If you’re craving a dish that’s bursting with flavor, perfectly crispy, and comes together in minutes, you’ve found your new favorite with the Best Air Fryer Prawns Recipe. These succulent prawns are seasoned with a lively mix of garlic, smoked paprika, and a hint of chili flakes, then cooked to perfection in the air fryer for that unbeatable crispy texture. Whether you’re whipping up a quick weeknight dinner or impressing guests with a tasty appetizer, this recipe combines simplicity and bold taste in every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its straightforward ingredients—they’re simple, fresh, and come together to create a perfectly balanced flavor profile. Each element plays a key role: the olive oil ensures crispiness, the spices infuse smoky warmth, and the lemon juice adds a bright, zesty finish that makes these prawns irresistible.
- 1 lb large prawns (or shrimp), peeled and deveined: Fresh or thawed, these are your protein-packed stars with a naturally sweet flavor.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil: Helps the seasonings stick and promotes that golden, crispy exterior.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder: Delivers savory depth without overpowering the delicate prawns.
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika: Adds a warm, smoky complexity that complements the seafood beautifully.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Enhances all the other flavors and seasons the prawns perfectly.
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper: Offers a subtle kick to balance the dish.
- ¼ teaspoon chili flakes (optional): For those who love a little heat, this brings a nice fiery edge.
- Juice of ½ lemon: Brightens the whole dish with refreshing acidity.
- Chopped parsley or cilantro for garnish (optional): Adds a fresh herbal note and vibrant color.
- Lemon wedges for serving: The perfect way to squeeze an extra burst of citrus on top.
How to Make Best Air Fryer Prawns Recipe
Step 1: Season the Prawns
Begin by tossing your peeled and deveined prawns in a bowl with olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, chili flakes if you’re using them, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Make sure each prawn gets evenly coated so every bite is packed with flavor right from the start. This step is where your prawns soak up the magic of the spices before hitting the air fryer.
Step 2: Preheat the Air Fryer
While your prawns marinate in those delicious spices, preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3 minutes. Preheating helps ensure a crispy texture rather than steaming your prawns, which is how we achieve that perfect crunch on the outside while keeping the inside juicy.
Step 3: Cook the Prawns
Arrange the prawns in a single layer in the air fryer basket—if necessary, cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding and ensure even cooking. Air fry them for 6 to 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to promote even crisping. You’ll know they’re done when they turn a lovely pink, become opaque throughout, and develop a slightly crisp edge that’s just begging to be devoured.
Step 4: Serve and Garnish
Immediately transfer your hot, crispy prawns to a serving plate. Sprinkle with chopped parsley or cilantro for a fresh finish and offer lemon wedges on the side for those who adore an extra splash of citrus. These final touches add color and brightness, making your dish as beautiful as it is delicious.
How to Serve Best Air Fryer Prawns Recipe
Garnishes
A sprig of fresh chopped parsley or cilantro is all you need to elevate these prawns visually and flavor-wise. The fresh herbs enhance the smoky and savory notes while providing a lovely contrast in texture. Lemon wedges are essential because a little squeeze of tangy citrus makes every bite pop.
Side Dishes
This recipe pairs wonderfully with simple sides like steamed rice, sautéed greens, or a crisp salad to keep things light and fresh. For a heartier meal, tuck the prawns into a warm tortilla with your favorite slaw for a quick taco, or serve alongside creamy mashed potatoes or garlic bread to soak up the juices.
Creative Ways to Present
Take this Best Air Fryer Prawns Recipe up a notch by serving the prawns over a bed of quinoa or couscous mixed with herbs and lemon zest. You can also skewer the cooked prawns for a fun finger food at your next gathering or toss them into a vibrant pasta salad for a colorful, crowd-pleasing dish. The possibilities are endless and fun to explore!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers—and that’s rare!—store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll stay fresh for up to 2 days. This makes for a convenient ready-to-eat snack or protein addition to your next meal.
Freezing
For longer storage, place cooled prawns in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 1 month. Be sure to separate portions so you can thaw only what you need. While freezing may slightly affect the texture, the bold flavors will still shine through.
Reheating
Reheat your leftover prawns gently in the air fryer or oven at a low temperature to avoid overcooking. A quick 3 to 5 minutes is usually enough to bring back some crispiness without drying them out—skip the microwave if you want to preserve that lovely texture.
FAQs
Can I use frozen prawns for this recipe?
Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw them completely, pat them dry to remove excess moisture, and then proceed with seasoning. Dry prawns crisp up much better in the air fryer.
What if I don’t have an air fryer?
You can bake the prawns in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through. While you won’t get quite the same crispiness, it’s still a delicious alternative.
How spicy is this recipe?
The chili flakes add a gentle warmth but can be omitted or adjusted to your desired spice level. The other seasonings keep it flavorful without overwhelming heat.
Can I use other seasonings instead of smoked paprika?
Yes! Feel free to experiment with Cajun, Old Bay, or your favorite seafood seasoning blends. Each brings a unique twist to the Best Air Fryer Prawns Recipe.
How do I know when the prawns are cooked perfectly?
Look for prawns that have turned pink and opaque with slightly crispy edges. Overcooking can make them tough, so stick to the recommended cooking time and keep an eye during the last few minutes.
Final Thoughts
This Best Air Fryer Prawns Recipe is a game-changer when you want something quick, flavorful, and downright addictive. It’s so easy to make but feels special enough for any occasion. Once you try it, you’ll wonder how you ever cooked prawns any other way. Go ahead and make it tonight — your taste buds will thank you!
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Best Air Fryer Prawns Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 13 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Appetizer, Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American, Seafood
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Deliciously crispy and flavorful air fryer prawns cooked to perfection in minutes. This quick and easy recipe features large prawns tossed with olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and lemon juice, then air fried for a healthy, satisfying dish perfect as an appetizer or main course.
Ingredients
Seafood
- 1 lb large prawns (or shrimp), peeled and deveined
Seasoning & Marinade
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
- Juice of ½ lemon
Garnish
- Chopped parsley or cilantro (optional)
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the prawns: In a bowl, toss the peeled and deveined prawns with olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, chili flakes if using, and the juice of half a lemon until they are evenly coated with the marinade.
- Preheat the air fryer: Heat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3 minutes to ensure it’s hot and ready to cook the prawns evenly and quickly.
- Air fry the prawns: Arrange the prawns in a single layer in the air fryer basket. It’s important not to overcrowd the basket, so cook in batches if necessary. Air fry for 6 to 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through the cooking process to promote even crisping. The prawns are done when they turn pink, opaque, and have slightly crisp edges.
- Serve: Remove the prawns from the air fryer and serve immediately. Garnish with chopped parsley or cilantro and lemon wedges on the side for an extra burst of freshness and flavor.
Notes
- This recipe works perfectly as a quick appetizer or as a filling for tacos.
- Great served over salads or rice for a light meal.
- Feel free to experiment with different seasoning blends like Cajun or Old Bay to change up the flavors.
