Ready for a healthy dinner in under 20 minutes? Air Fryer Shrimp and Vegetables delivers juicy shrimp and crisp-tender vegetables — a perfect quick weeknight dinner or protein-packed lunch.
This simple, high-protein meal has been a go-to in our kitchen for years. Toss everything in the air fryer and walk away to handle homework, relax, or sneak in a workout. It’s fast, flexible, and ideal for meal prep.
Why you’ll love this Air Fryer Shrimp and Vegetables:
- Ready in about 20 minutes.
- Light, protein-rich meal.
- Naturally low-carb and gluten-free.
- Easy to customize with your favorite vegetables and seasonings.
- Great option for meal prep rotations.
Ingredients:
- Air fryer
- Shrimp, peeled and deveined (tail-off recommended)
- Mixed vegetables (fresh or frozen)
- Cooked rice (white, brown, or cauliflower rice)
- Cajun seasoning (or your favorite spice blend)
- Olive oil spray
Step-by-Step Instructions
- If using frozen shrimp, run under cold water to remove ice and pat dry.
- Optionally line the air fryer basket with foil, leaving space at the edges for airflow. If you use foil, weigh it down with some food so it doesn’t lift.
- Add the vegetables to the air fryer basket first, then top with the raw shrimp.
- Sprinkle the Cajun seasoning evenly over the shrimp and vegetables and mist with olive oil spray.
- Air fry at 360°F (182°C) for 10 minutes.
- Carefully open the basket, toss or turn the shrimp and vegetables, then continue to cook at 360°F for another 10 minutes or until the shrimp are opaque and cooked through.
- Serve immediately over cooked rice.
Tips for success
- Do not overcrowd the basket — give the food room for hot air to circulate for best results.
- If you prefer a crisper vegetable texture, use fresh vegetables or reduce cook time slightly for frozen mixes.
- When using precooked shrimp, add it later in the cycle to avoid overcooking — about halfway through the remaining time.
- Raw shrimp yield the best texture in this recipe.
- Serve with white rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice depending on your dietary preference.
Best shrimp to use
Use raw, peeled and deveined shrimp with the tails removed for easiest eating. Large or small shrimp work; adjust cooking time slightly for very large pieces. Place the vegetables in the basket first, then the shrimp on top so they cook evenly.
Storage and reheating
Cool leftovers and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3–4 minutes, spraying lightly with olive oil if the shrimp or vegetables need a bit of crisping.
Notes
- If using precooked shrimp, start cooking the vegetables first and add the shrimp midway so they warm through without becoming rubbery.
- Adjust seasoning to taste — lemon juice, garlic powder, or a smoked paprika blend work well as alternatives.
Air Fryer Shrimp and Vegetables
Air Fryer Fanatics
5 mins
20 mins
25 mins
Air Fryer Main Dishes
American
4 Servings
5 kcal (per listed serving)
Ingredients
- Small raw shrimp, peeled and deveined (tail-off)
- 1 bag frozen mixed vegetables (or equivalent fresh vegetables)
- 1 tbsp gluten-free Cajun seasoning
- Olive oil spray
- Cooked rice, for serving
Instructions
- If shrimp is frozen, run under cold water to remove ice, then pat dry.
- Optionally line the air fryer with foil and coat with olive oil spray; leave space for airflow.
- Add the vegetables to the basket, then place the raw shrimp on top.
- Sprinkle with Cajun seasoning and mist lightly with olive oil spray.
- Air fry at 360°F for 10 minutes.
- Carefully open, toss the shrimp and vegetables, then continue to air fry at 360°F for another 10 minutes or until shrimp are fully cooked.
- Serve immediately over cooked rice.
Notes
If using precooked shrimp, add it about halfway through the cook time so it warms through without overcooking.
Nutrition
Calories: 5 kcal
Carbohydrates: 1 g
Protein: 0.2 g
Fat: 0.2 g
