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Home » Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp

Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp

August 19, 2019 by Debi 4 Comments

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Breaded shrimp, perfectly cooked, with a delicious crunchy coconut coating. These Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp are great as an appetizer or serve them as the main course with some steamed rice and veggie stir fry.

Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp on a white plate with a red dipping sauce on a wooden mat with a title

Thanks for your support

Please let me know if you have any questions about this recipe. I read all the comments myself and I try to help as soon as I can. I have readers from all levels of comfort and experience in the kitchen on my site, and I’ve tried to answer some of your questions already in the post. But if I’ve missed anything, please feel free to leave a comment and ask.

Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp with red dipping sauce on a white background with wooden chopsticks

However you serve them, you’re going to love how quick they are to make and cook, as well as how light and crispy they are, without being deep fried!

Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp are crispy crunchy on the outside with succulent juicy shrimp inside, and these are guilt-free because they’re made in the Air Fryer.

breaded shrimp in the basket of an Air Fryer

Air Fryer

I love my air fryer! And, feel free to check out all of my Air Fryer Recipes!

I use it all the time now.

Mostly, I feel that it functions as a really easy to use and smaller oven.

In my efforts to learn all about my new Air Fryer, I decided to try some coconut shrimp.

These are delicious. Easy to make. Great coconut flavor!

close up of coconut shrimp with chives to garnish

Personal story warning

Recently we went to a local Chinese restaurant, and I ordered some coconut shrimp as an appetizer.

When the shrimp arrived, we were disappointed to find no evident coconut anywhere on them. They were just breaded shrimp.

Tasty, sure, but not coconut shrimp even remotely.

Maybe that’s why I really wanted to make these Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp. To make up for the fact that I still really wanted some shrimp with coconut on them!

These did not disappoint! (Unlike these restaurant ones).

one coconut shrimp on a small white plate with chopsticks and dipping sauce

How to prep Shrimp

Simply defrost frozen, peeled, & deveined shrimp and remove the shell from the tail.

I like to buy the extra jumbo shrimp 16/20 count per pound. They’re nice big shrimp.

To defrost the shrimp, simply place them in a medium bowl and cover with cool tap water.

Change the water out for fresh tap water a couple of times, and in about 5 minutes they’ll be defrosted.

At this point, the tail shell is easily removable.

Pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel.

It’s your choice if you want to leave the tails on or remove them before cooking.

As you can see in the photos, I removed the tails. I find it easier to eat them if they are breaded and cooked without the tails.

But, if you’re going for a really pretty presentation, like for appetizers at a party, feel free to leave the tails on.

breaded shrimp on a white plate in front of another white plate with more shrimp and some dipping sauce on it

Great dipping sauces to serve with your Coconut Shrimp

I think sauces make a meal great. Try these shrimp with some Teriyaki Sauce, Asian Plum Dipping Sauce, or Spiced Tomato Chutney.

Serve these shrimp over Coconut Rice with some Caribbean Corn on the side for a tropical meal.

Or try serving with some Yum Yum Sauce from Savory Experiments or some Asian Dipping Sauces from Culinary Ginger

Square image of coconut shrimp on white plates on a wood mat background

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coconut shrimp on a small white plate with more breaded shrimp in the background and some red dipping sauce and chopsticks

Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp Recipe

breaded shrimp on a white plate in front of another white plate with more shrimp and some dipping sauce on it

Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp

Debi
Delicious coconut shrimp made easy and lighter in the Air Fryer.
5 from 4 votes
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Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 8 minutes mins
Total Time 18 minutes mins
Course Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine American, Chinese
Servings 2 servings
Calories 583 kcal

Equipment

  • Air Fryer

Ingredients
  

  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt divided use
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper divided use
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder divided use
  • ½ teaspoon paprika divided use
  • 2 large eggs beaten
  • 1 tablespoon milk
  • ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 cup unsweetened flaked coconut
  • ½ pound large shrimp peeled & deveined
  • Nonstick cooking spray

Instructions
 

  • Pat the shrimp with a paper towel to dry.
  • Mix the flour and half of the seasonings together in a shallow bowl.
  • Whisk together the eggs and milk in a separate bowl.
  • Combine the panko breadcrumbs, coconut, and the other half of the seasonings in a third bowl.
  • Coat each shrimp with flour, then dip in egg, and then roll in coconut mixture. Dip in egg mixture and breadcrumbs again. Set aside on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.
  • Select Preheat on the Air Fryer, adjust to 350°F, and press Start/Pause.
  • Add the shrimp evenly into the preheated air fryer pan, and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
  • Select Frozen Foods, adjust time to 8 minutes, and press Start/Pause. Or, cook according to your Air Fryer’s manufacturer’s directions.
  • Flip each shrimp halfway through cooking.
  • Serve hot with dipping sauce if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 583kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 36gFat: 34gSaturated Fat: 26gCholesterol: 450mgSodium: 2236mgPotassium: 412mgFiber: 8gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 485IUVitamin C: 5.3mgCalcium: 236mgIron: 6.2mg

Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations, and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.

Keyword air fryer, coconut, shrimp
Tried this recipe?Mention @LifeCurrents or tag #LifeCurrents!
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Filed Under: Air Fryer, Appetizers, Budget, Main Dish, Seafood, Side Dishes, Weeknight meals Tagged With: air fryer, appetizers, coconut, Cooking, dinner, DIY, Food, recipe, shrimp, Snacks, appetizers, tailgating, tailgating

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about debi

ABOUT DEBI

Hello! I’m Debi, the girl behind Life Currents where I write about mainly healthy vegetarian dishes. My husband eats meat, so occasionally I share some of his dishes as well. And, I’ll share tasty treats and projects that we do. Read more...

Previous Post: « How to Can Peaches
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Dorothy Reinhold

    August 20, 2019 at 5:18 pm

    I just got an air fryer and I am so excited to try recipes just like this! The shrimp look perfect.

  2. Jennifer A Stewart

    August 26, 2019 at 11:45 am

    So far my air fryer has only seen pizza rolls and fries! These shrimp were a welcome change and let the adults have a chance to try it!

  3. Deb Clark

    August 26, 2019 at 5:08 pm

    5 stars
    I need to use my air fryer more. I think I’ll start right here – these shrimp look so crispy and delicious! Love that they are loaded with coconut!

  4. Julie Menghini

    August 26, 2019 at 7:53 pm

    5 stars
    This is a great recipe! I just got an air fryer from my mom and haven’t used it much. I’ll be giving this one a try!

5 from 4 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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Hi! I’m Debi, the girl behind Life Currents, where I write about mainly healthy vegetarian dishes with some great desserts and other goodies mixed in! Read More >>>

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