Air-Fryer Frozen Coconut Shrimp: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

If you're looking for a quick, easy, and delicious meal, look no further than air fryer frozen coconut shrimp. This dish is perfect for those who crave juicy shrimp with a crunchy, sweet breading. The best part? You don't even need to thaw the shrimp! Simply place them in the air fryer, turn up the heat, and you'll have a gloriously crispy exterior with a tender and flavourful interior in under 20 minutes. The air fryer gives you the perfect restaurant-style shrimp without the need for deep frying or heavy oil. It's a healthier option that doesn't compromise on taste.

Choosing your shrimp

When choosing your shrimp, go for large shrimp or prawns as they will be easier to work with and give you a juicier bite. You can also leave the tails on, which makes them easier to pick up and gives them a cute look. If you're using frozen shrimp, make sure they are fully thawed before cooking. You can do this by placing them in the fridge overnight or running them under cold water.

It's also important to pat the shrimp dry before coating and air-frying them. This will help to ensure that they get crispy and not soggy. You can use paper towels or a clean cloth to do this.

When preparing your shrimp, it's a good idea to set up a dredging station. This will make the coating process easier and less messy. You will need three bowls: one for the flour mix (flour and spices), one for the beaten eggs, and one for the panko and shredded coconut. You can also add some spices to the flour for extra flavour.

Once your shrimp are prepared and coated, you can place them in the air fryer. Make sure they are in a single layer and not touching each other. This will ensure that they cook evenly and get crispy on all sides. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches.

Dipping sauces

Coconut shrimp is a sweet and savoury dish, so it's best to pair it with a dipping sauce that complements these flavours. Here are some ideas for dipping sauces to serve with your air-fried coconut shrimp:

Pina Colada Sauce

This creamy and sweet sauce is a copycat of the one served at Red Lobster. It's made with Greek or plain yoghurt, crushed pineapple, and shredded coconut. It's delightfully tangy and goes well with seafood, but it's also great on burgers or tacos.

Apricot Sweet Chilli Dipping Sauce

This sauce is made with equal parts sweet chilli sauce and apricot preserves or fruit spread. It's similar to a shrimp cocktail sauce and is a must for your coconut shrimp.

Orange-Chili Dipping Sauce

This sauce is a copycat of the one served at Outback Steakhouse. It's made with sweet Thai chilli sauce, orange marmalade, and a pinch of cayenne pepper for some heat.

Sweet Chilli Sauce

Sweet chilli sauce is a common dipping sauce for coconut shrimp. It's a simple and easy option that can be purchased at most grocery stores.

Cocktail Sauce

Cocktail sauce is another classic dipping sauce for shrimp. It's a simple mixture of ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, and hot sauce.

Tartar Sauce

Tartar sauce is a creamy and tangy sauce made with mayonnaise, pickles, and herbs. It's a classic dipping sauce for fried seafood and would go well with the sweet and crispy coconut shrimp.

Air fryer settings

Firstly, preheating your air fryer is essential. If you own a countertop air fryer, there is no need to preheat it. However, if you have a larger air fryer oven, it is advisable to preheat it for about 5 minutes. This will ensure consistent cooking results.

Regarding temperature settings, most recipes recommend setting your air fryer to 390°F (199°C). This temperature ensures a crispy exterior and moist, tender shrimp. However, one recipe suggests a slightly lower temperature of 360°F, which may be preferable if you are using a smaller air fryer.

The cooking time for frozen coconut shrimp typically ranges from 8 to 12 minutes, depending on the size of the shrimp and your specific air fryer model. For regular-sized shrimp, 8 to 10 minutes should suffice. If you're cooking jumbo shrimp, you may need to increase the cooking time to 10 to 12 minutes. It is important to shake the basket several times during cooking to ensure even cooking and prevent the shrimp from sticking.

Additionally, it is recommended to flip the shrimp halfway through the cooking process to ensure even browning. Some recipes suggest spraying the shrimp with cooking spray or brushing them with olive oil before placing them in the air fryer for extra crispness. However, others find that this step is unnecessary, as the shrimp turn out crunchy without any additional oil.

Finally, it is worth noting that you should avoid using non-stick cooking spray in the air fryer basket, as it can damage it. Instead, use a light coating of cooking spray directly on the shrimp or brush them with oil using a pastry brush.

Cooking times

The cooking time for frozen coconut shrimp in an air fryer depends on the size of the shrimp and the air fryer model. Regular-sized shrimp will take 8-10 minutes to cook, while jumbo shrimp will take 10-12 minutes. For British breaded prawns, which tend to be smaller, 6 minutes should be enough.

When cooking frozen coconut shrimp in an air fryer, it is important to ensure that the shrimp are arranged in a single layer and not overcrowded. This helps to ensure even cooking and prevent burning. It is also recommended to shake the basket or flip the shrimp halfway through the cooking process to ensure even browning.

The air fryer temperature for cooking frozen coconut shrimp is typically set between 360-390°F (180-199°C). At this temperature, the shrimp will cook through in the specified time, achieving a crispy exterior and a moist, tender interior.

It is worth noting that different brands of air fryers may have varying cooking times and temperatures, so it is always a good idea to refer to the specific instructions for your air fryer model. Additionally, if you are concerned about undercooking the shrimp, you can use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature, which should reach at least 120°F.

Serving suggestions

Frozen coconut shrimp cooked in an air fryer is a versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer, a party snack, or as part of a main course.

For a full meal, serve the shrimp with blackened tilapia, jasmine rice, and fresh pineapple salsa. You could also try cauliflower fried rice, french fries, roasted broccoli, or salad.

If you're serving the shrimp as an appetizer or snack, you might want to offer a dipping sauce. Popular options include sweet chili sauce, tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, or mango salsa.

If you want to make your own sweet chili dipping sauce, try combining sweet chili sauce with apricot or pineapple preserves, lemon or lime juice, sweet pickle relish, yellow mustard, and white vinegar.

For a real party, serve your shrimp with grilled tequila lime shrimp, or make it a tequila-themed party by serving the shrimp with tequila lime shrimp-stuffed flank steak.

Frequently asked questions