Easy Grilled Prawns
These grilled prawns are incredibly easy to make using staple ingredients you already own. They are the perfect appetizer or easy weeknight dinner you can serve all year long.
Suitable for gluten free diets. Post includes Weight Watchers points.

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Friends, these grilled prawns always featured during our long lazy brunches in our lovely shaded courtyard. Three generations of family members plus, as many neighbours (who felt like it) would hang out, have important business conversations (or gossip in shorthand).
The kiddoes would play with footballs and frisbees, and adult would catch up on life around the BBQ as we all tucked into our best sides dishes for shrimp along with some ice cold raspberry lemonade. Oh fun times.
I love that this is such a versatile recipe. This can be an easy appetizer, but served up with all the sides and you can make this a quick weeknight dinner, the whole family will love. Thread on some quick-cook vegetables, throw them on the BBQ, campfire, or air fryer for a few minutes, and you are good.
So, here we are using peeled prawns since that is what we had. But there are also the 430,300 times we have been grilling prawns whole with the shell on, resulting in juicy treats. Try it both ways and see which you prefer.
Do also check this round up of some of the best shrimp recipes you will ever try. For real.

Table of Contents
Why Make This Recipe
- Weeknight dinner in less than 15 minutes.
- Well it is grilled food on a stick? So yes please, prawns on skewers.
- Simple and easy to adapt to suit various tastebuds.
Ingredient Notes
- Prawns – this uses raw prawns deveined with the tails on. If you have unpeeled whole ones you can ask at the seafood counter / or the fishmonger for them to devein the prawns for you. Use either fresh ones or frozen ones that have been defrosted. Do also try and get the the big jumbo prawns for this.
- Chili paste – This recipe calls for a mild chili paste. But feel free to up the spice level. Korean pepper paste is a fun option.
- Gluten free soy sauce – To keep this gluten free, use gluten free soy sauce. But if not then you can use regular soy sauce.
- Maple syrup – For a little bit of sweetness, but you can use honey or agave instead.
- Flavorings – I love a combination of garlic, ginger, red pepper flakes and lemon juice. Just make sure to use fresh lemon juice or fresh lime juice rather than the bottle stuff for the best result.
- Oil – Use olive oil but you can use other oil like peanut or canola oil.
Handy Tip: Use Good Kitchen Tools!
For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Kitchen Tools on Amazon.
How To Grill Prawns Skewers
Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

Step 1. Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before using. Mix together olive oil, soy sauce, honey, chili pasta, lime juice, minced garlic, minced ginger and red pepper flakes (if using) in a large bowl, then add the peeled prawns and mix until coated.

Step 2. You can cook them right away, or leave them to marinate. If marinating, marinate for 30 minutes. Then thread shellfish (about 5-6) onto each soaked skewer.

Step 3. Preheat the grill (or charcoal grill), broiler, or griddle pan to medium high heat, oil the grates, and grill the seafood for 1½ – 3 minutes per side or until opaque.

Step 4. Transfer skewers to a plate and serve immediately with lime wedges or lemon wedges.
Cook In The Air Fryer
- Make skewers as you did in the instructions above using steps 1-4 above.
- Preheat Air Fryer to 350 degrees F / 180 degrees C. Place skewers in the Air Fryer, making sure the skewers don’t touch.
- Cook for 5-8 minutes, turning skewers halfway through the cook time. Remember that air fryer temperatures vary, so start with less time and then add more as needed.
Recipe Tips
- For maximum flavor, marinate shellfish for at least 30-60 minutes.
- Make sure they are peeled before marinating so that the marinade goes in.
- Best you use large prawns so they are easier to thread or so they don’t drop between the grates while cooking
- I highly recommend cooking prawns of the same size together so they cook evenly.
- These cook quickly, so keep a close watch so they don’t overcook. They become rubbery when overdone.
- I also highly recommend oiling the grill grates before turning on the grill to avoid the food sticking on.
- If possible, use metal skewers because they transmit heat well. Also flat skewers are ideal so food does not twirl around the skewer.
- No time to soak the skewers before marinating? Then just use grill plates instead.

Recipe Variations
- Bulk these out with some quick cook veggies like bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms. So, so good
- Vary the amount of ingredients to suit your taste – add more heat, more sweetness, more citrus, etc.
- Finish off the skewers with finely chopped fresh herbs or citrus zest before serving.
- Feel free to mix up the spices you use. Family favorite variations have included ground coriander, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, creole seasoning, fish seasoning etc.
Storage
- Prep Ahead – This recipe is so easy to make on the grill. Keep in mind the longer you marinate them, the more flavorful they are!
- Store – Store cooled cooked prawns in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freeze – You can freeze the uncooked shellfish in the marinade. Transfer into freezer bags. Squeeze out all the extra air and seal the bags, label them and store them flat in the freezer for three months.
FAQS
I recommend using the biggest ones you have available. While the larger ones cost more per pound, they are the easiest to keep on the skewers and you can be sure to cook them all evenly and thoroughly since shellfish cook so fast, the small ones may cook faster than you realize. Number of prawns per pound:
Medium – between 41-50
Medium/Large – between 36-40
Large – between 31-35
Extra Large- between 26-30
Jumbo – between 21-25
Extra Jumbo – between 16-20
Shrimp and prawns are very similar in appearance but are two different species. Prawns are usually larger than shrimp, have more, have more varieties of shrimp, and claws on three pairs of their legs. Shrimps tend to be smaller and only have claws on 2 pairs of their legs.
Yeap, you totally can make these grilled skewers using frozen shellfish. Just make sure to fully thaw them first before adding to the skewers and cooking.

