Hey there! I’ve been experimenting with reheating leftover coconut shrimp for years and I’m super excited to share my foolproof air fryer method with you. Trust me once you try this, you’ll never go back to soggy microwave reheating again!
Why Choose an Air Fryer for Reheating Coconut Shrimp?
Before diving into the how-to, let me tell ya why the air fryer is your best friend for reheating coconut shrimp:
- Gets that coating super crispy again (just like fresh!)
- Takes only a few minutes
- No extra oil needed
- Keeps the shrimp juicy inside
- Won’t make your kitchen smell like deep frying
Step-by-Step Reheating Instructions
What You’ll Need:
- Air fryer
- Leftover coconut shrimp
- Cooking spray (optional)
The Process:
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C)
- Arrange the shrimp in a single layer in the basket
- Don’t stack them!
- Leave space between pieces
- Cook for 3-5 minutes total
- Flip halfway through
- Check at 3 minutes for smaller shrimp
- Check for crispiness
- Add 1-minute intervals if needed
- Serve immediately while hot and crunchy
Pro Tips for Perfect Results
After reheating countless batches, here are my top tips:
DO’s:
- Let refrigerated shrimp sit out for 5 minutes before reheating
- Pat them dry if they seem moist
- Work in small batches for best results
- Use a light spray of oil if the coating looks dry
DON’Ts:
- Don’t overcrowd the basket
- Don’t reheat straight from frozen
- Don’t leave them sitting in the air fryer after cooking
- Don’t skip preheating
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Having problems? Here’s what might be wrong
Shrimp Not Crispy Enough?
- Temperature might be too low
- Basket might be overcrowded
- Might need an extra minute or two
Coating Burning But Shrimp Cold Inside?
- Temperature might be too high
- Try reducing to 325°F
- Cook for longer at lower temp
Storage Tips Before Reheating
To ensure the best reheating results
- Store leftover coconut shrimp in an airtight container
- Keep in fridge for up to 2 days
- Don’t stack them when storing
- Let them cool completely before refrigerating
Bonus: Serving Suggestions
Make your reheated coconut shrimp extra special with these dipping sauces:
- Sweet chili sauce
- Orange marmalade mixed with sriracha
- Honey mustard
- Pineapple dipping sauce
Safety Reminder
While we love perfectly crispy coconut shrimp, always ensure:
- Internal temperature reaches 165°F
- Don’t reheat more than once
- Discard if left out over 2 hours
- When in doubt, throw it out!
Final Thoughts
Remember, the key is not to overcrowd and keep an eye on them during reheating. With these tips, your leftover coconut shrimp will taste almost as good as fresh-made!
Happy air frying, everyone! ✨
Got questions about reheating other seafood in your air fryer? Drop them in the comments below!
Ingredient Substitutions and Recommendations:
- Shrimp – I DO NOT recommend using pre-cooked shrimp for this recipe. Pre-cooked shrimp will result in being tough and rubbery after being cooked again. For best results, look for fresh or frozen RAW shrimp, preferably with the tail. (The tail is helpful with the breading process.)
- Coconut – I used unsweetened, flaked coconut. This rendered the perfect golden brown shrimp. Sweetened coconut can be used, however, because of the sugar this coconut tends to over-brown (or burn) rather quickly.
- Panko or seasoned bread crumbs – when developing this recipe I had a very difficult time finding panko. (Current supply-chain issues.) With this in mind, I tested with seasoned bread crumbs and had great results.
- Coconut milk – I opted for a reduced-fat coconut milk (Goya brand) to keep the calories lower in this recipe. You can use regular coconut milk, regular dairy milk or the plant-based milk of your choice. Coconut water is not a good substitution for this recipe.
For exact ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions be sure to scroll down to the recipe at the bottom of the post. Thanks!
What do I need to make coconut shrimp in the air fryer?
- Extra-Large or Jumbo Shrimp, raw, preferably WITH tails. (The tails are helpful in handling the shrimp when adding the coconut breading.)
- All-purpose flour
- Egg
- Reduced-Fat or Light coconut milk
- Panko or seasoned bread crumbs
- Unsweetened shredded or flaked coconut
- Salt and Pepper
For exact ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions be sure to scroll down to the bottom of the post for the recipe. Thanks!
Air Fryer Frozen Coconut Shrimp – How To Cook Coconut Breaded Shrimp In Air Fryer – So Crispy!
FAQ
How do you reheat coconut shrimp in an air fryer?
Air fry the shrimp at 400°F (200°C) for 6-8 minutes or until golden brown and crispy, shaking the basket halfway through. ⏲️ (6-8 minutes) Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce!
How to heat up already cooked shrimp in an air fryer?
To reheat shrimp in an air fryer, just set air fryer to 400oF (high heat) and cook for 2 minutes. This should reheat them all the way through without overcooking them. If you have a toaster oven-style air fryer, you might need 3 minutes for them to be heated through.
What temperature do you air fry coconut shrimp?
The ideal temperature for air frying coconut shrimp is typically 375°F to 400°F (190°C to 200°C).
Is it safe to reheat coconut shrimp?
You can reheat Coconut Shrimp but they taste far superior freshly baked because once refrigerated or frozen, the shrimp will lose much of its crunch.