Impossibly crispy and crunchy Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp. Perfectly golden brown, crispy shrimp that are juicy and plump — with less oil than the deep-fried version. Make as a shared appetizer with dipping sauce. Or serve as a meal with rice and steamed vegetables.

this recipe

Why Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp?

A lighter, healthier version of deep-fried Coconut Shrimp — without compromising too much on taste or texture. Enjoy a satisfying crunch on the outside while keeping the shrimp succulent and juicy on the inside!

Set up a dredging station and coat the raw shrimp with a 50-50% mixture of shredded coconut flakes and panko breadcrumbs. This combination results in lots of toasted, crunchy texture. Also, a subtle hint of sweetness from the coconut. So much tasty goodness!

Air Frying keeps the coconut mixture light and crunchy. While also keeping the shrimp tender and juicy. The air fryer circulates hot air evenly for faster cooking. Easier than deep frying, it’s a convenient option that’s weeknight friendly.

The ultimate Air Fryer Shrimp recipe – easy and delicious with an unbelievably crunchy coating. The tender shrimp and crispy coconut crust will create a satisfying contrast in every bite!

Ingredients:

• Shrimp. Large shrimp (at least size 21-25) are easier to dredge, cook, and eat. Fresh shrimp or frozen shrimp are both great options. If you like, use smaller shrimp to make popcorn shrimp. Make sure to adjust the cook time so it doesn’t overcook.
• Unsweetened Shredded Coconut Flakes. Large flake, unsweetened shredded coconut adds a crispy, subtle sweetness.
• Panko Bread Crumbs. Asian Panko-style breadcrumbs are dryer and flakier than Italian-style breadcrumbs. When cooked, they crisp up delightfully and become super light, airy, and crunchy.
• Potato Starch or Corn Starch. A key ingredient for extra crispy Korean Fried Chicken, it also works to make extra crispy air-fried shrimp! A light coating keeps food crispier than regular all-purpose flour. Can be subbed with corn starch.
• Egg Whites. Egg whites alone (with no yolk) make for an ultra-crispy coating.
• Cooking Spray Oil. A spritz of oil keeps everything crispy and crunchy! I like 100% Avocado oil which has a high smoke point and won’t get smoky when heated at a high temp.
• Dipping Sauce. Serve with store-bought Thai Sweet Chili Sauce. Or, if you’d prefer a creamier sauce, make Sriracha mayo.

Instructions:

1. Prep shrimp. Defrost the shrimp, if needed. Peel and devein, leaving tails intact for easier handling and eating. Pat dry with paper towels. Generously season with salt and pepper.
2. Coat with potato starch. In a shallow bowl, combine shrimp and potato starch. Mix gently with your hands until all the shrimp are lightly dusted with potato starch. Shake off excess.
3. Dredge shrimp. Dip shrimp, one by one, into the egg whites. Then, dip into the coconut flake + panko breadcrumb mixture. Set aside and repeat until all the shrimp are dredged.
4. Air fry. Place shrimp inside a preheated air fryer basket. Spray shrimp on both sides with oil and air fry at 400F for 6 minutes. Don’t forget to shake the basket!
5. Serve. Arrange on a platter with a side of Asian chili sauce or Sriracha Mayo. Enjoy!

Watch how to make it:

Air Fryer Cooking Tips:

• Preheat the basket. Just like an oven, an Air Fryer needs to be preheated for optimal results.
• Don’t overcrowd the basket. Make sure the shrimp are not tightly packed. Air needs to circulate under and over all the shrimp. Ensures the crispiest and crunchiest coconut-crusted shrimp.
• Shake the basket! Keeps the air circulating around every piece of shrimp. When the Air Fryer says to shake the basket, shake it!

PRO Tips:

• Keep the tails intact. When prepping the shrimp, keep the tail on for easier handling.
• Any size of shrimp works. For this recipe, use any size shrimp you like. However, make sure to adjust the cooking time. The smaller the shrimp, the faster the cooking time.
• To defrost frozen shrimp: an easy trick is to cover frozen shrimp with cold water for 10-15 minutes. Peel, leaving the tails intact, and pat dry with a paper towel before dredging.
• Season shrimp. Shrimp can be surprisingly neutral tasting. Make sure to generously season with salt and pepper for best flavor.

Essential Kitchen Tools:

• Air Fryer. An Air Fryer (affiliate) works like a mini convection oven. The detachable basket and convenient handle make it ideal for small-batch cooking. As the hot air circulates all around, food items become incredibly crispy without the need for additional oil. It also cooks food faster, while using less energy. A great substitute for deep frying.

How to serve:

Versatile and crowd-pleasing, Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp can be served in various ways.

• Appetizer. Arrange on a platter with a side of Asian sweet and spicy chili sauce or spicy Sriracha mayo.
• Main. Turn into a flavorful main course by pairing with a vibrant salad or fragrant Coconut Rice.

More Air Fryer recipes:

• Crispy Panko Tofu
• Air Fryer Cheesecake with Fresh Raspberry Sauce
• Honey Soy Chicken Wings
• Crispy Chicken Wings with Korean Magic BBQ Dust Dry Rub
• Easy Korean Gochujang Chicken