Air Fryer Spanish Gambas al Ajillo

Name: Air Fryer Spanish Gambas al Ajillo Style Shrimp
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 18 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Spanish
Ingredients: 1.5 lb (680 g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined; 4 tbsp olive oil; 6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced; 1 tsp smoked paprika; 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (or 1 dried guindilla); 1/2 tsp kosher salt; Lemon and chopped parsley, to finish; Crusty bread, to serve

Classic gambas swim in a cazuela of oil. Here you dress shrimp with garlic, chile and oil, then air-fry just until opaque. Spoon the garlicky drippings over bread.

18 min total
390°F / 199°C
4 servings
10 min prep

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Do not walk away

Shrimp tip from perfect to rubber in a minute. Start checking at 6 minutes.

Air Fryer Spanish Gambas al Ajillo

Prep 10 min · Cook 8 min · Total 18 min · 4 servings

Air Fryer390°F / 199°C

Basket time8 min

Flip / shakeat 4 min

Tested onCosori 5.8 qt, 1700W

Crowding. One layer. Crowded shrimp steam pale.

Step-by-step instructions

Follow each step in order. Photos show what to look for so the basket finish matches the plate.

Season

Season the shrimp
Toss shrimp with olive oil, garlic, paprika, pepper flakes and salt.
Slice garlic thin so it toasts instead of burning in clumps. Paprika should tint the oil red.
Raw shrimp tossed with garlic, oil and paprika

Cook

Spread in the basket
Preheat the air fryer to 390°F (199°C). Spread shrimp in a single layer.
One layer keeps shrimp from steaming pale. Save the garlicky oil for bread.
Garlic shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer
Cook just until opaque
Cook 6-8 minutes, shaking once, until opaque and lightly curled. Garlic should smell toasted, not burnt.
Shrimp tip from perfect to rubber quickly. Start checking at 6 minutes.
Finish at the table
Finish with lemon and parsley. Serve immediately with bread for the oil.
Lemon, parsley and bread turn the oil into the best part of the dish.
Finished Spanish gambas al ajillo