Craving a meal that's quick, delicious, and bursting with Southwestern flair? Look no further than this mouthwatering Southwest Air Fryer Shrimp recipe that will transform your ordinary dinner into a restaurant-worthy experience in just 18 minutes! Imagine perfectly crispy, golden-brown shrimp infused with bold chili and garlic flavors, ready to tantalize your taste buds and impress even the pickiest eaters.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 8 mins
Total Time: 18 mins
Cuisine: Southwestern
Serves: 2 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Remove shrimp from refrigerator and pat dry completely with paper towels to ensure crispy cooking.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine olive oil, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk these ingredients together to create a uniform seasoning mixture.
- Add peeled and deveined shrimp to the seasoning bowl, gently tossing to coat each shrimp evenly with the spice blend.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (204°C) for approximately 3 minutes to ensure proper cooking temperature.
- Lightly spray or brush the air fryer basket with additional olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Arrange seasoned shrimp in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded to allow proper air circulation.
- Cook shrimp for 4-5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even browning and crispy texture.
- Check shrimp for doneness - they should be pink, opaque, and slightly curled. Internal temperature should reach 145°F (63°C).
- Once cooked, immediately transfer shrimp to a serving plate.
- Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and serve hot with optional lime wedges or your preferred dipping sauce.
Tips
- Pat shrimp completely dry before seasoning to achieve maximum crispiness and prevent steaming.
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket - give each shrimp space to ensure even cooking and crisp edges.
- Use fresh spices for the most vibrant flavor profile.
- Shake the basket midway through cooking to promote uniform browning.
- Invest in an instant-read thermometer to check shrimp reach the safe internal temperature of 145°F.
- Serve immediately after cooking to maintain the perfect crispy texture.
- Experiment with additional garnishes like lime wedges or a quick dipping sauce to elevate the dish.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 180kcal
Carbohydrates: 1g
Protein: 22g
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 180mg
