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An extreme close-up of golden brown fried shrimp, highlighting the crunchy texture of the panko and coconut breading. The result of the best fried shrimp recipe.

Coconut Shrimp Recipe (The Crispiest You'll Ever Make!)

This Coconut Shrimp Recipe creates perfectly golden, crispy shrimp with a juicy center. Learn the secret to a crunchy coating that sticks, plus get three amazing dipping sauce recipes. Includes instructions for frying, baking, and air frying!
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Tropical
Calories: 485
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound Large Shrimp Peeled and deveined, tails on
  • 0.5 cup All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 0.5 tsp Paprika
  • 0.5 tsp Salt
  • 0.25 tsp Black Pepper
  • 2 Large Eggs beaten
  • 1 cup Panko Breadcrumbs
  • 1.5 cups Shredded Sweetened Coconut
  • 3 cups Neutral Oil for frying (canola, vegetable)
  • 0.5 cup Sweet Chili Sauce
  • 1 tbsp Lime Juice
  • 1 tsp Soy Sauce
  • 0.5 cup Orange Marmalade
  • 1 tbsp Dijon Mustard

Equipment

  • 1 Deep Fryer or Dutch Oven A heavy-bottomed pot works well.
  • 3 Shallow Dishes For the breading station.
  • 1 Wire Rack For draining fried shrimp or baking.

Method
 

  1. Pat the peeled and deveined shrimp completely dry with paper towels.
  2. Set up a breading station with three shallow dishes. In the first, whisk together flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. In the second, beat the eggs. In the third, combine the panko and shredded coconut.
  3. Holding a shrimp by its tail, dredge it in the flour, then dip in the egg, and finally press firmly into the coconut-panko mixture to coat completely. Place on a baking sheet and repeat with all shrimp.
  4. For best results, chill the breaded shrimp in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes.
  5. To Fry: Heat oil in a Dutch oven to 350°F (175°C). Fry shrimp in small batches for 2-3 minutes until golden brown. Drain on a wire rack.
  6. To Air Fry: Preheat to 375°F (190°C). Place shrimp in a single layer, spray with cooking oil, and cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
  7. To Bake: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place shrimp on a wire rack on a baking sheet, spray with cooking oil, and bake for 12-15 minutes, flipping once.
  8. While shrimp cook, whisk together the ingredients for your desired dipping sauce(s) in a small bowl. Serve shrimp immediately with sauce.

Notes

Tip 1: Make sure your shrimp are very dry before breading to help the coating stick.
Tip 2: Do not overcrowd your fryer, air fryer, or baking sheet. Cook in batches for the crispiest results.
Tip 3: Leftover shrimp can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in an air fryer or oven to regain crispiness.