A sea-fanatic and shredded coconut are all it takes to make this heavenly combination. There’s nothing like this crunchy and juicy meal that can be enjoyed as a main meal, appetizer, or side dish.
Making and eating them is no problem at all because no one would believe that they’re keto-friendly and can be made in an air fryer without oil or deep frying. This dish is low-carb but full of flavors and nutrients that you can rely on for a healthy lifestyle.
Air fryer Keto coconut shrimp is savory with a crunch from coconut and has a tangly sweetness when served with a dipping sweet chili sauce. They are not just delicious, but they are made easily in several minutes.
This is made with minimal ingredients but always comes out of the air fryer crunchy and crispy on the outside but tender and flavorful on the inside.
Once you try this dish, you’ll say no to sharing because it holds the power to please your taste buds. Now, let’s have a look at this amazing recipe:
| Origin | Unknown |
| Cuisine | American |
| Course | Appetizers, Main-meal |
| Total time | 20 minutes |
| Calories | 63 |
Are air fryers good for the keto diet?
For multiple reasons, air fryers are good for keto-diet lovers.
They make delicious recipes in just minutes without adding carbs to them. By air-frying your food, you can save up to 80% of the fat and calories while still consuming beneficial nutrients.
It’s a great alternative to deep-frying and conventional ovens on an oil usage basis; unlike these two, air-frying uses only high heat to cook your low-carb food without any hassle.
How long do you cook coconut frozen shrimp in an air fryer?
8 to 10 minutes maximum.
Frozen coconut shrimp is simple to serve straight from the freezer with your favorite dipping sauce. They come out delicious and juicy, with bursting flavors.
All you have to do is take the coconut shrimp out of the freezer and spread them evenly in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them. Preheat your air fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit and insert the basket.
Flip coconut shrimp once midway through the cooking time of 8–10 minutes until they are golden brown.
Here is the table to indicate the temperature and time taken when using other methods for cooking:
| Air frying | 390F | 8-10 minutes |
| Oven | 425F | 10-12 minutes |
| Grilling | 350-450F | 5-7 minutes |
are frozen coconut shrimps precooked?
It depends on the brand you have bought. In some brands, coconut shrimps are pre-cooked, while other brands may have raw shrimp inside the package. It’s important to know the type and cooking instructions from the package according to your brand.
The precooked coconut shrimp only have to be warmed once because they are prepared beforehand in deep-frying. On the other hand, raw coconut shrimp in an air fryer takes 8–10 minutes to cook. That’s 4-5 minutes on each side according to your preferred texture.
The important point that has to be on your fingertips always is checking the internal temperature of the shrimp with the reading of 165 degrees Fahrenheit on the thermometer screen.
How to make keto-friendly coconut shrimp in an air fryer?
Key ingredients:
- Shrimps
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Eggs
- Unsweetened coconut
- Garlic powder
- Paprika powder
- Salt
- Pepper
Directions:
- Devein and wash the shrimp then dry them with a paper towel.
- In a bowl combine paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Throw in the dry shrimp with the spices and thoroughly cover them with it until stuck firmly.
- In a processor, pulse down the shredded coconut till they have a fine consistency. Mix them completely with the panko breadcrumbs. In a different bowl or a flat dish, whisk together eggs.
- Dip the seasoned shrimp in the egg mixture and then into the panko-coconut mixture, shaking off any excess. Meanwhile, preheat your air fryer to 390 Fahrenheit for 2-3 minutes.
- Spread the prepared coconut shrimp in an air fryer basket (with or without lining), leaving some space between each of them.
- Lightly spray the shrimps and put the basket back in its space.
- Let them cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping once until they are golden brown and crispy. Serve them hot with cocktail sauce.
Can shrimp be eaten while on the keto diet?
The simplest answer is, “Yes.”
Shrimps are from the seafood category, but just like a distinct taste, they stand apart from all else. They are keto-friendly and fit perfectly with all the diet plans as they are low in carbs and calories.
Shrimps are rich in potassium, selenium, vitamin B12, and anti-oxidants, and packed with proteins that are efficient to keep you healthy and young. With all the essential nutrients, cooking them in an air fryer gives you additional healthy advantages by preserving all the aforementioned fibers in the shrimp.
