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    Pinch Me Good! » Healthy Snacks and Appetizers » Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp – Gluten Free

    Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp – Gluten Free

    August 3, 2022 by Amy Estes Leave a Comment

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    Single crispy breaded piece of shrimp in a dish with cocktail sauce with more breaded cooked shrimp around it.
    Hand dipping breaded coconut shrimp in a dish with cocktail sauce in it.
    Pile of breaded, golden fries shrimp with a dish of red sauce next to it.
    White plate filled with breaded shrimp with a bowl of red sauce next to it with a glass of wine behind it and a plate with another pieces of breaded shrimp in it in front of it.
    Breaded crispy shrimp in a black air fryer basket.

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    Air fryer coconut shrimp are so delicious and quick and easy to make. This favorite restaurant appetizer can be made right at home in the air fryer. A healthier fried shrimp recipe that is super crispy and tastes fried.  Made with only a few simple ingredients. Gluten free and low-carb!

    Crispy air fryer coconut shrimp on a plate with one of the shrimp in a bowl fo cocktail sauce.

    I am so excited to share this coconut shrimp recipe with you all! It is so incredibly crispy, packed with flavor and makes the perfect healthy appetizer, fun snack or addition to a healthy salad.  My family went crazy for this air fryer coconut shrimp and I just know you will love it too!

    There are so many reasons to love this recipe but what I love the most about it is that the shrimp gets super crispy and totally tastes like they are fried. The shrimp is still breaded but air fried with only a little bit of oil, until perfectly golden and so delicious!

    Check out this healthy shrimp scampi for another wonderful way to cook shrimp.

    Why you’ll love this recipe

    • It is a healthier version of your favorite restaurant appetizer
    • You can make it in under 20 minutes.
    • Perfectly crispy, golden shrimp that are packed with flavor and so good!
    • It is gluten free!
    • Only requires a few simple ingredients
    Pile of breaded, golden fries shrimp with a dish of red sauce next to it.

    Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp Ingredients

    You only need a few simple, healthy ingredients to make this incredible recipe.

    • Shrimp – preferably raw, peeled and deveined with the tails on, you can use raw shrimp and defrost it. See how below.
    • Coconut flour – you can also use gluten free all purpose flour or regular all purpose flour if you do not need to keep this recipe gluten free.
    • Shredded coconut – unsweetened shredded coconut, I use finely shredded but any will work in this recipe.
    • Gluten free panko breadcrumbs – panko works best since it helps get the shrimp nice and crispy but any breadcrumbs will work.
    • Eggs – this helps the coating stick to the shrimp, 2 large eggs will work
    • Garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper – literally the best seasoning to bring out all of the amazing flavors.

    How to defrost frozen shrimp

    You can defrost frozen shrimp by letting it thaw in the refrigerator overnight. For a quicker way to defrost shrimp you can place it into a colander and run cold water over it for a few minutes. You will need to use your hands to separate it since it will stick together. Then transfer it onto a clean kitchen towel and dry it before you coat and cook it.

    You can also place it into a bowl of cold water for about 10 minutes or so and then strain it and transfer it to a towel to dry.

    How to make this air fryer shrimp recipe

    1. Prep the shrimp – if you are using frozen shrimp then make sure you thaw it before you dredge it. See tips for thawing frozen shrimp above. Then make sure you dry it on a clean kitchen towel.
    2. Coat the shrimp – in a medium shallow bowl combine the coconut flour with the garlic powder, Chili Powder and some salt and pepper. In another shallow bowl crack the eggs and lightly whisk and season the eggs with salt and pepper. In a third shallow bowl, combine the breadcrumbs with the shredded coconut. Then dip each piece of shrimp in the flour mixture, then in the egg and then in the breadcrumbs mixture and place them onto a lined baking sheet or clean plate. Continue until you have coated all of the shrimp.
    3. Cook the shrimp in the air fryer – preheat the air fryer to 370 degrees F and spray the basket with olive oil spray. Place the shrimp into the air fryer in an even layer with none of them touching. Spray the shrimp with more olive oil spray. You will need to do this in batches. Close and cook for 9-10 minutes, flipping the shrimp over halfway through the cooking time. Continue until you have cooked all of the shrimp.
    4. Serve – serve immediately with a sprinkle of lemon juice, some chopped parsley on top and some cocktail or chili sauce for dipping.
    3 pieces of raw shrimp in a bowl of flour.
    2 pieces of raw shrimp in a bowl of whisked eggs.
    2 pieces of raw shrimp in a bowl of breadcrumbs.
    Coated uncooked shrimp in an air fryer basket.
    Breaded crispy shrimp in a black air fryer basket.
    White plate filled with breaded shrimp with a bowl of red sauce next to it with a glass of wine behind it and a plate with another pieces of breaded shrimp in it in front of it.

