How to To Make Easy + Crispy Deep Fried Coconut Shrimp
Even the non-seafood people in your family will gobble up these deep-fried coconut shrimp.
They are golden brown, deliciously crisp, with just a hint of sweetness.
Once you see how easy this recipe is to make at home, there will be no need to get them at a restaurant. We always feel like we’re on vacation while we eat them.
Easy Deep Fried Coconut Shrimp
Ingredients
- 1 pound raw shrimp peeled and deveined
- salt and pepper
- 2 eggs beaten
- ½ cup flour
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 cup shredded coconut sweetened or unsweetened will be fine
- peanut oil or vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Prep oil. Preheat the frying oil, to 365 degrees, either in a deep fryer or heavy bottomed pot with a candy thermometer.
- Prep shrimp. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper.
- Prep battering station. Prepare three bowls: 1 with the flour, one with the beaten eggs, and one with the panko and coconut mixed together. Dip the shrimp, a few at a time, first into the eggs, then the flour, then the panko/ coconut mix.
- Fry. Check the oil temperature and fry in batches about 1-2 minutes per side. The shrimp should be in a single layer on the basket with plenty of room between them. If using a deep fryer, there is no need to turn them, and they will be done in about 2-3 minutes. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
- Serve. Serve immediately with sweet Thai chili sauce.
Notes
Ingredients
Substitutions and Variations
- Panko Breadcrumbs: For an extra crispy texture, use panko breadcrumbs in the coconut mixture. It gives the shrimp an airy crunch.
- Baking Option: If you prefer not to deep fry, you can bake the shrimp on a baking sheet. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F, spray the shrimp with cooking spray, and bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Flavor Variations: Add a bit of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the panko mixture for a spicy kick. You can also mix lime juice or Dijon mustard into the egg mixture for added flavor.
- Dipping Sauces: While sweet Thai chili sauce is a favorite, you can also try orange marmalade, sriracha sauce, or even a homemade garlic aioli as a dipping sauce.
Frugal Tip
Nice quality shrimp are available at a great price at either Costco or Aldi. The Costco ones are slightly larger.
If you are at a grocery store, don’t bother getting “fresh” shrimp at the seafood counter. It is almost always frozen shrimp that they have defrosted on site. That’s fine, but the frozen bag keeps longer and is more convenient.
Let’s Make Them, Step By Step
Breading The Shrimp
This recipe is a bit messy but it’s very fast to make.
Before you get started, set up your deep fryer or Dutch Oven and fill it with oil. If you are deep frying in a pot, you’ll need enough oil so that the shrimp can switch around easily. Use a candy thermometer to watch the temperature. You want to fry the shrimp at 365 degrees. Never leave hot oil unattended!
Now let’s prepare the shrimp. Pat them dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper.
You’ll want three bowls for the three components of the breading. Line them up in order: first the flour, next the beaten egg, and finally a blend of the panko and shredded coconut. Dip the shrimp in, a few at a time, and place the breaded shrimp on a plate where they can wait to be fried.
Deep Frying And Serving
The frying part goes very quickly. Keep an eye on them, as they need just a few minutes.
If you’re frying on the stovetop, you will need to flip them. They usually take only a minute or two per side. Overcooked shrimp are rubbery, so don’t leave them too long.
In the deep fryer, submerge the basket for 2 minutes and then check to see how brown they are. They may need one more minute.
Remove the shrimp once they are golden brown, and allow them to drain briefly on a paper towel-lined plate.
They are best served immediately and are delicious with sweet Thai chili sauce as a dipping sauce.
FAQs
Yes, you can use unsweetened coconut flakes if you prefer. It will give your coconut shrimp a less sweet, more natural coconut flavor.
Large shrimp or even jumbo shrimp work best for this recipe. Make sure they are peeled and deveined for the best results.
Yes, you can make air fryer shrimp by following the same breading steps and then placing the shrimp in an air fryer basket. Cook at 360 degrees F for about 10-15 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
By Katie Shaw
Katie lives in Virginia with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens. She loves creating simple tutorials for sourdough, bread, and soap. Her recipes, articles, and YouTube videos reach millions of people per year.