Air Fryer Cajun Shrimp

Ingredients

• 400 g prawns, peeled and deveined
• 1½ tsp paprika
• ½ tsp chilli powder or cayenne (optional)
• 2 garlic cloves, grated (optional)
• ½ lemon (optional)
• Salt, black pepper, 1 tbsp oil

Steps

1. Pat the prawns dry with paper towel.
2. In a bowl, combine the oil, paprika, chilli or cayenne, grated garlic, salt and pepper.
3. Add the prawns and toss until every piece is evenly coated — do this just before cooking rather than marinating, since raw prawns can turn rubbery if they sit too long in salt.
4. Preheat the air fryer to 200°C.
5. Arrange the prawns in a single layer in the basket, spaced apart so they don't steam each other.
6. Air fry for 3 minutes, then shake the basket.
7. Continue air frying for the remaining 4 minutes, until the prawns turn pink and opaque all the way through.
8. Watch for the curl — pull them the moment they curl into a loose C shape, since a tight curl means they've gone past done.
9. Tip them out and finish with a squeeze of lemon right away, while still hot, so the juice sizzles slightly into the spices.

Tip: Great tucked into a wrap or over rice with a yogurt dip.

🖨 Print Recipe

Nutrition (per serving)

Estimated from standard ingredient data — actual values vary by brand and exact quantities used.

Serving & Storage