Serving Suggestions
Oh friend. The best bit is choosing what to serve these with.
- Start with a delicious lemon butter sauce that serves to both add juiciness and make dip able moments with some easy yeast rolls.
- Serve alongside an easy tossed salad or this just as easy wedge salad recipe.
- You can also choose one or two delicious treats from these best sides dishes for shrimp
More Shrimp Recipes
- Air fryer frozen shrimp.
- Bang bang shrimp.
- Grilled shrimp salad.
- 15 minute shrimp tacos.
- Best shrimp creole.
- Air fryer bacon wrapped shrimp.
- Cajun shrimp salad.
- Instant Pot shrimp scampi.
- Easy shrimp po boy.
- Check out this extensive list of the best easy shrimp recipes.
Recommended Tools
- These are the skewers I like to use when making this recipe.
- A good set of mixing bowls is a must in any kitchen!
- This handy thermometer so you can easily check food for doneness.
- For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Kitchen Tools on Amazon.

Weight Watchers Points
There are 2 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving.
Get The Grilled Prawn Recipe
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Grilled Prawns
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons gluten free soy sauce or regular soy
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons chili sauce
- 2 teaspoons lime juice
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon minced ginger
- Red pepper flakes to taste optional
- 2 pounds (907g) peeled and cleaned prawns, tails still on
Instructions
- Soak bamboo skewers in water for 30 minutes before using.
- Mix together olive oil, soy sauce, honey, chili paste, lime juice, garlic, ginger and red pepper flakes if using, in a mixing bowl.
- Add the prawns to the bowl and mix until coated.
- You can cook straight away or leave to marinate. If marinating, marinate for 30 minutes up to 1 hours ahead. Thread about 5 prawns to each skewer.
- Preheat the grill (or charcoal grill), broiler or grill pan to medium heat, oil the grates and grill the skewers for 1 ½ -3 minutes per side or until opaque.
- Transfer skewers to a plate and serve.
Make In the Air Fryer
- Create the skewers like you did in the instructions above using steps 1-4.
- Preheat Air Fryer to 350 degrees F / 180 degrees C. Place skewers in the Air Fryer, making sure the skewers don’t touch.
- Cook for 5-8 minutes, turning skewers halfway through the cook time. Since air fryer temperatures can vary, start with less time and then add more as needed.
Video
Notes
- For maximum flavor marinate shellfish for at 30-60 minutes.
- Make sure they are peeled before marinating so that the marinade goes in.
- Best you use large prawns so they are easier to thread or so they don’t drop between the grates while cooking.
- I highly recommend cooking prawns of the same size together so they cook evenly.
- These cook quickly, so keep close watch so they don’t overcook. They become rubbery when overdone.
- I also highly recommend oiling the grill grates before turning on the grill to avoid the food sticking on.
- If possible, use metal skewers because they transmit heat well.
- Also flat skewers are ideal so food does not twirl around the skewer.
- No time to soak the skewers before marinating? Then just use grill plates instead.
- Storage – keep leftovers in an airtight container inside the fridge for 2 days.
- There are 2 WW Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving.
Nutrition
Oh I love the sound of this pairing! Also love the wonderful recollections of a childhood in Africa. Great post ๐
Sounds like a delicious pairing Bintu and such lovely memories!
sounds lovely. I can’t eat shellfish, but I’ll have a col ginger beer from the bottom of the Coolman please!
One cool ginger beer produced and beamed right over to you.
I never no what drink to pair with my meals! This is a great post! Looks yummy as well ๐
Yeah sometimes it is quite hard to tell right – Waitrose Cellar have pairing suggestions on their website too.
looks delicious!!
Thanks Atosa.
I’m allergic to shellfish, but I love champagne!
Michelle, the champagne works quite well by itself too :D.
Have you seen the price of lobster in the UK? I really miss the fresh shellfish from when I lived in Australia. I guess you notice the difference in prices too. I’m sure tossing sticks at mangoes would be far better than collecting fallen conkers. But the fruit needs a better climate than we have here in England.
I know re lobsters. We live near the seaside so manage to get some good deals occasionally. And re the mangoes – I can but dream right?
Sounds like a great dish – looks delicious, I love shrimp ๐
Thank you Bex – the guests certainly thought so too.
Yum! Great dish Bintu & sound like my kind of feast!
Janie x
๐
I don’t eat prawns but this does look lovely and dishes like these are very popular in my home country of South Africa (no live in the UK) and champers is good at anytime I say – great post
Laura x
Good champers is definitely good at anytime Laura.
oh my word, them prawns looks delicious! I need to try this!
I would love to know if you do try them Hollie.
Just say the word and I will be round to taste more pairings. What a great story and recipe too. I adore prawns and with the bubbly this just makes for a very happy occasion.
Madeleine – I am sure Waitrose will be please if we plan up some pairing parties with their wines as the main draw.
I love prawns! I just find whole ones so blinking fiddly though!
Two Hearts One Roof
The main thing is pairing the prawns and the champagne – so you can substitute these prawns for shelled ones.
I love Champagne soooo much! You have so made me want this combo now!
Def go heck out Waitrose Cellar Latoya and see what other champagne they stock.
Sounds like my idea of heaven! Lovely story and great food.
Thanks Janice. The pairing of the champagne with the prawns really worked well.