Name: Air Fryer Old Bay Shrimp Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined; 1 Tablespoon olive oil; 1 1/2 Tablespoon Old Bay seasoning; 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice; 1 Tablespoon fresh chopped parsley

Jump to Recipe· 4.6 from 7 reviews

If you love a quick, flavorful seafood dish that’s just as easy to make as it is delicious, you’re going to adore this Air Fryer Old Bay Shrimp Recipe. It’s one of those go-to recipes I turn to when I want something impressive but fuss-free, and honestly, it never disappoints. The shrimp come out crispy, perfectly spiced, and juicy every time — and the air fryer does all the heavy lifting. Stick around; I’ll share my insider tips so you nail it on your first try!

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Why This Recipe Works

Speedy Preparation: The shrimp marinate briefly, and the air fryer cooks them quickly to perfection, perfect for busy nights.
Bold Flavor: Old Bay seasoning brings that classic zesty seafood taste that’s hard to beat.
Healthy Cooking: Using olive oil and air frying minimizes added fats but keeps the shrimp juicy and delicious.
Effortless Cleanup: Minimal ingredients and a quick cooking method mean less mess and more time enjoying your meal.

Air Fryer Old Bay Shrimp, crispy seasoned shrimp, quick seafood recipes, easy seafood dinner, healthy shrimp dishes - A square black air fryer basket filled with roughly 30 cooked shrimp, arranged in an even layer with some overlapping. The shrimp are orange with light browning and sprinkled with small green parsley bits, giving a fresh contrast. The shrimp have a textured, slightly shiny surface from cooking oil and spices, with visible grill marks on a few pieces. The background is a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Air Fryer Old Bay Shrimp Recipe uses just a handful of ingredients that complement each other beautifully. Each one plays a key role — from the seasoning blend that brings the flavor punch, to the olive oil that helps everything crisp up nicely without drying out the shrimp.

Air Fryer Old Bay Shrimp, crispy seasoned shrimp, quick seafood recipes, easy seafood dinner, healthy shrimp dishes - Flat lay of large peeled and deveined raw shrimp arranged neatly, a small white ceramic bowl filled with golden olive oil, a small white ceramic bowl containing vibrant reddish-brown Old Bay seasoning powder, a small white ceramic bowl with freshly squeezed lemon juice showing a pale yellow liquid, a small white ceramic bowl holding bright green freshly chopped parsley, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Shrimp: I recommend large shrimp for this recipe; they hold up well in the air fryer and have the perfect bite size.
Olive oil: Just enough to lightly coat the shrimp, helping the Old Bay seasoning stick and keeping the shrimp moist as they cook.
Old Bay seasoning: This iconic seafood spice mix adds a zesty kick with herbs and a hint of heat — if you can find it, don’t skip it!
Fresh lemon juice: Adds brightness and balances the savory spices, making each bite feel fresh and vibrant.
Fresh parsley: A sprinkle at the end brings color and a subtle herbaceous note that lifts the whole dish.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

The beauty of this Air Fryer Old Bay Shrimp Recipe is how easily it adapts to your tastes. I love adding a touch of smoked paprika for an extra smoky twist, but feel free to experiment — after all, cooking is all about making a dish that feels like you.

Variation: Sometimes I toss in a minced garlic clove with the shrimp for a fragrant upgrade — just add it when mixing the ingredients.
Spice Level: If you’re a heat lover, adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the Old Bay mix takes the flavor up a notch.
Fresh Herbs: Swap parsley for cilantro or basil based on what you have on hand or prefer at the moment.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Air Fryer Old Bay Shrimp Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Shrimp

Start by peeling and deveining your large shrimp if they’re not already cleaned — this just helps the seasoning soak in better. Then, grab a large bowl and toss the shrimp with olive oil, Old Bay seasoning, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Give everything a good mix so each shrimp is fully coated.

