Description
This air fryer crispy coconut shrimp recipe delivers a golden, shatteringly crisp exterior and juicy interior without the grease of deep frying. It’s a quick, healthier alternative to takeout that comes together in under 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450g) jumbo or extra-large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 cups (120g) unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1 cup (80g) panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup (60g) all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Cooking spray (olive oil or avocado oil)
- ½ cup mayonnaise (for dipping sauce)
- ¼ cup sweet chili sauce (for dipping sauce)
- 1 tablespoon lime juice, freshly squeezed (for dipping sauce)
- 1 clove garlic, minced (for dipping sauce)
Instructions
- Thaw shrimp in cold water if frozen, then pat completely dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Set up a dredging station with three shallow bowls: Bowl 1 contains flour mixed with garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of salt; Bowl 2 contains beaten eggs; Bowl 3 contains a mixture of shredded coconut and panko breadcrumbs.
- Dip each shrimp in the flour, shaking off excess, then dip in the egg, letting excess drip off, and finally press firmly into the coconut-panko mixture to coat evenly.
- Preheat the air fryer to 390°F (200°C).
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil. Place shrimp in a single layer without touching. Spray the tops of the shrimp with oil.
- Cook for 4 minutes, then flip the shrimp and spray the other side with oil. Cook for another 4-6 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
- While shrimp cook, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, lime juice, and minced garlic to make the dipping sauce.
- Serve the shrimp immediately with the dipping sauce.
Notes
Ensure shrimp are completely dry before breading to prevent soggy coating. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if necessary. Coconut burns easily, so check at 6 minutes and lower temperature to 375°F if needed. For best results, use unsweetened flaked or shredded coconut.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 shrimp per serving
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 24
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 22
Keywords: air fryer coconut shrimp, crispy shrimp, healthy appetizer, easy dinner, seafood recipe, gluten-free option