Gambas al ajillo — Spanish sizzling garlic prawns — are pure tapas magic: plump prawns in garlicky, chilli-spiked oil. Cooked in a small dish in the air fryer, they're ready in 8 minutes. Here's how.
Key takeaways
Q: How do you make gambas al ajillo in an air fryer?
A: Put prawns in a dish with garlic, chilli and olive oil and air fry at 200°C (400°F) for 6–8 minutes, until pink and sizzling.
Q: Why use a dish?
A: It holds the garlicky oil for dipping bread.
The method
Use a small oven-safe dish so the garlicky, chilli-infused oil pools around the prawns. Add raw prawns, lots of sliced garlic, chilli, a good glug of olive oil and a pinch of paprika, and air fry until the prawns are pink and the oil is sizzling. Finish with parsley and lemon, and serve with bread to mop up the oil.
The recipe
Air Fryer Gambas al Ajillo
Ingredients
- 250g raw king prawns
- 4 garlic cloves, sliced
- Chilli, paprika, olive oil
- Parsley, lemon, bread
Method
- Put prawns, garlic, chilli and oil in a dish.
- Air fry at 200°C for 6–8 minutes.
- Check the prawns are pink.
- Finish with parsley and lemon.
Tips
- Use a dish to keep the garlicky oil.
- Don't overcook — prawns toughen fast.
- Bread to mop up the oil is essential.
Frequently asked questions
How do you make gambas al ajillo in an air fryer?
Put raw prawns in a small dish with sliced garlic, chilli and olive oil, and air fry at 200°C for 6–8 minutes until the prawns are pink and the oil is sizzling.
Why cook them in a dish?
A dish holds the garlicky, chilli-infused oil around the prawns, which is the best part — you serve it with bread to mop up.
Can you use frozen prawns?
Yes — defrost and pat them dry first so they cook evenly rather than releasing water into the oil.