Introduction
If you’re looking for a quick, delicious, and nutritious meal that’s packed with bold Cajun flavors, this Air Fryer Cajun Shrimp, Andouille Sausage, and Asparagus dish is the perfect choice! It’s a one-pan recipe that is super easy to prepare, yet loaded with flavors that will transport your taste buds straight to New Orleans. The combination of juicy shrimp, smoky andouille sausage, and tender asparagus tossed in a zesty Cajun spice mix makes for a perfect weeknight dinner that is low-carb, gluten-free, and keto-friendly. Plus, using an air fryer ensures that everything cooks evenly and crisps up beautifully without a lot of added oil.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 8 ounces andouille sausage, sliced into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (optional, adjust to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 lemon, cut into wedges (for serving)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Preparation:
Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes. This helps in achieving a nice crisp texture for the shrimp and sausage.
Step 2: Season the Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, add the shrimp, sliced andouille sausage, and asparagus pieces.
- Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the mixture.
- Sprinkle the Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper evenly. Toss everything together until the shrimp, sausage, and asparagus are well coated with the seasoning.
Step 3: Arrange in the Air Fryer Basket
- Place the seasoned shrimp, sausage, and asparagus in a single layer in the air fryer basket. It’s okay if some pieces overlap slightly, but try to avoid overcrowding for even cooking.
Step 4: Air Fry
- Air fry the mixture at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes. Shake the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even browning. The shrimp should turn pink and opaque, the sausage should be browned and crispy, and the asparagus should be tender-crisp.
Step 5: Serve
- Transfer the cooked shrimp, sausage, and asparagus to a serving platter. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top for a burst of citrus flavor and sprinkle with chopped parsley.
Cooking Note:
- If you have a smaller air fryer, you may need to cook this dish in batches to prevent overcrowding.
- Adjust the cooking time depending on the size of your shrimp and thickness of the sausage slices.
- You can substitute the andouille sausage with chorizo or any smoked sausage of your choice.
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve this dish hot with a side of cauliflower rice for a low-carb meal.
- Pair it with crusty French bread to soak up the delicious juices.
- This dish also goes well over a bed of mixed greens for a light and refreshing salad.
Tips:
- For a spicier kick, add an extra sprinkle of Cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce.
- Use fresh, firm asparagus for the best texture. Thin asparagus spears work well in this recipe as they cook quickly.
- If you don’t have Cajun seasoning, you can easily make your own by combining paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, oregano, and salt.
Prep Time:
- 10 minutes
Cooking Time:
- 10 minutes
Total Time:
- 20 minutes
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Protein: 20g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 2g
- Fat: 18g
Conclusion
This Air Fryer Cajun Shrimp, Andouille Sausage, and Asparagus recipe is the ultimate quick and easy meal for busy weeknights or when you’re craving something flavorful and satisfying. The bold Cajun spices combined with the savory sausage and the tender, slightly crisp asparagus make for a delightful combination that you’ll want to make again and again. Plus, with the convenience of the air fryer, you’ll have dinner on the table in no time with minimal cleanup!
PrintAir Fryer Cajun Shrimp, Andouille Sausage, and Asparagus
- Total Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 8 ounces andouille sausage, sliced into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (optional, adjust to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 lemon, cut into wedges (for serving)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes. This helps in achieving a nice crisp texture for the shrimp and sausage.
Step 2: Season the Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, add the shrimp, sliced andouille sausage, and asparagus pieces.
- Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the mixture.
- Sprinkle the Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper evenly. Toss everything together until the shrimp, sausage, and asparagus are well coated with the seasoning.
Step 3: Arrange in the Air Fryer Basket
- Place the seasoned shrimp, sausage, and asparagus in a single layer in the air fryer basket. It’s okay if some pieces overlap slightly, but try to avoid overcrowding for even cooking.
Step 4: Air Fry
- Air fry the mixture at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes. Shake the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even browning. The shrimp should turn pink and opaque, the sausage should be browned and crispy, and the asparagus should be tender-crisp.
Step 5: Serve
- Transfer the cooked shrimp, sausage, and asparagus to a serving platter. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top for a burst of citrus flavor and sprinkle with chopped parsley.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sodium: 950mg
- Protein: 20g