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Plate of honey garlic shrimp with green onions and broccoli.

Air Fryer Honey Garlic Shrimp

Succulent shrimp coated in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce, air fried to perfection in just minutes. This quick and delicious dinner is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something impressive with minimal effort.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 23 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Calories: 285
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Shrimp
  • 1 lb large shrimp peeled and deveined, tails on or off
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper freshly ground
For the Honey Garlic Sauce
  • ⅓ cup honey
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce low sodium preferred
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp water
  • 1 tsp cornstarch
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes optional, for heat
For Serving
  • 2 stalks green onions sliced
  • 1 tsp sesame seeds for garnish
  • 2 cups steamed rice for serving

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Medium Mixing Bowl
  • Small saucepan
  • Whisk
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Method
 

Prepare the Shrimp
  1. If using frozen shrimp, thaw completely and pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
  2. In a medium bowl, toss the shrimp with olive oil, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
Air Fry the Shrimp
  1. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (190°C) for 3 minutes.
  2. Place the seasoned shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket (you may need to cook in batches depending on your air fryer size).
  3. Cook for 5-6 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the shrimp are pink and opaque.
Prepare the Honey Garlic Sauce
  1. While the shrimp are cooking, in a small saucepan over medium heat, combine honey, minced garlic, soy sauce, and rice vinegar.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together water and cornstarch to create a slurry.
  3. When the honey mixture begins to simmer, add the cornstarch slurry and red pepper flakes (if using). Whisk continuously until the sauce thickens, about 1-2 minutes.
  4. Remove from heat once the sauce coats the back of a spoon.
Combine and Serve
  1. Transfer the cooked shrimp to a large bowl and pour the warm honey garlic sauce over them. Gently toss until all shrimp are evenly coated.
  2. Serve immediately over steamed rice, garnished with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.

Notes

For extra flavor, you can marinate the shrimp in a tablespoon of the sauce ingredients (minus the cornstarch) for 30 minutes before cooking. If you don't have an air fryer, you can sauté the shrimp in a skillet over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently to prevent the shrimp from becoming tough.