Description
This Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp recipe features tender, juicy shrimp coated in a crispy, flavorful coconut and panko breadcrumb mixture. Perfectly cooked in the air fryer for a healthier alternative to deep frying, these shrimp are served with sweet chili sauce for a delightful appetizer or main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp 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
Wet Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
Breadcrumb Mixture
- ¾ cup shredded unsweetened coconut
- ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
Additional
- Cooking spray
- Sweet chili sauce for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Shrimp: Rinse the shrimp under cold water and pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels to ensure the coating sticks properly.
- Make the Flour Mixture: In a shallow bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
- Beat the Eggs: In another shallow bowl, beat the eggs thoroughly until well blended.
- Prepare the Coating Mixture: In a third shallow bowl, combine the shredded unsweetened coconut and panko breadcrumbs. Mix until evenly combined.
- Coat the Shrimp: Starting with the shrimp, dredge each piece first in the flour mixture until evenly coated, then dip it into the beaten eggs, and finally roll it in the coconut and panko breadcrumb mixture. Press gently to adhere the coating well.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and allow it to preheat for 3-5 minutes.
- Arrange the Shrimp: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place the coated shrimp in a single layer inside the basket, making sure they don’t overlap. You may need to cook in batches depending on your air fryer size.
- Air Fry the Shrimp: Cook the shrimp at 400°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time to ensure even crisping. The shrimp should be golden brown and cooked through.
- Serve: Remove the shrimp from the air fryer and serve immediately with sweet chili sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Make sure the shrimp are completely dry before coating to achieve maximum crispiness.
- You can substitute panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs to make the dish gluten-free.
- Adjust seasoning in the flour mixture according to taste; add a pinch of cayenne for a spicy kick.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
- Serve immediately for the best taste and texture.
Keywords: air fryer coconut shrimp, crispy coconut shrimp, easy coconut shrimp recipe, appetizer, seafood, air fryer shrimp