I’ll bet you didn’t know that with just a few ingredients and a few minutes you can make your favorite restaurant appetizer right at home! Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp is quick and easy!
It might sound like a lot of work, but making Coconut Shrimp in the air fryer is actually very easy!
You only need 5 ingredients to make this deliciously crispy shrimp that is perfect for an appetizer or for a meal.
It’s a three step process to bread the shrimp, which may be a bit messy, but totally worth it for the delicious results. I’ll walk you through each step so that in no time you’ll have delicious dinner or appetizer to share.
Ingredients Needed for Coconut Shrimp
- large or extra large shrimp that has been peeled and deveined. If frozen you will need to thaw
- flour – I used coconut flour to keep it gluten free but regular all purpose flour is fine too
- eggs – for coating the shrimp so that the coconut will stick
- bread crumbs – panko works best in this recipe. Again, I used gluten free but regular is fine as well
- unsweetened shredded coconut
How to Make Shrimp in the Air Fryer
It’s important in this recipe to ensure the shrimp is fully thawed. If not, it will take longer to cook and will result in the panko/coconut coating being burnt.
You’ll need 3 bowls for the coating to create the breading for the shrimp.
- bowl 1 – flour, salt and pepper
- bowl 2 – 2 eggs beaten
- bowl 3 – panko and coconut tossed together
How to Bread the Shrimp
- Make sure the shrimp is thawed and patted dry before starting
- You can work with one piece or several at a time – whichever is easier for you
- Toss the shrimp into the flour mixture and until it has a thin coat and tap off an excess
- Carefully put into the egg mixture until coated without losing the flour
- Finally put into the panko and coconut mixture and use your fingers to make sure it’s fully coated
- Spray with avocado or olive oil spray and place in air fryer basket
Tips for Air Frying
- ensure shrimp are in a single layer in the basket and that they are not touching
- Use tongs to carefully flip them half way through so that you don’t lose any of the breading
- Spray with additional oil as needed to help the shrimp get to a light golden brown
Dipping Sauce Ideas
This is delicious served up with a little Sweet Chili Sauce or a honey lime dip
What to Serve with Coconut Shrimp
As a meal this would go well with:
Yummy with a baked potato and Caesar Pasta Salad.
Also perfect for an appetizer party along with jalapeño poppers, wings and fried pickles.
Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 oz frozen shrimp peeled deveined and thawed
- 1/4 cup coconut flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- Avocado oil for spraying
Instructions
- Add coconut flour, salt and pepper to one small bowl; beat the egg in another small bowl and finally mix panko and coconut in a third small bowl
- Pat the shrimp dry then dip until thinly coated in coconut flour
- Transfer to egg mixture until fully coated
- Transfer to panko and coconut mixture and make sure all sides are well coated
- Spray each piece with avocado oil and place in air fryer basket
- Continue until all shrimp are in air fryer basket in single layer (may have to make 2 batches)
- Add to air fryer and set to 370 degrees
- Cook for 3-4 minutes then flip
- Continue cooking until golden brown and shrimp is cooked, about 5-7 additional minutes
Notes
- ensure shrimp are in a single layer in the basket and that they are not touching
- Use tongs to carefully flip them half way through so that you don’t lose any of the breading
- Spray with additional oil as needed to help the shrimp get to a light golden brown
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