“Deliciously Crispy: Discover the Magic of Frozen Coconut Shrimp in Air Fryer! Elevate your culinary experience with this quick and easy recipe that combines the irresistible crunch of coconut shrimp with the convenience of an air fryer. Get ready to savor perfectly golden, mouthwatering bites bursting with tropical flavors, all in just a fraction of the time. Dive into this delectable treat that will leave you craving for more!”
Frozen Coconut Shrimp in Air Fryer
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
This recipe for frozen coconut shrimp in the air fryer is a game-changer for several reasons. First, it’s incredibly quick and easy to make, with a total cooking time of under 10 minutes. This makes it a perfect option for busy weeknights when you need a fast and delicious meal.
The air fryer gives the frozen shrimp a crispy exterior while keeping the insides tender and juicy. You don’t even need to thaw the shrimp beforehand, saving you time and effort. The result is perfectly cooked coconut shrimp with a gloriously crunchy texture that will satisfy your cravings.
This recipe also provides options for dipping sauces to accompany the shrimp, such as sweet chili sauce or tartar sauce. These sauces add extra flavor and complement the crispy coconut coating on the shrimp. You can also serve the shrimp with rice, veggie spring rolls, or egg noodles to make it a full meal.
Ingredients
– Frozen coconut shrimp
– Sweet chili sauce
– Apricot or pineapple preserves
– Lemon or lime juice
– Mayonnaise
– Sweet pickle relish
– Yellow mustard
– White vinegar
– Pinch of salt
Frozen coconut shrimp
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.
This recipe was tested with Seapack Jumbo coconut shrimp and Trader Joe’s coconut shrimp. The cooking times were the same for each brand (8-10 minutes!). Absolutely – you’ll want to keep them frozen for this recipe or you’ll need to decrease the cooking time significantly. They should reach 120°F on your thermometer and be golden brown.
Sweet Chili Dipping Sauce
This sweet chili dipping sauce is the perfect accompaniment to the crispy coconut shrimp. It provides a delicate mix of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors that perfectly complement the shrimp’s crunchy exterior. To make the sauce, you’ll need apricot or pineapple preserves for a bold sweetness and to balance the acidity. Lemon or lime juice adds a sharp contrast to prevent the sauce from becoming overly sweet. Mayonnaise provides a creamy and rich base, while sweet pickle relish adds a tangy crunch. Yellow mustard blends with the other flavors for richness and a touch of sharpness. A splash of white vinegar thins things out with its signature tang, making it perfect for dipping. Finally, a pinch of salt balances all the other flavors for a well-rounded sauce.
To serve, simply place the frozen coconut shrimp into the air fryer basket with space between each shrimp. Cook them in the air fryer at 390°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through cooking time. Once cooked, remove the shrimp from the air fryer and serve with your homemade sweet chili dipping sauce. Adjust the ingredients in your sauce to suit your personal taste preferences.
Note that cooking times may vary depending on the size of your shrimp and air fryer model. Smaller shrimp will require less cooking time than larger ones, and preheating may be necessary for some air fryers to achieve optimal results. Additionally, be sure not to overcrowd your air fryer basket if it is smaller in size.
Enjoy these delicious frozen coconut shrimp in just minutes with this easy recipe!
Quick Tartar Sauce
This quick tartar sauce is the perfect accompaniment to your frozen coconut shrimp. It’s creamy, tangy, and adds a delicious flavor to each bite. Here’s how to make it:
Combine mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, yellow mustard, white vinegar, lemon or lime juice, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl. Stir well until all the ingredients are fully incorporated.
Taste the sauce and adjust the ingredients to your liking. If you prefer it tangier, add more vinegar or lemon juice. If you like it sweeter, add a little more relish. Play around with the proportions until you get the perfect balance of flavors.
Once your tartar sauce is ready, serve it alongside your crispy frozen coconut shrimp for dipping. Enjoy!
How To Make It
To make frozen coconut shrimp in the air fryer, follow these simple steps:
- Place the frozen coconut shrimp into the air fryer basket with plenty of space between each shrimp.
- Cook them in the air fryer at 390°F for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping them over halfway through the cooking time.
