One of my favorite ways to enjoy shrimp is the breaded coconut version. Sometimes, though, I just don’t have time to clean, dredge, and fry my shrimp. That’s where air fryer frozen coconut shrimp come in. They’re crispy, tasty, and ready in under 10 minutes!
Why Make Frozen Coconut Shrimp in the Air Fryer
When you start with frozen coconut shrimp, you don’t have to go through the time consuming and messy process of cleaning and breading them yourself. That means a huge time saver, making these shrimp perfect for a weeknight dinner or even lunch!
Plus, your air fryer not only cooks them right from frozen (no defrosting required) but it does an awesome job! You’ll use way less oil than deep frying, and the shrimp will still come out golden brown and crunchy.
It’s also versatile, as you can choose from a variety of different frozen coconut shrimp brands and they all turn out great. I’ve got Aldi (Fremont Fish Market), but you can use Costco, Seapak, Margaritaville, Royal Asia, or your own favorite brand.
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What You’ll Need
- 1 Box frozen coconut shrimp, any brand
- Dipping sauce (if not included with your shrimp)
- Nonstick spray (optional)
Ingredient Notes
- There are lots of great brands to choose from. I have Fremont Fish Market (Aldi) here, but I’ve also used SeaPak, Margaritaville, Costco, Royal Asia, and Trader Joe’s frozen coconut shrimp all with great success
- If your coconut shrimp doesn’t come with sauce, my favorite options are: orange marmalade, sweet chili sauce, or pina colada sauce to serve with them
- Nonstick spray is only needed if your air fryer basket isn’t non-stick, or if you want to add a little oil to the breading for extra crunch
How to Cook Frozen Coconut Shrimp in the Air Fryer
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F
- Spray your basket with nonstick spray (if it’s not already nonstick)
- Place frozen coconut shrimp in air fryer basket in a single layer
- Spritz lightly with additional oil if desired for a crispier exterior (optional)
- Cook on air fry setting for 8 minutes at 400°F, pausing halfway to flip
- Shrimp is done when the outside is brown and crispy and the internal temperature reaches at least 145°F. Add additional cooking time in 1-2 minute increments as needed
- Serve with dipping sauce and any sides you’d like for a full meal
What to Serve With Coconut Shrimp
- Alfredo pasta
- Fried rice
- Sticky rice
- Coleslaw
- Spring rolls
- Egg rolls
- French fries
- Hush puppies
- Baked potato
- Steamed broccoli
- Tropical salsa
- Lemon or lime wedges
- Dipping sauce
- Key lime pie
Check out our Air Fryer Frozen Hush Puppies, Air Fryer Frozen Spring Rolls, Frozen Egg Rolls in the Air Fryer, Air Fryer Baked Potato With Foil, Frozen Fried Rice in the Air Fryer, or easy Microwave Sticky Rice for some great options!
Recipe FAQs
Can You Cook Frozen Coconut Shrimp in the Air Fryer?
Yes, you can cook frozen coconut shrimp in the air fryer.
It does not need to be defrosted ahead of time. Simply cook it from the frozen state.
How Long Does it Take to Cook Frozen Coconut Shrimp in an Air Fryer?
On average, it takes between 8 and 12 minutes to cook frozen coconut shrimp in an air fryer at 400°F. This is dependent on the size of the shrimp and the power of the air fryer.
In most cases, you can expect your shrimp to be ready in less than 10 minutes.
Is Frozen Coconut Shrimp Already Cooked?
Most frozen coconut shrimp is already cooked. Make sure to read the packaging of your selected brand to double check.
If you have raw frozen coconut shrimp, per the USDA you’ll want to cook to an internal temperature of 145°F for food safety.
Do You Need To Preheat The Air Fryer For Cooking Frozen Coconut Shrimp?
Preheating the air fryer for 2-3 minutes before cooking helps reduce cold spots, which achieve a crispier texture, but it’s not necessary.
Skipping the preheat step may just add a couple of extra minutes to the cooking time, and make sure you flip them so that all sides get heated.
How Do You Know When Frozen Coconut Shrimp Are Done In The Air Fryer?
The shrimp are done when they turn golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 145°F.
The coconut coating should be crispy, and the shrimp should feel firm to the touch.
Can You Cook Frozen Coconut Shrimp Directly In The Air Fryer Without Thawing?
Yes, you can cook frozen coconut shrimp directly in the air fryer without the need for thawing.
Air fryers are ideal for frozen foods, and cooking them directly from frozen helps to retain the shrimp’s crispy coating.
