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A close-up view of several golden-brown Coconut Shrimp perfectly arranged on a white plate, accompanied by a dipping sauce.

Crispy Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp with Zesty Lime Dipping Sauce

Delight in perfectly golden and crunchy coconut shrimp, air-fried to crispy perfection. Served with a vibrant, zesty lime dipping sauce, these are an irresistible appetizer or light meal.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: Asian Fusion, Seafood
Calories: 380
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Coconut Shrimp
  • 1 lb Large Shrimp 21/25 count, peeled, deveined, tail-on
  • 1/2 cup All-Purpose Flour
  • 2 Large Eggs beaten
  • 1 cup Sweetened Shredded Coconut
  • 1/2 cup Panko Breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
  • Cooking Spray for air fryer
For the Zesty Lime Dipping Sauce
  • 1/2 cup Sweet Chili Sauce
  • 2 tbsp Lime Juice freshly squeezed
  • 1 tsp Lime Zest
  • 1 tbsp Rice Vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Fresh Cilantro chopped, optional

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Shallow Bowls (3)
  • Tongs
  • Whisk
  • Small saucepan
  • Paper Towels

Method
 

Prepare Shrimp & Dipping Sauce
  1. Pat the shrimp very dry with paper towels. This is crucial for a crispy coating.
  2. In a small saucepan, combine the sweet chili sauce, lime juice, lime zest, and rice vinegar. Whisk well to combine. Set aside. If desired, stir in the chopped cilantro just before serving.
Set Up Dredging Station
  1. Set up three shallow bowls in a row.
  2. Bowl 1: Add the all-purpose flour.
  3. Bowl 2: Whisk the two large eggs until well combined.
  4. Bowl 3: Combine the sweetened shredded coconut, panko breadcrumbs, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to ensure an even distribution.
Coat the Shrimp
  1. Working one by one, dredge each shrimp first in the flour, shaking off any excess.
  2. Next, dip the floured shrimp into the beaten egg, allowing any excess to drip off.
  3. Finally, press the shrimp firmly into the coconut-panko mixture, ensuring it is fully and evenly coated. Place the coated shrimp on a clean plate or baking sheet.
Air Fry the Coconut Shrimp
  1. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  2. Place the coated shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring not to overcrowd it. Cook in batches if necessary to allow proper air circulation. Lightly spray the tops of the shrimp with cooking spray.
  3. Air fry for 8-12 minutes, flipping the shrimp halfway through, until they are golden brown, crispy, and cooked through. The exact cooking time may vary based on your air fryer model and the size of your shrimp.
Serve
  1. Serve the hot, crispy coconut shrimp immediately with the prepared Zesty Lime Dipping Sauce on the side.

Notes

For the crispiest results, ensure your shrimp are very dry before coating and avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Cook in multiple batches if needed. If you prefer to deep fry, heat oil to 350°F (175°C) and fry for 2-3 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.