Easy Air Fryer Cajun Shrimp [+Video]

Air Fryer Cajun Shrimp is an easy main dish after a busy day. It uses just three simple ingredients like my DIY Cajun seasoning & garlic butter. Whether you use frozen or fresh raw large shrimp or add vegetables, it’s on the dinner table in about 15 minutes. Have this with my air fryer green beans or air fryer asparagus. Or, make a double batch as part of meal prep for your whole family.

Why Make This

• A one pot quick shrimp recipe: this Air Fryer Cajun shrimp recipe takes less than 15 minutes and requires only one pot to cook.
• Uses fresh or frozen shrimp: You can cook shrimp from frozen in the air fryer using this recipe.

Ingredients Needed

• Shrimp: I’m using raw peeled and deveined extra jumbo shrimp. You can get it with the tail on or off. I’ve make this recipe with frozen shrimp most times, but you could also use fresh shrimp.
• Cajun Seasoning: I’m using a DIY spice mix that I use in this recipe as well as keto shrimp & grits, cajun wings, and air fryer cajun chicken thighs.
• Garlic Herb Butter: This is my 5-minute butter that includes garlic, parmesan and spices. While I use it on air fryer steak, it also works well on seafood and veggies.

How to Make Cajun Shrimp in an Air Fryer

1. Add the shrimp, garlic butter, and Cajun seasoning to the bottom of the cooking pot
2. Air fry the shrimp for 5 minutes
3. Toss the shrimp in the butter and spices
4. Air fry the shrimp for 5 additional minutes to cook them through

Top Cooking Tips & FAQs

• Add the shrimp in a single layer to the bottom of the cooking pot without the air fryer basket: this allows the shrimp to cook in the Cajun seasoning and garlic butter.
• Use a cake pan insert if not using the Ninja Foodi or Instant Pot: it’s important for the shrimp to cook in the butter and spices, so if you’re using another air fryer model, simply cook your shrimp in an air fryer accessory like a cake pan insert.
• Adjust seasoning to taste: this recipe was specifically tested with my homemade Cajun seasoning so the amounts are for that seasoning. If you’re using Cajun seasoning from the grocery store, I find that these are saltier so 1 tsp per pound is a good starting point. Regardless of the blend, you can always add more when the shrimp is done. So, feel free to adjust the spices to taste.
• Adjust the cook time based on the size of the shrimp: large shrimp takes more time to cook than small shrimp. If you’re using smaller shrimp, check in on it more frequently

Storage

This Cajun Air Fryer Shrimp tastes great the next day on top of salads or as an appetizer with cocktail sauce. Simply store it in an airtight container.

Variations

• Swap the garlic butter with my lemon butter garlic sauce (it’s similar but more lemony as it includes fresh lemon juice) or cajun garlic butter for seafood.
• Use Creole Seasoning instead of Cajun Seasoning
• Make Spicy Cajun Shrimp by adding a dash of Cayenne Pepper

Easy Meals using Air Fried Cajun Shrimp

• Enjoy the shrimp with air fryer steak for an air fryer surf and turf
• Combine the shrimp with chicken andouille sausage and bell peppers
• Add vegetable side dishes like broccoli, spaghetti squash, zucchini noodles, air fryer yellow squash, air fryer green beans, pressure cooker cabbage, and air fryer asparagus
• Make low carb Shrimp & Grits with either of these healthy recipes: keto grits and cauliflower cheese grits

Other Cajun Shrimp Recipes

• Cajun Shrimp Alfredo
• Air Fryer Cajun Shrimp & Broccoli

If you try this recipe, please stop back and leave it a star rating and/or a review in the comments. Stay connected & share photos of your creations with me & others on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest!