If you’ve ever wanted to make frozen coconut shrimp in the air fryer, then you’ve come to the right place. Ready in minutes and packed with high-quality protein, this is a solid dish that’s bound to please the entire family. Oh, and did I mention that you don’t even need to thaw these bad boys? Simply place them in the air fryer, turn up the heat, and prepare your taste buds for something truly miraculous.

What makes this recipe special is the fact that the shrimp stay ridiculously tender and juicy despite being crisped to perfection in the air fryer for that gloriously crunchy exterior. Honestly, whenever I make this, I still find it hard to believe that everything is ready to serve in under 10 minutes. Yup – that includes the sweet chili or tartar dipping sauces that I whip up to accompany these crunchy crustaceans.

Make sure you bookmark this recipe or pin it for later, as you don’t want to sleep on this one – trust me.

Why This Recipe Works

• It’s extremely quick and easy to make and is ready in under 10 minutes.
  
• The air fryer gives the frozen shrimp a gorgeously crispy exterior while keeping the insides tender and bursting with flavor.
  
• There’s no thawing required, making this a perfect mid-week option for busy folk.
  
• There’s basically zero clean-up required!

Ingredients

Frozen coconut shrimp

• Frozen coconut shrimp. You can grab these from the freezer section at most large grocery stores. I recommend getting individually frozen shrimp with heads off for the best results.

Sweet Chili Dipping Sauce

• Sweet chili sauce. For a delicate mix of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors.
  
• Apricot or pineapple preserves. Crucial for balancing acidity and adding a bold sweetness.
  
• Lemon or lime juice. Adds a sharp contrast that stops your sauce from tasting overly sweet.

Quick Tartar Sauce

• Mayonnaise. Provides a delectable creamy and rich base for your sauce.
  
• Sweet pickle relish. Add a sweet but tangy crunch.
  
• Yellow mustard. Blends with the other flavors for richness and a touch of sharpness.
  
• White vinegar. Thins things out with a signature tang to make it perfect for dipping.
  
• Pinch of salt. Key for balancing the other flavors.

How To Make It

For the Frozen Shrimp

1. Place the frozen coconut shrimp into the air fryer basket with plenty of space between each shrimp.
   
2. Cook them in the air fryer and flip them halfway through the cooking time.
   
3. Remove the shrimp from the air fryer and serve with your dipping sauce of choice.

Sweet Chili Dipping Sauce

1. Combine all ingredients and stir well.
   
2. Taste the sauce and adjust the ingredients to your liking.

Quick Tartar Sauce

1. Combine all ingredients and stir well.
   
2. Taste the sauce and adjust the ingredients to your liking.

Tips For Success

• Check the size of your shrimp before settling on cooking times. Small and medium shrimp need a couple of minutes less in a slightly cooler air fryer than large or jumbo shrimp. To avoid rubbery results, double-check your sizes before cooking.
  
• If you’re desperate for super-crispy shrimp, cook them for an additional 2 minutes. You just need to keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t burn! It can happen in the blink of an eye, so watch your shrimp like a hawk.
  
• If you’re working with a smaller air fryer basket, cook your shrimp in batches to avoid overcrowding. This will give you an even cook, prevent any unexpected burning, and ensure that they come out crispy.
  
• If you don’t have a countertop air fryer, you’ll need to preheat it for the best results. 5 minutes will usually be enough for most large air fryers.
  
• If you’re worried about undercooking your shrimp, use a thermometer. You’ll want to reach internal temperatures of at least 120°F to make sure your shrimp are safe to eat.

FAQ

 🛠 Tools and Equipment

If you click on some of the following affiliate links and buy something, we might get a small commission. You don’t pay any extra, but it will help us keep the lights on and our bellies full!

• The Ninja dual air fryer is perfect for cooking your mains and sides together, side by side.
  
• I cannot recommend these OXO silicone tongs enough. I have had too many flimsy tongs that bend and these OXO tongs hold up and always grip onto your food well. Grab this set of OXO silicone spatulas as well!

Check Out These Recipes

• This Blackstone shrimp fried rice is one of my favorites. There is no better way to cook rice than on a flattop griddle or hibachi. It gets the rice crispy and allows you to make a large batch all at once.
  
• Why not make it a real party and cook up these grilled tequila lime shrimp? The shrimp are marinated in tequila and lime for an intense flavor with a hint of earthy-sweetness from the tequila. You can take it to the next level and make this tequila lime shrimp stuffed flank steak.
  
• Serve the coconut shrimp with a delicious air fryer baked sweet potato or this air fryer baked potato. The skin of the potatoes are salted and crispy and they are loaded up with tons of goodies!

Wrap Up

Whether you’re on the hunt for a wonderful appetizer for your next dinner party or simply want a new Hump Day meal that won’t break the bank, you’ll adore these delectable frozen coconut shrimp made in the air fryer. Just make sure to set aside a plateful for yourself before they’re all snatched up!

💬 Tell Me What You Think!

Did you try out this recipe? Please leave a comment below and let me know how you liked it. Also, snap a picture and post it to your favorite social platform. Be sure to tag me at @alicensetogrill and let me know how you liked it!

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