Ingredients:
- 1.5 lbs Raw Shrimp (Jumbo/21-25 count), peeled, deveined, and tails removed
- 3 large Mixed Bell Peppers, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 medium Red Onion, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil or Avocado Oil
- 1 tbsp Smoked Paprika
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- 1 tsp Dried Thyme
- 1 tsp Dried Oregano
- 1/2 tsp Cayenne Pepper
- 1 tsp Salt (Fine Sea Salt), divided
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper (Freshly Ground)
- 2 tbsp Fresh Parsley, finely chopped (optional garnish)
- 4 Lemon Wedges (optional garnish)
Instructions:
- Prep Shrimp: Thoroughly pat the raw shrimp dry using kitchen paper—this is crucial for crisping. Place in a large mixing bowl. Prep Vegetables: Chop the peppers and red onion into uniform 1-inch pieces. Mix Seasoning: In a small bowl, whisk together all the Homemade Skinny Cajun Seasoning ingredients (paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, oregano, cayenne, salt, and pepper).
- Season the Vegetables: Toss the chopped vegetables with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and half of the prepared Cajun seasoning blend. Season the Shrimp: Toss the dried shrimp with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the second half of the Cajun seasoning. Mix gently to coat.
- Air Fryer Cooking Cycle: Preheat the air fryer to 390°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes. Load the Basket: Add the seasoned vegetables to the air fryer basket first, spreading them out evenly. Initial Cook (Vegetables): Cook the vegetables for 4 minutes to give them a head start.
- Add Shrimp and Toss: Pull out the basket, add the seasoned shrimp on top of the cooked vegetables, and give the entire basket a vigorous shake to redistribute the contents. Final Cook: Return the basket and cook for a final 4-6 minutes.
- Check Doneness and Serve: The shrimp is done when it curls into a firm 'C' shape and turns fully opaque pink. The vegetables should be tender-crisp. Transfer the shrimp and vegetables to a serving platter, scatter with fresh chopped parsley, and serve immediately with lemon wedges for squeezing.