This Hot Honey Shrimp is one of those easy recipes you'll come back to again and again for busy weeknights! Shrimp cook quickly and spicy honey and lime is an irresistible combination for a flavor-packed dinner. Serve this delicious shrimp with brown rice and roasted vegetables with hot honey mustard or in shrimp tacos with avocado crema!
As a dietitian, I am always looking for ways to create great recipes that can be used in a variety of ways and this hot honey shrimp is just that! Cooking shrimp is really quick in the air fryer or skillet. So even when you have a busy evening, you can have tender shrimp on the table. Just add a side dish or two.
I suggest using this shrimp recipe for shrimp tacos with purple carrot slaw and avocado crema. Or serve it in a small bowl with cilantro lime rice and black bean & corn salad or corn cucumber salad with southwest dressing!
If you like this recipe, you may enjoy my Hot Honey Chicken Bowls, Shrimp Tacos with Avocado Slaw or my Salmon Rice Bowls.
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Key Ingredient Notes and Substitution Ideas
This hot honey shrimp is made with a handful of ingredients. Below are some ingredient notes. Check the recipe card at the bottom for measurements.
- Shrimp - you can use fresh shrimp or frozen shrimp that has been properly thawed. As for the size of the shrimp, I use large shrimp or jumbo.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil - as a base for the honey sauce marinade. Olive oil also adds heart-healthy fats that also support brain health and hormone health.
- Lime Juice - I suggest using fresh lime rather than bottled for this recipe. It really impacts the flavor! Lemon juice can be used as a substitution.
- Hot Honey - to add a bit of spicy flavor. Honey is also an antimicrobial and using local honey helps with seasonal allergies. I use Mike's hot honey. You can also make your own hot honey by heating red pepper flakes, and regular honey in a skillet for a few minutes and then adding a little bit of vinegar.
- Seasonings - a blend of smoked paprika, garlic powder, ground cumin, and chili powder pack lots of flavor and extra antioxidants! If you like a higher spice level, add cayenne pepper or chili flakes
How to Make Hot Honey Shrimp
Below are the instructions for how to make this hot honey garlic shrimp with some visuals that I hope are helpful! Don't forget to check out the recipe card at the bottom for the full recipe.
- Step 1: Prep shrimp: If using frozen shrimp, thaw first. Clean and devein your raw shrimp. If needed, you can learn how to do so here. It's not as intimidating as you might think! Pat shrimp dry with paper towels.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the deveined shrimp, olive oil, hot honey, lime juice, and spice mixture until each shrimp is coated. Let it marinate for about 10 minutes.
- Step 3: If making these shrimp in the air fryer, spread them in an even layer in your air fryer basket. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 5-6 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking. Serve with lime wedges!
Hint: An alternative cooking option is in a skillet. Heat a large skillet on medium-high heat and add a drizzle of oil. Add shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Then cook each side of the for shrimp 2-3 minutes or until cooked through. You can tell when the shrimp is done when it turns opaque.
Dietitian Tip
Having easy protein recipes to make and pair with different side dishes throughout the week is a greay way to get variety in your daily eating! Pair these hot honey shrimp with cilantro lime rice, black bean corn salsa, and Southwest dressing, a Mexican Street Corn Salad, or corn cucumber salad. Or add them to shrimp tacos with avocado crema!
Variations
The great thing about this juicy shrimp is you can customize to your taste! Below are some ideas but feel free to get creative.
- Asian-Inspired - if you like Asian flavors, add a splash of soy sauce and small bit of sesame oil to the spicy sauce the shrimp marinades in. Top the cooked shrimp with sesame seeds! Serve over rice or noodles with a carrot cucumber salad.
- Mediterranean - swap the lime juice for lemon juice and use Italian seasoning instead of chili powder and smoked paprika to put a Mediterranean spin on this shrimp. Serve with Green Pasta or Cherry Tomato Pasta Sauce as a main course. Add a side of fresh vegetables like broccoli florets or zucchini.
- Mexican - serve this spicy hot honey shrimp with rice and a corn & black bean salad and avocado crema for an easy dinner!
Equipment
You'll need an air fryer for this recipe. I have a COSORI TurboBlaze 6.0-Quart Air Fryer which is perfect for recipes like these hot honey shrimp, air-fried pineapples or air fryer salmon bites! To get one of your own, visit cosori.com and use my discount code "MALLORYB10" and get 10% off at checkout!
Storage
- Refrigerator - store leftover shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Expert Tips
- When using an ingredient that is acidic like the lime juice in the shrimp marinade, be sure not to let it marinade more about about 10-15 minutes because it will start to break down the protein in the shrimp.
- Spread the shrimp in a single layer so it cooks evenly. You may need to cook it in 2 batches.
- Shrimp has a short cooking time relative to many other proteins so be sure to keep an eye on it and don't overcook it. They're done when they're pink & opaque and curling up into a "C" shape.
FAQ
While healthy means something different to everyone, this is a nutrient-rich option. Shrimp is a lean protein and contains vitamin B12, iodine, and magnesium. Honey provides antioxidants and just a small amount adds sweetness to this shrimp.
I use Mike's Hot Honey which you can get on Amazon and at several grocery stores. Any brand will work! Hot honey is basically regular honey with a bit of a kick. Hot honey ingredients usually include honey, chili peppers or chili flakes, and apple cider vinegar.
I use jumbo shrimp for this recipe, but large or extra jumbo work, too. The larger the shrimp, the longer it will take to cook so just keep that in mind and adjust the cook time accordingly.
You can! Be sure to thaw it before cooking. Here's a guide for how to thaw frozen shrimp.
Yes, this is a gluten-free recipe.
Related
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Perfect for Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Hot Honey Shrimp:
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do! I would love to hear from you! If you made this recipe, please leave me a review below or tag me in a photo or story on Instagram. Your reviews help support me and make it possible for me to continue to create the recipes you know and love. 🙂 IG:@mallorythedietitian
📖 Recipe
Easy Hot Honey Shrimp Recipe with Lime (Air Fried)
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer or skillet
Ingredients
- 1 lb large or jumbo shrimp
- 1 tablespoon hot honey I use Mike's hot honey
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 lime, juice of ~2 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prep Shrimp: Clean and devein your raw shrimp. Pat shrimp dry with paper towels.
- In a large bowl, combine the deveined shrimp, olive oil, hot honey, lime juice, and spice mixture until each shrimp is coated. Let it marinate for about 10 minutes.
- If making these shrimp in the air fryer, spread them in an even layer in your air fryer basket. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 5-6 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking. Serve with lime wedges!
- Hint: An alternative cooking option is in a skillet! Heat a large skillet on medium-high heat and add a drizzle of oil. Add shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Then cook each side of the for shrimp 2-3 minutes or until cooked through. You can tell when the shrimp is done when it turns opaque
Notes
- When using an ingredient that is acidic like the lime juice in the shrimp marinade, be sure not to let it marinade more about about 10-15 minutes because it will start to break down the protein in the shrimp. If you are doing meal prep and marinating in advance, add the lime juice right before you're ready to cook!
- Spread the shrimp in a single layer so it cooks evenly. You may need to cook it in 2 batches.
- Shrimp has a short cooking time relative to many other proteins so be sure to keep an eye on it and don't overcook it. They're done when they're pink & opaque and curling up into a "C" shape.
- Refrigerator - store leftover shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
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