Crispy Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp makes for a restaurant quality appetizer in the comfort of your own home. Better yet? This dish is much healthier than the traditionally fried version.

crispy air fryer coconut shrimp on a plate with a sauce

Crispy Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp is one of our family favorites. My boys love how the crispy breading pairs with the juicy, plump shrimp on the inside. I love the air fryer because I can rest assured that my kids aren’t eating food that is drenched in oil.

Tips For Air Fryer Shrimp

Pat your shrimp dry. Remove any extra liquid from your shrimp to help the breading stick better.
Use fresh or thawed shrimp. Don’t attempt to dredge and coat frozen shrimp. They simply won’t take to the breading.
Don’t crowd the basket. To ensure even cooking, lay only a single layer of shrimp in the air fryer basket at a time.
So many shrimps, so little time. Any size shrimp will work, but we prefer to use large shrimp.
Keep the tail on. Keep the tail on your shrimp for easier dipping and coating.
Always preheat your air fryer. Allow your air fryer to fully preheat before you place the shrimp inside.
Don’t skip the flip. Make sure to flip your shrimp halfway through cooking to make sure they get the love they need to be crispy on both sides.

Ingredients for the Crispy Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp

How to Defrost Frozen Shrimp

Defrost frozen shrimp by setting them in the fridge overnight. If you need to quick defrost, remove frozen shrimp from the bag and place them in a colander in the sink. Run cool water over the shrimp for 7-8 minutes, making sure to separate and toss the shrimp every now and again. Before you begin dredging and coating, make sure there are no residual icey bits left on the shrimp.

How To Make Air Fryer Shrimp

Prepare the coating.
Dip a shrimp into a bowl with beaten eggs.
Then, immediately dip the shrimp into the coating.
Repeat the above steps and add coated shrimps into the air fryer basket until you get one, even layer.
Air fry your shrimps to golden brown perfection!

Freezing and Air Frying

If you’re meal-prepping or simply making these coconut shrimps for later, simply follow the coating instructions and place your shrimps on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place the baking sheet directly into the freezer so each individual shrimp freezes evenly. Frozen shrimps will take 3 to 3 ½ minutes extra to air fry on each side.

Storing Your Leftovers

Store your leftover shrimp in an airtight container. It will last for up to three days. To reheat, zap them in the microwave for 30-45 seconds or heat them up in a skillet over medium-heat. If you end up freezing your raw and breaded shrimps, they will last for up to three months in the freezer.

More Air Fryer Recipes

At Momsdish, we love using the air fryer to make healthy (and just as tasty!) versions of our favorite fried foods.

Air Fryer Chicken Wings – Sometimes chicken wings are the only food that will do the trick. This air fryer version gives them the perfect crisp, while keeping the inside moist and tender.
Air Fryer Pork Chops – Overcooked, tough pork chops are the worst. This air fryer recipe comes out perfectly juicy each time.
Air Fryer French Fries – We love french fries. But making the traditional kind is not only messy — it’s super unhealthy. Air fryer fries are just as crispy and nearly guilt-free.
Air Fryer Baked Potato – On a busy weeknight, a quick air fryer baked potato and salad is a lifesaver.

Posted June 8, 2020

About Author

Natalya Drozhzhin

Natalya founded Momsdish to demonstrate that placing a homemade meal on the table is not hard at all. Natalya makes cooking easier and approachable, by simplifying the ingredients, while still producing the same great taste.