You know those days when you want something delicious but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen? That’s exactly why I fell in love with this air fryer garlic shrimp with lemon roasted potatoes recipe. It’s my go-to when I need a meal that’s fast, flavorful, and feels just a little bit fancy—without any fuss. The air fryer works its magic, giving the shrimp a perfect bite and the potatoes that crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside texture we all crave. And let me tell you, the garlic and lemon? Absolute game-changers. I stumbled onto this combo one busy weeknight when I was desperate for something easy, and now it’s in our regular rotation. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll be hooked too.
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Recipes for Garlic Shrimp with Lemon Roasted Potatoes
Let me count the ways this dish will become your new weeknight hero:
- Lightning fast: From fridge to table in under 30 minutes – even my teenage son can’t finish his video game that fast!
- One-basket wonder: The air fryer means no multiple pans to scrub – just toss everything in and walk away.
- Flavor bomb: That garlic-leon combo? It’s like a vacation for your taste buds. The air fryer intensifies every note.
- Perfect textures: Shrimp stay juicy while potatoes get that irresistible crispy edge you normally only get from deep frying.
- Surprisingly light: All that flavor comes without the heavy oil – you’ll feel good after eating it too.
I swear, this recipe converted my “I don’t like shrimp” husband. That’s how good it is.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Garlic Shrimp with Lemon Roasted Potatoes
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this flavor-packed dish – and a few insider tips to get it just right:
- 1 lb shrimp – peeled and deveined (thaw them overnight in the fridge if frozen, no shortcuts here!)
- 3 medium potatoes – I like Yukon Golds, diced into 1-inch cubes (keep them similar-sized so they cook evenly)
- 4 cloves garlic – freshly minced (please, please don’t use that jarred stuff – it makes all the difference)
- 2 tbsp olive oil – the good stuff for coating
- 1 lemon – we’ll use both the zest and juice (pro tip: zest it before juicing!)
- 1 tsp paprika – smoked or sweet, your choice
- 1/2 tsp salt – I prefer kosher for even seasoning
- 1/4 tsp black pepper – freshly ground if you can
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley – chopped (save the stems for stock!)
See? Nothing fancy – just good, simple ingredients that work magic together. Now let’s get cooking!
How to Make Air Fryer Garlic Shrimp with Lemon Roasted Potatoes
Okay, let’s get down to business! This recipe comes together so easily, but there are a few key steps that’ll take it from good to “oh my goodness” delicious. Follow along and you’ll have restaurant-worthy results right from your air fryer.
Prepping the Potatoes
First things first – those potatoes need some love! In a big bowl, toss your diced potatoes with half the garlic, paprika, salt, lemon zest, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Get in there with your hands – you want every single cube coated evenly. That oil and seasoning blanket is what gives them that gorgeous golden crust. Don’t be shy with the mixing!
Cooking the Shrimp
While those potatoes start cooking, give your shrimp a quick massage with the remaining olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and black pepper. When the potatoes have about 5 minutes left, carefully pull out the basket and scatter the shrimp right on top. No need to stir – just spread them out evenly so they cook uniformly. In just 5-7 minutes, they’ll turn that perfect pink color and curl slightly – that’s your cue they’re done! Overcooked shrimp turn rubbery, so keep an eye on them.
Give everything a final toss with fresh parsley right in the basket (those juices are gold!), then serve immediately while it’s piping hot. That first bite of crispy potatoes with garlicky shrimp and bright lemon? Pure heaven!
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Recipes for Garlic Shrimp with Lemon Roasted Potatoes
Want to take your air fryer shrimp and potatoes from good to “can’t-stop-eating-it” amazing? Here are my hard-won secrets:
- Dry those shrimp! Pat them thoroughly with paper towels before seasoning – any extra moisture keeps them from getting that nice light sear.
- Potato perfection: Cut them into uniform 1-inch cubes. Bigger pieces stay hard, smaller ones burn – I learned this the hard way!
- Season in layers: Taste your potato seasoning mix before adding to the air fryer. If it doesn’t make you want to eat it raw, add more!
