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Hand holding a garlic butter prawn above a plate of golden prawns with parsley, garlic and lemon wedges.

Air Fryer Garlic Butter Prawns

Juicy air fryer garlic butter prawns with fresh garlic, lemon and parsley. A quick, flavourful seafood recipe that's perfect for easy family dinners or simple starters.
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Prep Time 7 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Appetizer, Dinner
Servings 4 people

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

    Use raw, peeled and deveined king prawns for the best results. Thaw frozen prawns fully and pat dry before seasoning. Cook in a single layer and avoid overcrowding. An air fryer-safe dish helps contain the garlic butter. Add lemon juice and fresh parsley after cooking. Cooking times vary with prawn size and air fryer model. Prawns should be opaque, firm and thoroughly cooked. Refrigerate leftovers promptly and consume within 48 hours. Reheat only once until steaming hot.
    Keyword air fryer garlic butter prawns