FREE DINNER EBOOK! Get your copy!

Air Fryer Garlic Butter Shrimp Skewers Savory Delight

by on September 12, 2025
Save It Jump to Recipe

Looking to impress your guests with a tasty dish that’s quick and easy? Try my Air Fryer Garlic Butter Shrimp Skewers! Juicy shrimp bathed in rich, garlicky butter come together for a delightful meal. In this post, I’ll walk you through selecting the best ingredients, prepping your shrimp, and cooking them to perfection. Let’s dive into this savory delight that will leave everyone asking for seconds!

- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped (reserve extra for garnish) - 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice - 1 teaspoon paprika - Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste - Skewers (if using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes prior to use) When you pick shrimp, look for ones that smell like the ocean. They should feel firm and springy. Choose shrimp that have a shiny, clear shell. Avoid any that look dull or have dark spots. The eyes should be clear and not cloudy. Fresh shrimp should have a slight sheen, showing they are just right. If you can’t find large shrimp, medium ones work well too. You can swap butter for olive oil or ghee for a different flavor. Fresh parsley can be replaced with cilantro or basil for a twist. If you want spice, try adding cayenne pepper instead of paprika. Each of these changes keeps the dish tasty while still being unique. Start by getting a mixing bowl. Add 4 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter. Then, toss in 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon of finely chopped parsley, 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon of paprika. Sprinkle in some salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Mix everything well until it forms a nice marinade. Next, add 1 pound of peeled and deveined shrimp to the bowl. Gently toss the shrimp in the garlic butter mix until they are fully coated. Let them sit for 15-20 minutes at room temperature. This helps the shrimp soak in all the yummy flavors. Marinating shrimp is simple. Use a bowl big enough to hold the shrimp and marinade. The key is to coat each shrimp well. You want the garlic and butter to cover them completely. Give them time to soak in the marinade. Fifteen to twenty minutes is perfect. If you let them marinate too long, they can become mushy. Keep an eye on the time, and you will have tasty shrimp! Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) while the shrimp marinates. This step is crucial for getting that nice, crispy texture. If you skip preheating, the shrimp may cook unevenly. When the air fryer reaches the right temperature, you are ready to cook. Make sure to check your air fryer’s instructions for any specific preheating tips. First, gather your shrimp and skewers. If you use wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes. This step helps prevent burning during cooking. Next, take each shrimp and thread it onto the skewer. Make sure to leave a small gap between each shrimp. This gap allows hot air to flow around them. It helps them cook evenly and get crispy. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). This high heat gives the shrimp a nice sear. Once your shrimp are on the skewers, place them in the air fryer basket. Cook them for 6-8 minutes. You’ll know they are done when they turn pink and opaque. Remember, cooking times may vary based on the size of the shrimp. To ensure even cooking, flip the skewers halfway through the cooking time. This step helps both sides get that golden color. Use tongs to carefully turn them. This way, every shrimp gets perfectly cooked and stays juicy. Enjoy the flavorful garlic butter shrimp skewers hot and fresh! {{image_4}} To get the best garlic butter flavor, use fresh garlic. Fresh garlic has a sharper taste than dried garlic. Mince the garlic finely for the most flavor. Combine it with melted butter right before you use it. This step helps keep the garlic flavor bright. One common mistake is overcooking the shrimp. Shrimp cooks quickly, so watch the time closely. If you cook them too long, they become rubbery. Another mistake is skipping the marinating step. Letting the shrimp soak in the garlic butter mix is key for great taste. Serve your shrimp skewers with lemon wedges for a fresh kick. A sprinkle of extra parsley adds color and flavor. You can also pair them with a light salad or rice. This makes for a complete meal that feels special and fresh. Enjoy your savory delight! To kick up the heat, add some red pepper flakes to your garlic butter mix. Just a pinch can transform the dish into a spicy delight. If you love more heat, try adding sliced jalapeños to your skewers. This adds both flavor and a fun twist. You can also use a hot sauce of your choice. Just drizzle it on after cooking for extra spice. Fresh herbs can elevate your shrimp skewers. Try adding fresh thyme, dill, or basil to your garlic butter mix. Each herb gives a unique taste. You can also mix and match herbs for a more complex flavor. For a citrus touch, add fresh lime zest. This will brighten up the dish and complement the shrimp nicely. Pair your shrimp skewers with a light salad or steamed vegetables. A fresh cucumber salad adds crunch and coolness. For a fun twist, serve with garlic bread on the side. If you want dipping options, a tangy cocktail sauce or a spicy aioli works well. These options will please your guests and make your meal special. Yes, you can use frozen shrimp. Just make sure to thaw them first. Place the shrimp in cold water for about 15-20 minutes. After thawing, pat them dry before marinating. This step helps the marinade stick better, giving you more flavor. You can use olive oil or coconut oil instead of butter. Both options work well to keep the shrimp moist. If you want a richer taste, try using ghee. It has a nutty flavor that can enhance your dish. Cooked shrimp turn pink and opaque. They should curl into a C shape. If they stay straight and look shiny, they need more time. Typically, you will cook them for 6-8 minutes in the air fryer. Use a meat thermometer to check for a safe temperature of 120°F (49°C). This blog post covered how to make garlic butter shrimp skewers. We discussed key ingredients, like fresh shrimp, and offered tips for selection. I shared detailed steps for marinating and cooking shrimp in your air fryer. You learned about flavor variations and served ideas to elevate the dish. Remember to avoid common mistakes to ensure success. With these tips, you can impress anyone with your cooking. Enjoy making your shrimp skewers!

