Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp Recipe
This Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp recipe features crispy, golden shrimp coated in a crunchy coconut and panko breadcrumb mixture, cooked to perfection in the air fryer. It’s a quick and easy appetizer or main dish that pairs beautifully with sweet chili sauce for a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors.
- Author: Emma
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Shrimp and Coating
- 1 pound large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined with tails attached
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ cup shredded unsweetened coconut
- ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
Others
- Cooking spray
- Sweet chili sauce for serving
- Prepare the Shrimp: Rinse the shrimp under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Ensure they are peeled and deveined, leaving the tails on for easy handling and presentation.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a shallow bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to evenly distribute the seasonings.
- Prepare Egg Wash: In a separate bowl, beat the two eggs until smooth and set aside.
- Create Coating Mixture: In another shallow dish, mix together the shredded unsweetened coconut and panko breadcrumbs to form the crunchy coating.
- Coat the Shrimp: Dredge each shrimp first in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Then dip it into the beaten eggs to coat thoroughly. Finally, press the shrimp into the coconut and panko mixture, ensuring an even and complete coating on all sides.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3-5 minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Arrange Shrimp: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place the coated shrimp in a single layer in the basket, ensuring they do not overlap or crowd each other for even crisping.
- Air Fry: Cook the shrimp at 400°F for 8-10 minutes, turning them halfway through the cooking time to achieve a golden, crispy crust and tender shrimp inside.
- Serve: Remove the shrimp from the air fryer and serve immediately with sweet chili sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
- Make sure to dry the shrimp thoroughly before coating to help the breading adhere better.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if necessary to maintain crispiness.
- For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper or paprika to the flour mixture.
- Use unsweetened coconut to avoid any unwanted sweetness that alters the flavor balance.
- Adjust cook time based on your air fryer model and shrimp size.
Keywords: air fryer shrimp, coconut shrimp, crispy shrimp, appetizer, easy shrimp recipe, sweet chili sauce