Air Fryer Shrimp Fried Rice | Easy Shrimp Fried Rice Recipe

This Air Fryer Shrimp Fried Rice is easily made in the Air Fryer in about 30 minutes. It's a healthy shrimp dinner with simple ingredients that pack so much flavor from the soy sauce and sesame oil and a nice fresh bite from the green onions.

Why You'll Love This Awesome Air Fryer Recipe

I Can Make Fried Rice In The Air Fryer?

Yes, you absolutely can. I have several recipes that make fried rice in my Instant Pot and Air Fryer because of how quick, easy, and how much healthier it is. You should try my Nigerian Fried Rice or Korean Beef Bowl recipes. They're both made quick and easy without all of the hassles.

What Are The Best Veggies For Shrimp Fried Rice?

Any frozen vegetable combination you have on hand will work with this shrimp and rice recipe, and you probably have a bag you have forgotten about and don't know what to do with it. Now you do!

How Many Calories Are In Air Fryer Shrimp Fried Rice

Less than 400 calories making this a great healthy weeknight dinner. The tricky thing with rice and keeping calorie intake down is to use an actual measuring cup when plating your meal.

How Can I Make This Low Carb?

Two things you can do here to make this a low carb recipe. One, omit the cornstarch on the shrimp. Season with just pepper and follow the recipe. The flavor will come from the rice ingredients. Soy sauce is naturally salty, so it is okay to skip the salt on the shrimp. Plus the natural shrimp flavor will peek through.

The second thing you can do to make a low carb shrimp fried rice is to use cauliflower rice rather than white or brown rice. Start the recipe with raw defrosted cauliflower rice. Heat the air fryer to 350 and cook 5 minutes, then add shrimp and veggies, cook 5 minutes, and lastly the egg for the last 5 minutes. You've just made this a 15 minute meal and saved on carbs. Win!

Ingredients You'll Need

• 1 pound Shrimp- This is the star protein of the dish. Peeled and deveined shrimp cook quickly in the air fryer, becoming tender and juicy while adding a sweet, briny flavor to the fried rice.
• 1/4 teaspoon Pepper- Adds a light layer of seasoning to the shrimp, giving it warmth and a subtle bite.
• 1 teaspoon Cornstarch- Creates a light coating on the shrimp that helps them crisp slightly in the air fryer and lock in moisture. It also assists in browning.
• 2 cups Cooked Rice- The base of the fried rice. Cold, day-old rice works best because it’s drier and becomes perfectly chewy and crisp when air-fried.
• 1 cup Frozen Peas and Carrots- Adds classic fried-rice vegetables for color, sweetness, and texture. Thawing prevents excess moisture, which helps the rice crisp.
• 1/4 cup Chopped Green Scallions- Provides fresh, oniony brightness. Some go into the rice for flavor; the rest can be used as garnish.
• 3 tablespoons Sesame Oil- Gives the rice its signature nutty, aromatic flavor while helping it crisp and brown in the air fryer.
• 1 tablespoon Soy Sauce- Adds savory umami depth and also lightly colors the rice. It’s the main seasoning that ties all the fried-rice flavors together.
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt- Enhances all the flavors in the rice without overpowering the soy sauce.
• 1 teaspoon Pepper- Adds mild heat and balances the richness of the sesame oil.
• 2 large Eggs- Creates the classic scrambled egg component found in fried rice. The eggs add protein, richness, and fluffy texture throughout the dish.

I love frozen shrimp for the accessibility and it is already peeled and deveined for this shrimp stir fry recipe. If you find frozen shrimp on sale, buy an extra bag to have when you need an easy weeknight dinner on the table.

How To Make Shrimp Fried Rice

1. Toss the thawed shrimp with pepper and cornstarch. Set aside.
2. In an ovenproof pan, combine the leftover rice with the soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, pepper, frozen veggies, and green onions.
3. Set the Air Fryer at 350 for 15 minutes. Make sure to toss the rice and veggie mixture halfway.
4. Add the shrimp to the top of the rice and veggie mixture and cook for 5 minutes.
5. Add the beaten eggs and cook an additional 5 minutes. Stir the eggs into the shrimp fried rice.
6. Enjoy!

Tips and Tricks

Creating restaurant-style fried rice in the air fryer is easy when you follow a few smart techniques to maximize flavor and texture.

• Use leftover rice. It is best to use leftover rice to make any stir fry recipe.
• Try frozen shrimp. Use frozen shrimp that is already peeled and deveined for quicker cooking.
• Don’t Skip the Cornstarch on the Shrimp. A light coating of cornstarch helps the shrimp develop a slight crust, giving the dish better texture and preventing the shrimp from drying out during air frying.

Variations

Fried rice is incredibly versatile, and the air fryer makes it even easier to mix and match ingredients. Try one of these tasty variations to keep the recipe fresh and exciting.

• Chicken Fried Rice- Swap the shrimp for 1 pound of diced chicken thighs or breasts. Season the same way with pepper and cornstarch, then air fry until cooked through before adding the rice mixture.
• Veggie Fried Rice- Leave out the shrimp and load up on vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, or broccoli. This is a great meatless option that still feels hearty.
• Pork or Bacon Fried Rice- Use diced cooked pork chops, leftover roast pork, or crisped-up bacon pieces for a smoky, savory twist.

Can I Reheat Shrimp And Rice?

I would recommend if you reheat this meal, to do so in the microwave with a splash of water to loosen the rice up. Or, you could reheat it on the stovetop in a frying pan with a tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat just until everything is heated through.

Can You Freeze It?

Yes, you can freeze shrimp fried rice, and it freezes very well. Make sure the rice has cooled completely, then portion it into airtight containers or freezer bags to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months.

When you’re ready to enjoy it, reheat straight from frozen in a skillet, microwave, or air fryer until hot and steaming.

More Delicious Seafood Recipes

• My Keto Air Fryer Shrimp Scampi is a meal that can be on your table in 8 minutes! It's garlicky, buttery, with a fresh bite of lemon and basil.
• Haddock with Spinach and Rice is a delicious instant pot recipe of mine. The haddock is light and flaky and the meal comes together in under 30 minutes.
• This low carb Shrimp with Cotija and Tomatillos recipe is a flavorful and quick dish that's full of southwest flavor and is super easy to make!
• And if you're looking for more great rice recipes, check out my Wild Rice Pilaf! This dish is rich with flavor and is loaded with delightful veggies.
• This Keto Shrimp And Grits gives you all that savory goodness you expect from a southern classic without all the carbs!

This Air Fryer Shrimp Fried Rice makes a great dinner option for those nights you want stir fry without all the extra mess and effort. Make sure to share this recipe with your friends on Facebook and Pinterest if you enjoyed it!