How Long to Cook Frozen Coconut Shrimp in an Air Fryer for Perfectly Crispy Results

Coconut shrimp is a delicious appetizer that’s coated in a crispy, coconut breading. It’s often served at restaurants alongside a sweet chili or orange marmalade dipping sauce. But thanks to the air fryer, you can now easily make this restaurant-quality appetizer right at home in just minutes.

Cooking frozen coconut shrimp in the air fryer yields tender, juicy shrimp encased in a perfectly crispy exterior. The circulating hot air quickly crisps up the coconut breading without overcooking the shrimp inside.

But exactly how long do you need to cook frozen coconut shrimp in the air fryer? This will depend on a few factors:

• The size of the shrimp
• The temperature of your air fryer
• How crispy you want the coating

Below we’ll cover everything you need to know to get perfect, crunchy coconut shrimp every time using your air fryer.

Factors That Affect Cooking Time

Here are the key factors that impact how long frozen coconut shrimp needs to cook

Shrimp Size

• Small shrimp = 8-10 minutes
• Medium shrimp = 10-12 minutes
• Jumbo shrimp = 12-14 minutes

Larger shrimp naturally need a little longer cooking time than smaller shrimp. When in doubt, err on the side of slightly undercooking jumbo shrimp to keep them tender and juicy inside.

Air Fryer Temperature

• 350°F = add 2-3 extra minutes
• 375°F = the ideal temp
• 400°F = subtract 2 minutes

Air fryers that run at a lower temp will require cooking the shrimp a bit longer. But higher temps speed things up. Stick to around 375°F for the best results.

Desired Crispiness

• More crisp = Add 2-3 minutes
• Less crisp = Subtract 1-2 minutes

If you really want an extra crispy coconut coating, let the shrimp cook for a couple minutes longer. For a slightly softer texture, reduce the cooking time by a minute or two.

Recommended Cook Times

Based on shrimp size, here are the approximate air fryer cook times:

For Small Coconut Shrimp

• 8-10 minutes at 350°F
• 8-10 minutes at 375°F
• 6-8 minutes at 400°F

For Medium Coconut Shrimp

• 10-12 minutes at 350°F
• 10-12 minutes at 375°F
• 8-10 minutes at 400°F

For Large or Jumbo Coconut Shrimp

• 12-14 minutes at 350°F
• 12-14 minutes at 375°F
• 10-12 minutes at 400°F

These cook times are based on frozen shrimp at an average air fryer temperature. Monitor closely and adjust the time up or down if needed.

Step-By-Step Directions

Follow these simple steps for perfectly cooked coconut shrimp straight from the freezer:

1. Preheat air fryer to 375°F. This helps start thawing and crisping the exterior.

2. Add frozen coconut shrimp in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd.

3. Cook at 375°F for half the recommended time based on size. For jumbo shrimp, cook 6-7 minutes.

4. Flip shrimp with tongs and cook for the remaining estimated time.

5. Check for doneness after full cook time. Shrimp should be opaque and coating crispy.

6. If needed, cook 1-2 minutes more until the desired crispness is reached.

7. Remove shrimp from the air fryer immediately to prevent overcooking.

8. Allow to cool for 2-3 minutes before serving with your favorite dipping sauce.

That’s all there is to it! Perfectly cooked frozen coconut shrimp in 10-15 minutes.

Tips for the Best Results

Here are some helpful tips:

• Don’t overcrowd shrimp – Cook in a single layer for even crisping. Work in batches for larger amounts.

• Preheat air fryer – This gives a head start on cooking and thawing.

• Flip halfway – Ensures even cooking and crisping on both sides.

• Work quickly – Have everything ready and remove finished shrimp right away to prevent overcooking.

• Pat dry – Dab off any ice crystals before cooking for optimal crispness.

• Use cooking spray – Lightly coat the basket to prevent sticking if needed.

• Adjust time as needed – Cook a minute or two longer or less to get your perfect texture.

What About Double Breading?

Some store-bought frozen coconut shrimp come double breaded or coated in a batter first. Double breading helps seal in juices but may require a minute or two extra cook time in the air fryer. Watch closely and adjust time accordingly.

Can You Use a Ninja Foodi or Other Brand?

Yes, you can absolutely make coconut shrimp in any brand of air fryer including:

• Ninja Foodi
• Instant Pot Air Fryer
• Cosori Air Fryer
• Cuisinart Air Fryer
• Philips Airfryer
• NuWave Brio
• And more!

Just adjust cook times based on your model’s temperature and your shrimp size. Air fryers all operate on the same basic technology so the method remains the same across brands.

Cooking Raw Shrimp in the Air Fryer

While this recipe is designed for frozen coconut shrimp, you can also use thawed raw shrimp. Lightly coat in coconut flakes then cook at 400°F for 4-6 minutes until opaque, flipping halfway. The cook time will be much shorter without the freezing.

Serving Suggestions

Coconut shrimp pairs perfectly with:

• Sweet chili sauce
• Orange or pineapple marmalade
• Soy ginger dipping sauce
• Peanut satay sauce
• Honey mustard sauce
• Marinara for a shrimp “popper” twist

Or serve on a bed of tropical fruit, rice, or a crispy salad!

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

You can store leftover air fried coconut shrimp in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.

To reheat, place back in the air fryer at 325°F for 4-5 minutes until warmed through and crispy again.

You can also reheat in the oven at 375°F for 6-8 minutes. Just watch closely to avoid overcooking.

More Delicious Air Fryer Shrimp Recipes

If you love seafood in the air fryer, try these quick and easy shrimp recipes:

• Lemon Garlic Air Fryer Shrimp – Butterfly shrimp coated in lemony garlic herb sauce

• Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp – Crispy fried shrimp in a spicy mayo sauce

• Air Fryer Shrimp Scampi – Tender shrimp baked with garlic butter

• Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp Fritters – Shrimp mixed into a chewy coconut batter

• Cajun Air Fryer Shrimp – Blackened spicy shrimp made fast

• Air Fryer Shrimp Boil – All the flavors of a shrimp boil in one pot

With just a few minutes in the air fryer you can enjoy restaurant-quality shrimp appetizers at home any night of the week.

So next time you have a bag of frozen coconut shrimp on hand, toss them straight in the air fryer from frozen. In less than 15 minutes, you’ll have crispy coconut shrimp ready to enjoy as a tasty appetizer or meal. Adjust cook times as needed to reach your preferred level of crispness and enjoy!