These tandoori style air fryer shrimp (prawns) can me made in about 15 minutes!
Air fryer shrimp are amazing and with this recipe they are even better! If you are a fan of tandoori shrimp or prawns, you’ve simply got to try this recipe.
You will need about 12 wooden skewers. Soak them in water for 30 minutes so that they don’t burn in the air fryer. You could also cook these air fryer shrimp simply in the basket and not use skewers.
About this recipe.
Lately I have been redeveloping my recipes to be cooked in my air fryer. This has been a great experience as I really didn’t know how good these small ovens are.
This recipe is very similar to the tandoori prawn recipe I featured in my first cookbook ‘The Curry Guy’. The only difference is that I left out some of the more difficult to find or make ingredients.
I’m happy to report that there was really no loss of flavour. These air fryer shrimp are fantastic and can be prepared in as little as 15 minutes.
What is the difference between shrimp and prawns?
“Prawn” and “shrimp” are terms that are often used interchangeably, especially in culinary contexts, but there are some differences between the two, albeit subtle and sometimes regional. You can use either for this air fryer shrimp recipe.
1. Physical Differences: In terms of physical characteristics, prawns generally have longer legs and a longer body compared to shrimp. Prawns typically have branching gills, while shrimp have lamellar gills.
2. Habitat: Prawns are usually found in fresh water, while shrimp are more commonly found in saltwater, although there are exceptions to this rule.
3. Flavor and Texture: Many people claim that prawns have a sweeter taste and a more robust texture compared to shrimp, which are considered to have a slightly milder flavour and a softer texture. I personally cannot taste the difference.
4. Geographical Terminology: The term “shrimp” is more commonly used in North America, while “prawn” is often used in Europe, Australia, and some Asian countries. However, this can vary by region, and the distinction is not always clear-cut.
5. Size: In some regions, “prawn” is used to refer to larger species of shrimp, but this is not universally accepted.
How long can you leave the shrimp to marinate?
Fish and shellfish do not need to marinate long. I recommend marinating the shrimp no longer than 20 minutes for best results.
Do you have to skewer the prawns?
No! I skewered them for better presentation and to make it easier for me to remove them from the air fryer.
I you would rather, you could simply place the prawns, tomatoes and chillies in a single layer in a lightly oil sprayed basket.
How long will air fryer shrimp keep in the fridge?
I recommend consuming these within one to two days.
They can be eaten cold or if you want, you can quickly heat them back up in your air fryer or microwave oven.
Can you freeze leftovers?
You could but I do recommend just making as many as you need for one meal.
I halved my normal recipe for air fryer prawns because I was just cooking for my wife an myself.
This air fryer shrimp recipe can easily be up or downscaled depending on how many you are serving.
Is the cooking time exact?
No! The cooking time really depends on the size of your shrimp or prawns.
In my case, I cooked baby prawns and they were cooked through in about 8 minutes. Larger shrimp or prawns will take a little longer.
To check for doneness, cut into one of the shrimp. The meat should be white and not at all opaque.
Can you use the same air fryer shrimp marinade for other fish?
Yes. This is a marinade that goes well with almost any fish.
Feel free to experiment. It’s a simple marinade that is not at all overpowering and perfect for most seafood.
Step by step photographs.
Get all your ingredients together and prepared before starting. It’s easier that way.
Place the shrimp in a bowl and cover with the first marinade ingredients. Rub this marinade right into the shrimp. You can let them marinate for about 10 minutes.
Cover the shrimp with the second marinade ingredients and rub this right into the flesh. Careful with the ajwain, if using. It has a strong flavour.
You can leave the shrimp to marinate for 20 minutes or go straight to cooking.
Skewer the shrimp, tomatoes and chillies onto the wooden skewers.
Preheat your air fryer to 200C/400F. Spray the basket and shrimp with kitchen oil spray and cook for 6 to 10 minutes depending on the size of your shrimp.
Enjoy served with chapattis or another flatbread and your salad vegetable of choice. Hot sauce is also a nice touch.
If you like this air fryer shrimp recipe, you might like to try some of these too!
Air Fryer Chicken Tikka
Air Fryer Onion Bhajis
Birria Tacos in the Crockpot
Air Fryer Whole Tandoori Chicken
Air Fryer Vegetable Samosas
Chicken Shawarmas in the Air Fryer
Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken
Have you tried this air fryer shrimp recipe?
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Air Fryer Shrimp
These delicious tandoori style air fryer shrimp can be prepared in about 15 minutes. Let them marinate for 20 minutes before you start cooking for even tastier results. They are amazing served just like I photographed with homemade or shop-bought chapattis and your salad vegetables of choice. A little hot sauce is also nice. If cooking on skewers ( you will need about 12), please let them soak in water for 30 minutes before starting but you can cook the air fryer shrimp directly in the basket.
Ingredients
- 500g shrimp or prawns, peeled
- 35 cherry tomatoes
- 12 green finger chillies, left whole
- FOR THE FIRST MARINADE
- Juice of one lime
- 1 tbsp rapeseed (canola) oil
- 1 tbsp garlic and ginger paste
- ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric (optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon finely ground white pepper
- FOR THE SECOND MARINADE
- 3 tablespoons Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon single cream
- 1 tbsp garlic and ginger paste
- 1 green chilli, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh coriander
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ajwain (carom) seeds (optional)
- 1 teaspoon red chilli powder
Instructions
- Place the shrimp in a dish, mix in all the ingredients for the first marinade and set aside while you prepare the second marinade or up to 20 minutes.
- Mix all the ingredients for the second marinade and massage them into the shrimp. You can let the shrimp marinate for another 20 minutes or go straight to cooking. The longer marinating time does come with flavour benefits.
- Thread the shrimp, tomatoes and chillies on wooden skewers that have been soaked in water for 30 minutes.
- Preheat your airfryer to 200C/400F and Cook for 8 minutes or until the shrimp begin to char in places and are cooked through.
- Serve hot on their own or with a good hot sauce, chapattis and your preferred salad vegetables.
Notes
I halved the recipe for this blog post. The recipe can easily be up or downscaled depending on you many you wish to serve.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 477Total Fat: 30gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 24gCholesterol: 244mgSodium: 4772mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 1gSugar: 9gProtein: 31g