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A plate of air fryer coconut shrimp with a side of chili sauce.
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5 from 4 votes

Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp

These air fryer coconut shrimp are crispy, easy, and made without deep frying—perfect with sweet chili sauce for dipping.
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

Video

Notes

Don’t overcrowd the basket: Give each shrimp space so they crisp up evenly.
Use cooking spray: This helps the coating turn golden and crunchy.
Press the coating firmly: This ensures the coconut mixture sticks well.
Cook in batches if needed: It’s worth the extra time for perfectly crispy results.

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