Ingredients

List of required ingredients

– 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined

– 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

– 4 cloves garlic, minced

– 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped (reserve extra for garnish)

– 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

– 1 teaspoon paprika

– Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

– Skewers (if using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes prior to use)

Tips for selecting fresh shrimp

When you pick shrimp, look for ones that smell like the ocean. They should feel firm and springy. Choose shrimp that have a shiny, clear shell. Avoid any that look dull or have dark spots. The eyes should be clear and not cloudy. Fresh shrimp should have a slight sheen, showing they are just right.

Alternative options for ingredients

If you can’t find large shrimp, medium ones work well too. You can swap butter for olive oil or ghee for a different flavor. Fresh parsley can be replaced with cilantro or basil for a twist. If you want spice, try adding cayenne pepper instead of paprika. Each of these changes keeps the dish tasty while still being unique.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Detailed preparation steps

Start by getting a mixing bowl. Add 4 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter. Then, toss in 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon of finely chopped parsley, 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon of paprika. Sprinkle in some salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Mix everything well until it forms a nice marinade. Next, add 1 pound of peeled and deveined shrimp to the bowl. Gently toss the shrimp in the garlic butter mix until they are fully coated. Let them sit for 15-20 minutes at room temperature. This helps the shrimp soak in all the yummy flavors.

How to properly marinate shrimp

Marinating shrimp is simple. Use a bowl big enough to hold the shrimp and marinade. The key is to coat each shrimp well. You want the garlic and butter to cover them completely. Give them time to soak in the marinade. Fifteen to twenty minutes is perfect. If you let them marinate too long, they can become mushy. Keep an eye on the time, and you will have tasty shrimp!

Air fryer preheating instructions

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) while the shrimp marinates. This step is crucial for getting that nice, crispy texture. If you skip preheating, the shrimp may cook unevenly. When the air fryer reaches the right temperature, you are ready to cook. Make sure to check your air fryer’s instructions for any specific preheating tips.

Cooking Instructions

Skewer assembly technique

First, gather your shrimp and skewers. If you use wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes. This step helps prevent burning during cooking. Next, take each shrimp and thread it onto the skewer. Make sure to leave a small gap between each shrimp. This gap allows hot air to flow around them. It helps them cook evenly and get crispy.

Cooking time and temperature guidelines

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). This high heat gives the shrimp a nice sear. Once your shrimp are on the skewers, place them in the air fryer basket. Cook them for 6-8 minutes. You’ll know they are done when they turn pink and opaque. Remember, cooking times may vary based on the size of the shrimp.

Flipping for even cooking

To ensure even cooking, flip the skewers halfway through the cooking time. This step helps both sides get that golden color. Use tongs to carefully turn them. This way, every shrimp gets perfectly cooked and stays juicy. Enjoy the flavorful garlic butter shrimp skewers hot and fresh!

Tips & Tricks

How to achieve perfect garlic butter flavor

To get the best garlic butter flavor, use fresh garlic. Fresh garlic has a sharper taste than dried garlic. Mince the garlic finely for the most flavor. Combine it with melted butter right before you use it. This step helps keep the garlic flavor bright.

Common mistakes to avoid

One common mistake is overcooking the shrimp. Shrimp cooks quickly, so watch the time closely. If you cook them too long, they become rubbery. Another mistake is skipping the marinating step. Letting the shrimp soak in the garlic butter mix is key for great taste.

