Description
Quick and easy air fryer coconut shrimp that is crispy, golden, and kid-approved. Made in just 15 minutes with no deep frying mess, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound large shrimp (21–25 count per pound), frozen or fresh, thawed, peeled, deveined, and thoroughly dried
- 1.5 cups sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2 tablespoons milk or buttermilk
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup sweet chili sauce (for dipping)
- 1 lime, cut into wedges (for serving)
- Olive oil spray or melted butter (optional, for browning)
Instructions
- Thaw frozen shrimp under cold running water for 5 minutes if necessary. Peel and devein if not already done. Pat shrimp completely dry with paper towels; this step is crucial for crispy breading.
- Set up a dredging station with three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, mix flour with half the garlic powder, salt, and pepper. In the second bowl, whisk eggs, milk, remaining garlic powder, salt, and pepper. In the third bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs and shredded coconut.
- Dredge each shrimp in the flour mixture, shaking off excess. Dip into the egg wash, letting excess drip off. Press firmly into the coconut-panko mixture to ensure coating adheres. Place on a clean plate.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes. Lightly spray breaded shrimp with oil spray if desired.
- Place shrimp in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they do not overlap. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through (around 4 minutes).
- Shrimp are done when the coconut is golden brown and the shrimp are opaque and pink. Serve immediately with lime wedges and sweet chili sauce.
Notes
Ensure shrimp are completely dry before breading to prevent soggy results. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if necessary. For best texture, serve immediately. Leftovers can be reheated in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes. Do not microwave as it makes shrimp rubbery.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 6-8 sh
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 6
- Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 24
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 22
Keywords: air fryer, coconut shrimp, crispy shrimp, quick dinner, kid-friendly, seafood, air fryer recipes, 15 minute meals