Air Fryer Pesto Shrimp are quick, flavorful, and perfectly cooked with a crispy exterior and juicy interior. Tossed in aromatic pesto, they make a delicious weeknight dinner or easy appetizer in just minutes.
Elevate your weeknight dinners with these Easy Air Fryer Pesto Shrimp.
Juicy shrimp get a perfectly crisp exterior in the air fryer while staying tender inside, all coated in fragrant, flavorful pesto.
Ready in minutes, they’re ideal as a quick dinner, appetizer, or even tossed over pasta or salad for a gourmet touch without any fuss.
Why You Will Love This Recipe!
- Quick & Easy: Ready in under 15 minutes, perfect for busy nights.
- Crispy & Tender: Air fryer gives shrimp a golden, slightly crispy exterior while keeping them juicy inside.
- Flavor-Packed: Tossed in aromatic pesto for a fresh, vibrant taste.
- Versatile Serving Options: Enjoy on its own, over pasta, salad, or in tacos.
- Healthy & Light: Protein-packed shrimp with minimal oil make a guilt-free meal.
Some other great and easy Air Fryer Shrimp Recipes are AIR FRYER BAKED SHRIMP SCAMPI, AIR FRYER CRISPY SHRIMP, GARLIC PARMESAN AIR-FRIED SHRIMP RECIPE, and AIR FRYER LEMON PEPPER SHRIMP
Ingredients Needed
- Shrimp: Peeled and deveined large shrimp, fresh or frozen.
- Pesto Sauce: Fresh basil pesto, store-bought or homemade, for coating.
- Olive Oil: Light olive oil to help shrimp crisp in air fryer.
- Salt: Pinch of salt to enhance shrimp and pesto flavor.
- Black Pepper: Freshly ground black pepper for subtle heat and seasoning.
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice to brighten the dish.
- Parmesan Cheese (optional): Grated Parmesan for extra flavor and garnish.
How To Make Easy Air Fryer Pesto Shrimp
Step One: Set the air fryer temperature to 400 degrees F (200°C) and lightly spray the basket with cooking oil. In a medium bowl, toss peeled and deveined shrimp with pesto sauce, olive oil, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
Step Two: Place shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Set cook time for 6-8 minutes, shaking halfway through, until shrimp are golden and cooked through.
Step Three: Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the shrimp and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy the pesto shrimp on its own, over pasta, salad, or in tacos for a quick, flavorful meal.
Easy Air Fryer Pesto Shrimp Recipe Tips
- Use Fresh or Thawed Shrimp: Even frozen shrimp should be fully thawed and patted dry for best results.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: Cook shrimp in a single layer to ensure even crispiness.
- Adjust Pesto Amount: Add more or less pesto depending on how bold you like the flavor.
- Quick Toss: Toss shrimp lightly in pesto to coat evenly without overpowering the shrimp.
- Optional Garnishes: Sprinkle with Parmesan, fresh herbs, or a squeeze of lemon for extra brightness.
Storing Instructions
- Refrigeration: Store cooked shrimp in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Reheating: Reheat gently in the air fryer or skillet to retain crispness.
- Do Not Freeze: Cooked shrimp may become rubbery if frozen and reheated.
Other Cooking Instructions
- Oven: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place pesto-coated shrimp on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake 8–10 minutes until cooked through and slightly golden.
- Stovetop: Heat 1–2 tsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook shrimp 2–3 minutes per side until opaque and lightly crisp.
- Grill: Skewer shrimp and grill 2–3 minutes per side until cooked through with light char marks.
Easy Air Fryer Pesto Shrimp Recipe Faqs
Can I use frozen shrimp? Yes! Thaw completely and pat dry before tossing in pesto for best results.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time? You can prep the shrimp with pesto in advance, but cook just before serving to keep them crispy.
How long does it last? Store cooked shrimp in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days; best served fresh.
Can I make it spicy? Absolutely! Add red pepper flakes, hot sauce, or a pinch of cayenne to the pesto before cooking.
What can I serve with this? Perfect over pasta, salad, in tacos, or alongside steamed veggies for a complete meal.
More Easy Air Fryer Shrimp Recipes
- AIR FRYER GARLIC AND LEMON SHRIMP
- AIR FRYER SOUTHWESTERN SHRIMP TACOS
- AIR FRYER HONEY GARLIC SHRIMP
- Easy Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Shrimp
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Easy Air Fryer Pesto Shrimp
Description
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3 tbsp pesto sauce, store-bought or homemade
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese, optional
- Fresh herbs for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Set the air fryer temperature to 400 degrees F (200°C) and lightly spray the basket with cooking oil.
- In a large bowl, toss the peeled and deveined 1.5 lbs large shrimp with 3 tbsp pesto sauce 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt and ½ tsp black pepper until evenly coated.
- Arrange the shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Set cook time for 6–8 minutes, shaking halfway through, until shrimp are golden and cooked through.
- Squeeze 1 tbsp lemon juice over the shrimp and sprinkle with 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
- Add Fresh herbs for garnish and serve immediately. Enjoy the pesto shrimp on its own, over pasta, salad, or in tacos for a quick, flavorful meal.
Equipment
- Cooking Spray, or Parchment Paper
Notes
Other Cooking Methods
- Oven: Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 8–10 minutes on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Stovetop: Cook shrimp in 1–2 tsp olive oil, 2–3 minutes per side until opaque.
- Grill: Skewer shrimp and grill 2–3 minutes per side until lightly charred.
Nutrition
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