Easy Blackened Shrimp Recipe (Ready in 10 Minutes!)

Blackened shrimp is one of those recipes that sounds fancy but is secretly SO easy. A quick coat of bold Cajun-inspired spices, a few minutes in the oven (or the air fryer!), and you’ve got a dish that works as an appetizer, a taco filling, a salad topper, or just a straight-up weeknight dinner.

These are done in 10 minutes flat, and they’re the kind of thing that always disappears first at a party — which I learned the hard way when I won a blue ribbon at a friend’s appetizer competition. 😄 No fancy equipment needed, and you probably already have everything in your spice cabinet.

Baked Blackened Shrimp is bursting with spicy delicious flavor. Like our Tuna Patties recipe, this blackened shrimp recipe is a quick and easy appetizer. It is great in tacos, on salad, pasta, or rice. You can make it in no time at all!

We just love blackened anything? Baking shrimp is now my go-to method because they’re perfectly cooked every single time. No more rubbery or mushy results…yuck.

Spicy shrimp makes this a healthier option when prepared as we do in this recipe and it takes only 10 minutes to get these mouthwatering, perfectly cooked shrimp to your table. I call that a win-win!

What Is Blackened Seasoning? (+ How to Make Your Own)

Even though there are so many ways you can season seafood, blackened is one of our favorites.

Blackened seasoning is usually associated with Cajun cooking. Blackened seasoning spices vary, but are known to have a combination of herbs and spices.

I prefer to mix up a lot of my own spices. You can easily buy a premixed blackened seasoning, but I’ve tried so many that I finally made my own. Our homemade Blackened Seasoning is our absolute favorite. I know what’s in it, and I can adjust the heat to our liking. Plus it uses ingredients that I usually have on hand.

How to Buy Shrimp (Fresh or Frozen)

There is not a live shrimp within 1,000 miles of where I live. Here in the midwest, we buy them two ways.

Frozen or previously frozen so I pick it up when it’s on sale and have it in my freezer year-round. Shrimp are great to have on hand.

If you have the option to buy fresh make sure that they don’t have an ammonia smell, are mushy or are falling apart…. I don’t think I even need to tell you this!

I found a great reference from Alton Brown that has a wealth of information, including regulation and sustainability information on shrimp.

How is shrimp size determined?

Shrimp size is based on how many shrimp it takes to make a pound. While regulations vary, this is a general guide. As you can see, there is some overlap.

• Small – 51 or more
• Medium – 36-50
• Large – 26-40
• Jumbo – 16-25
• Colossal – fewer than 15

One of the first things that I consider when I’m buying my shrimp is size. I probably buy Jumbo more than the other sizes.

Shrimp do shrink as they cook even though it’s a little less when they’re baked.

I don’t want to have to search for a shrimp when I sit down to enjoy my meal or am grabbing my share from the appetizer platter.

How do you make Blackened Shrimp

Oven Method

1. Preheat the oven and place a rack over a baking sheet.
2. Drizzle the shrimp with olive oil and coat them with the seasonings.
3. Put the shrimp on the baking sheet in a single layer.
4. Bake

Air Fryer Blackened Shrimp

Don’t have the oven on? The air fryer works beautifully here!

They’re done when they turn pink and curl into a “C” shape. If they’re curling into an “O,” pull them out — they’re done!

Toss shrimp with olive oil and blackened seasoning just like the oven method.

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for about 5 minutes.

Place shrimp in a single layer in the basket — don’t overlap them.

Cook for 5–6 minutes, shaking the basket once halfway through.

Tips for Shrimp Recipes

• For easy clean-up, we line our baking sheet with foil. We also recommend spraying the rack with non-stick cooking spray.
• Save the shrimp peels and use them when you want to make a seafood broth or sauce. Just put them in the freezer for when you need them.
• It’s better to serve cooled shrimp than to try to keep them hot. They will just overcook and turn into seafood rubber.
• When making a seafood dish or soup, add shrimp at the very end. Use a seafood broth to enhance the seafood flavor instead of relying on the shrimp to do it.
• You can definitely grill or fry these blackened shrimp, too.

FAQ’s

Q: Can I make blackened shrimp in the air fryer? Yes! Preheat your air fryer to 400°F and cook for 5–6 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. It’s best to preheat the air fryer and apply seasoning with olive oil rather than butter, since olive oil handles the high heat better.

Q: What’s the difference between blackened and Cajun seasoning? Blackened seasoning is typically applied to fish or meat and cooked at very high heat, giving it a dark, spiced crust. Cajun seasoning is more versatile and used to add flavor to a wide variety of dishes — it’s generally milder and not tied to a specific cooking technique.

Q: Can I use frozen shrimp? Absolutely! Thaw them first in a bowl of cold water for 15–20 minutes, then pat them dry before seasoning. Larger shrimp work best — they stay nice and juicy, while smaller ones tend to get overcooked and tough.

Q: How do I store leftover blackened shrimp? Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, pop them back in the air fryer for about 1 minute, or enjoy them cold on a salad. Skip the microwave — it makes shrimp rubbery.

Q: Is blackened shrimp spicy? It has a nice kick from the cayenne, but it’s not overwhelmingly hot. If you want it milder, just reduce the cayenne in your blackened seasoning. If you love heat, add a little extra!

Q: What can I make with leftover blackened shrimp? Leftovers are amazing in tacos, on top of lemon orzo pasta, tossed into a spinach salad, or served over rice or quinoa. They reheat quickly and taste just as good the next day.

We enjoyed this Blackened Shrimp recipe so much, and it’s an easy appetizer to make and take for entertaining, like a New Year’s get-together or a Super Bowl party.

I hope you enjoyed this delicious recipe as much as we do. Drop me a comment below, and don’t forget to give it a star rating. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. Your comments and ratings help others decide if this recipe is for them too.

Related Recipes You’ll Love

If you loved these blackened shrimp, here are a few more recipes I think you’ll enjoy.

• Creamy Shrimp Pasta
• Sheet Pan Shrimp and Vegetables
• Baked Blackened Salmon
• Chicken & Shrimp Gumbo

Did you enjoy this recipe? Don’t forget to pin it for later and follow me on Pinterest for more delicious recipes like this one!

Originally published: January 16, 2018. Updated: March 3, 2026– Enhanced with more detailed instructions, tips, and serving suggestions. No changes were made to the recipe.