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These super easy-baked coconut shrimp will deliver in a flavor so delicious they will be sure to be a favorite among all of your guests! They are golden and crispy and baked to perfection.
Baked coconut shrimp are delightful to pop into your mouth and eat plain or drizzle them with a delicious sauce and impress your guests with your baking skills. Try them dipped them in a store-bought sweet chili sauce, our yum yum sauce or make an array of appetizers including cream cheese wontons and our insanely delicious crab dip!
Why You’ll Love This Baked Coconut Shrimp
I love making baked versions of my favorite fried foods because you get all the flavor without all the added calories. This recipe is no exception and delivers all of the flavors of delicious shrimp as well as the crispy texture baked to perfection! Shrimp is such a versatile food that can be used as a main dish, an appetizer, or a side! This recipe allows creativity in what it’s served with and is a dish that will keep guests coming back for more!
This baked coconut shrimp is super super easy to make and even easier to eat! The shrimp is crispy and crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside. Using a mixture of panko breadcrumbs and coconut to coat the shrimp gives different textures and flavors to the dish. Baking the shrimp makes this a healthier option because you aren’t frying it in oil but it still retains all of the tasty flavor and texture. It’s the best of both worlds!
What do I need for Baked Coconut Shrimp?
You will have many of these ingredients on hand in your pantry and refrigerator. Once you have your shrimp, you will be all set to start baking! These are so delicious and come together so easily! See the recipe card below for full instructions and amounts.
- Large shrimp: Make sure that the shrimp is peeled with the tails left on and deveined.
- Eggs: Eggs create a sticky base for the breadcrumbs and coconut.
- Flaked coconut: Make sure that the coconut flakes are unsweetened.
- Panko breadcrumbs: These breadcrumbs will be the key ingredient in getting that crispy texture!
- All-purpose flour: This creates a base for all of the ingredients used to cover the shrimp.
- Garlic powder: This will give you a hint of garlic flavor that compliments the coconut!
- Paprika: Garnishing with paprika is optional but it will add a slight sweet pepper flavor, without any added heat.
- Salt: Adding the salt to the dish will help to bring out all of the other flavors.
- Black pepper: Freshly ground black pepper will give a slight hint of heat to the taste without making it too spicy or hot.
Instructions for Baked Coconut Shrimp
This is a restaurant-quality dish that you can easily make and put together at home! it doesn’t take a lot of time yet it looks and tastes like a million bucks! This tastes SO GOOD and you will be adding this as an appetizer any chance you get!
- Preparing: Pre-heat oven to 425F Grease a cookie sheet with oil and set aside.
- Coat the Shrimp: Beat eggs in a small bowl and set aside. Next, combine breadcrumbs and coconut in another bowl and set aside. Lastly, combine flour and spices in a 3rd bowl.
- Dip Shrimp: Next, dip shrimp in small batches in the flour mixture then the egg mixture. Once you are done, let the excess drip off the shrimp. Then coat in the coconut/breadcrumb mixture, pressing to adhere.
- Bake: Place the shrimp on the baking sheet in a single layer. Lightly spray with nonstick spray or drizzle with oil. After, place the shrimp in the oven and bake until they are golden on the outside and opaque in the center, about 10 minutes.
Tips for Perfectly Baked Coconut Shrimp
Shrimp seems like a dish that people can only get at a restaurant. This recipe makes it possible and EASY to make this in the comfort of your own home! Follow these tips to help out and you will come away with the knowledge and confidence to conquer any baking project to perfection!
- Frozen Shrimp: If starting with frozen shrimp, make sure to thaw before starting.
- Peeled and Deveined: I recommend getting shrimp that is peeled and deveined. It will save you time at home and keep this recipe quick and simple!
- Raw Shrimp: Make sure that the shrimp that you get for this recipe is raw and not frozen cooked shrimp. This will help with the baking of the recipe and keeping it all fresh!
- Flour: The recipe calls for all-purpose flour but any flour (oat flour, all purpose or gluten free) will all work!
- Breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs are most recommended to get that extra crispiness but you can substiture for almond meal.
More Delicious Shrimp Recipes to Try
Do you love shrimp as much as I do? The amount of variations are endless and I love trying them all! Here are a few additional recipes that you can try that will satisfy all of your cravings for shrimp!
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Baked Coconut Shrimp
Ingredients
- 1 pound peeled and deveined large shrimp tails left on
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup flaked unsweetened coconut
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika, optional
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a baking sheet pan with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
- Gather 3 bowls. Beat 2 large eggs in the first bowl and set aside. Combine 1 cup flaked unsweetened coconut and ½ cup panko breadcrumbs in another bowl and set aside. Lastly, combine ½ cup all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, salt and freshly ground black pepper, and ½ teaspoon paprika, if using in the last bowl.
- Dip 1 pound peeled and deveined large shrimp in the flour mixture then the egg mixture. Allow the excess egg mixture drip off the shrimp and then coat in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing to adhere.
- Place the shrimp on the baking sheet in a single layer. Lightly spray with non-stick spray or drizzle with olive oil.
- Bake until the shrimp are golden on the outside and opaque in the center, about 10 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I really loved the 1st batch but I ran out of Paprika so I used an east coast Spice called OLD BAY. It’s just for seafood and was delicious. Thanks
Can I freeze them after coating and then bake later? Should I defrost 1st or just put in oven for maybe 20minutes?
Yes! Lay the breaded shrimp out in a single layer on parchment-lined baking sheet then place in the freezer. Once they are completely frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag or container and freeze for up to three months. When ready, bake at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 12-14 minutes.
These turned out great. I served them with sweet chili sauce from Trader Joe’s.
A couple of tips: you can make your own panko. Just cut the crusts off a few slices of white bread (sourdough, potato, whatever) and whiz it in your food processor, then let it sit out and dry for an hour or so (in my dry climate, it was nice and dry in half an hour). Store the unused portion in the freezer.
Also, the unsweetened coconut came in long strips that weren’t adhering very well to the shrimp, so I whizzed that in the food processor too, along with the 1/2 cup of panko.
We just had these for dinner, and OMG! They are GREAT! We dipped in store-bought sweet chili sauce, and they are awesome! My hubby’s only change, and I agree, is to take the tails off next time. We don’t need the handle, and we don’t want to struggle for that last little bit! LOL I have always fried coconut shrimp, and what a mess to clean up! Plus, who needs more fried food? These are better than the ones I used to order at Bonefish Grill (and they no longer have it on the menu!) So WIN WIN!!!! These are now in our weekly rotation! Thanks!!!
Yay! I’m so glad you loved them!
This is the best coconut shrimp i’ve EVER had, and it was my first time cooking with shrimp! Super super easy and worth it. Good with rice and salad for a dinner, and could also be good for a party appetizer. Definitely recommend it.
Best recipe for baking coconut shrimp.
Can you make these ahead of time, refrigerate and then bake?
Yes, that will work great with these shrimp.
This recipe is just as good as the one we had in an upscale restaurant in the Caribbean
Looking for gluten free alternative
Absolutely delicious recipe! I used smaller shrimp and cooked for less time. Also, served with a pina colada sauce (1/2 c crushed pineapple, 1/4 c cream of coconut, splash of lemon juice, some shredded coconut. Boil, add cornstarch/water to thicken). Will definitely make this again! Thank you!
Was looking for a baked Version of coconut shrimp and found this one. Was super easy and much healthier than the deep fried version, as I do not eat fried foods. I made a homemade dipping sauce of honey mustard, orange marmalade, lemon juice and red chili flakes. Super delicious, will make again and again.
This coconut shrimp recipe is easy and very delicious! Made it for supper last night to go with our steak. Took about 30-40 minutes start to table! Thanks
Is this recipe made with raw or pre-cooked shrimp?
The shrimp is raw.
Does this recipe start with raw or pre-cooked shrimp?