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image of a flat lay shot of the ingredients for air fryer coconut shrimp including shrimp shredded coconut flour eggs panko breadcrumbs and a sweet chili dipping sauce arranged artfully on a rustic wooden board with some fresh lime wedges and cilantro garnishing the scene

The Easiest Crispy Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp Recipe

This crispy air fryer coconut shrimp recipe delivers restaurant-quality crunch with a fraction of the oil. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or as an impressive appetizer for parties, these shrimp are golden, juicy, and full of flavor.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 18 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Seafood
Calories: 280
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb Large Raw Shrimp peeled and deveined, tails on or off
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp paprika
  • 2 large eggs or egg whites
  • 1 tbsp water
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 cup shredded coconut unsweetened or sweetened
  • Cooking Spray or Olive Oil for spritzing

Equipment

  • Air Fryer,
  • - Mixing bowls
  • - Whisk
  • paper towels.

Method
 

  1. Set up three shallow dishes. In the first, whisk together the flour, salt, garlic powder, and paprika. In the second, beat the eggs with a splash of water. In the third, combine the panko breadcrumbs and shredded coconut.
  2. Pat the shrimp completely dry with paper towels. A dry surface helps the flour mixture adhere properly.
  3. Working one shrimp at a time, first coat it lightly in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Then, dip it into the egg wash, allowing any extra to drip off. Finally, press it firmly into the panko breadcrumb coconut mixture, ensuring it's completely coated on all sides. Place the breaded shrimp on a clean plate or baking sheet.
  4. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3-5 minutes. A hot basket prevents sticking and kickstarts the crisping process.
  5. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Arrange the shrimp in a single layer, making sure they aren't touching. Overcrowding will steam the shrimp instead of frying them. You may need to do this in batches. Lightly spritz the tops of the shrimp with a little more cooking spray.
  6. Cook for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the shrimp are pink, opaque, and the coconut is a beautiful golden brown.

Nutrition

Calories: 280kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 35gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 180mgSodium: 650mgPotassium: 350mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 120IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 60mgIron: 3mg

Notes

For extra crispy shrimp, toast the panko and coconut mixture in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes before breading. For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne or Chinese five spice to the flour mixture. Gluten-free and keto options are also available using substitutions listed in the article.
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