I’m a huge seafood fan, so shrimp makes its way onto my table often. This air fryer shrimp scampi cuts down on cooking time and mess, making it even easier to enjoy! It’s perfect for your holiday feast of seven fishes, date night dinner, or even as an appetizer served with crostini.
Succulent, juicy shrimp are bathed in a sauce of garlic butter with a hint of lemon for the perfect flavor combination. Add in some fresh herbs and wine, and you’ve got a classic seafood dish that’s elegant enough for company.
Shrimp scampi always makes my table for Christmas Eve atop a bed of pasta, but you can serve it up any way you like. It’s equally good with rice, or served with toasted baguette slices as an appetizer.
It’s a dish that’s so easy to prepare, but elegant enough for date night or Valentine’s Day! The air fryer makes it even easier, cutting down time compared to the oven, and being more hands-off than the stovetop.
1 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or frozen)
4 Tbsp salted butter
1 Tbsp minced fresh garlic
1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
¼ cup white wine (such as Sauvignon Blanc)
½ tsp black pepper (or more to taste)
½ tsp salt (or more to taste)
1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
12 ounces linguine pasta, cooked per package directions and drained (optional)
Equipment Note: You’ll need some sort of oven safe dish that fits in your air fryer for this recipe. A cake pan, casserole dish, or silicone baking insert works well.
Alternatively, you can make a foil packet, but you’ll need to seal it well to prevent leaking.
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
You can use any size shrimp you like (I typically use large or bigger). Just remember you may need to adjust cooking times up or down by a minute or two accordingly. If you use frozen shrimp, you don’t need to defrost them, but they may need 1-2 minutes longer as well
If you want to omit the white wine, use chicken or seafood stock instead
The parsley can be swapped for basil or chives. You can use about half the amount of dried if needed, but fresh is definitely better for this recipe
Optional additions could include ½ tsp of red pepper flakes for some spice, or a sprinkle of parmesan cheese before serving
Serving suggestions: Serve over a pasta of your choice or cooked rice for a meal. Alternatively, toast some baguette slices and top with shrimp and sauce for an appetizer
Step By Step Instructions
Place your oven-safe dish into your air fryer and preheat it to 400°F, typically 3-5 minutes depending on your specific air fryer
Add the butter, wine, lemon juice, and garlic to the heated dish, and then cook for 3-5 minutes until the butter is fully melted and the mixture has reduced slightly
Toss the shrimp in salt and pepper, and then add them to the garlic butter mixture in the air fryer. Try to keep them as close to a single layer as possible to promote even cooking
Cook for an additional 5-7 minutes (depending on the size of your shrimp) until they are pink and opaque. The USDA recommends an internal temperature of 145°F for food safety
Finish with parsley, and serve over pasta if desired!
What to Serve With Shrimp Scampi
Roasted asparagus
Broccolini
Green salad
Arugula salad
Caesar salad
Caprese salad
Roasted broccoli
Bruschetta
Garlic bread
Lemon orzo
Gnocchi
Polenta
Grits
Risotto
Zoodles (zucchini noodles)
Chardonnay
Citrusy cocktails
Lemon iced tea
There are lots of great sides, drinks, and alternatives to noodles to serve alongside your shrimp scampi.
Yes! The air fryer is great for cooking scampi, whether you are making homemade or a frozen variation.
Just cook the sauce, then add the shrimp to cook through, and your dish is ready in under 15 minutes.
Can I Use Frozen Shrimp for Air Fryer Shrimp Scampi?
Yes, frozen shrimp can be used. For best results, thaw and pat dry before cooking.
However, you may also cook directly from frozen, but the sauce will be slightly more watery as a result. Plan to cook an extra 1-2 minutes to account for the colder starting temperature.
How Long Does It Take to Cook Shrimp Scampi in the Air Fryer?
Cooking time typically ranges from 5 to 7 minutes at 400°F (200°C) or until shrimp are pink and opaque. Times will vary based on the size of your shrimp and your specific air fryer.
The sauce should be pre-cooked for a few minutes before adding the shrimp to allow the flavors to blend together.
Can I Add Vegetables to the Shrimp Scampi in the Air Fryer?
Absolutely! Add veggies like cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, mushrooms, or asparagus.
Note that vegetables will release some extra moisture and may make your sauce watery. You can always roast them separately, then add them in at the end, or just serve on the side.
