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Coconut Shrimp with Crispy Panko Coating and Dipping Sauces Recipe

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4 from 53 reviews

This Coconut Shrimp recipe features jumbo shrimp coated in a crispy blend of panko breadcrumbs and sweetened flaked coconut, then fried to golden perfection. The combination delivers a crunchy, sweet, and savory bite perfect for appetizers or main dishes. Versatile cooking methods include deep frying, air frying, or baking, accommodating different kitchen setups. Served best with Asian sweet chili sauce or a variety of flavorful dips, this recipe is easy to prepare and yields irresistibly crunchy shrimp with a tropical twist.

Ingredients

Shrimp Preparation

  • 32 jumbo shrimp, peeled, deveined, tail on
  • 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 tsp seafood seasoning (e.g., Old Bay Seasoning or similar)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

Coating Mixture

  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup coconut milk
  • few dashes hot sauce
  • 1 (7 oz) package sweetened flaked coconut
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs

For Frying or Cooking

  • Peanut oil or vegetable oil for frying (about 2 inches for deep frying)
  • Cooking spray or oil mister (for air frying or baking)

Instructions

  1. Prep Shrimp: Add shrimp, all purpose flour, seafood seasoning, salt, and black pepper into a large Ziploc bag. Seal the bag and shake thoroughly to evenly coat each shrimp with the flour and seasoning mixture.
  2. Prepare Egg Wash: In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, coconut milk, and a few dashes of hot sauce until smooth and well combined.
  3. Mix Coconut Panko Coating: In a separate shallow bowl, combine the sweetened flaked coconut with the panko breadcrumbs, mixing evenly to form the crunchy coating mixture.
  4. Coat the Shrimp: Dip each flour-coated shrimp into the egg wash, allowing excess to drip off, then dredge it into the coconut-panko mixture. Press the coating firmly against the shrimp to adhere well. Place the coated shrimp on a wax paper lined baking pan and freeze for 20 minutes to set the breading before cooking.
  5. To Fry: Heat about 2 inches of peanut or vegetable oil in a Dutch oven or deep fryer equipped with a fry thermometer. Heat the oil to 350°F (175°C). Remove shrimp from the freezer and carefully fry in batches to avoid overcrowding. Cook each shrimp for about 2 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon or spider strainer to remove shrimp and place on a paper towel-lined tray to drain excess oil.
  6. Air Fryer Option: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Prepare the shrimp as above and place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Lightly spray the shrimp with cooking spray or oil mister. Air fry for 8 minutes total, turning once halfway through and spraying again if any dry spots appear, until golden brown and crisp. Do not overcook to avoid rubbery texture.
  7. Baked Option: Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C). Arrange shrimp in a single layer on a baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray. Spray the tops of the shrimp lightly with cooking spray or oil mister. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until golden brown and crispy, turning once if desired for even cooking.
  8. Serve: Serve the coconut shrimp immediately with Asian sweet chili sauce or your preferred dipping sauce for best flavor and texture.

Notes

  • This recipe uses tail-on shrimp for easier handling when eating. Shrimp without tails can also be used but may be harder to pick up as finger food.
  • Adjust cooking time based on the size of shrimp. Jumbo shrimp cook about 2 minutes per side; smaller shrimp require less time to avoid overcooking and rubberiness.
  • Unsweetened coconut flakes can be substituted if you prefer less sweetness in the coating.
  • Seafood seasoning blends vary in saltiness and heat levels; adjust the amount of added salt accordingly to taste.
  • Panko breadcrumbs give a lighter, crunchier texture than traditional dry breadcrumbs but either works in a pinch.
  • Variety of dipping sauces work well including sweet chili sauce, pineapple mango salsa, orange marmalade sauce, spicy mayo, sriracha aioli, or honey lime dipping sauce.
  • The shrimp can be cooked using traditional deep frying, air frying, or baking methods based on your kitchen equipment and preference.

Find it online: https://flavorspath.com/coconut-shrimp-with-crispy-panko-coating-and-dipping-sauces-recipe/