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This 10-minute air fryer coconut shrimp recipe is easy to make, packed with flavor, and has a ton of crunch! It’s the perfect appetizer or finger food.
Craving more crispy air fryer recipes? Try my air fryer fried chicken, air fryer sweet potato fries, air fryer French fries, and air fryer chicken nuggets.
I love deep-fried foods just as much as the next person, but if I can still enjoy the flavor without all the excess fat, count me in! My air fryer coconut shrimp recipe is completely oil-free but still gives you crunchy, succulent results.
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- Always crowd-pleasing. Sure, air fryer shrimp is delicious, but who can resist a piece of crispy coconut shrimp? This is an irresistible dish, especially when it’s served with dipping sauce.
- Perfect texture and flavor. There’s a big crunch in every bite, while the coconut flavor is light and subtle.
- It’s completely hands-off! Like air fryer chicken wings, the air fryer ensures that the there is no long cook time or babysitting.
- Super fast. Seriously, this dish takes just 10 minutes of cooking (er, air frying) time.
Ingredients needed
- Shrimp. Use large peeled shrimp or jumbo shrimp. You can leave the tails on or off.
- Eggs. The shrimp are coated in whisked eggs to help the breadcrumbs stick to the outside.
- Unsweetened shredded coconut. This gives the shrimp a lovely coconut flavor. Remember to use unsweetened coconut to avoid sweet-tasting shrimp.
- Panko breadcrumbs. Regular breadcrumbs will work instead but aren’t as light and crunchy as panko.
- All-purpose flour. Or you can use almond flour, coconut flour, or a 1:1 gluten free flour.
- Garlic powder. This gives the breading an irresistibly savory flavor.
- Smoked paprika. Or use regular paprika.
- Salt and pepper. For flavor and balance.
How to make air fryer coconut shrimp
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1 – Set up the dredging station. Beat the eggs, stir the coconut and breadcrumbs together, then stir the flour and seasonings in their respective bowls.
Step 2 – Dredge the shrimp. Dip shrimp in the seasoned flour, then whisked eggs, and finally, the coconut mixture. Repeat with the rest of the shrimp.
Step 3 – Air fry the coconut shrimp. Place shrimp in your greased air fryer basket, ensuring that they aren’t touching each other (air fry the shrimp in batches if you need to). Air fry until the shrimp are crisp and golden.
Step 4 – Repeat, then serve. Repeat the process with the rest of the shrimp, then serve with your favorite dipping sauce. Enjoy!
What to serve with this
You can make this crunchy snack even more irresistible by plating the shrimp with freshly chopped parsley and lime wedges on the side. Include a variety of dipping sauces for serving, too. Coconut shrimp is fantastic with sweet chili sauce, coconut shrimp sauce, spicy mayo, and hot honey sauce.
Recipe tips and variations
- You can use fresh or frozen shrimp. Just remember to fully thaw the frozen shrimp in the refrigerator before making this recipe.
- Dry the shrimp. Use paper towels to pat the shrimp dry before dredging them in the eggs, flour, and breadcrumbs.
- Work in batches because crowding will cause them to steam rather than crisp. Always cook in a single layer.
- Change up the seasoning. Feel free to add some red chili flakes or cayenne pepper to the dry mix for some added heat, or Italian seasoning for some Italian flair.
Storage instructions
To store: Keep the air fried coconut shrimp in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To freeze: Once they’re cooked and cooled to room temperature, place them in an airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheating: Place the chilled or frozen coconut shrimp in the air fryer and reheat until warmed through.
More crowd-pleasing air fryer appetizers
- Air fryer potstickers
- Air fryer buffalo Cauliflower
- Air fryer bagel bites
- Air fryer popcorn
- Air fryer pickles
Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp
Video
Ingredients
- 1 pound large shrimp peeled
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 180C/350F.
- In a bowl, beat the eggs. In a separate bowl, combine the coconut flakes with the bread crumbs. In a third bowl, add the flour, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Dip the shrimp in the flour, shake off excess, then the egg mixture, and then in the coconut and panko mixture, pressing firmly for it to stick. Repeat the process.
- Grease the air fryer basket, then add the coconut shrimp to it, ensuring that they are not touching one another.
- Air fry for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Once the shrimp are golden brown, remove them from the air fryer basket and serve immediately.
What if I don’t have an air fryer? I read somewhere that a convection oven would work but I don’t remember the details! Hope you can help. Thanks,
Yes it will 🙂 Do the same temperature listed and cook in a single layer 🙂
I would love to try this, but don’t have an air-fryer. Is there another way to prepare this?
Absolutely love all your recipes!
I tried this over the weekend and it worked well!
I am impressed with how crunchy it came out. I made with some variation:
– swapped coconut with sesame seeds
– spray a coat of olive oil just prior to air frying.
I love coconut shrimp. I’m trying this Sunday while watching NCAA CWS.
Looks great,am anxious to try it