Air Fryer Old Bay Shrimp Skewers (With or Without Skewers)

Calling all shrimp lovers! These Air Fryer Old Bay Shrimp Skewers give you everything you love about a summer cookout — juicy, smoky-spiced shrimp lined up on a stick — without ever firing up the grill. And here’s the best part: if you don’t have skewers on hand, you can make this exact recipe straight in the air fryer basket. I’ll show you both ways.

Old Bay Seasoning was made for seafood — there is nothing better on shrimp. If you’ve tried my classic Air Fryer Old Bay Shrimp, this is the party-ready version: same bold flavor, threaded onto skewers so they’re easy to grab at game day, cookouts, or backyard get-togethers. Serve them with melted butter or lemon wedges, and you have a KETO and low-carb-friendly dinner, lunch, or appetizer the whole family will love!

Some of my other favorite Air Fryer Shrimp Recipes are AIR FRYER GRILLED SHRIMP SKEWERS, AIR FRYER BAKED SHRIMP SCAMPI, GARLIC PARMESAN AIR-FRIED SHRIMP, and AIR FRYER LEMON PEPPER SHRIMP.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

• Two ways to make it — thread the shrimp onto skewers for that cookout look, or skip the skewers and toss everything right into the basket. Same great flavor either way.
• Ready in 15 minutes — five minutes of prep, ten minutes in the air fryer, and dinner is done.
• Only 5 simple ingredients — shrimp, Old Bay, olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic. That’s it.
• No grill required — get juicy, lightly charred shrimp skewers any time of year, even in the middle of winter.
• Keto and low-carb friendly — just 2 grams of carbs per serving, perfect for anyone watching carbs.
• Party perfect — skewered shrimp are easy for guests to grab, with no messy fingers and no forks needed.

Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Old Bay Shrimp Skewers

Remember, the step-by-step directions and detailed ingredient list are below in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, as well as the nutritional information.

• Raw Shrimp: Use large or jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined. Larger shrimp hold onto skewers better and stay juicier. Fresh or thawed from frozen both work perfectly.
• Old Bay Seasoning: The star of the show — that iconic, slightly spicy blend of celery salt, paprika, and spices that was made for seafood. It’s the same seasoning that makes my Air Fryer Seafood Boil taste like a Maryland crab shack.
• Olive Oil: Helps the seasoning stick and gives the shrimp those lightly crisped edges.
• Lemon Juice: Brightens everything up and enhances the shrimp’s natural sweetness.
• Garlic (optional): Minced fresh garlic adds another layer of flavor.
• Wooden or Metal Skewers (optional!): If using wooden skewers, choose 6-inch ones so they fit in your air fryer basket. No skewers? No problem — directions for both methods are below.
• Fresh Herbs (optional, for garnish): Chopped parsley or cilantro makes these look restaurant-worthy.

How To Make Old Bay Shrimp Skewers In The Air Fryer

Step 1: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 20 minutes before threading. This prevents them from scorching in the air fryer. Metal skewers can be used right away — just make sure they fit your basket. (Skipping skewers? Jump ahead to the next section.)

Step 2: Peel and devein the shrimp if not already done, leaving the tails on for easier handling. Pat the shrimp completely dry with paper towels — this helps the seasoning stick and gives you a better sear.

Step 3: Place the shrimp in a large bowl with the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and Old Bay seasoning. Toss until evenly coated.

Step 4: Thread 4–5 shrimp onto each skewer, piercing through both the head end and tail end of each shrimp so they lie flat and cook evenly. Don’t crowd them — a little space between shrimp helps the hot air circulate.

Step 5: Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees F (193°C) for 2–3 minutes.

Step 6: Place the skewers in a single layer in the basket, working in batches if needed. Air fry at 380°F for 8–9 minutes, flipping the skewers halfway through, until the shrimp are pink, opaque, and lightly crisped at the edges.

Step 7: Serve immediately with lemon wedges, melted butter, or cocktail sauce. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.

How To Make This Recipe WITHOUT Skewers

Don’t have skewers, or just want dinner on the table faster? Season the shrimp exactly the same way, then place them directly in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry at 400 degrees F (200°C) for 6–8 minutes — no flipping needed if your air fryer circulates air well. Loose shrimp cook a little faster than skewered shrimp because the hot air hits every surface, so start checking at the 6-minute mark. (This basket method is exactly how I make my original Air Fryer Old Bay Shrimp — head there if you want the full no-skewer version.)

