Air Fryer Shrimp Boil

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This simple and quick dinner for two couldn’t be easier made right in the air fryer basket. It’s a one-pot meal made in stages so everything cooks to perfection. No big pot of boiling water needed, just plenty of classic shrimp boil flavor with less mess and easy cleanup!

Air fryer shrimp boil with butter for dipping.

One-Pot Easy Dinner for Two

I’ve always loved a great shrimp boil piled on an outdoor table lined with newspaper and stacked with rolls of paper towels, ramekins of melted garlic butter, fresh lemon wedges, plenty of extra Old Bay seasoning and a few cold beers.

If you’re craving this remarkable meal but don’t want the mess and love recipes with minimal prep, this Air-Fryer Shrimp “Boil” for two is just the thing.

What you’ll need

For the air fryer shrimp boil recipe:

Small red potatoes
Olive oil
Old Bay or other seafood seasoning
Black pepper
Corn on the cob
Extra-large shrimp with shells on
Smoke sausage or substitute andouille or chorizo
Fresh garlic minced

For serving:

Fresh parsley
Unsalted butter melted
Old Bay seasoning to taste
Lemon wedges
Crusty bread

An air fryer basket with corn, shrimps, sausage and potatoes ready to air fry.

How to make Air-Fryer Shrimp Boil

Preheat the air fryer according to the manufacturer’s directions.

Start with the potatoes. Toss the potatoes with oil, Old Bay seasoning and pepper. Air fry for 10 minutes, tossing halfway through. Add the corn to the basket with the potatoes.

Prepare the shrimp. Using a small sharp knife or kitchen shears, cut through the shell along the back of each shrimp and remove the vein, leaving the shell and tail intact. Cut about 1/2-inch deep into the shrimp, taking care not to slice all the way through.

Add the shrimp and sausage. Toss the prepared shrimp, sausage and garlic with the remaining oil and Old Bay seasoning. Add everything to the air fryer basket with the potatoes and corn. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the shrimp are opaque and cooked through.

Serve and enjoy. Transfer the shrimp, sausage, potatoes and corn to a large platter. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with garlic butter, lemon wedges and extra Old Bay seasoning, if desired.

A pan filled with shrimp boil ingredients.

Can you really make a shrimp boil in an air fryer without water?

Yes you can! The ingredients are seasoned and air fried instead of simmered in a large pot of water, giving you all those familiar shrimp-boil flavors with less mess, no giant stockpot and easy cleanup.

Can I use frozen shrimp and do they need to be thawed first?

Yes, you can use frozen shrimp and I highly recommend it! They need to be thawed first, according to package directions, so you will be able to cut the shells and devein the shrimp before cooking.

Should I use peeled shrimp or shell-on shrimp?

Always use shell-on shrimp for this recipe. They will be juicer, more flavorful and tender.

Can I use frozen corn instead of fresh corn on the cob?

Yes you can. Place the frozen corn on top of the uncooked potatoes and air fry them together. Frozen corn needs more time to cook than fresh.

Can I use Cajun or Creole seasoning in place of Old Bay?

Absolutely! Use your favorite spices and adjust accordingly based on the sodium content of the seasoning.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes, If you plan to serve more than two people. I would air fry the ingredients in two batches unless you have an extra-large air fry basket that can hold double the ingredients. Let everyone start eating the first batch while the second batch cooks.

A shrimp being dipped into melted butter.

What to serve with Air Fryer Shrimp “Boil”

This easy Air Fryer Shrimp Boil is pretty much a complete meal with shrimp, sausage, potatoes and corn all in one basket. If you want to round things out, serve it with crusty bread for soaking up the buttery seasoned juices, a crisp green salad or creamy coleslaw. Don’t forget plenty of fresh lemon wedges and a little extra melted butter or cocktail sauce for dipping!

Subtitutions and add-ins

Any kind of seafood seasoning will work. Homemade is best for a lower sodium option. We typically use Old Bay.
Try creole or cajun seasoning in place of the Old Bay.
Substitute chorizo or andouille sausage.
Add onion wedges with the shrimp.

A baking pan loaded with cooked shrimp, potatoes, corn and sausage with melted butter for dipping.

TIPS for a great shrimp boil (in an air fryer)

READ all the directions through before starting.
Don’t overcook the shrimp. They’re done once opaque throughout.
Generally smoked sausages are fully cooked so you don’t need to worry about the short cooking time.
Corn is best when not overcooked. You want it to be crisp and juicy not shriveled and dried out.
Snipping the shells on the shrimp makes for easy peeling while keeping the meat juicy, flavorful and delicate.
Be generous with the Old Bay seasoning on individual servings.