This Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp recipe delivers all the crunch without the extra oil, making it a quick, easy, and healthier option. Perfect for an appetizer, game-day snack, or even a light dinner, these shrimp come together in just over 20 minutes.
Add Coconut Shrimp to Your Game Day Spread
If you’re craving crispy, golden, coconut-crusted shrimp but don’t want the hassle (or mess) of deep frying, you’re in the right place. This Air fryer Coconut Shrimp is crispy, juicy, and just a little fancy, but without the extra work. You can whip up a batch in no time, and it feels way more special than the usual chips and dip.
Looking for more game-day appetizers to add to the line-up? Try my Best Damn Air Fryer Street Corn, Best Damn Air Fryer Chicken Wings, or Best Damn Slow Cooker Bourbon Meatballs!
Main Ingredients You’ll Need
For this recipe, you’ll need just a handful of pantry staples and fresh shrimp:
- All-purpose flour – Helps the coating stick to the shrimp.
- Unsweetened shredded coconut – The star of the show for that crispy, tropical crunch.
- Panko breadcrumbs – Helps with an extra crispy texture.
- Eggs – Binds everything together.
- Large shrimp – Peeled and deveined for easy prep.
- Your favorite sauce – For dipping.
How to Make the Best Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp
1. Preheat the Air Fryer
Set your air fryer to 400°F and let it preheat for about 5 minutes while you prepare the ingredients. A preheated air fryer ensures even cooking and extra crispiness.
2. Set Up the Breading Stations
You’ll need three shallow bowls:
- Bowl 1: Combine flour, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Bowl 2: Mix coconut and panko breadcrumbs.
- Bowl 3: Whisk the eggs.
3. Coat the Shrimp
Dip each shrimp into the flour mixture (shaking off excess). Then, coat in egg, ensuring full coverage.
Next, roll in the coconut-panko mixture, pressing gently to adhere, and lightly spray it with olive oil cooking spray for extra crispiness.
4. Air Fry the Shrimp
Arrange shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket (work in batches if needed). Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. Shrimp should be golden brown and crispy.
5. Serve & Enjoy
Serve immediately with sweet chili sauce for dipping. These are best enjoyed fresh for the crispiest texture!
Pro Tips for the Crispiest Coconut Shrimp
- Use large shrimp – Smaller shrimp cook too quickly and won’t develop as much crunch.
- Pat shrimp dry – Excess moisture can prevent the coating from sticking properly.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket – Giving the shrimp space ensures even cooking and crispiness.
- Spray lightly with oil – This helps achieve that golden crust.
What to Serve with Coconut Shrimp
This crispy shrimp pairs well with:
- Instant Pot Brown Rice for a balanced meal.
- Sweet and Chunky Mango Salsa for a tropical vibe.
- Country Creamy Coleslaw for a refreshing crunch.
- Swap it as a protein in this Creamy Lemon Chicken and Rice recipe for a flavorful combination.
Storing & Reheating Leftovers
While air fryer coconut shrimp is best fresh, you can store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container. You can also store them in the freezer for 2 months in a sealed bag.
To Reheat:
- Air fryer: 350°F for 3-5 minutes.
- Oven: 375°F for 5-7 minutes.
- Avoid microwaving – it makes them soggy!
FAQs
Yes! Just thaw them first and pat them dry before breading.
Absolutely! Swap the flour for gluten-free flour and use gluten-free panko.
Sweet chili sauce is a classic, but try honey mustard, bang bang sauce, or a zesty lime aioli.
Recipe
Best Damn Air Fryer Shrimp
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
Make crispy, golden air fryer shrimp coated in shredded coconut and panko breadcrumbs for the perfect crunch! This easy, healthier take on coconut shrimp is air-fried to perfection and served with a sweet and spicy homemade chili sauce.
Ingredients
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- ¾ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs
- 1 lb (31-35 count) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Sweet chili sauce, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 400°(F).
- In a small shallow bowl, combine flour, garlic powder, salt and pepper. In a separate small shallow bowl, combine coconut and breadcrumbs. Place egg in a separate small shallow bowl.
- Dip shrimp in the flour mixture, then the egg and breadcrumb mixture, shaking off any excess.
- Coat shrimp with olive oil cooking spray.
- Place shrimp into the air fryer basket. Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping shrimp halfway through.
- Serve with chili sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Air Fryer
Sallie E Childers says
The Fresh Market has a Coconut Mango Chile Sauce that is wonderful on these too!
RecipeTeacher says
Omg yes! That would be perfect for these!