Frozen Coconut Shrimp in Air Fryer (with sweet chilli sauce)

These Frozen Coconut Shrimp in Air Fryer (with sweet chilli sauce) are crispy and golden brown on the outside and plump & juicy on the inside. Great as a starter or side dish and ready to eat in 10 minutes - what’s not to love?

Frozen Coconut Shrimp in Air Fryer with Sweet Chili Sauce

This Frozen Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp recipe is a quick and healthy way to make a popular restaurant starter at home. 

Where to buy Coconut Shrimp?

I first came across these easy to make shrimp over the holiday period, when I noticed that all the freezer sections in supermarkets seemed to have coconut prawns/shrimp.

I gave them a try and it was love at first bite.

Now, they are only available in Asda so I make sure I get there once a week or I make some at home because they are super simple to make too. More on that below.

In the US they are available to buy from the freezer section of all stores.

Reasons I love this recipe 

• Air fried coconut shrimp is quite healthy. No additional oil is required to ‘fry’ them but you get all the flavour anyway.
• They can be oven baked if the air fryer is in use.
• The shrimp can be used as a starter, side, or as a topping to wraps, salads, pasta!
• Super easy to make and quick too.
• They can be cooked straight from the freezer.

Ingredients needed to Make Frozen Coconut Shrimp in Air Fryer

There is just one ingredient in this recipe (if you don’t make the sauce) and that is Coconut Shrimp. I buy them from Asda. They are available in the Deli department. I freeze them before using.

Here is what you are looking for:

In the US frozen coconut shrimp is available in the freezer section of all stores!

Coconut Shrimp Sauce 

Apricot Jam or Pineapple, Orange or Peach

Chilli Sauce - Thai Sweet Chilli Sauce. 

Lime - Or Lemon

How to Make Air Fryer Frozen Coconut Shrimp

This is a super simple recipe.

All you need to do is place the shrimp in the air fryer and let it do it’s thing. 

Make sure you spray the basket with oil. 

Set the temperature to 395 f/200 C.

Set the timer to 6 minutes, add the shrimp making sure there is space between each one and turn mid way.

Remove from the basket and make the sauce.

How to make them at home

• Combine  40g or ⅓ cup plain flour/ all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon Salt, ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper in a bowl.
• Add 2 whisked Eggs to another bowl.
• Combine 60g or ¾ cup Panko and 95g or 1 cup desiccated coconut in another bowl.
• You need around 450g Shrimp in this recipe. Dip shrimp in flour, then eggs and then coconut. Then air fry as per recipe but for 2 - 3 minus each side. 

How to make Coconut Shrimp Sauce

These Shrimp pair perfectly with this sauce.

Here is how to make it - 

Mix 6 tablespoon Apricot Jam and 3 tablespoon Sweet Chilli Sauce  in a small bowl and mix to combine. Add a squeeze of Lime and mix again.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH COCONUT SHRIMP

The great thing about this shrimp is that it can be used in a number of ways. You can eat them as they are with a dipping sauce or:

In Wraps/Tacos - Because they are so crispy, they work really well in wraps.

Pasta - I’ve had them with a whole range of Pasta recipes such as Cheese and Broccoli Pasta.

Rice - Serve with rice. 

Salad - They go well with most salads such as The BEST Cowboy Caviar Salad.

2 Expert Tips

Don’t crowd the air fryer basket - The shrimp need space to become crispy. 

Adjust cooking time based on shrimp size - If you have smaller shrimp, you will need to adjust the cooking time and reduce it by 3 - 4 minutes.

FAQS 

What is the difference between prawns and shrimp?

Shrimp and Prawns are the same thing. 

Are Coconut Shrimp Keto?

No because they usually contain All purpose or plain flour, they are not. They can be made with just coconut and almond flour instead for a ketogenic version.

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

Frozen Shrimp in the air fryer takes about 6 - 10 minutes to cook depending on the size of the shrimp. Smaller shrimp require less time or can be cooked at a lower temperature. See this recipe. 

How to bake Coconut Shrimp

You can bake the shrimp instead for 8 - 10 minutes at 425 f/220 c.

Can it be made ahead?

Frozen Shrimp can be made ahead of time but not too far in advance as they won’t be as crispy. 30  minutes is ok. The dipping sauce can be made up to 2 days ahead. 

Storage

Fridge

Leftover shrimp can be stored in an airtight container and kept in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Freezer 

Freeze coconut shrimp for up to 3 months. Cool completely then store in a ziplock bag/airtight container.

To Reheat

To re-heat, thaw in the fridge overnight and air fry at 160 C/325 F until warmed through. This takes around 3 minutes.

More Shrimp Recipes:

5 Minute Lemon and Garlic Air Fryer Shrimp

10 minute Blackened Shrimp Tacos

The BEST Dynamite Shrimp

Dry Masala Prawns Fry (Indian)

Prawn Masala

More Air Fryer Recipes:

Air Fryer Whole Tandoori Roast Chicken

Air fryer Boneless Chicken Breast

Air Fryer Whole Chicken

Easy Air Fryer Nachos

Ninja Foodi Baked Potato

if you try this recipe, or any other recipe on tiffin and tea, please take a moment to ⭐ rate the recipe and/ or leave me a 💬 comment. i love hearing from you, but it also helps shape future content and helps other readers who are thinking of making the recipe.