Best Coconut Shrimp Recipe - Quick and Easy - Crunchy and Delicious. (2024)

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Made with just a few ingredients, this Coconut Shrimp recipe makes crispy, crunchy shrimp in under 30 minutes. Serve with my simple coconut shrimp sauce for a quick, easy appetizer or entrée.

Easy Coconut Shrimp Recipe

This coconut shrimp recipe is super easy to make and makes the perfect appetizer for any dinner, gathering, or party. It has an irresistible flavor with a slight tropical twist, thanks to the shredded coconut.

The best part is that though the end result definitely rivals anything you’d find in a restaurant, this recipe is made with simple ingredients that you likely already have on hand.

Plus, it’s versatile – while I love it as an appetizer, it can be served as the main course too. And I’ve also included a few different ways to cook it, so you can choose if you want it fried, air fried, or baked. All options taste great!

Why You’ll Love These Crispy Shrimp

Here are a few reasons to love this coconut shrimp recipe.

• Quick and easy. From start to finish, you’re looking at just 30 minutes before you can dive in to these crunchy shrimp.
• Appetizer or entrée. One of the things I love about this recipe is that depending on my mood, it can be an appetizer or the main course.
• Crispy, crunchy texture. Thanks to the coconut and panko breadcrumbs, this outside of this shrimp is light and crunchy, just like you’d get in a restaurant.

What You’ll Need

This easy shrimp recipe just requires the shrimp, a few ingredients, and a couple of spices. See the recipe card below for measurements.

• Shrimp – For this recipe, I recommend using large or extra-large shrimp that have been peeled and deveined.
• Salt – Add to taste. For this recipe, I used Kosher salt but you can use whatever type of salt you have around.
• Garlic powder & onion powder – These are my go-to spices. They add a hint of garlic and onions to the shrimp.
• Paprika – This gives the shrimp a spicy kick. You can use cumin, chili powder, a little old bay spice, red pepper flakes, cajun seasoning, or creole seasoning instead.
• Water – You can use club soda or beer instead. This will give the shrimp a lighter, airier texture.
• Shredded coconut – I used sweetened shredded coconut to coat the shrimp and give it that crunchy sweet flavor but you can use unsweetened shredded coconut instead.
• Panko – Plain panko is what I used. Panko is a Japanese breadcrumb that’s perfect for coating fried foods.
• Lime – This is used as a garnish and lime juice also to add a citrusy flavor to the shrimp. You can sprinkle lemon juice over your juicy shrimp as well.
• Pancake mix – The pancake mix is used to bind the shrimp to the coconut flakes. I just used a store brand mix.
• Oil – I used vegetable oil for this recipe, but you can use canola oil, olive oil, or coconut oil.

Can I Use Frozen Shrimp For This Recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen shrimp, but just make sure to thaw them completely before using them.

I like to thaw my frozen shrimp by putting them in a ziplock bag, sealing it, and putting it in a bowl of cold water for 30 minutes to an hour.

How to Make Coconut Shrimp

Making fried coconut shrimp is quick, easy, and takes just a few minutes.

• Prepare the breading. In one bowl, combine the pancake mix, seasonings, and water. In another, combine the coconut and panko.
• Dip the shrimp. Dry the shrimp with paper towels. Dip in the pancake batter then coat with the coconut mixture, pressing gently so that the coconut adheres to the shrimp.
• Fry. Fry the shrimp in batches until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
• Enjoy. Serve with lime wedges and your favorite coconut shrimp sauce.

Can I Make Coconut Shrimp in the Air Fryer or Oven?

Yes, you can make this crispy coconut shrimp in both the air fryer and oven, if you prefer not to fry it.

• Air fryer. To make coconut shrimp in the air fryer, place the breaded shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket for 8-10 minutes, until crispy and golden brown.
• Oven. For baked coconut shrimp, place the breaded shrimp on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 400F for 10 to 12 minutes, until golden brown and crispy.

Common Questions

Here are a few common questions about making this fried shrimp recipe.

What to Serve with Crispy Coconut Shrimp

I love to serve this homemade coconut shrimp with my coconut shrimp sauce. But you can also use Thai sweet chili sauce, hot sauce, or sweet and sour sauce.

These coconut shrimp make a great appetizer but you can also turn them into an easy meal, by serving them with French fries or even zucchini fries.

Proper Storage

• Fridge. Store leftover coconut shrimp in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Freezer. You can also freeze the cooked shrimp for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
• Reheat. Reheating in the oven or air fryer is best to maintain the crisp-ness of the breading. Reheating in the microwave is fine too but the shrimp won’t be as crispy.

More Shrimp Recipes

• Spicy Shrimp Tacos
• Easy Shrimp Ceviche
• Shrimp Scampi
• Bang Bang Shrimp
• Dynamite Shrimp