Breaded shrimp, perfectly cooked, with a delicious 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.
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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 are made in the Air Fryer.
Air Fryer
I love my new air fryer! 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!
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).
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.
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.
Or try serving with some Yum Yum Sauce from Savory Experiments or some Asian Dipping Sauces from Culinary Ginger
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Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp Recipe
Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp
Equipment
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.
I just got an air fryer and I am so excited to try recipes just like this! The shrimp look perfect.
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!
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!
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!