Baked Cajun Shrimp Recipe

If you love bold flavors and crave dishes that come together quickly without sacrificing taste, this Baked Cajun Shrimp is about to become your new go-to favorite. With just a handful of pantry spices and minimal prep, you can have a tray of sizzling, smoky, and perfectly seasoned shrimp on the table in under 20 minutes.

These shrimp are coated in a spicy homemade Cajun blend, baked to juicy perfection, and served hot with a fresh wedge of lemon. Whether you’re serving them as a main dish with rice or pasta, piling them onto tacos, or offering them as finger food at a gathering, one thing is guaranteed: they disappear fast!

🛒 Ingredients for Baked Cajun Shrimp

Here’s everything you need to make this fiery and flavorful dish:

12 large shrimp, peeled, deveined, and cooked

1 tbsp canola oil (or any neutral cooking oil)

1 tsp smoked paprika

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp garlic powder

1½ tsp salt

½ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)

½ tsp thyme leaves

¼ tsp ground oregano

✅ Pro Tip: You can use raw shrimp and bake for 12–14 minutes instead of 10. Just make sure they turn opaque and pink when done.

🧑‍🍳 Instructions – How to Make It

1. Preheat Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cookie sheet with foil and spray lightly with cooking oil or brush with a little canola oil. This helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup easy.

2. Coat the Shrimp in Oil

Place the peeled, deveined shrimp in a large bowl. Drizzle with canola oil. Cover the bowl and gently shake or stir until all the shrimp are evenly coated in oil.

3. Mix the Cajun Spice Blend

In a small bowl or container with a lid, combine:

Smoked paprika

Onion powder

Garlic powder

Salt

Cayenne pepper

Thyme

Oregano

Shake or stir until well mixed.

4. Season the Shrimp

Sprinkle the spice mix over the shrimp. Cover the bowl again and shake gently or toss with tongs/spoon until the shrimp are evenly seasoned. Make sure every piece is coated with that rich, flavorful Cajun rub.

5. Bake

Arrange the shrimp in a single layer on your prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until the shrimp are hot, slightly crisp on the edges, and full of flavor.

6. Serve & Enjoy

Serve immediately while warm, garnished with fresh lemon wedges or chopped parsley if desired.

⏱️ Time & Yield

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Servings: 2–3 (as a main) or 4–5 (as appetizer)

Calories: ~180 per serving (based on 3–4 shrimp)

🍽️ Equipment Needed

Mixing bowl with lid (or large zip-top bag)

Small bowl or spice jar for seasoning mix

Baking sheet

Foil

Cooking spray or brush for oil

🌶️ Customize the Heat

Love things extra spicy? Try adding:

More cayenne or a pinch of red pepper flakes

A dash of hot sauce to the oil before tossing the shrimp

A sprinkle of black pepper or Cajun chili powder

Want it milder? Simply cut the cayenne in half or swap with sweet paprika.

🥗 What to Serve with Baked Cajun Shrimp

These shrimp are incredibly versatile! Here are some delicious pairings and serving ideas:

As a Main Dish:

Over white rice, dirty rice, or Cajun-style jambalaya

On top of buttery grits or creamy polenta

Tossed with linguine or fettuccine and a splash of garlic butter

Served with roasted vegetables, corn on the cob, or a fresh garden salad

As a Party Appetizer:

Arrange on a platter with lemon wedges and creamy remoulade dip

Slide onto skewers for easy serving

Serve cold on toothpicks for an easy shrimp cocktail twist

In Tacos or Wraps:

Stuff into warm tortillas with shredded cabbage, avocado, and spicy mayo

Wrap in lettuce leaves for a low-carb version

💡 Tips for Shrimp Success

Don’t overcook: Shrimp cook fast. If you’re using raw shrimp, bake until pink and just firm—usually 12 minutes max.

Use fresh shrimp if available, but frozen (thawed) works too.

Use large shrimp (jumbo or 16/20 size) for the best bite and texture.

Double the batch – This recipe scales easily for a crowd.

🧊 Storing & Reheating

To Store:

Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

To Reheat:

Oven: 350°F for 5–6 minutes

Stovetop: Sauté with a splash of oil

Microwave: 30-second bursts (don’t overheat or they’ll turn rubbery)

Avoid freezing once cooked for best flavor and texture.

🧂 Homemade Cajun Seasoning Bonus

Want to keep some Cajun seasoning on hand? Multiply the spice mix below and store it in a small jar:

2 tbsp smoked paprika

1 tbsp garlic powder

1 tbsp onion powder

1 tbsp salt

1 tsp cayenne pepper

1 tsp black pepper

1 tsp thyme

1 tsp oregano

Use it on chicken, fish, fries, popcorn—you name it!

❤️ Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite like a batch of hot, spicy Baked Cajun Shrimp fresh out of the oven. It’s the kind of dish that feels like a restaurant indulgence but takes 15 minutes from start to finish in your own kitchen.

This recipe is perfect when you’re short on time but craving bold, savory flavor. It’s low-carb, protein-packed, and easily customizable—spice it up, tone it down, or pair it with your favorite sides for a complete Cajun-inspired meal.

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Have you made this recipe?
Tag your creations with #CajunShrimpMagic or drop a comment below. I’d love to hear how spicy you made yours and what you served it with!

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