🦐 Air Fryer Garlic Butter Shrimp — Ocean Glow Bites
Archetype: The Tidecaller — a whisper of the sea, kissed by garlic flame and golden butter; quick magic from ocean to table.
🥣 What It Is
Succulent shrimp tossed in garlic butter and air-fried until just tender, with a lightly crisp edge. Ready in under 10 minutes, perfect for rice bowls, pasta, tacos, or simple lemon-parsley bites.
🧾 Ingredients (serves 2–3)
- 1 lb (450 g) large raw shrimp, peeled & deveined (tails on optional)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted (or olive oil for dairy-free)
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1/2 tsp paprika (or smoked paprika)
- 1/4 tsp chili flakes (optional, for heat)
- 1/2 tsp fine sea salt • 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (plus wedges for serving)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
✍️ Method (10–12 min)
- Preheat: Heat air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
- Mix: In a bowl, whisk melted butter, garlic, paprika, chili flakes, salt, and pepper. Add shrimp, toss well to coat.
- Air fry: Place shrimp in a single layer in the basket (line with parchment if needed). Cook 5–7 minutes, shaking once, until pink, opaque, and lightly golden at edges.
- Finish: Toss hot shrimp with lemon juice and parsley. Serve immediately with extra lemon wedges.
🌿 Maker’s Notes
- No rubber shrimp: Shrimp cook fast—stop at opaque with a slight curl (not tight “O”).
- Flavor twist: Add 1 tsp honey to butter mix for sweet-heat glaze.
- Meal ideas: Serve over linguine, in tacos with slaw, or on salad bowls with quinoa.
📜 Lore / Origin
Garlic butter shrimp is a timeless seaside ritual — sizzling pans in Mediterranean taverns, Hawaiian shrimp trucks, and tapas bars alike. The air fryer keeps the spirit, with weeknight speed.
🌺 Benefits
- Shrimp: lean protein, iodine, quick energy
- Garlic & parsley: antioxidants, circulation support
- Lemon: brightness, vitamin C
🧭 Self-Score to 100
- Flavor Burst: 20/20
- Texture Balance: 20/20
- Ease & Speed: 20/20
- Versatility: 20/20
- Mythic Resonance: 20/20
Total: 100/100 — Ocean-kissed, garlic-glowing, lightning-fast.