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Crispy Air Fryer New Orleans BBQ Shrimp Recipe with Easy Sesame Ginger Sauce

crispy air fryer New Orleans BBQ shrimp - featured image

A quick and easy recipe for crispy New Orleans-style BBQ shrimp cooked in an air fryer, served with a tangy and sweet sesame ginger sauce. Perfect for entertaining or a flavorful weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tail-on for best presentation)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons Cajun or Creole seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch or arrowroot powder
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water (for thickening)
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Rinse and pat dry 1 pound of large shrimp. Make sure they’re fully thawed if previously frozen.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine 1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Toss the shrimp in the mixture until evenly coated.
  3. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon cornstarch over the shrimp and toss again.
  4. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes.
  5. Place the shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding; cook in batches if necessary.
  6. Air fry shrimp for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until bright pink and crispy.
  7. While shrimp cooks, whisk together 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger, 1 minced garlic clove, and 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil in a small saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
  8. Stir the cornstarch slurry (1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water) into the sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat.
  9. Transfer cooked shrimp to a bowl and pour the warm sesame ginger sauce over. Toss gently to coat.
  10. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
  11. Serve immediately while hot.

Notes

Pat shrimp dry before seasoning to ensure crispiness. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to avoid steaming. Use cornstarch for a crispy crust. Fresh grated ginger enhances the sauce flavor. Reheat shrimp in the air fryer to maintain crispiness. For gluten-free, use tamari and arrowroot powder. Add cayenne or chili flakes for extra heat.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer shrimp, New Orleans BBQ shrimp, crispy shrimp, sesame ginger sauce, Cajun shrimp, easy shrimp recipe, gluten-free shrimp