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Plate of crispy coconut shrimp with a vibrant dipping sauce

Classic Crispy Coconut Shrimp with Dipping Sauce

A delightful and easy-to-make dish, this recipe features succulent shrimp coated in a crispy coconut-panko crust, perfect for a quick appetizer or light meal. Served with a zesty dipping sauce, it's sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 300 kcal

Equipment

  • Paper towels
  • Small bowl
  • Shallow dishes (3)
  • Baking sheet
  • Whisk

Ingredients
  

Coconut Shrimp

  • 1 lb Large shrimp peeled & deveined
  • 1 cup Sweetened shredded coconut toasted (optional)
  • ½ cup Panko breadcrumbs (Japanese panko for lightest crunch)
  • ¼ cup All-purpose flour (can replace with gluten-free flour blend)
  • 2 large Eggs
  • ½ tsp Salt
  • ¼ tsp Black pepper freshly cracked preferred
  • ¼ tsp Garlic powder (optional)
  • Pinch Cayenne pepper (add more for heat)
  • 2 Tbsp Olive oil (or melted butter) for baking

Dipping Sauce

  • 2 Tbsp Lime juice
  • ¼ cup Mayonnaise (light version optional)
  • 1 Tbsp Sriracha (or preferred hot sauce)
  • 1 tsp Honey or maple syrup
  • 1 Tbsp Chopped fresh cilantro (garnish, optional)

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, combine salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne. Sprinkle over the shrimp and toss to coat evenly.

Coating Process

  • Set up a dredging station: one shallow dish for flour, one for beaten eggs, and one for a mix of shredded coconut and panko breadcrumbs. Dip each shrimp first in flour, then egg, then the coconut-panko mixture, ensuring full coverage.

Cooking

  • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a baking sheet with olive oil or melted butter. Arrange the coated shrimp in a single layer on the baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.

Dipping Sauce

  • While the shrimp bake, whisk together mayonnaise, Sriracha, lime juice, and honey (or maple syrup) in a small bowl for the dipping sauce. Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired.

Notes

For extra crispiness, you can lightly pan-fry the shrimp for 1-2 minutes per side before baking. Adjust the Sriracha in the dipping sauce to your preferred level of spice. Serve immediately for best results.