- Don’t overcrowd: Leave space between shrimp and potatoes for proper air circulation. Cook in batches if needed – it’s worth the extra few minutes.
- Lemon last: Add an extra squeeze of fresh lemon juice right before serving for that bright pop of flavor.
Follow these simple tricks and you’ll have a foolproof dish every single time!
Ingredient Substitutions and Variations
I love playing with this recipe – it’s surprisingly adaptable! Swap sweet potatoes for regular if you want extra sweetness (just add 2-3 extra minutes cook time). Not a parsley fan? Cilantro or chives work beautifully. Out of fresh lemons? A tablespoon of white wine vinegar gives a similar tang. But here’s my rule: never substitute fresh garlic – powdered just doesn’t pack the same punch. And please, for the love of crispy potatoes, don’t skip the olive oil!
Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Garlic Shrimp and Potatoes
Oh, let me tell you how I love to serve this dish! A simple arugula salad with shaved parmesan makes the perfect fresh counterpoint to those rich flavors. For extra garlic lovers (like me!), pile everything on top of grilled crusty bread to soak up all those amazing juices. Always, always have extra lemon wedges on the side – that bright acidity cuts through the richness so beautifully. Sometimes I’ll add a quick tzatziki or aioli for dipping, but honestly? It’s spectacular just as-is straight from the basket!
Storage and Reheating
Here’s the scoop on leftovers – they actually reheat beautifully! Store any extras in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days (though honestly, it rarely lasts that long in my house). When you’re ready for round two, skip the microwave – it’ll turn your crispy potatoes into sad mush. Instead, pop everything back in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes. It brings back that perfect texture like magic! Just don’t forget to give the basket a little shake halfway through.
Nutritional Information
Here’s the skinny on this dish – each generous serving packs about 350 calories, with 25g protein from those beautiful shrimp and 35g carbs from the potatoes. You’re looking at 12g fat (mostly the good kind from olive oil) and a solid 4g fiber to keep you full. Now, full disclosure – these numbers can wiggle a bit depending on your exact ingredients (I’m looking at you, extra-large shrimp lovers!). But overall? It’s a meal that tastes indulgent while keeping things balanced.
Frequently Asked Questions
I get asked these questions ALL the time about my favorite air fryer shrimp and potatoes – here’s the scoop:
- Can I use frozen shrimp? Absolutely! Just thaw them overnight in the fridge – cooking frozen shrimp directly makes them watery and sad.
- What if my shrimp are bigger? Add 1-2 minutes cook time per size up (I’m talking jumbo shrimp territory here). Watch closely – they’ll tell you when they’re done!
- Can I toss in other veggies? Oh yes! Bell peppers or zucchini work great – just add them halfway since they cook faster than potatoes.
- No air fryer? You can bake at 425°F, but you’ll miss that signature crispiness – and it’ll take nearly twice as long. Worth the investment!
- Make it ahead? Prep potatoes up to 4 hours early (keep coated in oil/spices), but season shrimp right before cooking for best texture.
There you have it – all my shrimp-and-tater wisdom in one spot! Got more questions? Just holler – I’m always happy to chat food.
Print
35-Minute Air Fryer Garlic Shrimp with Heavenly Lemon Potatoes
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Diet: Low Calorie
Description
Make garlic shrimp with lemon roasted potatoes in your air fryer for a quick and flavorful meal.
Ingredients
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3 medium potatoes, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lemon, juiced and zested
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Toss the diced potatoes with 1 tbsp olive oil, half the garlic, lemon zest, salt, and paprika.
- Place potatoes in the air fryer basket and cook for 15 minutes, shaking halfway.
- In a bowl, mix shrimp with remaining olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and black pepper.
- Add shrimp to the air fryer with potatoes and cook for 5-7 minutes until shrimp are pink.
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh garlic for the best flavor.
- Adjust cooking time based on shrimp size.
- Serve immediately for best texture.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 180mg
Keywords: air fryer, garlic shrimp, lemon potatoes, easy dinner







