# Prawns (shrimp) cooking times

How long to cook prawns: **2–3 min pan-fried, 2–3 min boiled, 2–3 min per side under the grill and 2–3 min per side on the barbecue**. Every way to cook it is below, with the temperature and how to tell it’s done.

Source: https://feastflow.co.uk/prawns-cooking-times (FeastFlow free cooking-time guides). Last checked 11 November 2026.

## How long to cook prawns

Times are for 300 g raw peeled king prawns, for 2–3.

Prawns (shrimp): cooking times by method:

| Method | Time | Heat | How |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Pan-fry](https://feastflow.co.uk/pan-frying-times) | 2–3 min | over a high heat | In oil or butter with garlic, turning once. |
| [Boil](https://feastflow.co.uk/boiling-times) | 2–3 min | in boiling salted water | Raw; frozen raw prawns take 3–4 minutes. Drain once they float and turn pink. |
| [Grill](https://feastflow.co.uk/grilling-times) | 2–3 min per side | under a hot grill | On skewers. |
| [Barbecue](https://feastflow.co.uk/bbq-cooking-times) | 2–3 min per side | over hot direct heat | On skewers. |
| [Air fryer](https://feastflow.co.uk/air-fryer-cooking-times) | 5–6 min | 200°C (400°F) | Tossed in oil; shake halfway. |
| [Oven](https://feastflow.co.uk/oven-cooking-times) | 6–8 min | 200°C (180°C fan), 400°F, gas 6 | Spread out on a tray with oil and garlic. |
| [Deep-fry](https://feastflow.co.uk/deep-frying-times) (Battered) | 2–3 min | oil at 180°C (350°F) | Battered (tempura) or breaded. |

## Before you start

Thaw frozen prawns in cold water for 10–15 minutes. Already-cooked (pink) prawns only need warming through: a minute or two.

## How to tell it’s done

Pink all over and curled into a loose C. A tight O means they’re overcooked.

**Food safety:** Raw prawns are cooked when pink and opaque all the way through.

## Questions

### How long to pan-fry prawns?

2–3 min over a high heat. In oil or butter with garlic, turning once.

### How long to boil prawns?

2–3 min in boiling salted water. Raw; frozen raw prawns take 3–4 minutes. Drain once they float and turn pink.

### How long to grill prawns?

2–3 min per side under a hot grill. On skewers.

### How long to barbecue prawns?

2–3 min per side over hot direct heat. On skewers.

### How long to cook prawns in an air fryer?

5–6 min at 200°C (400°F). Tossed in oil; shake halfway.

### How long to cook prawns in the oven?

6–8 min at 200°C (180°C fan), 400°F, gas 6. Spread out on a tray with oil and garlic.

### How long to deep-fry prawns?

Battered: 2–3 min in oil at 180°C (350°F). Battered (tempura) or breaded.

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Times are a guide for typical home portions: ovens, air fryers, microwaves and sizes vary. Check meat, poultry and fish with a thermometer. Safe temperatures follow USDA and UK Food Standards Agency guidance.

FeastFlow also plans a whole meal backwards from serving time, with every dish timed and oven temperatures that don’t clash: https://feastflow.co.uk/