Air Fryer Shrimp Boil – Juicy & Ready in 15 Minutes

Air Fryer Shrimp Boil started as a shortcut experiment when I didn’t want to haul out a giant stockpot for a small batch. My first try left the potatoes undercooked and the shrimp slightly overdone because I tossed everything in at once. After testing this three ways, different potato sizes, cook order, and temperatures, I discovered that par-cooking the potatoes first and finishing at 390°F made all the difference. Now everything comes out tender, flavorful, and lightly crisp around the edges without boiling a single drop of water.

Why This Air Fryer Shrimp Boil Recipe Works

Air Fryer Shrimp Boil works because it layers the cooking process. Most traditional shrimp boil recipes rely on boiling, but air frying at 380–400°F creates light caramelization while still keeping shrimp juicy. Cooking the potatoes first ensures they’re fork-tender before adding quick-cooking shrimp.

What makes this version reliable is cutting baby potatoes into halves or quarters and seasoning everything evenly with oil and Old Bay-style spices. Adding shrimp and sausage in the final minutes prevents overcooking. The result is bold, buttery flavor with slightly crisp edges and perfectly pink shrimp.

Timing for Air Fryer Shrimp Boil

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 14–16 minutes
Total Time: 24–26 minutes

Ingredients for Air Fryer Shrimp Boil

Classic boil flavors made air fryer simple.

Main:

• 1 lb large shrimp (16–20 count), peeled and deveined
• 12 oz baby potatoes, halved
• 2 ears corn, cut into thirds
• 8 oz smoked sausage, sliced

Seasoning:

• 1½ tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon melted butter (for finishing)
• Lemon wedges for serving

How to Make Shrimp Boil in the Air Fryer

1. Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (199°C) for 3 minutes.
2. Toss halved potatoes with half the olive oil and half the seasoning.
3. Place potatoes in the basket in a single layer.
4. Air fry at 390°F (199°C) for 8–10 minutes, shaking halfway, until beginning to soften.
5. Add corn pieces and sausage slices to the basket. Toss gently.
6. Cook for another 4–5 minutes until potatoes are fork-tender.
7. Pat shrimp dry and toss with remaining oil and seasoning.
8. Add shrimp to the basket and cook 3–4 minutes until pink and opaque.
9. Check doneness: shrimp should reach 120–125°F (49–52°C) internally and potatoes should be tender.
10. Drizzle melted butter over everything and toss gently before serving with lemon.

Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Shrimp Boil

• Cut potatoes small: Ensures they cook through.
• Cook in stages: Prevents overcooked shrimp.
• Don’t overcrowd: Work in batches for best texture.
• Shake halfway: Promotes even browning.
• Use large shrimp: Smaller shrimp cook too quickly.
• If potatoes need more time: Lower to 375°F (190°C) and cook 2–3 extra minutes.

Storing and Reheating Shrimp Boil

Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Freezing: Not recommended once shrimp are cooked.

Reheating: Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 3–4 minutes until warmed through.

Variations:

• Add Cajun seasoning for extra heat.
• Toss with minced garlic before cooking.
• Add a squeeze of hot sauce after cooking.
• Include red onion chunks for extra flavor.

Conclusion

Air Fryer Shrimp Boil is my favorite way to enjoy those classic bold flavors without the heavy pot or cleanup. The juicy shrimp, tender potatoes, and buttery seasoning come together quickly for a simple but satisfying meal.