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Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp with Sweet Chili Sauce

Golden brown, crispy Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp served on a white plate with a side of bright red sweet chili sauce.
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Make crispy, restaurant-style coconut shrimp in your air fryer. This recipe includes instructions for a simple homemade sweet chili dipping sauce.

Ingredients

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  • 1 lb large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on or off
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs (optional, for extra crunch)
  • Cooking spray (oil-based)
  • For the Sauce: 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce (store-bought or homemade)

Instructions

  1. Pat the shrimp completely dry using paper towels. This helps the coating stick.
  2. Set up a standard breading station with three shallow dishes. In the first dish, whisk the egg and water together. In the second dish, mix the flour, salt, and pepper. In the third dish, combine the shredded coconut and panko breadcrumbs, if using.
  3. Dredge each shrimp first in the flour mixture, shaking off excess. Then dip it into the egg wash, allowing excess to drip off. Finally, press the shrimp firmly into the coconut mixture to coat thoroughly.
  4. Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit (195 degrees Celsius) for 5 minutes.
  5. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Arrange the coated shrimp in a single layer in the basket, ensuring they do not overlap. Work in batches if necessary.
  6. Spray the tops of the coated shrimp lightly with cooking spray.
  7. Air fry for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping the shrimp halfway through the cooking time. The shrimp are done when they are pink and the coating is golden brown and crisp.
  8. Serve immediately with the sweet chili sauce for dipping.

Notes

  • For best results, freeze the coated shrimp on a baking sheet for 15 minutes before air frying; this helps the coating adhere better during cooking.
  • If you prefer a less sweet coating, substitute half of the shredded coconut with unsweetened coconut flakes.
  • If using frozen, uncooked coconut shrimp, follow the package directions but reduce the cooking time by about 2 minutes and check for doneness.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://eatableempress.com/air-fryer-coconut-shrimp-with-sweet-chili-sauce/