Tandoori Shrimp Recipe (Tandoori Prawns)

Tandoori prawn is traditionally grilled in a tandoor (a cylindrical clay oven) at a very high temperature. In this recipe, I am making tandoori shrimps in an air fryer. I am also sharing how to make them on a grill, oven, or even a stovetop. Tandoori prawns can be served as an appetizer or as part of a main course. It pairs well with various accompaniments such as naan bread, rice, or a side salad.

Ingredients and substitutes

Shrimps: Use fresh large shrimp. You can also use tiger shrimp for this recipe. Wash the shrimp and remove the head. Peel and de-vein leaving the tail on.

Marinade: To make the marination, I use yogurt, ginger garlic paste, kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves), olive oil, chili powder, and garam masala. You can substitute ginger-garlic paste with fresh ginger and garlic cloves. You can replace olive oil with mustard oil or any cooking oil of your choice.

Other ingredients: Lemon juice (or lime juice) and fresh cilantro are used for garnish. You can also serve the prawns with lemon wedges or lime wedges.

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, take all the marination ingredients - yogurt, ginger garlic paste, garam masala, red chilli powder, kasuri methi, oil, and salt. Mix well making sure there are no lumps (images 1 and 2).

Step 2: Add the fresh prawns to it and mix well. Cover and let it marinate for 30 minutes to one hour (images 3 and 4).

Step 3: Once the shrimp is marinated, thread them into a wooden skewer (bamboo skewers) or metal skewer. Place the skewers in a single layer in the air fryer basket (image 5).

Step 4: Preheat the air fryer to 350 F (180 C) for 2 minutes. Air fry at 350 F for about 5-6 minutes (image 6).

Step 5: Take care not to overcook them. The shrimp are cooked when they are pink and slightly charred (images 7 and 8).

Useful tips

Allow the shrimp to marinate for the right amount of time. Ideally, marinate them for 20-30 minutes.

Soak wooden skewers in water for 10-15 minutes before using them to prevent them from burning.

Ensure that your air fryer, grill, or oven is preheated before cooking the tandoori shrimp. This step ensures proper cooking and allows the shrimp to develop a nice char or tender texture.

Prawns cook quickly, so it is crucial to avoid overcooking them. Overcooked shrimp can become rubbery and lose their tenderness. Keep a close eye on the shrimp while cooking and remove them from the heat as soon as they turn pink and opaque.

Allow the cooked shrimp to rest for a few minutes before serving. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender and flavorful shrimp.

In this recipe, I am using garam masala as the main spice. This can be replaced with tandoori masala powder or curry powder. If you use a tandoori spice blend, skip the ginger garlic paste.