If you’ve ever found yourself dreaming of a quick seafood fix that dances with flavor, this Cajun shrimp recipe might be your new best friend. It’s like a summer festival in your mouth—spicy, vibrant, and over before you know it. Sometimes, I whip it up while half-watching the latest reality TV drama—because who doesn’t love multitasking with a delicious twist?
Steps
- Mix the Cajun or Creole seasoning with the shrimp in a large bowl, ensuring the shrimp are well-coated.
- Add the sliced sausage, zucchini, yellow squash, and bell peppers to the bowl. Season with salt and toss everything with olive oil until evenly coated.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (about 200°C).
- Place half of the shrimp and vegetable mixture into the air fryer basket. Cook for 8 minutes, shaking the basket 2-3 times during cooking.
- Once cooked, set the first batch aside and repeat the process with the remaining shrimp and vegetables.
- After both batches are cooked, place the first batch back into the air fryer for an additional minute to reheat.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Cajun or Creole seasoning
- 24 extra jumbo shrimp (1 pound), cleaned and peeled
- 6 ounces fully cooked turkey or chicken Andouille sausage or kielbasa, sliced
- 1 medium zucchini (8 ounces), sliced into 1/4-inch thick half moons
- 1 medium yellow squash (8 ounces), sliced into 1/4-inch thick half moons
- 1 large red bell pepper, seeded and cut into thin 1-inch pieces
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Nutritional Values
Calories: 1136 kcal | Carbohydrates: 32 g | Protein: 124 g | Fat: 56 g | Saturated Fat: 8 g | Cholesterol: 820 mg | Sodium: 6000 mg | Fiber: 8 g | Sugar: 12 g
FAQ
- Can I make this recipe without an air fryer?
- Yes, you can cook this dish in a large skillet. For best results, cook the ingredients in two batches over high heat for 5 to 8 minutes per batch.
- What other vegetables can I use in this dish?
- You can substitute or add any stir-fry vegetables you like, such as eggplant or broccoli florets, to add more variety and color.
- How do I defrost shrimp for this recipe?
- It’s recommended to defrost shrimp overnight in the refrigerator. Buying shrimp frozen ensures it’s as fresh as possible when you thaw it.
- Is this recipe suitable for Whole30 or a gluten-free diet?
- To ensure the recipe is Whole30 or gluten-free, check the labels on the sausage to confirm it meets these dietary requirements.
- What is the serving size and nutritional information for this dish?
- One serving size is 1 1/2 cups, containing approximately 284 calories, 8g of carbohydrates, 31g of protein, 14g of fat, 2g of saturated fat, 205mg of cholesterol, 1500mg of sodium, 2g of fiber, and 3g of sugar.
Tips
- Opt for frozen shrimp and thaw it as required to ensure maximum freshness. Since shrimp is often frozen at sea, purchasing it this way allows you to defrost only what you need.
- If you don’t own an air fryer, this recipe can easily be adapted for a stovetop. Simply use a large skillet and cook everything in two batches over high heat for about 5 to 8 minutes per batch.
- Feel free to experiment with different vegetables based on your preference or what’s available, such as eggplant or broccoli, to add more variety and color to the dish.
- When using the air fryer, make sure to shake the basket a couple of times during cooking to ensure even cooking and to prevent the ingredients from sticking together.
Equipment
- Air Fryer
