Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp
This air fryer coconut shrimp recipe delivers restaurant-quality crunch without deep frying! Crispy, golden coconut shrimp in under 15 minutes!
Servings: 2
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
Coconut Shrimp
- 1 egg
- ½ lb shrimp butterflied
- ½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- ¾ cup panko bread crumbs
- ¼ cup all purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Bang Bang Sauce
- ¼ cup sweet chili sauce
- 2 tablespoon kewpie mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
Instructions
To make the breading station:
- In the first bowl, mix together flour, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder until well combined.
- In the second bowl, whisk the eggs until smooth and beaten.
- In the third bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs and coconut flakes, mixing until they're evenly distributed.
To bread the shrimp:
- Working with one shrimp at a time, dip the shrimp in the flour mixture, coating completely. Shake off any excess.
- Next, dip the floured shrimp into the beaten eggs, ensuring it is fully coated.
- Press the shrimp into the coconut-panko mixture, making sure the coating adheres well on both sides. The key to getting the panko mixture to stick is by firmly pressing the shrimp. Gently shake off any excess.
To cook the coconut shrimp:
- Spray the breaded shrimp on both sides with neutral oil. Preheat the air fryer to 350F.
- Place shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't overlap and no air fryer liner is used. Using air fryer liners will not allow the coconut shrimp to get crispy.
- Air fry the coconut shrimp at 350F for 5-7 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Flip halfway through if the coconut flakes start to burn. Remove and set aside.
To make the bang bang sauce:
- Whisk together sweet chili sauce, Kewpie mayonnaise and lime juice until well combined.
To serve:
- Serve the coconut shrimp immediately with the bang bang sauce. Garnish with lime wedges, cilantro and scallions, as desired.
Notes
- Use large shrimp. Larger shrimp will ensure it doesn't get overcooked once air fried.
- Butterfly the shrimp to create more surface area for the panko and coconut flakes to stick to.
- Press the coconut-panko coating firmly onto the shrimp to help the coating stick better.
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer. Work in batches to allow proper air flow for even air circulation and cooking.
- Serve immediately for best texture.
