These easy Coconut Shrimp are crisp and crunchy on the outside with a juicy shrimp center. Don’t forget the simple (2-ingredient) coconut shrimp sauce and a fresh squeeze of lime juice to serve.
This homemade appetizer is easier than you think and is endlessly better than store-bought. P.S. It’s make-ahead friendly!
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We love shrimp recipes around here, like shrimp scampi, creamy shrimp pasta, or shrimp fried rice, and even Shrimp Boil. This coconut shrimp recipe does not disappoint!
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The Best Coconut Shrimp!
Homemade coconut shrimp has just the right balance of crunchy coating to shrimp – the crispy coconut flakes produce an amazing crunch as you sink your teeth into succulent shrimp – wow!
This coconut shrimp recipe reminds me of the gorgeous restaurant shrimp appetizer we ordered in Maui and I’m telling you this recipe rivals those but it’s way less expensive to make a batch of homemade shrimp. They taste like you’re on vacation, especially when paired with that amazing apricot sweet chili dipping sauce.
I can’t say enough about the dipping sauce – it’s ridiculously good. Similar to our Shrimp Cocktail sauce, you can’t enjoy this shrimp fully without the sauce! Also, check out the make-ahead options below to turn these into your new favorite party appetizer.
Ingredients for Coconut Shrimp
This recipe has a short list of ingredients but the right ingredients make a difference. Here’s what you will need to make coconut prawns.
- Shrimp – Use large, peeled, and deveined shrimp with the tail left on which serves as a handle for dipping the shrimp. See below for more tips on sourcing shrimp.
- Flour, garlic powder, and salt – used to dredge the shrimp. Dredging helps the egg adhere better.
- Eggs – beaten for dipping the shrimp. Adds a liquid coating for the coconut flakes to cling to.
- Coconut Flakes – We use Baker’s brand “Angel flake” sweetened coconut flakes. Using a sweetened coconut gives the shrimp a more pronounced tropical flavor. You can find sweetened coconut flakes in the baking aisle of most grocery stores.
- Panko Crumbs – mixed in with the coconut flakes to create a crunchier and more uniform breading.
- Oil – for frying the shrimp – use a high smoke point oil such as extra light olive oil, peanut oil, or vegetable oil.
- Lime Juice – optional but nice to squeeze over the fried shrimp for serving.
Pro Tip
When buying shrimp, look for raw wild-caught shrimp if you can find it. If you are using frozen shrimp, be sure to thaw according to the package instructions and pat dry before using. Avoid using pre-cooked shrimp. Pre-cooked shrimp will get tough if you cook it again.
What Size Shrimp for Coconut Shrimp?
We used 1 pound of large 21-25 count shrimp. We found this to be the ideal size for breaded shrimp to get them perfectly cooked in the center and golden on the outside. Smaller shrimp overcook quickly and larger shrimp tend to burn before the center cooks through.
Ingredients for Shrimp Dipping Sauce:
All you need to make an amazing coconut shrimp sauce is equal parts of sweet chili sauce and apricot preserves or apricot fruit spread. Simply stir to combine.
The sweet chili sauce can be found in the Asian food section of the grocery store. If your apricot preserves have large pieces of fruit, you will want to blend the sauce in a food processor or blender for easier dipping. In case you’re wondering, this sauce is NOT spicy.
How to Make Coconut Shrimp:
Making these is easier than you think. It’s a quick assembly line process, in which my 9-year old son is now a pro because we love coconut shrimp around here!
- Set up 3 shallow bowls. In the first, stir together flour, garlic powder and salt. In the second, thoroughly beat together 2 eggs with a fork. In the third, combine coconut flakes and bread crumbs.
- Dredge shrimp in flour, dusting off the excess
- Dip in beaten eggs, letting excess drip back into the bowl.
- Roll in coconut mixture, pressing it onto the shrimp to adhere well.
- Sautee – Once shrimp are all breaded, sautee or air fry right away, or refrigerate to sautee later.
Use tongs to transfer fried shrimp to a paper towel lined plate to soak up any excess oil and serve right away with the 2-ingredient dipping sauce.
Can I Make Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp?
Yes! If you prefer not to fry the shrimp, the air fryer is the next best option – it quickly crisps up the exterior, keeping the center plump and juicy. Generously spray both sides of the breaded shrimp with cooking spray then cook air fryer shrimp at 400˚F for 8 minutes total, flipping the shrimp halfway through.
