italian coast where I first tried simple seafood made with really good ingredients.

Tasty Combinations

You can serve this shrimp with so many different sides. For a full meal, try putting it on top of angel hair pasta with a bit of olive oil and the same seasonings. The light pasta won't overpower the shrimp taste. Or you could go with a fresh Caesar salad that adds some crunch and goes well with the Parmesan flavor in the dish.

Storage And Reheating

This dish tastes best right after cooking, but you can keep any extras in a sealed container in the fridge for up to two days. When you want to eat the leftovers, use the air fryer again instead of the microwave. Just 2 minutes at 350°F will bring back most of the original texture without overcooking. Don't try to freeze these shrimp though – both the shrimp and the coating won't taste good after freezing.

Ingredient Substitutions

You can switch up this recipe in several ways to fit what you need or have on hand. If you can't do dairy, try nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan for a similar flavor. Watching your salt intake? Just use less salt and try part-skim mozzarella which isn't as naturally salty as Parmesan. Want some kick? Throw in some red pepper flakes with your seasonings or swap regular paprika for smoked paprika to add deeper flavor without the heat.

Common Queries

→ Can I use pre-cooked shrimp?

Raw shrimp works best since pre-cooked ones might get tough and rubbery when heated again.

→ How do I prevent the shrimp from sticking to the air fryer?

Just give the air fryer basket a light coating of cooking spray or a bit of oil first.

→ What can I serve with this dish?

Try it with some noodles, a crisp garden salad, or just put it out as a starter with some lemon wedges.

→ Can I adjust the amount of garlic?

For sure, you can add more or less garlic depending on what you like.

→ How should I store leftovers?

Put any extras in a sealed container in your fridge for up to 2 days and warm them up in the air fryer.