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A plate of air fryer coconut shrimp with a side of chili sauce.
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Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp

Crispy air fryer coconut shrimp are absolutely irresistible, especially with homemade sweet chili sauce for dipping! This easy, healthy air fryer recipe is sure to become a fast favorite.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: air fryer coconut shrimp
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 279kcal

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • Mixing bowls

Ingredients

  • cup all purpose flour
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 ½ cups sweetened finely shredded coconut
  • 1 pound raw shrimp deveined, peeled, tail on
  • Cooking Spray

Sweet Chili Sauce

  • ½ cup rice vinegar
  • ½ cup water
  • cup granulated sugar
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 Tablespoons sambal chili paste
  • 2 teaspoons soy sauce or tamari
  • 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 Tablespoons water
  • 2 Tablespoons fresh cilantro minced

Instructions

  • Preheat an air fryer to 375ºF.
  • In a small bowl, mix together the flour, garlic powder, salt and pepper with a fork. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs with a splash of water to thin out slightly.
    ⅓ cup all purpose flour, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 2 large eggs
  • In another bowl, mix together the breadcrumbs and coconut until evenly distributed.
    ½ cup panko breadcrumbs, 1 ½ cups sweetened
  • Using a paper towel, gently pat dry the shrimp to remove any excess moisture from the surface. This will allow the coating to adhere better.
    1 pound raw shrimp
  • Holding by the tail, dredge each shrimp in the flour mixture, followed by the egg, then the coconut mixture.
  • Spray the outside of each shrimp with cooking spray and set aside on a plate.
    Cooking Spray
  • Place the shrimp around the inside of the air fryer basket, leaving a small space in between to keep them from sticking together. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes until golden brown, turning once halfway through. Depending on the size of your air fryer, this may require cooking in a few batches.

Sweet Chili Sauce

  • In a small saucepot, combine the rice vinegar, water, sugar, garlic, sambal and soy sauce. Cook over medium heat until it starts to simmer.
    ½ cup rice vinegar, ½ cup water, ⅓ cup granulated sugar, 2 cloves garlic, 2 Tablespoons sambal, 2 teaspoons soy sauce or tamari
  • In a small bowl, mix together the cornstarch and water with a fork, forming a slurry. Add to the sauce mixture and return to a simmer. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the sauce starts to thicken, scraping the sides throughout.
    1 Tablespoon cornstarch, 2 Tablespoons water
  • Stir in the cilantro. Set aside to let cool slightly before serving.
    2 Tablespoons fresh cilantro

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 279kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 150mg | Sodium: 1049mg | Potassium: 237mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 236IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 68mg | Iron: 1mg