Can I Use Olive Oil Instead of Butter for Air Fryer Shrimp Scampi?
Yes, olive oil can be substituted for butter to make a healthier version, or even split 50/50 with butter.
However, note that the flavor will be slightly different, the texture will be less creamy, and you may need to add a little additional salt to compensate.
Recipe Pro Tips
I used colossal (16-22 count per pound) shrimp and they were perfectly cooked after 6 minutes in my Ninja Dual Zone air fryer. Other sizes of shrimp and brands of air fryer may vary slightly
Since I have a dual drawer air fryer, I use two smaller casserole dishes and split everything evenly between them. However, it’s completely fine to just use one larger pan if you have a single basket or oven style air fryer!
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store leftover shrimp scampi in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
To reheat shrimp scampi in the air fryer, place a portion in a small oven safe bowl or on some foil. Air fry at 350°F for 2-3 minutes, until warmed through. I recommend heating the shrimp separately from any pasta – you can microwave that, or make a single portion of fresh to accompany your reheated shrimp
I love making air fryer shrimp scampi. It comes out so flavorful, with perfectly cooked shrimp, and it takes less time and attention than other methods. Plus, the whole house smells good!
Shrimp scampi has always been a Christmas Eve tradition as part of the feast of seven fishes, but it’s a simple yet elegant dish that can be enjoyed year round.
Sometimes, I’ll make it for a date night, or even for a Valentine’s Day in. Honestly, though, it’s simple enough that you can even make it for a weeknight (and delicious enough that no one will tell you you shouldn’t)!
Pair with a nice salad and some fresh, crusty bread that you can use to soak up all that amazing garlic butter sauce, and enjoy!
Garlic Butter Air Fryer Shrimp Scampi
This amazing air fryer shrimp scampi features a garlic butter sauce with lemon and parsley finish, and is ready in just 15 minutes. Serve with crostini as an appetizer or pasta for dinner!
12Ounceslinguine pasta, cooked per package directions and drained(optional)
Instructions
Place your oven-safe dish into your air fryer and preheat it to 400°F, typically 3-5 minutes depending on your specific air fryer
Add the butter, wine, lemon juice, and garlic to the heated dish, and then cook for 3-5 minutes until the butter is fully melted and the mixture has reduced slightly
4 Tbsp salted butter, 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice, ¼ Cup dry white wine, 1 Tbsp minced fresh garlic
Toss the shrimp in salt and pepper, and then add them to the garlic butter mixture in the air fryer. Try to keep them as close to a single layer as possible to promote even cooking
1 Pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined, ½ Tsp black pepper, ½ Tsp salt
Cook for an additional 5-7 minutes (depending on the size of your shrimp) until they are pink and opaque. The USDA recommends an internal temperature of 145°F for food safety
Finish with parsley, and serve over pasta if desired!
1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley, 12 Ounces linguine pasta, cooked per package directions and drained
Notes
You can use any size shrimp you like (I typically use large or bigger). Just remember you may need to adjust cooking times up or down by a minute or two accordingly. If you use frozen shrimp, you don’t need to defrost them, but they may need 1-2 minutes longer as well
If you want to omit the white wine, use chicken or seafood stock instead
The parsley can be swapped for basil or chives. You can use about half the amount of dried if needed, but fresh is definitely better for this recipe
Optional additions could include ½ tsp of red pepper flakes for some spice, or a sprinkle of parmesan cheese before serving
Serving suggestions: Serve over a pasta of your choice or cooked rice for a meal. Alternatively, toast some baguette slices and top with shrimp and sauce for an appetizer
I used colossal (16-22 count per pound) shrimp and they were perfectly cooked after 6 minutes in my Ninja Dual Zone air fryer. Other sizes of shrimp and brands of air fryer will vary slightly
Since I have a dual drawer air fryer, I use two smaller casserole dishes and split everything evenly between them. However, it’s completely fine to just use one larger pan if you have a single basket or oven style air fryer!
Store leftover shrimp scampi in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
To reheat shrimp scampi in the air fryer, place a portion in a small oven safe bowl or on some foil. Air fry at 350°F for 2-3 minutes, until warmed through (heat sides or pasta separately)
Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand of ingredients, any toppings or sides added (this assumes pasta), and actual quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