Recommended serving suggestions

Serve your shrimp skewers with lemon wedges for a fresh kick. A sprinkle of extra parsley adds color and flavor. You can also pair them with a light salad or rice. This makes for a complete meal that feels special and fresh. Enjoy your savory delight!

Variations

Spicy garlic butter shrimp skewers

To kick up the heat, add some red pepper flakes to your garlic butter mix. Just a pinch can transform the dish into a spicy delight. If you love more heat, try adding sliced jalapeños to your skewers. This adds both flavor and a fun twist. You can also use a hot sauce of your choice. Just drizzle it on after cooking for extra spice.

Herb variations for additional flavor

Fresh herbs can elevate your shrimp skewers. Try adding fresh thyme, dill, or basil to your garlic butter mix. Each herb gives a unique taste. You can also mix and match herbs for a more complex flavor. For a citrus touch, add fresh lime zest. This will brighten up the dish and complement the shrimp nicely.

Serving ideas with sides or sauces

Pair your shrimp skewers with a light salad or steamed vegetables. A fresh cucumber salad adds crunch and coolness. For a fun twist, serve with garlic bread on the side. If you want dipping options, a tangy cocktail sauce or a spicy aioli works well. These options will please your guests and make your meal special.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp?

Yes, you can use frozen shrimp. Just make sure to thaw them first. Place the shrimp in cold water for about 15-20 minutes. After thawing, pat them dry before marinating. This step helps the marinade stick better, giving you more flavor.

What can I substitute for butter?

You can use olive oil or coconut oil instead of butter. Both options work well to keep the shrimp moist. If you want a richer taste, try using ghee. It has a nutty flavor that can enhance your dish.

How do I know when the shrimp are fully cooked?

Cooked shrimp turn pink and opaque. They should curl into a C shape. If they stay straight and look shiny, they need more time. Typically, you will cook them for 6-8 minutes in the air fryer. Use a meat thermometer to check for a safe temperature of 120°F (49°C).

This blog post covered how to make garlic butter shrimp skewers. We discussed key ingredients, like fresh shrimp, and offered tips for selection. I shared detailed steps for marinating and cooking shrimp in your air fryer. You learned about flavor variations and served ideas to elevate the dish.

Remember to avoid common mistakes to ensure success. With these tips, you can impress anyone with your cooking. Enjoy making your shrimp skewers!

- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped (reserve extra for garnish) - 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice - 1 teaspoon paprika - Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste - Skewers (if using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes prior to use) When you pick shrimp, look for ones that smell like the ocean. They should feel firm and springy. Choose shrimp that have a shiny, clear shell. Avoid any that look dull or have dark spots. The eyes should be clear and not cloudy. Fresh shrimp should have a slight sheen, showing they are just right. If you can’t find large shrimp, medium ones work well too. You can swap butter for olive oil or ghee for a different flavor. Fresh parsley can be replaced with cilantro or basil for a twist. If you want spice, try adding cayenne pepper instead of paprika. Each of these changes keeps the dish tasty while still being unique. Start by getting a mixing bowl. Add 4 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter. Then, toss in 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon of finely chopped parsley, 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon of paprika. Sprinkle in some salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Mix everything well until it forms a nice marinade. Next, add 1 pound of peeled and deveined shrimp to the bowl. Gently toss the shrimp in the garlic butter mix until they are fully coated. Let them sit for 15-20 minutes at room temperature. This helps the shrimp soak in all the yummy flavors. Marinating shrimp is simple. Use a bowl big enough to hold the shrimp and marinade. The key is to coat each shrimp well. You want the garlic and butter to cover them completely. Give them time to soak in the marinade. Fifteen to twenty minutes is perfect. If you let them marinate too long, they can become mushy. Keep an eye on the time, and you will have tasty shrimp! Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) while the shrimp marinates. This step is crucial for getting that nice, crispy texture. If you skip preheating, the shrimp may cook unevenly. When the air fryer reaches the right temperature, you are ready to cook. Make sure to check your air fryer’s instructions for any specific preheating tips. First, gather your shrimp and skewers. If you use wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes. This step helps prevent burning during cooking. Next, take each shrimp and thread it onto the skewer. Make sure to leave a small gap between each shrimp. This gap allows hot air to flow around them. It helps them cook evenly and get crispy. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). This high heat gives the shrimp a nice sear. Once your shrimp are on the skewers, place them in the air fryer basket. Cook them for 6-8 minutes. You’ll know they are done when they turn pink and opaque. Remember, cooking times may vary based on the size of the shrimp. To ensure even cooking, flip the skewers halfway through the cooking time. This step helps both sides get that golden color. Use tongs to carefully turn them. This way, every shrimp gets perfectly cooked and stays juicy. Enjoy the flavorful garlic butter shrimp skewers hot and fresh! {{image_4}} To get the best garlic butter flavor, use fresh garlic. Fresh garlic has a sharper taste than dried garlic. Mince the garlic finely for the most flavor. Combine it with melted butter right before you use it. This step helps keep the garlic flavor bright. One common mistake is overcooking the shrimp. Shrimp cooks quickly, so watch the time closely. If you cook them too long, they become rubbery. Another mistake is skipping the marinating step. Letting the shrimp soak in the garlic butter mix is key for great taste. Serve your shrimp skewers with lemon wedges for a fresh kick. A sprinkle of extra parsley adds color and flavor. You can also pair them with a light salad or rice. This makes for a complete meal that feels special and fresh. Enjoy your savory delight! To kick up the heat, add some red pepper flakes to your garlic butter mix. Just a pinch can transform the dish into a spicy delight. If you love more heat, try adding sliced jalapeños to your skewers. This adds both flavor and a fun twist. You can also use a hot sauce of your choice. Just drizzle it on after cooking for extra spice. Fresh herbs can elevate your shrimp skewers. Try adding fresh thyme, dill, or basil to your garlic butter mix. Each herb gives a unique taste. You can also mix and match herbs for a more complex flavor. For a citrus touch, add fresh lime zest. This will brighten up the dish and complement the shrimp nicely. Pair your shrimp skewers with a light salad or steamed vegetables. A fresh cucumber salad adds crunch and coolness. For a fun twist, serve with garlic bread on the side. If you want dipping options, a tangy cocktail sauce or a spicy aioli works well. These options will please your guests and make your meal special. Yes, you can use frozen shrimp. Just make sure to thaw them first. Place the shrimp in cold water for about 15-20 minutes. After thawing, pat them dry before marinating. This step helps the marinade stick better, giving you more flavor. You can use olive oil or coconut oil instead of butter. Both options work well to keep the shrimp moist. If you want a richer taste, try using ghee. It has a nutty flavor that can enhance your dish. Cooked shrimp turn pink and opaque. They should curl into a C shape. If they stay straight and look shiny, they need more time. Typically, you will cook them for 6-8 minutes in the air fryer. Use a meat thermometer to check for a safe temperature of 120°F (49°C). This blog post covered how to make garlic butter shrimp skewers. We discussed key ingredients, like fresh shrimp, and offered tips for selection. I shared detailed steps for marinating and cooking shrimp in your air fryer. You learned about flavor variations and served ideas to elevate the dish. Remember to avoid common mistakes to ensure success. With these tips, you can impress anyone with your cooking. Enjoy making your shrimp skewers!

Air Fryer Garlic Butter Shrimp Skewers

Indulge in the deliciousness of Air Fryer Garlic Butter Shrimp Skewers with this easy recipe! In just 30 minutes, you can enjoy tender shrimp marinated in a mouthwatering garlic butter sauce, perfectly cooked in the air fryer for a crispy finish. Perfect for any gathering or a quick dinner, these skewers are a must-try. Click through to explore the full recipe and impress your guests with this tasty dish!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients
  

1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped (reserve extra for garnish)

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon paprika

Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

Skewers (if using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes prior to use)

Instructions
 

In a mixing bowl, combine the melted unsalted butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, lemon juice, paprika, and a generous pinch of salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Stir until all ingredients are well combined to form a marinade.

    Add the peeled and deveined shrimp into the bowl. Gently toss them in the garlic butter marinade until they are fully coated. To intensify the flavors, allow the shrimp to marinate for 15-20 minutes at room temperature.

      While the shrimp marinate, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).

        After marination, carefully thread the shrimp onto the skewers. Ensure there is a small gap between each shrimp to allow even cooking and crisping.

          Place the skewers into the air fryer basket, making sure they lie flat in a single layer without overcrowding. Cook for 6-8 minutes, flipping the skewers halfway through the cooking time, until the shrimp turn pink and are fully cooked.

            Once cooked, remove the skewers from the air fryer. Serve immediately, garnished with additional chopped parsley and a light squeeze of lemon juice to enhance the dish's freshness.

              Prep Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes | Servings: 4

                - Presentation Tips: For a beautiful presentation, serve the shrimp skewers on a large platter, perhaps over a bed of fresh greens or with lemon wedges on the side to offer guests. A sprinkle of extra parsley will add a vibrant touch. Enjoy!