Air Fryer Gambas al Ajillo

Name: Air Fryer Gambas al Ajillo
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 7 min
Total time: 12 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: Spanish
Ingredients: 400g large prawns, peeled and deveined; 3 tablespoons olive oil; 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced; 1 dried chili pepper, crumbled; 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika; Salt to taste; Fresh parsley, chopped; Lemon wedges for serving; Crusty bread for dipping

Published: June 23, 2026 | Spanish Cuisine | ⏱ 12 min

Sizzling garlic shrimp gambas al ajillo from air fryer

Gambas al ajillo is Spain's most beloved garlic shrimp tapa, and the air fryer makes it almost effortless. Juicy prawns cook in a sizzling bath of olive oil, garlic, and chili, emerging plump and fragrant in under 10 minutes. Serve with crusty bread for the full Spanish experience.

Recipe Info

Prep Time5 min

Cook Time7 min

Total Time12 min

Servings2

DifficultyEasy

CuisineSpanish

400g large prawns, peeled and deveined
3 tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1 dried chili pepper, crumbled
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Salt to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped
Lemon wedges for serving
Crusty bread for dipping

2 Instructions

Season the prawns

In a bowl, toss prawns with olive oil, sliced garlic, chili, smoked paprika, and salt.

Air fry

Preheat air fryer to 200°C (400°F). Transfer the prawns and oil mixture to an air fryer-safe dish or the basket. Cook for 5-7 minutes until prawns are pink and cooked through.

Serve

Transfer to a serving dish, sprinkle with parsley, and squeeze lemon over the top. Serve immediately with crusty bread.

Pro Tips

Use an oven-safe small dish inside the air fryer basket to keep the garlic and oil together for dipping.
Do not overcook the prawns. They are done as soon as they turn pink and opaque.

Nutrition Information

Calories	190 kcal
Protein	24g
Fat	10g
Saturated Fat	2g
Carbohydrates	1g
Fiber	0g
Sugar	0g
Sodium	320mg

* Nutritional values are approximate and based on per-serving calculations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Thaw them completely and pat very dry with paper towels before seasoning to avoid excess water in the air fryer.

Rating

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4.4 (95 votes)

About the Author

Stephanie Grine

Recipe Developer & Food Enthusiast

I am a passionate home cook who believes that great food brings people together. Every recipe on TodayFoodsMenu is developed, tested, and photographed in my home kitchen — not a professional test...

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