These oven-baked shrimp skewers are juicy, flavorful, and ready in under 20 minutes—no grill required! Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or easy appetizer, made with fresh ingredients and bold seasonings
1.5lblarge raw shrimppeeled and deveined (tails off)
2tablespoonsolive oil
1tablespoonlemon juice
1teaspoonsalt
1teaspoondried Italian seasonings
1teaspoonpaprika
1teaspoongarlic powder
½teaspoononion powder
½teaspoonlemon zest
½teaspoonblack pepper
¼teaspooncayenne pepperoptional
Fresh parsleyfor garnish
Lemon wedgesfor garnish
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil, and place a wire rack on top. Set it aside.
(If you're using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 15 minutes to prevent burning. I used metal skewers, so I was able to skip this step.)
In a large bowl, combine olive oil, lemon zest, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, and lemon juice. Mix well with a spoon or fork until fully combined.
Pat the shrimp dry using a clean kitchen towel to remove any excess moisture.
Add the shrimp to the marinade and toss until they are evenly coated.
Thread 4–5 shrimp onto each skewer, leaving a bit of space between each piece to ensure even cooking.
Place the prepared skewers in a single layer on the wire rack.
Bake in the preheated oven for 8–10 minutes, or until the shrimp are pink, firm, and opaque. Be careful not to overcook them!
Once done, remove from the oven, garnish with chopped fresh parsley, and serve with lemon wedges and your favorite dipping sauce—like parmesan ranch dip or garlic aioli.
Notes
Use fresh or thawed shrimp for any shrimp skewer recipe to get the best results.Pat them dry to help the marinade stick and prevent sogginess.
Marinate at least 15 minutes for great flavor, but avoid over-marinating as the acid in lemon juice can slightly "cook" the shrimp.
Broil (optional): For extra char or crisp edges, you can broil the shrimp skewers for the last 1–2 minutes of cooking. Keep a close eye to avoid burning!
If using wooden skewers, don’t forget to soak them in water for 15–20 minutes to prevent them from burning.
To reheat the shrimp skewers use a skillet or oven. (Avoid the microwave to maintain texture.)