EretenSouthern and Tex-Mex recipes

Air Fried Coconut Shrimp and Creamy Pineapple Dipping Sauce

Air Fried Coconut Shrimp and Creamy Pineapple Dipping Sauce

Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp – This lightened up version of coconut shrimp is crispy, sweet, made entirely in the air fryer , and paired with a creamy pineapple sauce.

air fryer coconut shrimp with creamy pineapple sauce

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Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp Ingredients

  • Shrimp
  • Flour
  • Egg
  • Unsweetened coconut flakes
  • Panko breadcrumbs
  • Sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
  • Crushed pineapple
  • Sugar

What is Creamy Pineapple Coconut Shrimp Dipping Sauce made of?

Creamy Pineapple Coconut Shrimp Dipping Sauce is made of:

  • Sour cream
  • Crushed pineapple
  • Sugar
ingredients for air fryer coconut shrimp with creamy pineapple dipping sauce

How to make Coconut Shrimp in Air Fryer

Detailed instructions and measurements are listed in the recipe card at the bottom of this page.

  1. Spray the Air fryer Basket with avocado oil spray and set it aside.
  2. In a mixing bowl, mix together the coconut flakes and panko bread crumbs.
  3. Place the flour, egg, and coconut panko mix in separate shallow dishes.
  4. Dip the shrimp into the flour, coating all said. Remove, shake off the excess, and dip in the egg, fully coating. Remove, shake off the excess, and dip in the coconut Panko mixture coating all sides. Set aside while you do the remaining scrimp. We like to set them on a cooling rack, but this isn’t required.
  5. Place the shrimp in the Air fryer Basket making sure they do not overlap. You may need to do multiple batches depending on the size of your basket.
  6. Spray the tops of the shrimp lightly with your avocado oil spray.
  7. Cook in the Air fryer At 400°F for 5 minutes.
  8. Open the basket, flip your shrimp over, spray lightly with avocado oil spray again and cook an additional 3 minutes.
  9. Remove the shrimp and serve them with the creamy pineapple dipping sauce!
shrimp in flour bowl
whisked egg in a bowl
panko and coconut in a bowl
shrimp in breading bowl
breaded shrimp in air fryer basket

How to make Creamy Pineapple Dipping Sauce for Coconut Shrimp

  1. Combine the sour cream, crushed pineapple, and sugar in a small mixing bowl.
  2. Serve with your coconut shrimp!
yogurt in a bowl
pineapple and yogurt in a bowl
ingredients for creamy pineapple dipping sauce in a bowl
creamy pineapple dipping sauce in a bowl

How to keep Pineapple Sauce for Coconut Shrimp

To store pineapple sauce for coconut shrimp, place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You’ll need to stir it before serving because it may begin to separate in the fridge.

Air Fried Coconut Shrimp Tips and FAQs

  • We use avocado oil spray because we find that it gives a house favorite browning without affecting the taste.
  • Don’t forget to spray the basket. The coating will stick to your basket and pull away from the shrimp if you skip this step.
  • While you can make this recipe in the oven, you won’t get the same crispy results as the Air fryer.
air fryer coconut shrimp with creamy pineapple sauce

Alterations for picky eaters

  • Use sweetened coconut flakes. The unsweetened will still give the coconut flavor, but won’t be as sweet.
  • Skip the dipping sauce. If they prefer something else, have them dip it in their favorite sauce.

Alterations to lower calories or ww points

  • Be sure to use unsweetened coconut flakes.
  • Use Greek yogurt in the dipping sauce.
  • Be sure to get the crushed pineapple in its own juice rather than in syrup.
  • Use a sugar substitute in place of the sugar for the dipping sauce.

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Prep 10 minutesCook 8 minutesMakes 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 lb large shrimp 21-25 per lb size, peeled and deveined
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 egg whisked
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut flakes
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup crushed pineapple
  • 1 tablespoon sugar

Method

Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp

  1. Spray the air fryer basket with avocado oil spray and set it aside.
  2. In a mixing bowl, mix together the coconut flakes and panko bread crumbs.
  3. Place the flour, egg, and coconut panko mix in separate shallow dishes.
  4. Dip the shrimp into the flour, coating all said. Remove, shake off the excess, and dip in the egg, fully coating. Remove, shake off the excess, and dip in the coconut Panko mixture coating all sides. Set aside while you do the remaining scrimp. We like to set them on a cooling rack, but this isn’t required.
  5. Place the shrimp in the air fryer basket making sure they do not overlap. You may need to do multiple batches depending on the size of your basket.
  6. Spray the tops of the shrimp lightly with your avocado oil spray.
  7. Cook in the air fryer at 400°F for 5 minutes.
  8. Open the basket, flip your shrimp over, spray lightly with avocado oil spray again and cook an additional 3 minutes.
  9. Remove the shrimp and serve them with the creamy pineapple dipping sauce!

Creamy Pineapple Dipping Sauce

  1. Combine the sour cream, crushed pineapple, and sugar in a small mixing bowl.
  2. Serve with your coconut shrimp!

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