Which method should you choose? Skewers are perfect for entertaining, meal prep, and serving at parties — they look impressive and they’re easy to grab. The basket method is faster and great for tossing the shrimp into shrimp tacos, pastas, salads, or rice bowls.

Pro Tips

• Uniform size matters: Use shrimp that are all roughly the same size so everything finishes cooking at the same time.
• Don’t overcook: Shrimp go from perfect to rubbery fast. The moment they turn pink and opaque and curl into a loose “C” shape, they’re done. A tight “O” shape means they’ve gone too far.
• Don’t overcrowd the basket: Cook in batches if needed. Crowded shrimp steam instead of crisp.
• Rest before serving: Let the skewers rest 2–3 minutes after cooking so the juices redistribute.
• Adjust the Old Bay to taste: One teaspoon gives a mild, family-friendly flavor. Bump it to a full tablespoon if you like a bolder, spicier bite — and if you really love heat, try my Air Fryer Spicy New Orleans Shrimp next.

Variations

• Surf-and-Veggie Skewers: Alternate shrimp with chunks of bell pepper, red onion, zucchini, or pineapple on each skewer. Add 1–2 minutes to the cook time.
• Garlic Butter Old Bay Skewers: Brush the cooked skewers with melted garlic butter right before serving for an extra-indulgent finish. If garlic butter shrimp is your thing, you’ll also love my Air Fryer Garlic and Lemon Shrimp.
• Sweet-and-Savory Skewers: Brush the skewers with a honey-garlic glaze in the last 2 minutes of cooking — the same flavor idea as my Air Fryer Honey Garlic Shrimp, but on a stick.
• Steakhouse-Style Skewers: Swap Old Bay for a smoky, Aussie-style seasoning blend like the one in my Air Fryer Shrimp on the Barbie (Outback Copycat).
• Frozen Shrimp, No Skewers: Forgot to thaw? Skip the skewers and follow my Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp method — toss frozen shrimp with olive oil and Old Bay, then air fry loose in the basket at 400°F for 8–10 minutes, shaking halfway through.

Air Fryer Old Bay Shrimp Skewers FAQ’s

Can I make Old Bay shrimp in the air fryer without skewers? Absolutely! Season the shrimp the same way and air fry them loose in the basket at 400°F for 6–8 minutes. Skewers are purely for presentation and easy serving — the flavor is identical either way. My original Air Fryer Old Bay Shrimp recipe walks through the no-skewer method in full detail.

Do I need to soak wooden skewers for the air fryer? Yes — soak wooden skewers in water for at least 20 minutes before threading. Even though there’s no open flame, the dry circulating heat of an air fryer can scorch dry wooden skewers.

What size skewers fit in an air fryer? Six-inch skewers fit most standard air fryer baskets. If your skewers are too long, trim wooden ones with kitchen shears or arrange metal ones diagonally in the basket.

Can I use frozen shrimp? Yes, but thaw them completely and pat them dry before seasoning and threading. Thawed shrimp hold seasoning better and cook more evenly. You can thaw shrimp quickly in a bowl of cold water — or cook them straight from frozen (without skewers) using my Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp directions.

How do I know when the shrimp are done? The shrimp are done when they turn pink and opaque and curl into a loose “C” shape. For food safety, shrimp should reach an internal temperature of 145°F.

How do I store and reheat leftovers? Store leftover shrimp (on or off the skewers) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. Reheat gently in the air fryer at 325°F for 2–3 minutes to keep them from drying out. Leftover shrimp are also amazing piled onto a Seafood Baked Potato the next day!

What should I serve with shrimp skewers? Lemon wedges, melted butter, cocktail sauce, or homemade tartar sauce for dipping. For sides, try air fryer vegetables, rice, a fresh salad, or corn on the cob for a full cookout-style meal. Planning a bigger spread? These skewers fit right into my Weekly Meal Plan.

More Air Fryer Shrimp Recipes

Looking for more easy shrimp dinners? You can browse every recipe in my Air Fryer recipe index, or jump straight to these favorites:

• AIR FRYER OLD BAY SHRIMP (the classic, no-skewer version)
• AIR FRYER GRILLED SHRIMP SKEWERS
• AIR FRYER CRISPY SHRIMP
• AIR FRYER SOUTHWESTERN SHRIMP TACOS
• AIR FRYER LEMON PEPPER SHRIMP
• AIR FRYER SEAFOOD BOIL

Don’t Forget To Pin!