    Tips for cooking shrimp in the air fryer

    • Use thawed raw shrimp – you can use fresh or frozen shrimp in this recipe but it must be thawed before you dredge and cook it. See tips for thawing above. Larger shrimp are better since it will shrink in size when it cooks.
    • Panko breadcrumbs work best – panko just gets really crispy and is the best option in this recipe (I used Ians original gluten free panko)
    • Leave the tails on the shrimp – this makes it easier for coating the shrimp as well as dipping it in the sauce after it is cooked.
    • Preheat the air fryer – if your air fryer has a preheat setting then make sure you do not skip this step. This will ensure the shrimp comes out super crispy.
    • Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket – make sure to place the shrimp in an even layer with none of them touching so they get crispy on all sides.
    • Use olive oil spray – you will need only a little bit of oil in this recipe by spraying the shrimp with olive oil spray, it will get nice and golden and crispy while it cooks.

    Best dipping sauces for shrimp

    • Cocktail sauce
    • Chili sauce
    • Ketchup
    • Romesco sauce
    • Healthy Chick-Fil-A-Sauce
    Hand dipping breaded coconut shrimp in a dish with cocktail sauce in it.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How long does it take to cook shrimp in the air fryer?

    This will vary based on the size of the shrimp you are using as well as your air fryer. Large or jumbo shrimp will take about 10 minutes to fully cook. Smaller shrimp will take 7-8 minutes to cook. I recommend checking the shrimp at around 5 minutes and then adjusting the time and temperature as needed.

    Why is using the air fryer better than deep frying shrimp?

    The air fryer will result in perfectly golden and crispy shrimp with only a little bit of oil, which is much healthier. Deep frying shrimp requires a much larger amount of oil and is not as good for you.

    How long does cooked shrimp last?

    Cooked shrimp will last about 2-3 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

    How do you reheat coconut shrimp?

    This air fryer coconut shrimp can be reheated right in the air fryer at 350 degrees for 3 minutes.

    More healthy Air Fryer recipes

    • Air Fryer Salmon
    • Healthy Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes
    • Air Fryer Chicken Sausage and Veggies
    • Homemade Air Fryer Egg Rolls
    • Healthy Air Fryer Meatloaf
    • Air Fryer Cod
    Single crispy breaded piece of shrimp in a dish with cocktail sauce with more breaded cooked shrimp around it.

    Did you try this air fryer coconut shrimp recipe? If you did then please leave a rating and comment below. I would love to hear how it turned out!

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    Pile of breaded, golden fries shrimp with a dish of red sauce next to it.

    Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp – Gluten Free


    • Author: Amy
    • Total Time: 20 minutes
    • Yield: 18–20 shrimp 1x
    • Diet: Gluten Free
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    Description

    Air fryer coconut shrimp are so delicious and quick and easy to make. This favorite restaurant appetizer can be made right at home in the air fryer. A healthier shrimp recipe that is super crispy and tastes fried. Made with only a few simple ingredients. Gluten free and sugar free!


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 1 pound raw shrimp – peeled and deveined with tails on
    • 1/4 cup coconut flour
    • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
    • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 2 large eggs
    • 1/4 cup gluten free panko breadcrumbs
    • 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
    • Olive oil cooking spray

    Instructions

    1. Prepare the shrimp – if you are using frozen shrimp then make sure it is defrosted and dry before you coat it. 
    2. Dredge the shrimp – combine the coconut flour with the garlic powder, paprika and some salt and pepper in a medium, shallow bowl.  In another shallow bowl, crack and lightly whisk the eggs and season them with a pinch of salt and pepper.  In a third shallow bowl, combine the breadcrumbs with the shredded coconut. Then dip each piece of shrimp in the flour, then the egg, then the breadcrumbs shaking off any excess as you go. Then place the coated shrimp onto a lined baking sheet or clean plate. Continue until you have coated all of the shrimp. 
    3. Cook the shrimp – preheat the air fryer to 370 degrees F and spray the basket with olive oil spray.  Working in batches, place some shrimp into the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure none of them are touching and spray them with more olive oil spray. Close and cook for 10 minutes flipping and spraying them halfway though the cooking time for the best crispiest results.  Continue until you have cooked all of the shrimp. 
    4. Serve – serve these air fryer coconut shrimp hot with a sprinkle of lemon juice and parsley and some cocktail or chili sauce for dipping. 

    Equipment

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    baking sheet

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    Notes

    • Use larger shrimp since they will shrink as they cook. 
    • Leave the tails on the shrimp to make it easier to dredge them as well as dip them after they are cooked. 
    • You can store the cooked shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350 degrees F for 3 minutes. 
    • If the shrimp are not crisping up then increase the air fryer temperature to 380 degrees F. This may be necessary since air fryer times and temps vary.  I tested this recipe in a Cosori 5.6 quart air fryer. 
    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 10 minutes
    • Category: Healthy snacks and appetizers
    • Method: Air Fryer
    • Cuisine: American

    Keywords: Air fryer coconut shrimp, air fryer shrimp, air fryer shrimp recipe, coconut shrimp, shrimp

    Did you make this recipe?

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    « Stuffed Pork Tenderloin – Healthy and Easy
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    Filed Under: 30 Minute Meals, Air Fryer Recipes, Dairy Free, Favorite Summer Recipes, Favorite Winter Recipes, Gluten-Free, Healthy Fall Favorites, Healthy Snacks and Appetizers, Healthy Spring Recipes, Kid-Friendly

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