Step 2: Air Fry to Perfection

Arrange your shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket — crowding them will steam more than crisp, so if you need, cook in batches. Set the air fryer to 360ºF and cook for 8 to 10 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when they turn pink and opaque, and ideally reach an internal temperature of 145ºF. Quick tip: halfway through, gently shake or flip them for even cooking.

Step 3: Garnish and Serve

Transfer the shrimp to a plate and sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top. That little touch of green freshness makes the dish pop visually and adds a subtle flavor dimension. Serve warm and enjoy immediately for the best texture.

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Tips from My Kitchen

Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: Cooking shrimp in a single layer ensures they crisp up instead of steaming.
Fresh Lemon Juice: Adding lemon right before cooking keeps the shrimp juicy and adds bright flavor without overpowering.
Keep an Eye on Time: Shrimp cook fast, so start checking a bit early to avoid rubbery texture.
Use a Meat Thermometer: This helps you hit perfect doneness every time without guesswork.

How to Serve Air Fryer Old Bay Shrimp Recipe

Air Fryer Old Bay Shrimp, crispy seasoned shrimp, quick seafood recipes, easy seafood dinner, healthy shrimp dishes - This close-up image shows a pile of cooked shrimp with a light orange-pink color and slightly charred edges, sprinkled with small bright green parsley pieces. The shrimp have a glossy texture, showing they are juicy and well-seasoned with small flakes of spices. In the top right corner, a yellow lemon wedge with a juicy inside is partly visible. The dish is on a white surface with a white marbled texture visible in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I always sprinkle fresh parsley for that pop of color and subtle herb flavor, but sometimes I like to add lemon wedges on the side so guests can squeeze extra freshness over their shrimp. A dusting of smoked paprika can also add a beautiful smoky aroma.

Side Dishes

This shrimp shines alongside simple sides like steamed asparagus, garlic butter noodles, or a crisp green salad. If I’m feeling indulgent, I serve it over creamy grits or alongside buttery corn on the cob — it’s a total crowd-pleaser.

Creative Ways to Present

For game day or casual parties, I like to toss the finished shrimp over tortilla chips with a drizzle of spicy aioli for a quick shrimp nacho platter. For a bit more elegance, serving the shrimp on toasted baguette slices with a smear of herbed cream cheese makes a lovely appetizer.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator and they’re best eaten within 1 to 2 days so they stay juicy and flavorful. You’ll notice the texture softens a bit the longer they sit, so sooner is always better.

Freezing

Freezing the cooked shrimp works well too — just spread them on a baking sheet to freeze individually before transferring to a freezer-safe bag. They keep up to 3 months. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge for easiest reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, pop the shrimp back in the air fryer at 350ºF for 2-3 minutes. This brings back their crispness without drying them out like a microwave might. I’ve found this method keeps the texture almost as fresh as when you first made them.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp for this Air Fryer Old Bay Shrimp Recipe?

Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw the shrimp fully and pat them dry before seasoning and air frying. This helps the shrimp cook evenly and get that nice crisp outside you’re aiming for.
How do I know when the shrimp are perfectly cooked?

Look for shrimp that are pink, opaque, and have curled into a loose “C” shape. Overcooked shrimp curl tightly into an “O” and get rubbery. If you want to be precise, use a meat thermometer and pull them at 145ºF.
Can I double this recipe for a bigger batch?

You can, but I recommend cooking the shrimp in batches to avoid overcrowding your air fryer. This ensures each shrimp crisps up nicely rather than steaming.
Is Old Bay seasoning spicy?

Old Bay has a gentle kick, blending spices like paprika, celery salt, and mustard. It’s flavorful without being overly spicy, but you can add cayenne if you want more heat.

Final Thoughts

To me, the magic of this Air Fryer Old Bay Shrimp Recipe lies in its simplicity and how effortlessly it brings restaurant-quality flavors to your kitchen. It’s a dish that’s fast, reliable, and feels downright special, even on a weeknight. I truly hope you give it a try and find yourself reaching for it whenever you crave something delicious, quick, and satisfying — trust me, it’s a recipe you’ll want in your regular rotation!