Best Ever Coconut Shrimp

These Coconut Shrimp make an irresistible appetizer that’s tender on the inside, and crispy, sweet and crunchy on the outside. They’re mouthwateringly delicious and the first to go at a party!

Coconut Shrimp is a popular dish from the menu at Red Lobster and Outback Steakhouse. The shrimp is rolled in a mix of shredded coconut and panko breadcrumbs and then deep fried to golden perfection.

It’s one of my favorite shrimp appetizers along with Bang Bang Shrimp and Teriyaki Shrimp.

How to Make Coconut Shrimp

If you’ve tried this recipe before, you know that the most challenging part is getting the coconut coating to stay on the shrimp during the deep fry and get the perfect golden crisp. The secret is to refrigerate the coated shrimp for 20-30 minutes before deep frying to allow the coating to adhere to the shrimp. It make a huge difference!

Step 1: Prepare the Shrimp

Thaw your shrimp if they are still frozen, and then pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.

Step 2: Arrange 3 Bowls for Coating the Shrimp

You’ll need 3 large cereal bowls for the coconut shrimp coating ingredients:

1. Flour mix: All-purpose flour mixed together with salt and pepper
2. Beaten egg: Two eggs lightly beaten
3. Coconut mix: Sweetened shredded coconut with panko bread crumbs

The flour mix serves as a foundation layer to help the beaten egg stick to the shrimp more easily, while the beaten egg helps bind the coconut mixture.

Step 3: Coat the Shrimp

Holding the shrimp by tail, dredge first in the flour mix, shake off excess flour and then dip in beaten egg. Finally dredge in the coconut panko mix and place the coated shrimp on a sheet pan lined with wax paper.

Refrigerate for 30 minutes. The chilling process is important as it allows the coating stay on shrimp during deep frying.

Step 4: Fry the Shrimp

In a deep fryer or medium saucepan, add 2-3 inches of oil and heat to 375°F.

Fry shrimp in batches, for about 2 minutes until golden brown. Remove shrimp with slotted spoon and place on a cooling rack.

Panko Bread Crumbs – The Secret to a Crispy and Crunchy Texture

Coating your shrimp with shredded coconut and panko bread crumbs gives your Coconut Shrimp an extra crispy and crunchy texture that everyone loves.

Panko is a larger, sturdier bread crumb hailing from Japanese cuisine and is available in most grocery stores or online.

The Ratio Between Coconut and Panko Bread Crumbs

I used 1:1 ratio between coconut and bread crumbs, but you can use more shredded coconut if you prefer a sweeter flavor. You can use as much as 3: 1 ratio between coconut and crumbs without scarifying the results.

Panko Bread Crumbs v.s Regular Bread Crumbs

I recommend using Panko as it works better than regular bread crumbs for this recipe, as Panko is made from bread without crusts. It gives you a better look and do not absorb as much oil in the frying process.

Dipping Sauce for Coconut Shrimp

You can serve it with bottled Thai Sweet Chili sauce or your favorite dipping sauce.

Tips and Secrets for Making Coconut Shrimp

• Thaw your shrimp properly before cooking. Leave the tail on for a fantastic look when they are cooked.
• Add Panko Bread Crumbs to your shredded coconut. After coating the shrimp, make sure to chill them for about 30 minutes before frying.
• Use a deep pot to fry the shrimp if you don’t have a deep fryer. This will avoid the coating stuck to the bottom of the pan.
• Make sure to bring the oil to the right temperature (375 F) and work in batches.  Deep fry the shrimp for only 2 to 3 minutes until they are golden brown. Avoid overcooking the shrimp will make them chewy and tough.

Make Ahead Tip

Refrigerate: You can leave the coated shrimp in the fridge for up to 4 hours. When it’s time to eat, all you need to do is to quickly fry them.

Freeze: Place fried coconut shrimp in a zip-lock bag, seal tight and they freeze well for up to 2 months. When you need to serve them, the best option is baking them at 350°F for 10 minutes.

Can I Bake Coconut Shrimp?

Yes, Baked Coconut Shrimp is super easy to make and healthier than Fried Coconut Shrimp. You get all the flavor without the added calories from deep frying.

Heat the oven to 425°F, and place the coated shrimp on a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spray with oil, and bake for about 10 minutes or until shrimp turn golden brown. Here’s a guide to different methods for cooking shrimp.

How to Serve Coconut Shrimp

• Coconut Shrimp make fabulous party appetizers and they’re perfect for sharing just like Bang Bang Shrimp. Make sure to provide a dipping sauce such as Thai Sweet Chili Sauce.
• I also like to combine rice and vegetables like broccoli to make a complete meal.

Key Ingredients and Where to Buy

• Shrimp: I bought frozen jumbo-size shrimp that’s peeled and deveined with tails on from the local supermarket.
• Shredded coconut: I used sweetened shredded coconut. You can use unsweetened coconut by itself or add sugar to taste.
• Bread crumbs: I used Panko bread crumbs for an extra crispy and crunchy texture.
• Thai Sweet Chili Sauce: perfect for dipping and easy to find in supermarkets or online.

Watch How to Make Coconut Shrimp

Recipe tools:

• Deep fryer  
• Oil thermometer
• Slotted spoon

Editor Note: Post updated March 29, 2018 with additional details.