- Remove the shrimp from the air fryer and serve with your dipping sauce of choice.
You can also make a delicious dipping sauce to accompany your coconut shrimp. Here’s a simple recipe:
- In a small bowl, combine sweet chili sauce, apricot or pineapple preserves, lemon or lime juice, mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, yellow mustard, white vinegar, and a pinch of salt.
- Stir well until all the ingredients are combined.
Taste the sauce and adjust the ingredients to your liking. Serve alongside your crispy coconut shrimp and enjoy!
For the Frozen Shrimp
For the Frozen Shrimp:
To make frozen coconut shrimp in the air fryer, you don’t need to thaw them beforehand. Simply place the frozen shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure there is enough space between each shrimp for proper air circulation.
Set the air fryer to 390°F and cook the shrimp for 8 to 10 minutes. Flip them over halfway through cooking to ensure even crisping on both sides. The cooking time may vary slightly depending on the size of your shrimp, so keep an eye on them to prevent burning.
Once cooked, remove the shrimp from the air fryer and serve immediately with your choice of dipping sauce. The shrimp should be golden brown and crispy on the outside while remaining tender and juicy on the inside.
Remember not to defrost the shrimp before cooking, as this will affect the cooking time. Cooking frozen shrimp directly in the air fryer helps them retain their moisture and results in a deliciously crunchy exterior.
If you’re using a smaller air fryer basket, it’s best to cook the shrimp in batches to avoid overcrowding. This ensures that each shrimp cooks evenly and achieves optimal crispiness.
Overall, making frozen coconut shrimp in the air fryer is a quick and easy way to enjoy this tasty dish. With minimal prep time and no need for additional oil, it’s also a healthier alternative to deep-frying. Serve these crispy coconut shrimp as an appetizer or alongside rice, veggie spring rolls, or egg noodles for a complete meal.
Tips For Success
1. Keep the shrimp frozen: To ensure that the shrimp stay tender and juicy, it’s important to cook them directly from frozen. Thawing them beforehand will result in overcooked shrimp.
2. Give them space: When placing the shrimp in the air fryer basket, make sure to leave enough space between each shrimp. This allows for proper air circulation and ensures even cooking.
3. Flip halfway through: To achieve a perfectly crispy exterior, flip the shrimp halfway through the cooking time. This helps to evenly brown both sides of the shrimp.
4. Watch for burning crumbs: The loose crumbs in the package of frozen shrimp can burn quickly in the air fryer. To prevent this, remove any loose crumbs before cooking or empty the crumbs out of the basket if cooking multiple batches.
5. Adjust cooking times for different sizes: If you’re using smaller or larger shrimp, you may need to adjust the cooking time slightly. Smaller shrimp will require less time, while larger shrimp may need a few extra minutes.
6. Preheat if necessary: If using a larger air fryer oven, preheating it for 5 minutes can help ensure even cooking. However, if you have a countertop air fryer, preheating is not necessary.
7. Use a thermometer for safety: If you’re unsure if your shrimp are cooked through, use a meat thermometer to check their internal temperature. They should reach at least 120°F to be safe to eat.
8. Serve with dipping sauces or as a meal: Frozen coconut shrimp can be enjoyed as an appetizer with dipping sauces like sweet chili or tartar sauce. Alternatively, you can make it a full meal by serving it with rice, veggie spring rolls, or egg noodles.
9. Cleanup tips: To make cleanup easier, you can line your air fryer basket with aluminum foil. However, be aware that this may reduce airflow and impact cooking. If using foil, weigh it down to prevent it from getting stuck in the heating elements.
10. Enjoy and share: Finally, don’t forget to enjoy your delicious frozen coconut shrimp and share your experience with others! Leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on social media to let others know how much you loved it.
In conclusion, using an air fryer to cook frozen coconut shrimp offers a quick and convenient way to achieve crispy and delicious results. By following simple steps, such as preheating the fryer, arranging the shrimp in a single layer, and adjusting the cooking time accordingly, you can enjoy a healthier alternative to deep frying without compromising on taste. So next time you’re craving this delightful appetizer or snack, give your air fryer a try for perfectly cooked frozen coconut shrimp.
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