Air Fryer King Prawns
Air fryer king prawns take just 6 minutes at 200°C, which makes them one of the fastest ways to get seafood on the table. Tossed in a spoonful of oil with garlic and paprika, they come out pink, plump and lightly browned at the edges, ready in 15 minutes including the preheat. This recipe serves two as a light main, or four as a starter with bread.
- Total
- 14 min
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 9 min
- Serves
- 2
- Per serving
- 160kcal
Getting the texture of air fryer king prawns right
Raw king prawns are sold peeled or in their shells, usually in the freezer aisle at Tesco, Sainsbury's, Aldi or Lidl. Both work here. If you use shell-on prawns, rinse them under cold water first, since shellfish should be washed, then dry them very well.
Most of the work is done by drying the prawns and giving them a single layer. The hot air then browns the edges while the middle stays juicy.
Method for air fryer king prawns
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Preheat Heat the air fryer to 200°C for .
- Dry the prawns If they are frozen, defrost them in the fridge first. Drain well and pat the prawns completely dry with kitchen paper, so the seasoning clings and they brown rather than steam.
- Season Toss the prawns in a bowl with the oil, garlic powder, paprika and salt until evenly coated.
- Air fry Spread the prawns in a single layer in the basket. Cook at 200°C for , shaking the basket after , until they are pink all over, opaque and curled into a loose C shape.
- Serve Tip onto a plate and squeeze over the lemon. Serve while hot.
Serving ideas and variations
Serve the prawns with crusty bread and garlic mayonnaise as a starter, or on top of a rocket and avocado salad for lunch. A pinch of chilli flakes or a teaspoon of lemon zest in the seasoning adds a little heat or freshness. For a crunchier finish, try air fryer battered prawns, or toss the cooked prawns through pasta with prawns and garlic for a bigger meal.
Common problems and fixes for Air Fryer King Prawns
- The prawns are rubbery.
- They are overcooked. King prawns need only 5–6 minutes, so check at 5 and stop as soon as they are pink and opaque. A tight, closed O shape means they have gone too far.
- The prawns steam instead of browning.
- The basket is crowded or they were wet. Pat them dry and keep them to one layer, cooking in two batches if your basket is smaller than 4 litres.
- The seasoning slides off or burns.
- Dry the prawns well so the oil and spices stick, and use garlic powder, not fresh garlic, because fresh garlic scorches in the hot air.
Frequently asked questions about Air Fryer King Prawns
How long do king prawns take in the air fryer?
Raw peeled king prawns take 6 minutes at 200°C, shaken halfway, plus a 3-minute preheat. Shell-on prawns need 7–8 minutes.
Can I cook king prawns from frozen?
It is better not to. Defrost them in the fridge overnight, drain and pat dry. Frozen prawns release water, which stops them from browning.
How do I know when the prawns are cooked?
They turn from grey and translucent to pink and opaque, and curl into a C shape. Cooked prawns should be hot all the way through.
Can I use cooked prawns?
You can, but they only need 2–3 minutes to heat through at 180°C, otherwise they turn tough. Use the recipe for raw prawns for the best texture.
How did you like the recipe?
4.7 / 5 · 46 ratings
