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 59 reviews

If you’re craving a quick, flavorful seafood dish that practically melts in your mouth, then you’re in for a treat with my Air Fryer Old Bay Shrimp Recipe. It’s hands-down one of my favorite easy weeknight meals that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen but takes barely any time at all. With just a handful of ingredients and an air fryer, you’ll have perfectly cooked shrimp seasoned with that iconic Old Bay spice blend—brightened up with fresh lemon juice and parsley. Keep reading, because once you try this recipe, I guarantee it’ll become your go-to shrimp fix!

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Why This Recipe Works

Speedy and Simple: From prep to plate in under 15 minutes, making it perfect for busy nights.
Bold Flavors: Old Bay seasoning paired with fresh lemon adds a zesty, classic kick that shrimp lovers crave.
Perfect Texture: The air fryer crisps up the shrimp edges just right without drying them out.
Minimal Cleanup: Using just one bowl and your air fryer makes cleanup a breeze.

Air Fryer Old Bay Shrimp, Old Bay shrimp recipe, quick seafood dishes, easy air fryer seafood, flavorful shrimp meals - 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

Each ingredient in this Air Fryer Old Bay Shrimp Recipe plays a key role in flavor and texture, making the whole dish shine without complication. The fresh shrimp provides that juicy sweetness, olive oil helps everything crisp up nicely in the air fryer, and of course, Old Bay seasoning is the star of the show. A squeeze of lemon juice brightens the shrimp, while fresh parsley on top adds just the right amount of color and freshness.

Air Fryer Old Bay Shrimp, Old Bay shrimp recipe, quick seafood dishes, easy air fryer seafood, flavorful shrimp meals - 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

Large shrimp (peeled and deveined): Fresh or thawed frozen shrimp works best—make sure they’re completely dry before seasoning for optimal crispiness.
Olive oil: This light layer ensures the shrimp don’t stick and helps the spices stick evenly.
Old Bay seasoning: The classic blend that brings savory warmth and a bit of heat, perfectly complementing the shrimp.
Fresh lemon juice: Adds a bright, tangy note that balances the richness of the shrimp and spices.
Fresh chopped parsley: For garnish—it adds a pop of color and a fresh, herbaceous touch.

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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

I love that this Air Fryer Old Bay Shrimp Recipe is so versatile—you can easily tweak it to suit your taste or dietary preferences. Personally, I sometimes like adding a pinch of smoked paprika or garlic powder for an extra flavor layer, but you can keep it simple or spice it up. Feel free to experiment with herbs or even toss the shrimp with a little cayenne if you want some heat!

Variation: Once, I swapped parsley for chopped cilantro and added a dash of chili lime seasoning—totally transformed the vibe into a Southwest-inspired dish that my family adored.
Dietary twist: Use avocado oil instead of olive oil if you want a higher smoke point and a milder flavor.
Serving size: Halve the recipe for a quick snack or double it up for a party-friendly appetizer.

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

Step 1: Prep and Season Your Shrimp

Start by patting your peeled and deveined shrimp dry with paper towels—this helps the seasoning stick better and ensures crispiness. Then, toss the shrimp in a large bowl with olive oil, Old Bay seasoning, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Stir everything well so each shrimp is coated evenly—this is where most of the flavor comes from, so don’t be shy!

Step 2: Air Fry the Shrimp

Arrange the shrimp in a single layer inside your air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispy edges. Set the air fryer to 360ºF and cook the shrimp for 8 to 10 minutes. Halfway through, give the basket a gentle shake or flip the shrimp with tongs to brown both sides evenly. Keep an eye on them—shrimp cook quickly and are done when they turn a pinkish color and reach an internal temperature of 145ºF.

Step 3: Garnish and Serve

Once cooked, transfer your shrimp to a serving plate and sprinkle generously with fresh chopped parsley for that lovely herbaceous pop. If you want, add an extra squeeze of lemon on top to brighten everything up before digging in!

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Tips from My Kitchen

Dry Your Shrimp Thoroughly: Moisture is the enemy of crispiness, so pat those shrimp as dry as possible before seasoning.
Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: Air fryer baskets vary in size, so give shrimp plenty of space so they crisp up instead of steaming.
Adjust Cook Time if Needed: Depending on your air fryer model and shrimp size, cooking times may vary—so check a bit early.
Use a Thermometer: This is the fail-safe way to know your shrimp are perfectly cooked without guesswork.

How to Serve Air Fryer Old Bay Shrimp Recipe

Air Fryer Old Bay Shrimp, Old Bay shrimp recipe, quick seafood dishes, easy air fryer seafood, flavorful shrimp meals - 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 finish with fresh parsley for its bright color and fresh flavor, but sometimes I’ll throw on thin lemon wedges or a sprinkle of chopped green onions for a little extra zing. A dash of smoked paprika or red pepper flakes on top can also add a nice kick if you like things spicy.

Side Dishes

My favorite sides with this recipe are buttery garlic mashed potatoes or a light summer salad with cucumber and tomato. It also pairs wonderfully with simple rice pilaf or steamed veggies to keep things fresh and balanced.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I like serving the shrimp skewered on lemon halves or arranged on a large platter with colorful dipping sauces like garlic aioli or spicy remoulade. It instantly turns this simple dish into something festive and fun to share!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After cooling, I store leftover shrimp in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. They stay tasty but are best eaten soon so they don’t lose their texture or flavor.

Freezing

You can freeze leftover cooked shrimp by placing them flat in a freezer-safe bag with as much air removed as possible. Frozen shrimp keep well for about 3 months, perfect for pulling out when you want a fast seafood fix.

Reheating

The best way I’ve found to reheat is popping them back into the air fryer for 2-3 minutes—this brings back their crispy edges and fresh flavor better than the microwave ever could.

FAQs

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

Absolutely! Just be sure to thaw the shrimp completely and pat them dry before seasoning. This step is crucial to get a crispy texture and avoid steaming during cooking.
How spicy is Old Bay seasoning?

Old Bay has a mild to moderate spice with a distinctive blend of savory herbs and a little heat from cracked red pepper. It’s flavorful but not overwhelmingly spicy, making it great for most palates.
Can I cook these shrimp in a regular oven instead of an air fryer?

Yes, you can bake them at 400ºF for about 8-10 minutes on a lined baking sheet. They won’t be quite as crispy but still delicious.
How do I know when my shrimp are cooked perfectly?

Look for shrimp that are pink and opaque with a slight curl. If you use a meat thermometer, they’re done at an internal temperature of 145ºF. Avoid overcooking to keep them tender.

Final Thoughts

This Air Fryer Old Bay Shrimp Recipe has become a total staple in my kitchen because it’s quick, super flavorful, and so satisfying. I love sharing it with friends who don’t believe something so simple can taste so good until they try it themselves. Give this recipe a whirl—you’ll enjoy the ease and the bold flavors, and honestly, your air fryer will thank you! Once you make it, I have a feeling it’ll become one of your favorite seafood dinners too.