Making Perfect Air Fryer Frozen Coconut Shrimp

Crispy coconut shrimp is a favorite appetizer for good reason – the combination of tender shrimp encased in a sweet, crunchy coconut coating is irresistible. But deep frying can be messy and unhealthy. Enter the air fryer as a convenient, healthier cooking method for enjoying this tasty treat at home. Here is a complete guide on how to easily make air fryer frozen coconut shrimp.

Benefits of Air Frying Frozen Coconut Shrimp

Air frying frozen coconut shrimp has some key advantages over other cooking methods

• Less oil for lower calories – The air fryer doesn’t require submerging food in oil like deep frying. This significantly cuts calories and fat.

• Crispy texture – The circulating hot air cooks food from all sides for an evenly crispy crust

• Faster cooking – No need to wait for oil to heat up. The air fryer preheats in just 3-5 minutes.

• No thawing required – You can cook frozen shrimp straight from the freezer.

• Fewer dishes – With minimal oil, there’s less messy cleanup.

For delicious coconut shrimp without the deep fryer, the air fryer is the way to go.

Purchasing Frozen Coconut Shrimp

When buying frozen coconut shrimp, you have a couple options:

• Frozen pre-breaded coconut shrimp – Convenient ready-to-cook bags are sold at most grocery stores, often near the frozen fish. Popular brands include SeaPak, Margaritaville, Aqua Star, Trader Joe’s, etc.

• DIY breaded shrimp – Save money by breading raw shrimp yourself. Just coat with flour, egg wash, then coconut flakes. Flash freeze coated shrimp on a baking sheet before storing in a freezer bag.

No matter which you choose, make sure the shrimp are fully coated in coconut flakes for best results.

Air Fryer Tips for Coconut Shrimp

Follow these tips when cooking frozen coconut shrimp in an air fryer:

• Preheat the air fryer – Preheating helps ensure the coconut coating gets nice and crispy. Set temperature to 375°F.

• Use a single layer – Avoid overcrowding so air can circulate around each shrimp. Work in batches if needed.

• Brush with oil (optional) – For extra crisping, brush shrimp lightly with olive oil before air frying.

• Flip halfway – Flipping the shrimp over midway through allows both sides to cook evenly.

• Use tongs – Tongs make flipping and removing shrimp easy without piercing the breading.

• Check doneness – Cut into a shrimp to confirm it’s opaque in the center when fully cooked.

Time and Temperature for Air Frying Frozen Coconut Shrimp

The air frying time needed depends on the shrimp’s size:

• Small shrimp – 8-10 minutes at 350°F
• Medium shrimp – 10 minutes at 375°F
• Jumbo shrimp – 12 minutes at 400°F

For very crispy coconut coating, add 2-3 extra minutes. But don’t overcook or the coating can burn.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow this simple process for perfect air fryer coconut shrimp:

1. Preheat air fryer to 375°F.

2. Pat dry shrimp with paper towels to remove excess ice crystals.

3. Place shrimp in a single layer in air fryer basket. Don’t overcrowd.

4. Air fry 5 minutes at 375°F.

5. Flip shrimp over with tongs. Air fry 5 more minutes.

6. Check doneness by slicing a shrimp open – should be opaque in center when fully cooked.

7. Air fry 2-3 minutes more if desired for extra crispy coating.

8. Remove shrimp from the air fryer.

9. Enjoy immediately with your favorite dipping sauce!

Choosing Dipping Sauces

The possibilities are endless when it comes to dipping sauce pairings:

• Sweet chili sauce
• Duck sauce
• Plum sauce
• Honey mustard
• Ranch
• Cocktail sauce
• Tartar sauce
• Mango salsa
• Guacamole
• Pineapple salsa
• Peanut sauce

Think sweet, savory, spicy or creamy. The sauce should complement the coconut shrimp, not overpower it.

Coconut Shrimp Air Fryer Recipe Ideas

Take your coconut shrimp up a notch by trying:

• Coconut shrimp tacos – Add shrimp to warmed tortillas with cabbage, mango salsa and cilantro.

• Coconut shrimp salad – Toss chilled shrimp with mixed greens, mandarin oranges, toasted almonds and poppyseed dressing.

• Thai coconut shrimp skewers – Alternate shrimp and veggies like pineapple and bell pepper on skewers. Brush with Thai peanut sauce before air frying.

• Coconut shrimp lettuce wraps – Wrap shrimp and diced avocado in lettuce leaves. Drizzle with grilled pineapple vinaigrette.

• Coconut shrimp pineapple bowls – Nestle shrimp in hollowed fresh pineapple halves along with diced mango.

Storing and Reheating Leftover Coconut Shrimp

Properly stored, leftover air fried coconut shrimp will keep in the fridge for 2-3 days. To reheat:

• Place shrimp in a single layer in air fryer basket.

• Air fry at 325°F for 4-5 minutes until hot.

• For crispiest results, brush lightly with oil before reheating.

• Microwaving is another fast reheating option.

Common Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp Questions

Should I spray the air fryer basket with oil?

No, the natural oils in the shrimp and coconut coating will release and crisp up the shrimp without adding more oil.

Can I cook more shrimp at once to save time?

It’s best to work in batches to prevent overcrowding so the shrimp cook evenly. Don’t overload the air fryer basket.

Do I need to flip the shrimp?

Yes, flipping halfway through ensures both sides get perfectly crisp. Use tongs to carefully flip.

Can I use frozen shrimp without coconut?

Breading the raw shrimp in coconut gives the essential flavor and texture. Plain frozen shrimp won’t have the same result.

Should I thaw the shrimp first?

Nope! The air fryer’s powerful heat will cook the shrimp straight from frozen.

Enjoy the Simple Joy of Air Fried Coconut Shrimp

Thanks to the air fryer, you can skip the deep fryer and enjoy healthier homemade coconut shrimp anytime. Crisp, golden and full of flavor, it makes an easy yet impressive appetizer. So next time you get a craving for this tropical favorite, just toss some frozen coconut shrimp in the air fryer. In minutes you’ll have piping hot, perfectly cooked shrimp ready to dip and devour. It’s a foolproof method that delivers big taste without the mess, expense or calories of deep frying.