Deliciously crispy prawns take just 8 minutes when cooked in the air fryer. Coated in garlic, onion, parsley and oil, these Air Fryer Prawns are a tasty addition to any meal or even great as a snack or party food. Serve with a simple salad, on a bed of rice, put in to tacos or as part of a tapas platter - you won't be able to stop eating these yummy little bites.
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Prawns (or shrimp if you are the other side of the pond) are a big part of our diet. Not only are they low in calories and fat, but they are so easy to cook - you really can't get it wrong. There is also so much that you can do with them, so if you are looking for a quick, protein packed and healthy addition to your meals, then give this air fryer prawn recipe a try.
There are lots of different ways to prepare and cook prawns, but our current favourite way is cooking them in our air fryer. Quick and easy, with the perfect texture.
If you are looking for more air fryer recipes, then why not try our Air Fryer Garlic Bread, Air Fryer Diced Potatoes, Air Fryer Burgers or Air Fryer Corn on the Cob?
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Why you will love them
- Cooked in just 8 minutes
- Low carb and gluten free
- Lots of uses for them
- Easy to adapt with different flavours
Ingredients needed
- Prawns - We used fresh raw prawns, then had already been de-shelled. If you are using cooked prawns, then you will need to adjust the cooking time and they will only take about 4 minutes.
- Onion - We used a brown onion, but you could use shallots which would have a sweeter flavour.
- Garlic - Freshly crushed is always best, but you can use pre-crushed in a jar or tube to save some time.
- Oil - Use a good quality olive oil.
- Parsley - This adds loads of freshness, so always use fresh. You can swap it for coriander if you prefer.
A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Step by step
One: Put the prawns, onions, garlic, parsley, salt and pepper in a bowl, mix well and leave to marinate for 15 minutes.
Two: Put the prawns, all the marinade and the oil in the air fryer and mix well.
Three: Cook at 220°C for 8 minutes.
Four: Once cooked the prawns will be a nice rich pink colour. Remove from the air fryer and serve immediately with a squeeze of lemon juice.
Variations
Whilst this recipe keeps it simple with some garlic, onion and parsley, there are lots of ways that you can adapt this so you can have it a different way every time. Give the prawns a bit of a tropical twist by stirring in some desiccated coconut, or go Italian with some grated Parmesan.
You could add some spice to air fryer prawns with red chilli flakes too, or a splash of your favourite chilli sauce.
If you wanted to have crispy prawns (but still much lighter than fried breaded prawns), then you could mix them with some Panko breadcrumbs.
What to serve with Air Fryer Prawns
These air fryer prawns are really versatile and there are so many different ways that you can serve them. We served ours as part of a Tapas Platter, but there are so many other ways to serve them.
If you want to serve them with rice, then try our Greek Rice, Perfect Microwave Rice or Oven Baked Rice.
If potatoes are more of your thing, then try Greek Potatoes, Air Fryer Potato Wedges or Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes.
FAQs
Cooked prawns should be kept in an airtight container in the fridge, where they will keep for up to 3 days. If you want to freeze them, they will keep in the freezer, below -18°C, for 6 months.
We love finding way to add more vegetables to our diet, and you can do that with this dish by throwing some chopped peppers and courgettes in with the prawns.
Yes, providing the prawns have been thoroughly defrosted and you have blotted off any extra liquid, then you can use frozen prawns to make this recipe.
These took 8 minutes, but it will depend on your air fryer and how you like your prawns cooked.
Extra tips
• Feel free to change up the flavours by adding either coconut or Panko breadcrumbs, or even using a Mexican seasoning.
• Serve the prawns with rice or salad or use them in tacos or a burrito bowl.
• You can give this dish a veggie boost by adding some chopped bell peppers and courgettes with the prawns.
• You can use frozen prawns, but make sure they are fully defrosted and any extra liquid is blotted off.
More prawn/shrimp recipes
If you've tried this air fryer prawn recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Air Fryer King Prawns
Ingredients
- 400 g (14 oz) King prawns - peeled, uncooked
- 0.5 Onion - finely chopped
- 2 Garlic clove - finely chopped
- 2 tablespoon Olive oil
- 15 g (0.25 cups) Fresh parsley - finely chopped
- 1 pinch Sea salt and ground black pepper
- 0.5 Lemon - juice only; to serve
Instructions
- Put 400 g King prawns, 0.5 Onion, 2 Garlic clove, 15 g Fresh parsley, juice of 0.5 Lemon and 1 pinch Sea salt and ground black pepper into a bowl, mix well and leave to marinate for 15 minutes.
- Put the prawns, all the marinade and 2 tablespoon Olive oil into the air fryer and mix well.
- Cook on the Air Fry setting at 220°C/425℉ for 8 minutes.
- Once cooked the prawns will be a nice rich pink colour. Remove from the air fryer and serve immediately.
Recipe Tips
- Feel free to change up the flavours by adding either coconut or Panko breadcrumbs, or even using a Mexican seasoning.
- Serve the prawns with rice or salad or use them in tacos or a burrito bowl.
- You can give this dish a veggie boost by adding some chopped bell peppers and courgettes with the prawns.
- You can use frozen prawns, but make sure they are fully defrosted and any extra liquid is blotted off.
Nutritional Information
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The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Ivana says
I love prawns so much....and I just got an air-fryer. Will be making this for dinner tonight, thank you. I'm still getting used to the machine.
Demeter says
Love how easy this is to make in the air fryer! Perfect all summer long when you don’t want to heat up your house.
penelopi says
I used to make a similar dish quite often.
Pam says
This would be good with some salmon pieces in there as well.
Dana says
I made these in my air fryer last night and they were really good. I would probably cook them for a couple of minutes longer to get them crispier, but lovely flavour.
Romina says
I love prawns and these look delicious. I think I found the perfect excuse to finally get an air fryer.
Jeannette (Jay Joy) says
I tried frozen shrimp in an air fryer and it did not go well. Please, thoroughly defrost!!!! Garlic and parsley really are perfect with prawns.
Natalie says
Looks so delicious and perfect for a quick dinner or lunch!
Shihoko Ura says
Wow that is amazing. Thank you for showing us what airfryer can cook. I don't have one yet but definitely put it on my wish list.
Jill says
I love my air fryer! I've not heard of this one - I like the paddle - saves on turning the food halfway through. Shrimp is so good in the air fryer!!
Andrea Metlika says
The shrimp look perfectly delicious and really like how easy they were to make.
Jen says
Happy to find your recipe! I was looking for an easy air fryer prawn recipe for salads and my family loved it.
Roxana says
It is a simple and easy recipe. I love prawns and all those flavours will work so great with it. I must try this out.
Kelly Anthony says
These air fryer prawns will be the perfect addition to any party or gathering. They look easy to make and simply delicious.
Tara says
I really need to make more than just chips in mine. These would be great on a salad.