Go Back
An extreme close-up of a perfectly cooked coconut shrimp, showing the texture of the crispy panko and shredded coconut breading.

Coconut Shrimp Recipe (Restaurant-Quality at Home)

This easy Coconut Shrimp Recipe delivers perfectly golden, crispy shrimp with a sweet and savory coconut crust. Learn how to pan-fry, bake, or air fry them to perfection for a restaurant-quality dish at home.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Tropical
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb large shrimp peeled and deveined, tails on
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 2 large eggs beaten
  • 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 cup vegetable oil for frying, or cooking spray for baking/air frying
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 3 tbsp sweet chili sauce

Equipment

  • 1 Large Skillet For pan-frying
  • 1 Air Fryer Optional method
  • 3 Shallow Bowls For breading station

Method
 

  1. Pat the shrimp completely dry. Set up three shallow bowls. In the first, whisk flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. In the second, beat the eggs. In the third, combine the shredded coconut and panko breadcrumbs.
  2. Working one at a time, dredge each shrimp in the flour, dip in the egg wash, then press firmly into the coconut-panko mixture to coat completely. Place on a plate.
  3. Pan-Fry: Heat 1 inch of oil to 350°F (175°C). Fry shrimp in batches for 2-3 minutes per side until golden. Drain on a wire rack. OR Bake: At 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 mins, flipping once. OR Air Fry: At 375°F (190°C) for 7-9 mins, flipping once.
  4. While the shrimp cooks, whisk together the mayonnaise and sweet chili sauce in a small bowl until smooth.
  5. Serve the hot coconut shrimp immediately with the dipping sauce.

Notes

Pro-Tip: Ensure shrimp are very dry before breading to help the coating stick.
Storage: Store leftover shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in an air fryer or oven to regain crispiness.