Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp
Air Fryer coconut shrimp are quick and easy to make, and taste amazing! Large shrimp coated in a crispy coconut breading and paired with delicious sweet thai chili dipping sauce. A great appetizer or meal, you only need a handful of ingredients to make these!
There’s nothing like the taste of coconut to take you straight to the tropics. Coconut shrimp is a popular restaurant appetizer, but it makes an awesome quick and easy meal as well!
The air fryer has quickly become a popular small appliance! It helps make healthier versions of deep fried foods quickly. Instead of deep frying foods to create that crispy exterior, you can use the air fryer to create the same crisp but without deep frying. In this recipe, it helps create a crispy coated shrimp in about 11 minutes!
Other coconut recipes you need to try:
- Simple Coconut Bundt Cake
- Coconut Chicken Tenders
- Toasted Coconut Shortbread Cookies
- Slow Cooker Coconut Chicken with Basil
- Mexican Coconut Candies
- Coconut Crusted Chicken with Cashew Curry Sauce
How to make this recipe
This air fryer shrimp recipe is so easy to make! For the full set of directions, make sure you scroll down to the recipe card below, but here is a brief overview:
- Thaw the shrimp and peel off the outer shell, leaving the tails on. Place all prepared shrimp on a plate, set aside.
- Prepare your coating station by placing out two bowls. In the first bowl, add the flour, salt, pepper, coconut flakes, and bread crumbs. In the second bowl, place two eggs in and lightly whisk.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F, while you coat the shrimp.
- Dip the raw shrimp in the egg mixture and then place in the bread crumb mixture.
- Using a fork, gently toss until the shrimp is fully coated.
- Place your coated shrimp on a plate and repeat until all shrimp are coated.
- After your air fryer is preheated, open the basket and arrange the shrimp in a single layer (be careful to not over crowd, you may have to make the shrimp in batches depending on the size of your fryer).
- Gently mist the tops of the shrimp with cooking spray and insert the basket into the air fryer.
- Air fry the shrimp at 400 degrees for 6 minutes, then flip over the shrimp and fry for an additional 5 minutes. This will allow both sides to crisp up nicely. Repeat with the remaining shrimp batches if needed. Garnish with a sprinkling of parsley flakes.
- Serve warm with some sweet chili dipping sauce.
Tips for making awesome air fryer shrimp
- Make sure that you pat the shrimp dry before starting to coat it. This will help the coating stick better and the shrimp get really crispy. Any excess steam in the air fryer will create a soggy coating – not what you want!
- Don’t crowd the air fryer basket! The shrimp should be in one even layer, with space in between so they don’t touch. You want the hot air to be able to circulate and move around to help create a crispy coating.
Questions you might have about making this recipe…
What kind of shrimp do I need?
For this recipe, use raw large shrimp with the tails on, that have been peeled and deveined. If you are using shrimp that has been frozen, make sure they are fully thawed. Any ice on the shrimp will impact the crispy coating.
How to defrost frozen shrimp?
You can easily defrost frozen shrimp by setting them in the fridge overnight. If you need to dethaw them quicker, you can place the shrimp you need in a colander in the sink. Run cool water over the shrimp for about 8 minutes, making sure you separate and toss the shrimp every now and again. Remove any icy bits left on the shrimp and pat dry with paper towels well before you start to dredge them.
How long do leftovers last?
If you happen to have leftovers, place them in an airtight container in the fridge. They will last up to 3 days when stored this way. You can reheat them in the microwave (but they won’t be as crispy), in a skillet with a small amount of oil, or pop them back in the air fryer for a few minutes.
What to serve with coconut shrimp?
If you want to serve coconut shrimp as a meal, you can serve it beside some rice and seasoned black beans. Serve some sweet chili sauce as a great dipping sauce beside.
How to make this kid friendly
Crispy coconut shrimp are a great kid friendly dinner! Slightly sweet with a fun crunchy coating, and a dipping sauce make them naturally easy to love.
Serve with some easy sides you know they love, get them involved in the kitchen, and have a great family dinner conversation, and your family will be enjoying a great dinner in no time!
Dinner conversations with kids
How you talk about a meal is just as important as what’s in it, when it comes to helping your kids enjoy their food! Rather than discussing each bite you have, encourage a more scientific exploration of what you are eating.
- What words can you use to describe the texture of the shrimp?
- Would you enjoy the shrimp as much if the texture was different?
- Do you like the shrimp better by itself or with some dipping sauce with it?
- What other dipping sauces do you think would be good with this shrimp?
Read more about how to explore the sense of taste with your kids.
Kids in the kitchen: How your kids can help you cook
Inviting your kids into the kitchen with you is so important! Not only does it help them learn valuable life skills, practice math, and give them awesome quality time with you, but it also helps them gain more exposure and interest in the foods you serve. Which means they might be more interested in trying them!
This air fryer shrimp recipe is great because it is so quick and simple, and a great introduction into breading and using the air fryer.
- Kids aged 1-3 can help you measure ingredients and mix the different coating stations together.
- Kids aged 4-6 can do everything above plus help you coat the shrimp. Remember to talk about appropriate hand washing when handling raw meat, and using one hand for the egg mixture and one hand for the breading mixture – or use a fork!
- Kids aged 7-10+ can help you do everything above, plus help you work the air fryer.
*Please note that these recommendations are generalized, and to please use your personal discretion with your child’s skill level. And always, always supervise! Read more about how to have your children help you in the kitchen.
Other shrimp recipes :
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Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb raw shrimp with tails on peeled and deveined
- ¾ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- ½ cup panko bread crumbs
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- 2 eggs lightly beaten
- Cooking spray
For serving:
- parsley flakes
- Sweet chili dipping sauce
Instructions
- Thaw the shrimp and peel off the outer shell, leaving the tails on. Place all prepared shrimp on a plate, set aside.
- Prepare your coating station by placing out two bowls. In the first bowl, add the flour, salt, pepper, coconut flakes, and bread crumbs. In the second bowl, place two eggs in and lightly whisk.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F, while you coat the shrimp.
- Dip the raw shrimp in the egg mixture and then place in the bread crumb mixture.
- Using a fork, gently toss until the shrimp is fully coated.
- Place your coated shrimp on a plate and repeat until all shrimp are coated.
- After your air fryer is preheated, open the basket and arrange the shrimp in a single layer (be careful to not over crowd, you may have to make the shrimp in batches depending on the size of your fryer).
- Gently mist the tops of the shrimp with cooking spray and insert the basket into the air fryer.
- Air fry the shrimp at 400 degrees for 6 minutes.
- Flip over the shrimp and fry for an additional 5 minutes. This will allow both sides to crisp up nicely. Repeat with the remaining shrimp batches if needed.
- Garnish with a sprinkling of parsley flakes.
- Serve warm with some sweet chili dipping sauce.
Notes
- Make sure that you pat the shrimp dry before starting to coat it. This will help the coating stick better and the shrimp get really crispy. Any excess steam in the air fryer will create a soggy coating – not what you want!
- Don’t crowd the air fryer basket! The shrimp should be in one even layer, with space in between so they don’t touch. You want the hot air to be able to circulate and move around to help create a crispy coating.
Nutrition
Check out the air fryer coconut shrimp recipe story.