How to Bake Coconut Shrimp in the Oven
In all of our tests, deep frying and air frying produced the best results. Baking coconut shrimp in a conventional oven was our least favorite cooking method because it takes longer and the breading doesn’t crisp up quite as well. To bake in a regular oven, generously spray both sides of the shrimp with cooking spray and bake at 400˚F for 15 to 20 minutes, flipping shrimp halfway through.
Serve the shrimp right away – warm and crisp. I love to squeeze fresh lime juice over the top just before serving or serve with lime wedges and of course that amazing sauce.
Make-Ahead Coconut Shrimp
- Prep Ahead: Place raw battered shrimp on a platter, cover, and refrigerate for up to 4 hours then sauté or air fry.
- Storing and Reheating Cooked Shrimp: Refrigerate cooked shrimp for up to 2 days. Arrange on a baking sheet and bake in a standard oven at 400˚F for 8-10 minutes or until hot and crisp.
Have I convinced you to make that dipping sauce? I mean it’s just 2 ingredients after all! Make this coconut shrimp recipe once and you’ll make it over and over. It’s easy and so satisfying.
More Party-Favorite Appetizers
- Spinach Artichoke Dip
- Peach Salsa
- Cowboy Caviar
- Mango Avocado Salsa
- Fish Tacos
- Shrimp Cakes with Lemon Aioli
Coconut Shrimp with the Best Dipping Sauce
Ingredients
Ingredients for Coconut Shrimp:
- 1 lb large shrimp, 21-25 count, peeled and deveined with tails left on
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs, beaten with a fork
- 1 1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut, *
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
- light olive oil, or vegetable oil or coconut oil
- 1 lime, cut into wedges, to serve
Ingredients for Shrimp Dipping Sauce:
- 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
- 1/4 cup apricot preserves or apricot fruit spread
Instructions
- Rinse shrimp in cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
- Set up 3 shallow bowls. In the first, stir together 1/4 cup flour, 1/2 tsp garlic powder and 1/2 tsp salt. In the second, beat 2 eggs with a fork. In the third, combine 1 1/2 cups coconut flakes and 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs.
- Dredge shrimp in flour, then dip in beaten egg and finally dip in crumb mixture using your hands to press the coconut crumb mixture onto your shrimp. Transfer to a platter and repeat with remaining shrimp. Once all shrimp are breaded, either sauté right away or refrigerate for later.
- To sautee: place a large pan over medium heat and add enough oil to generously cover the bottom (1/4" deep). Once oil is hot (350˚F), add shrimp and sauté 2 minutes per side until golden brown and shrimp is pink and cooked through. Cook in batches and don’t overcrowd the pan. Use tongs to transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
- Stir together 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce with 1/4 cup apricot preserves. Serve shrimp with dipping sauce and squeeze fresh lime juice over finished shrimp before serving if desired.
I wonder if if it’s ok to use unsweetened coconut flakes?
Hi Shanna! Using sweetened coconut flakes gives the shrimp a more pronounced tropical flavor. You can use unsweetened if you prefer.
Hi Natasha,
I just made this recently-it was for our Anniversary Dinner:)
This recipe is so Wonderful, it’s much better than that Lobster
Restaurant!!!!
Love You and All Your Amazing Recipes
I’m a Fan For Life:)
What would be the instructions for freezing and reheating these?
Hi Cindy, I haven’t tried that but I think it could work to freeze. In the “make ahead” section, I think you could place into the freezer instead of the refrigerator for either step. Again, I haven’t tested this, but if I did, that is what I would do.
This was so good! I will definitely be making it again!
Made this with tofu (frozen, then thawed, and pressed) and it was amazing!!
Great receipe!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Loved this recipe. Made it last night! Used sriracha and orange marmalade to make the dipping sauce. Liked the heat.
Sounds great!
I am going to try this with chicken too – I imagine it would be just as good on chicken tenders!
Sounds delish!
I wonder if you could use pineapple preserves instead of apricot
Hi Beverly! You sure can. I bet that’d be amazing.
They look awesome! Definitely going to give it a go!
wow ty 4 MY my new party appetizer…always thought they’d be harder to make. NOT.
Wow oh wow
My husband really loves this recipe. I have tried 2 other recipes. While they were OK. Yours were so much better. And easier. The only thing I did different was adding a little hot sauce to the dipping sauce. We like a little heat. Thank you for absolutely delicious recipe. I’ll be looking for more of your recipes.
Oh yay that’s awesome and it makes me smile. Thank you for your great comments and review, Rita!
Can you make with precooked shrimp? Any adjustments? I bake them!
Hi Janet. It’s best to avoid using pre-cooked shrimp. Pre-cooked shrimp will get tough if you cook it again.