Recipe Expert Advice For the Best Frozen Coconut Shrimp
- If your shrimp comes with a frozen sauce packet, run it under hot water to defrost it while the air fryer is running
- My Aldi jumbo frozen coconut shrimp were perfectly hot and crispy after 8 minutes in a Ninja air fryer. However, other brands of air fryer and shrimp sizes may differ slightly
- I did preheat my air fryer for this recipe. If you do not, plan to add 2-3 minutes to cooking time to account for the cooler starting temperature, and make sure to flip the shrimp so all sides get heated
Coconut Shrimp Storage and Reheating Tips
- Store any leftover coconut shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Do not refreeze after cooking once, as the texture starts to get rubbery and unpleasant
- To reheat coconut shrimp in the air fryer, air fry at a lower temperature of 350°F for 3-4 minutes, flipping halfway through, until heated through and recrisped. Note that this applies to restaurant leftovers as well! Times can vary slightly between different air fryers and shrimp sizes, so adjust as needed
More Air Fryer Frozen Seafood Recipes
Aldi Frozen Coconut Shrimp Review
In case you’re wondering what I thought of the Aldi Fremont Fish market coconut shrimp, I’ll tell you! I made these frozen coconut shrimp in my air fryer of course, and they were hot, crispy, and perfectly cooked in 8 minutes in my Ninja.
The shrimp themselves were an average size, with light coconut flavor that wasn’t overpowering. There’s about 10 shrimp in the box, so they’re definitely more geared towards an appetizer, though you could make a few boxes if you’re feeding multiple people for a meal.
Aldi’s brand comes with an orange marmalade sauce, which I found fine but a tad on the sweet side. It wasn’t bad, and complimented the shrimp well, but I’d still personally prefer sweet chili sauce.
The shrimp themselves came out juicy, with the breading being crispy and delicious. Are they as good as getting coconut shrimp in a restaurant? Maybe not quite, but they definitely still hit the spot!
I’d get them again for sure, so if you’re a fan of coconut shrimp and want an easy option you can keep in your freezer, check them out!
Final Thoughts
This easy air fryer frozen coconut shrimp recipe makes them come out nice and crispy, with succulent shrimp hiding inside a toasty coconut exterior.
Dip them in your favorite sauce (I like sweet chili sauce personally) for a great snack, appetizer, or lunch. Alternatively, add some sides and make a full meal!
These fun coconut shrimp give me sunshine and beach vibes that pair perfectly with my Pina Colada Sangria. So, get ready to kick back and relax and enjoy some tasty food!
Best of all, they’re ready in 10 minutes or less, so you can enjoy these tasty coconut shrimp anytime you want to get away (without ever leaving home)!
Crispy Frozen Coconut Shrimp in Air Fryer
Equipment
Ingredients
- 7 Ounce box frozen coconut shrimp, any brand (approximately 10 jumbo shrimp)
- 3 Tbsp dipping sauce (if not included with your shrimp)
- Nonstick spray (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F
- Spray your basket with nonstick spray (if it’s not already nonstick)Nonstick spray
- Place frozen coconut shrimp in air fryer basket in a single layer7 Ounce box frozen coconut shrimp, any brand
- Spritz lightly with additional oil if desired for a crispier exterior (optional)
- Cook on air fry setting for 8 minutes at 400°F, pausing halfway to flip
- Shrimp is done when the outside is brown and crispy and the internal temperature reaches at least 145°F. Add additional cooking time in 1-2 minute increments as needed
- Serve with dipping sauce and any sides you’d like for a full meal3 Tbsp dipping sauce
Notes
- I have Fremont Fish Market (Aldi) here, but I’ve also used SeaPak, Margaritaville, and Trader Joe’s frozen coconut shrimp all with great success, so use your favorite
- If your coconut shrimp doesn’t come with sauce, my favorite options are: orange marmalade, sweet chili sauce, or pina colada sauce to serve with them
- Nonstick spray is only needed if your air fryer basket isn’t non-stick, or if you want to add a little oil to the breading for extra crunch
- If your shrimp comes with a frozen sauce packet, run it under hot water to defrost it while the air fryer is running
- My jumbo frozen coconut shrimp were perfectly hot and crispy after 8 minutes in a Ninja air fryer. However, other brands of air fryer and shrimp sizes may differ slightly
- If your frozen coconut shrimp are raw (most are already cooked), then cook to an internal temperature of 145℉ instead
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand of ingredients, sides or sauces, and total quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
