Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp

Name: Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 lb raw shrimp (large, deveined and peeled with tails still on); 1/2 cup flour; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 2 eggs (beaten); 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes; 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs; cooking spray; 1 tbsp cilantro (for serving)

Recipe Print

Cooking your favorite seafood dishes at home is so simple when you use the Air Fryer!

This easy recipe for Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp is super crispy, breaded with coconut flakes and panko bread crumbs, and cooks up juicy and flavorful with just a small amount of oil.

a coconut shrimp dipping into sweet chili sauce

The Best Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp Recipe

This recipe for coconut shrimp in the air fryer is so simple and completely delicious!

With just a few spritzes of oil, the air fryer will give you wonderfully crispy coconut shrimp that is juicy on the inside.

Making shrimp in the air fryer this way is a healthier option than the deep-fried way coconut shrimp is usually made, but you won’t miss all that grease!

Once you get this easy breading method down, you should also try making Air Fryer Cheese Curds and Air Fryer Onion Rings. They’re made in the same way, and just as crispy and amazing as their deep-fried counterparts.

the ingredients needed to make coconut shrimp in the air fryer, arranged on a marble countertop

Ingredients In Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp

Raw Shrimp: We’re making coconut shrimp from scratch, so start with uncooked shrimp. You can use frozen shrimp but thaw it fully before starting the recipe. Be sure that the shrimp is cleaned, deveined, and that you remove the outer shells, but leave the tails on for presentation.

Flour: Mixed with some salt and pepper, flour is the first layer of our crispy shrimp breading.

Egg: Beaten eggs help to bind the breading together and keeps the breading stuck to the shrimp.

Coconut flakes: my preference is to use unsweetened coconut flakes for coconut shrimp. Be sure to use the finest coconut you can find for the best texture.

Bread crumbs: Panko adds the best crunch!

Spray Oil: We aren’t frying these shrimp, but a bit of oil on the outside helps them to get brown and crispy in the air fryer.

If you have any questions, please leave a comment below and I will get back to you ASAP

a collage of 8 images showing how to make coconut shrimp in air fryer.

How to Make Air Fryer Coconut Shimp

Set up a breading station. Combine the flour, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Place the eggs in a second bowl. Combine the coconut flakes and panko bread crumbs in a third bowl.
Dip each shrimp in the flour first, shaking off any excess.
Next, dip the dredged shrimp in the egg.
Finally, cover each shrimp with the panko coconut mixture, and shake off any extra bits that won’t stick.
Place the shrimp in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Spray them with cooking spray.
Air fry at 380°F/190°C for 5 minutes.
Flip the shrimp over, spray again with oil, and continue cooking for 3-5 more minutes or until the shrimp is cooked through and golden brown. In total, it takes 8-10 minutes to air fry coconut shrimp.
Top with chopped cilantro, and serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce.

These numbered steps match the numbered photos above and are for illustration purposes. For the complete list of ingredients and instructions for Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp, please see the recipe below.

crispy coconut shrimp in an air fryer basket.

Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp Recipe Tips

If you like your coconut shrimp extra sweet, use sweetened coconut flakes instead of unsweetened ones.
When choosing a spray oil to use with our air fryer recipes, look for an all-natural option. The additives in some cooking sprays can damage the non-stick finish on your machine.
The times for this recipe were tested using large sized shrimp. You can use medium or jumbo shrimp instead, but adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Use a thermometer to check the shrimp for doneness. They’ll be done when the shrimp reads 120°F/49°C. It’s ok if you overcook the shrimp a little bit, but they are most juicy when they’re perfectly done.
To avoid overcooking, stay close to your air fryer, and check on the shrimp often near the end of the cooking time.

What To Serve With Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp

Coconut Shrimp in the air fryer makes a wonderful appetizer, served with your favorite shrimp dipping sauce.

To make a game-day worthy appetizer spread, pair coconut shrimp with air fryer pigs in a blanket, frozen fried pickles, and air fryer buffalo boneless wings!

You can also turn this recipe into an easy dinner. Try instant pot jasmine rice and steamed veggies as your side dishes.

For dessert, try making a chocolate coconut sheet cake!

FAQs

What is the best dip for coconut shrimp?

Oh, you have some great options when deciding what to dip air fryer coconut shrimp into! I love them with a sweet and spicy dipping sauce. You can mix together apricot preserves and sweet chili sauce to make one that’s just like your favorite restaurant serves. We also make a wonderful sweet and spicy sriracha sauce that would be amazing.

Is coconut shrimp gluten free?

Most recipes for coconut shrimp include breadcrumbs and flour, so won’t typically be gluten-free. The great part about this recipe is that you control the ingredients, so feel free to use GF flour and gluten free panko to make your air fryer coconut shrimp gluten free if you need to.

Is coconut shrimp sweet?

Sometimes coconut shrimp is made with sweetened coconut, but this recipe is not. I prefer to dip my coconut shrimp into a sweet and spicy sauce instead!

a plate of coconut shrimp with dipping sauce next to an air fryer.

Pro Tips

More Air Fryer Seafood Recipes To Try

If you love shrimp, you’ll want to make our other Air Fryer Shrimp recipe. This one is unbreaded, simply seasoned, and ready in just 10 minutes!

Crispy Air Fryer Calamari is another favorite that we love dipping to marinara sauce.

Or make the family a special dinner and try our recipe for Air Fryer Scallops with garlic and herb butter.

You can cook all of your favorite fish dinners in the air fryer too! Check out Air Fryer Tilapia, Air Fryer Mahi Mahi, and Air Fryer Salmon.

Have you made this recipe? Please leave a comment AND rating below! It helps other readers!

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