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Air Fryer Garlic Shrimp

Discover how to make Spanish-style Air Fryer Garlic Shrimp! This easy air fryer shrimp recipe is based on the beloved Gambas Pil Pil tapas dish. Positively packed with flavor with plump shrimp, chorizo, spicy chili oil, smoked paprika and loads of garlic. Perfect for sharing with some crusty bread.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings: 4 as a shared dish
Calories: 378 kcal
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Spanish

Ingredients

For the garlic shrimp
  • 1 ½ lbs (700g) jumbo raw shrimp (prawns) frozen, shelled and deveined
  • ½ lemon , juice and zest
  • freshly ground pepper , few turns of the mill
  • 4 tbsp virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 4 large garlic cloves , minced
  • 1 tsp crushed chili flakes
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp sea salt flakes
  • 3 ½ oz (100g) chorizo sausage (cooking variety)
To serve
  • Lemon wedges
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley , chopped
  • crusty bread
  • salt and pepper to serve

Instructions

PREPARE THE SHRIMP
    Cup of Yum
  1. Take the shrimp out of the freezer and run under cold water to quickly thaw them. If they have their shells on you will need to peel them (you can leave the tail intact). Use a shrimp de-veining tool if they haven't already been prepped.
  2. Pat the shrimp dry using kitchen paper, place in a ceramic dish and drizzle with fresh lemon juice. Season with pepper and add the zest.
MAKE THE SPICY OIL
  1. Remove the casing from the chorizo sausage. Chop the chorizo into small cubes or blitz in a mini chopper.
  2. Add the olive oil and butter in a cake tin or other suitable container that fits your air fryer basket. Cook for a couple of minutes at 400°F (200°C) to heat the oil and melt the butter.
  3. Stir in the chili flakes, smoked paprika, salt, minced garlic and chorizo and air fry for 2-3 minutes until sizzling.
COOK THE SHRIMP
  1. Pour the spicy oil and chorizo over the shrimp and mix together. Cover the dish with alluminum foil, tightly so that it doesn't fly off.
  2. Cook for 15 minutes then remove the foil, stir again and continue to cook uncovered for 2-3 minutes, or until the shrimp is pink and cooked through. Note: cooking time will vary depending on the size of the shrimp and appliance you use so worth checking after 7 minutes.
SERVE AND ENJOY!
  1. Garnish with the chopped parsley. Serve immediately with lemon wedges and plenty of crusty bread (preferably homemade!) to mop up every delicious drop of the garlicky sauce.

Notes

  • CAN I COOK THE GARLIC SHRIMP IN THE AIR FRYER BASKET?
  • Yes, you can cook this dish directly in the basket if it has a removable tray (like the Instant Vortex air fryer). Otherwise you will need to use a container such as an air fryer cake barrel or any baking dish that comfortably fits.
  • You can also simply stir the shrimp into the hot oil instead of using two separate dishes (I just love my little ceramic dish so much :)
  • RECIPE TIPS
  • Shrimp cooks quickly and can turn rubbery if you are not careful! Luckily cooking it covered in the spicy garlic oil will keep it perfectly juicy and plump.
  • You may need to adjust the cooking time if you are using smaller shrimp / or prawns. I used the jumbo variety here!
  • To check they are done simply look whether they have turned from transluscent grey when raw to a uniform opaque pink-orange color. The tail should have curled into a gentle C shape (if it is tightly curled that indicates they are overcooked).

Nutrition Information

Calories 378kcal (19%) Carbohydrates 4g (1%) Protein 28g (56%) Fat 27g (42%) Saturated Fat 8g (40%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2g Monounsaturated Fat 12g Trans Fat 0.2g Cholesterol 245mg (82%) Sodium 974mg (41%) Potassium 257mg (7%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 0.5g (1%) Vitamin A 1136IU (23%) Vitamin C 11mg (12%) Calcium 108mg (11%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4as a shared dish

Amount Per Serving

Calories 378

% Daily Value*

Calories 378kcal 19%
Carbohydrates 4g 1%
Protein 28g 56%
Fat 27g 42%
Saturated Fat 8g 40%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g 12%
Monounsaturated Fat 12g 60%
Trans Fat 0.2g 10%
Cholesterol 245mg 82%
Sodium 974mg 41%
Potassium 257mg 5%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 0.5g 1%
Vitamin A 1136IU 23%
Vitamin C 11mg 12%
Calcium 108mg 11%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.