If you’re craving a dish that’s crispy, flavorful, and downright addictive, you’re in the right place! This Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp with Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe combines the perfect crunch of coconut-coated shrimp with a vibrant, tangy, and just-spicy-enough homemade sweet chili sauce. It’s fast to make, healthier than deep frying, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser whether it’s game day or a weeknight treat.

Why You Should Make This Recipe

Deliciously Crispy: Using panko breadcrumbs and shredded coconut creates the ultimate crunchy coating that the air fryer crisps up beautifully without frying oil.
Healthier Option: Air frying drastically cuts down on the oil so you get that crave-worthy texture with a much lighter finish.
Homemade Sweet Chili Sauce: The vibrant sauce is fresh, tangy, and packed with flavor, perfectly balancing the sweetness from the coconut.
Quick and Easy Prep: With simple pantry ingredients and straightforward steps, you’ll have this appetizer on the table in under an hour!

A white plate holds a pile of golden brown, breaded shrimp arranged in a slightly overlapping circle, each shrimp coated with a textured, crispy crumb layer and showing the tails sticking out with a light tan color. To the left side of the plate is a small white bowl filled with a dark red dipping sauce with a smooth surface and small bits visible inside. The plate sits on a white marbled surface, with fresh green herbs blurred in the background on the top left and a pale blue cloth on the top right. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp with Sweet Chili Sauce, coconut shrimp appetizer, healthy shrimp recipes, crispy coconut shrimp, homemade sweet chili sauce

Ingredients & Substitutions

This recipe shines with simple but essential ingredients that each add their own magic: tender shrimp for the star protein, sweetened shredded coconut for that tropical crunch, and aromatic seasonings for depth of flavor. The combination is straightforward yet delivers incredible taste and texture, making it a must-try.

Flat lay of raw shrimp with tails on, sweetened finely shredded coconut, panko breadcrumbs, large brown eggs, fresh garlic cloves, bright red sambal chili paste, fresh cilantro leaves, and small glass bowls of rice vinegar and granulated sugar, all beautifully arranged on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp with Sweet Chili Sauce, coconut shrimp appetizer, healthy shrimp recipes, crispy coconut shrimp, homemade sweet chili sauce

Raw Shrimp: Peeled and deveined with tails on helps with easy handling and offers a nice presentation.
Flour & Garlic Powder: Creates the base coating layer, adding subtle flavor and helping the egg and coconut stick better.
Eggs: Act as a glue to keep the crunchy panko and coconut coating firmly attached to each shrimp.
Panko Breadcrumbs: Provides light, airy crunch compared to regular breadcrumbs.
Sweetened Shredded Coconut: Adds coconut’s natural sweetness and forms the signature crispy outer layer.
Sweet Chili Sauce Ingredients: Rice vinegar, sugar, sambal chili paste, garlic, soy sauce, and fresh cilantro combine for the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and spicy.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

How to Make Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp with Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Coating Mixtures

Start by mixing the dry ingredients: combine flour, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl, and whisk the eggs with a splash of water in another bowl. Then, mix the panko breadcrumbs and shredded coconut in a third dish—this coconut-panko combo is the secret to that addictive crunch!

Step 2: Dredge the Shrimp

Give your shrimp a gentle pat with a paper towel to remove any extra moisture — this helps the coating stick perfectly. Holding each shrimp by the tail, first coat it in the flour mixture, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally press into the coconut-panko blend. Don’t forget to spray each coated shrimp lightly with cooking spray to achieve that golden crispness.

Step 3: Air Fry to Perfection

Arrange the coated shrimp in a single layer inside your preheated air fryer basket at 375ºF, making sure they don’t overlap. Air fry for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they’re beautifully golden and crunchy — cooking in batches might be needed depending on your fryer’s size.

Step 4: Make the Sweet Chili Sauce

While the shrimp cook, combine rice vinegar, water, sugar, garlic, sambal chili paste, and soy sauce in a small saucepan. Heat it up until it simmers, then stir in a cornstarch-water slurry to thicken. Continue cooking until the sauce coats the back of a spoon and finish by stirring in fresh cilantro for brightness and freshness.

How to Serve Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp with Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe

A white plate holds a pile of golden-brown breaded shrimp with tails showing, each shrimp curved into a crescent shape with a rough, crunchy texture from the coating. The shrimp are stacked close together, forming a thick layer in the center of the plate. To the side sits a white ramekin filled with deep red sweet chili dipping sauce that has a glossy surface and visible small bits of pepper or seeds. The plate sits on a white marbled surface with a blurred green herb and a soft blue cloth with darker blue edges in the background, adding subtle color contrast. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp with Sweet Chili Sauce, coconut shrimp appetizer, healthy shrimp recipes, crispy coconut shrimp, homemade sweet chili sauce

Garnishes

The perfect finishing touch to these irresistible shrimp is a sprinkle of fresh cilantro or a few thin slices of red chili for extra pop and color. A wedge of lime on the side also adds a zesty brightness that complements the sweet and spicy tones beautifully.

Side Dishes

Pair this Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp with Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe with a light Asian slaw, jasmine rice, or even some crisp steamed veggies for a meal that’s as colorful on the plate as it is on the palate. These sides offset the richness of the shrimp and create a balanced meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For that wow factor, serve your shrimp skewered on bamboo picks with a small bowl of the sweet chili sauce for dipping in the center of a platter. Or try arranging them atop a bed of fresh greens to turn this appetizer into a light, elegant starter for your dinner party.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover coconut shrimp can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To preserve crispiness, place a paper towel underneath to absorb any moisture buildup.

Freezing

If you want to enjoy this Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp with Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe later, freeze uncooked, breaded shrimp in a single layer on a parchment-lined tray. Once frozen, transfer them to a zip-top bag for up to 1 month. Cook straight from frozen and add a few extra minutes to the air frying time.

Reheating

To reheat and keep the crunch, pop the shrimp back in the air fryer at 350ºF for 3-4 minutes rather than using a microwave, which can make them soggy. Warm the sweet chili sauce gently on the stovetop or in the microwave if needed.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp for this Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp with Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe?

Yes! Just make sure to thaw and pat the frozen shrimp dry very well before coating and cooking. Removing excess moisture helps the breading stick and ensures crispiness in the air fryer.
Is there a substitute for sambal chili paste in the sweet chili sauce?

Absolutely. You can use sriracha, chili garlic sauce, or even a small amount of cayenne pepper mixed with red chili flakes depending on your spice preference and what you have on hand.
Can this recipe be made gluten-free?

Yes! Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend and use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs to keep the coating light and crunchy while catering to gluten sensitivities.
How spicy is the sweet chili sauce?

The sauce has a pleasant mild heat that complements the sweetness — it’s not overwhelmingly spicy but you can easily adjust the sambal chili paste amount to make it milder or hotter to suit your taste.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been searching for a fun, flavorful appetizer that’s impressively easy to make, this Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp with Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe is your new go-to. It’s crispy, sweet, tangy, and just the right amount of spicy — and thanks to the air fryer, it’s lighter without sacrificing any of the texture or flavor. Whip these up for your next gathering or simply to treat yourself; I promise they won’t last long on the plate!

Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp with Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe