Name: Air-Fryer Spicy Roasted Shrimp and Fennel Salad with Cannellini Beans and Watercress
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; 1 tablespoon tomato paste; 2 garlic cloves , minced; ¼ teaspoon dried oregano; ¼–½ teaspoon red pepper flakes; 1 large fennel bulbs (1 pound), fronds minced, stalks discarded, bulb halved, cored, and sliced thin; 12 ounces extra-large shrimp (21 to 25 per pound), peeled, deveined, and tails removed; 1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans , rinsed; 2 ounces (2 cups) watercress , cut into 2-inch lengths; 2 tablespoons oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes , rinsed, patted dry, and chopped; 2 tablespoons sliced pepperoncini plus 1 tablespoon brine

Why This Recipe Works

Why would we use the air fryer for a quick-cooking protein like shrimp? It makes the process hands-off and easy. We tossed fennel and shrimp in a spicy, sharp mixture of extra-virgin olive oil, tart tomato paste, oregano, pepper flakes, and fresh garlic. Then we softened and lightly browned the fennel. Now it was just a matter of placing our shrimp on the vegetable and cooking them till they were tender. We used the remaining oil mixture to toss the fennel and shrimp with cannellini beans, sun-dried tomatoes, watercress, and pepperoncini.

Before You Begin

Large shrimp (26 to 30 per pound) will also work here; adjust the cooking time as needed. If your fennel doesn't have fronds, omit them. For a spicier dish, use the larger amount of pepper flakes. This recipe can be easily doubled.

Instructions

Whisk oil, tomato paste, garlic, oregano, and pepper flakes together in large bowl. Microwave until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

Toss sliced fennel with 1 teaspoon oil mixture in separate bowl. Arrange fennel in even layer in air-fryer basket. Place basket into air fryer and set temperature to 400 degrees. Cook until fennel is softened and lightly browned at the edges, 10 to 15 minutes, tossing halfway through cooking.

Toss shrimp with 1 teaspoon oil mixture in now-empty bowl. Arrange shrimp in even layer on top of fennel. Return basket to air fryer and cook until shrimp are opaque throughout, 6 to 8 minutes, flipping shrimp halfway through cooking.

Add fennel and shrimp mixture, beans, watercress, tomatoes, pepperoncini and brine, and fennel fronds to remaining oil mixture and toss gently to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve.