Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp: Cooking Time Perfection

Coconut shrimp is a delicious dish that can be made in an air fryer in under 30 minutes. The shrimp should be cooked in batches, in a single layer, for around 8-12 minutes, depending on the size of the shrimp. The shrimp should be turned halfway through cooking and will be ready when they are golden brown and crispy.

Cooking time depends on shrimp size

To ensure even cooking, place the shrimp in a single layer on a greased tray in an air-fryer basket. Cook for four minutes, then flip the shrimp and continue cooking until the coconut is lightly browned and the shrimp turn pink, which should take about another four minutes.

Air-frying the shrimp in smaller batches will allow enough hot air to circulate around them, creating a crispier exterior. If the basket is crowded, the shrimp will be unevenly cooked and not crisp on all sides.

You can serve air-fryer coconut shrimp coated with panko and sweetened coconut in under 30 minutes.

How to get shrimp crispy

Coconut shrimp can be cooked in an air fryer in under 30 minutes. To get the shrimp crispy, place them in a single layer on a greased tray in an air fryer basket. Cook for four minutes, then flip the shrimp and continue cooking for another four minutes, or until the coconut is lightly browned and the shrimp have turned pink. Cooking the shrimp in smaller batches will allow enough hot air to circulate around them to create a crispier exterior.

To get shrimp crispy, it's important not to overcook them, as they cook very quickly and will become rubbery and tough if overcooked. You can coat the shrimp in flour, dip them in egg, and then press them into a bread crumb mixture, before frying them in batches in hot oil. The oil should be hot enough to make the breading crisp quickly and not fall apart—if you have a thermometer, check that the oil is at 350 F.

Another way to get shrimp crispy is to use panko bread crumbs. You can toss the shrimp with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder, before dipping them in flour, then egg, and finally the panko bread crumbs.

Finally, to keep the shrimp crispy after cooking, place them on paper towels or a cooling rack in a single layer. If you stack the shrimp, the ones on the bottom will become soft.

How to get shrimp evenly cooked

Cooking shrimp in an air fryer takes between 8 and 12 minutes, depending on the size of the shrimp. To ensure that the shrimp are cooked evenly, place them in a single layer on a greased tray in the air fryer basket. Cooking the shrimp in smaller batches will allow enough hot air to circulate around them, creating a crispier exterior. If the basket is crowded, the shrimp will be unevenly cooked and not crisp on all sides.

For coconut shrimp, cook the shrimp for four minutes, then flip them and continue cooking for another four minutes, or until the coconut is lightly browned and the shrimp have turned pink.

How to serve coconut shrimp

Coconut shrimp can be cooked in an air fryer in under 30 minutes. To serve, place the shrimp in a single layer on a greased tray in an air-fryer basket. Cook for four minutes, then flip the shrimp and cook for another four minutes until the coconut is lightly browned and the shrimp turn pink.

The shrimp should be cooked in small batches to allow enough hot air to circulate around them, creating a crispier exterior. If the basket is crowded, the shrimp will be unevenly cooked and not crisp on all sides.

Coconut shrimp can be served as an appetiser or a main meal. They can be served with a sweet-and-spicy apricot sauce, or with sweet chilli sauce for dipping.

How to make the sauce

Cooking coconut shrimp in an air fryer takes between 8 and 12 minutes, depending on the size of the shrimp. It's important to cook the shrimp in a single layer on a greased tray in the air fryer basket. This is to ensure that the hot air can circulate around the shrimp, creating a crispier exterior.

To make the sauce for your coconut shrimp, you'll need to combine sauce ingredients in a small saucepan. The exact ingredients will depend on your preference, but some common additions include preserves, cider vinegar, crushed red pepper flakes, and sweet chile sauce. You can also make a sweet-and-spicy apricot sauce to accompany the shrimp.

Place your chosen ingredients in a saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the preserves are melted. This should take around four minutes.

Once the sauce is ready, serve it immediately with your coconut shrimp. The sauce will complement the crispy, golden shrimp perfectly, creating a delicious and satisfying dish.

Feel free to adjust the ingredients and cooking time to suit your taste preferences and desired consistency for the sauce.

Frequently asked questions