These air fryer garlic butter prawns are juicy, tender and packed with delicious garlic, lemon and parsley flavours. They’re a fantastic option for a quick midweek dinner, a simple starter or an easy seafood meal when you’re short on time.
Using a handful of everyday ingredients, you can prepare a flavourful prawn dish without standing over a hot frying pan. Serve with rice, crusty bread or your favourite vegetables for a satisfying meal.
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Garlic Butter Prawns
- Quick cooking: Raw king prawns typically cook in 6–8 minutes.
- Simple ingredients: Garlic, butter, lemon and a few seasonings.
- Minimal washing-up: Everything cooks in the air fryer.
- Versatile: Perfect with pasta, rice, salad or crusty bread.
- Easy to customise: Add chilli flakes or smoked paprika for extra flavour.
Ingredients
Serves 4
- 500g raw, peeled and deveined king prawns, thawed if frozen
- 30g unsalted butter, melted
- 3 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ tsp salt, or to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
- Lemon wedges, to serve
How to Make Garlic Butter Prawns in the Air Fryer
Step 1: Prepare the Prawns
If using frozen prawns, defrost them completely according to the packaging instructions.
Pat the prawns dry with kitchen paper to remove excess moisture.
Step 2: Make the Garlic Butter
In a mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, olive oil, minced garlic, smoked paprika, salt and black pepper.
Add the prawns and toss gently until evenly coated.
Step 3: Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 180°C for approximately 3 minutes if recommended by the manufacturer.
Step 4: Cook the Prawns
Arrange the prawns in a single layer in a suitable air fryer-safe dish or basket. If using a basket, make sure the prawns cannot fall through the openings.
Cook at 180°C for approximately 6–8 minutes, turning or shaking halfway through. Cooking time depends on prawn size and your appliance.
Step 5: Finish with Lemon and Parsley
Check that the prawns are opaque, firm and thoroughly cooked. For an additional temperature check, aim for 63°C in the thickest part.
Add the lemon juice and chopped parsley after cooking, then toss gently.
Serve immediately.
How Long Do Prawns Take in an Air Fryer?
Cooking times depend on their size and whether they are raw or already cooked.
| Prawn type | Approximate time at 180°C |
|---|---|
| Small raw prawns | 4–6 minutes |
| Medium raw prawns | 5–7 minutes |
| Large raw king prawns | 6–8 minutes |
These are starting estimates, not guaranteed cooking times. Check the prawns carefully and follow any relevant packaging instructions.
For this recipe, use raw prawns rather than pre-cooked prawns, which need only gentle reheating.
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Garlic Butter Prawns
Dry the prawns first. Removing excess moisture helps the seasoning coat them evenly.
Avoid overcrowding. Cook in batches if your air fryer basket is small.
Use fresh garlic. Freshly minced garlic provides a stronger flavour than garlic granules.
Watch the cooking time. Prawns can quickly become rubbery if overcooked.
Add lemon at the end. This keeps the flavour bright and fresh.
Keep the butter contained. An air fryer-safe dish can help prevent melted butter from dripping through the basket. Avoid loose baking paper that could touch the heating element.
Delicious Variations
Spicy Garlic Butter Prawns
Add ¼ tsp chilli flakes to the garlic butter mixture for a gentle kick.
Lemon Herb Prawns
Add finely grated lemon zest and a little dried oregano for extra freshness.
Cajun Butter Prawns
Replace the smoked paprika with 1 tsp Cajun seasoning, adjusting the added salt to taste.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Prawns
These garlic butter prawns work beautifully with:
- Fluffy basmati rice
- Crusty bread for soaking up the garlic butter
- Creamy mashed potatoes
- A fresh green salad
- Garlic and lemon pasta
- Steamed broccoli or green beans
For a quick family dinner, serve over warm rice with vegetables and an extra squeeze of lemon.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Allow leftover prawns to cool promptly, then refrigerate in an airtight container within two hours.
Eat refrigerated leftovers within 48 hours. Reheat only once, until steaming hot throughout.
For the best texture, enjoy these prawns freshly cooked.
Air Fryer Garlic Butter Prawns
Equipment
- Air Fryer, Air Fryer-Safe Dish
Ingredients
500 g raw king prawns, peeled and deveined30 g unsalted butter, melted
3 garlic cloves, finely minced
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
½ tsp smoked paprika
¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
¼ tsp salt
2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 lemon, cut into wedges for serving
Instructions
1. Prepare the Prawns: If using frozen prawns, thaw them completely according to the packaging instructions. Pat the raw, peeled and deveined prawns dry with kitchen paper.
2. Make the Garlic Butter: In a mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, olive oil, minced garlic, smoked paprika, salt and black pepper.
3. Coat the Prawns: Add the prawns to the garlic butter mixture and toss gently until evenly coated.
4. Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 180°C for approximately 3 minutes, if recommended by your appliance manufacturer.
5. Arrange the Prawns: Place the prawns in a single layer in a suitable air fryer-safe dish or basket, making sure they cannot fall through the openings. Cook in batches if necessary.
6. Air Fry: Cook at 180°C for approximately 6–8 minutes, turning halfway through. Adjust the time according to the size of the prawns and your air fryer model.
7. Check for Doneness: Make sure the prawns are opaque, firm and thoroughly cooked. For an additional check, the thickest part should reach 63°C.
8. Finish and Serve: Add the fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley after cooking. Toss gently and serve immediately with lemon wedges.
Notes
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you cook frozen prawns in an air fryer?
Yes, but for this garlic butter recipe, thawing them first is recommended. It helps the seasoning coat the prawns evenly and makes cooking more predictable.
What temperature should you cook prawns in an air fryer?
180°C is a good starting temperature for raw king prawns.
How do you know when prawns are cooked?
They should be opaque and firm rather than translucent. Check the thickest part is thoroughly cooked.
Can I use pre-cooked prawns?
Yes, but they only need gentle reheating. Follow the packaging instructions and avoid cooking them for the full time intended for raw prawns.
Can I make this recipe without butter?
You can replace the butter with a little extra olive oil, although the finished flavour will be different.
Are air fryer prawns suitable for meal prep?
They can be prepared ahead, but freshly cooked prawns generally have the best texture. Store and reheat leftovers safely.
Final Thoughts
Air fryer garlic butter prawns are a simple way to prepare a flavourful seafood meal with minimal effort. With garlic, lemon, butter and fresh parsley, this versatile dish pairs well with everything from rice to crusty bread.
It’s an easy recipe to keep in your collection for busy evenings, quick lunches or relaxed family meals.