Coconut Shrimp

Coconut Shrimp

Crispy, golden coconut shrimp made effortlessly in the air fryer — no greasy deep-frying required. Each plump shrimp is coated in a light egg wash, dusted with seasoned flour, then rolled in a crunchy blend of panko and shredded coconut before air frying to perfection. Serve with a sweet chili dipping sauce for a crowd-pleasing appetizer the whole family will love.

4 servings · Prep 20 min · Cook 12 min · Total 32 min

American · Southeast Asian · Appetizer

Main

  • 1 lb large shrimp peeled, deveined, tails on
  • 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
  • 0.5 tsp garlic powder
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper freshly ground
  • 2 large eggs beaten
  • 0.75 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 0.75 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
  • 1 tbsp cooking spray for misting shrimp before air frying

Dipping Sauce

  • 0.5 cup sweet chili sauce store-bought
  • 1 tbsp lime juice freshly squeezed

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Air Fryer
  • Baking Sheet
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Cooking Spray
  • Paper Towel
  • Wire Rack
  • Whisk
  • Basket
  • Tongs

Instructions

  1. Pat the @[Large Shrimp Peeled, Tails On] completely dry with #[Paper Towel] — this is key for a crispy coating. Set up a three-station breading line: (1) @[All-Purpose Flour] mixed with @[Garlic Powder], @[Salt], and @[Black Pepper] in a shallow bowl; (2) beaten @[Large Eggs] in a second bowl; (3) @[Panko Breadcrumbs] and @[Unsweetened Shredded Coconut] combined in a third bowl.
  2. Working one @[Large Shrimp Peeled, Tails On] at a time, hold it by the tail and dredge in the seasoned @[All-Purpose Flour], shaking off any excess. Dip into the beaten @[Large Eggs], letting the excess drip off, then press firmly into the @[Panko Breadcrumbs]-@[Unsweetened Shredded Coconut] mixture, coating all sides evenly. Place breaded @[Large Shrimp Peeled, Tails On] on a wire rack or plate while you finish the rest.
  3. Preheat your #[Air Fryer] to ![375°F] for ~[3 minutes]. Arrange the breaded @[Large Shrimp Peeled, Tails On] in a single layer in the #[Air Fryer] basket — do not overlap. Lightly mist the tops with #[Cooking Spray]. Air fry for ~[10–12 minutes], flipping halfway through, until the coconut coating is golden and the @[Large Shrimp Peeled, Tails On] are cooked through (opaque and curled). Work in batches if needed.
  4. While the @[Large Shrimp Peeled, Tails On] cook, stir together the @[Sweet Chili Sauce] and @[Lime Juice] in a small bowl. Serve the coconut @[Large Shrimp Peeled, Tails On] immediately with the dipping sauce on the side.