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Crispy Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp

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A quick and easy 10-minute snack featuring crispy, lightly sweet coconut shrimp made in the air fryer without deep frying. Perfect for snack time or parties with a flavorful tropical twist.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 16–20 large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 teaspoon salt, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Cooking spray or light olive oil spray
  • Optional: pinch of cayenne pepper

Instructions

  1. Rinse the shrimp under cold water and pat dry thoroughly with paper towels.
  2. Set up three breading stations: (1) flour mixed with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, (2) beaten eggs with about 2 tablespoons water, (3) shredded coconut, panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, smoked paprika, remaining salt, and black pepper mixed together.
  3. Dredge each shrimp first in the flour mixture, shaking off excess.
  4. Dip shrimp into the egg wash, letting excess drip off.
  5. Press shrimp firmly into the coconut-panko mixture, coating evenly.
  6. Repeat the egg wash and coconut-panko coating for a double layer of crunch.
  7. Place coated shrimp on a baking sheet or plate.
  8. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
  9. Arrange shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them.
  10. Lightly spray shrimp with cooking oil spray.
  11. Cook for 4-5 minutes, flip shrimp, spray again, and cook another 4-5 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
  12. Check for doneness; shrimp should be opaque and firm with a crunchy coating. Cook an additional 1-2 minutes if needed, watching closely to avoid burning.
  13. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.

Notes

Pat shrimp dry thoroughly to ensure coating sticks. Double coating with egg wash and coconut-panko mix creates extra crunch. Lightly spray shrimp with oil before and after flipping for best crispiness. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket; cook in batches if necessary. Preheat air fryer for better texture. For gluten-free, substitute flour and panko with almond flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs. Reheat leftovers in air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes to maintain crispiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer, coconut shrimp, crispy shrimp, quick snack, easy recipe, party appetizer, seafood, tropical flavor

Find it online: https://wigglebite.com/crispy-air-fryer-coconut-shrimp-recipe-easy-10-minute-snack-without-deep-frying/