How can you tell when coconut shrimp are done?
Here are some methods to tell if your shrimps are done cooking or if they need more time back in the air fryer:
- 1st method: Gently press down on the shrimp with a fork or finger, if they bounce back and are spongy then they are undercooked and need to be cooked more.
- 2nd method: Keep an eye on the crevice point (just above the tail), where the shrimp was deveined. If the color has changed from translucent to opaque, then they are ready to endeavor.
- 3rd method: Insert the meat thermometer probe in the middle, if the screen shows a reading of 165 Fahrenheit then they are cooked through perfectly.
Why does my shrimp taste rubbery?
Chances are, you are overcooking them.
The shrimps that are overly cooked are hard just like raw ones. Shrimps are non-sturdy and delicate, they go from juicy and tendered to chewy and dry in just a time snap if not given enough attentiveness.
The key for perfectly juicy cooked shrimps is to saute or make them for 4-5 minutes over high heat, remove the shrimps once they are evenly pink or opaque and don’t have greyish-brown dots all over them.
What is coconut shrimp sauce made of?
The typical sauce for coconut shrimp is called cocktail sauce. It includes very few ingredients, i.e., horseradish, ketchup, marmalade, Worcestershire sauce, Tobasco sauce, and lemon.
However, if you want to upgrade your sauce game, then you might want to keep your hands on these jaw-drooling sauces:
- Paprika, garlic powder, and yogurt
- Sriracha, mayonnaise, and herbs
- Avocaoda hot sauce
- Chipotle sauce and sour cream
- Chilli ketchup and mustard
What goes well with coconut shrimp?
Coconut shrimp is an all-in-one dish that can be served as a main dish or an appetizer that finishes off right after being plated. To make it more interesting, you can pair them up with other foods for a variety of flavors and textures.
Here are the combination ideas you can try:
- Mashed potatoes
- Pasta
- Hot and spicy soup bowl
- Air-fried foods (french fries, spring rolls, nuggets, etc)
- Grilled or steamed vegetables
Nutritional Value:
Coconut shrimp cooked in an air fryer is no doubt a keto-friendly meal, but as you enjoy the food it is important to keep track of what your body is consuming with the food. For your convenience, let’s look at the nutrients it has to offer:
| Nutrition | Per serving |
| Calories | 63 |
| Total fat | 3.3mg |
| Cholesterol | 19mg |
| Sodium | 87mg |
| Potassium | 39mg |
| Total carbohydrates | 6g |
| Proteins | 2.2g |
A single serving of 26grams of coconut shrimp also gives direct essential fibers like calcium, iron, and vitamins A, C, and B12 to strengthen your brain and heart health with strong immunity build up. This means ‘more flavor, more energy.’
How to store and reheat leftovers?
To store the delicious leftovers, keep them in an airtight container. They will be consumable for at least 3 days. For reheating them, preheat the air fryer to 390 Fahrenheit and warm them for 1-2 minutes, flipping once midway through cooking.
You can freeze them for some other time, in a resealable bag for upto 2 month. Reheat at 390F degrees in air fryer for 5 minutes.
How long should coconut shrimp be cooked in an air fryer?
The air fryer should be set to 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 to 10 minutes when cooking coconut shrimp.
The amount of time it takes for air fryers to finish cooking can vary depending on their wattages. To ensure you have the correct cooking time for your air fryer, it’s always a good idea to test a few before frying them for the first time.
How Can I Serve Keto Coconut Shrimp With Sauces?
You can serve the keto coconut shrimp with the following sauces.
- Spicy lemon herb sauce
- Homemade basil pesto sauce
- Aioli
SUMMARY:
- Keto coconut shrimp in an air fryer is a crowd-pleaser and would also satisfy your sweet tangly cravings
- The origin of coconut shrimp is unknown but this minimal-ingredient dish is to die for sure.
- The coconut-covered shrimp are mainly served as appetizers with a cocktail dipping sauce.
- Nothing comparable to crunchy coconut shrimp when made in an air fryer with no oil or extra care.
- Air-fried coconut shrimp is not only keto-friendly but they are time friendly too as they are made scrumptiously in under 10 minutes with tender insides and golden-brown crunchy exteriors.