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Last month, after our daughter’s dance recital, we invited our family out to dinner with us. My father-in-law (a.k.a. Grampa) ordered Coconut Shrimp which surprised my husband Jack – because he didn’t think that his dad liked that sort of dish!
When Jack commented on the order – Grampa told him that Coconut Shrimp was actually one of his favorites! So of course – Jack immediately decided to come up with a recipe!
After some experimentation in the kitchen, Jack discovered that canned coconut milk was an excellent addition to the coconut shrimp coating. It helped to keep the flaked coconut and panko bread crumbs coating from falling off the shrimp – plus it gave the shrimp some great coconut flavor! The coating in this shrimp is also seasoned with a small amount of 5-spice powder and it is perfectly flavored as well as golden brown and crispy.
After we took the photos you see here in today’s post, Jack brought the cooked shrimp over to his parent’s house – as well as the Sweet Chili Dipping Sauce made to go along with the shrimp.
Grampa immediately devoured the shrimp! So much so (my husband Jack chuckled) at one point, Grampa had a shrimp in each hand as he ate! Grampa told Jack that he tried making Coconut Shrimp once himself – but it never tasted as delicious as this recipe!
All for you Grampa! We love you! 🙂
We love seeing what you made! Tag us on Instagram at @afamilyfeast or hashtag #afamilyfeast so we can see your creations!
Coconut Shrimp
Ingredients
- 2 pounds shell-on raw shrimp, 16-20 per pound.
- 2 cup all-purpose flour, divided
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon 5-spice powder
- 1 13.6–ounce can coconut milk, see note above
- 2 eggs beaten
- 2 cups panko bread crumbs
- 2 cups shredded coconut
- Enough vegetable oil to fill a pan or wok three inches up the sides
Instructions
- Remove shells from shrimp but leave tails on. This will act as a handle to pick up the cooked shrimp.
- Lay out three medium to large bowls.
- In the first one; mix 1 cup flour, salt, pepper and 5-spice powder.
- In the second; mix coconut milk with the two beaten eggs.
- In the third; mix Panko, coconut flakes and the remaining 1 cup of flour.
- Handling a few at a time, dredge in flour, shake off excess and then into the egg mixture. Let the mixture drip off for a few seconds then dredge in the panko mixture. I found that tossing the shrimp in the bowl on this last step was easier and coated them better.
- Place on a sheet tray not touching as you go.
- Once you finish breading the shrimp, heat the pan or wok with the oil to 325 degrees F using a candy thermometer, then maintain that temperature as you fry each batch. Get the oil back to 325 degrees between each batch.
- Fry in about four or five batches placing them in one at a time not touching. They will cook for about three minutes and will float and be golden brown once done. Do not over cook.
- Serve immediately with our Sweet Chili Dipping Sauce.
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Notes
Open the canned coconut milk upside down so that the liquid pours out before the fat (just makes it easier to remove from the can). If the two are totally separated, heat slightly to combine but cool before using.
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These are wonderful. Served with a delicious pasta salad and garlic bread. The only recommendation I could make is PLEASE butterfly shrimp before dredging. They are coated more, crunchier and cook evenly.
Thanks Susan – you can do that if you’d like. We think the non-butterflied shrimp stays juicier but it’s a personal choice. 🙂
I want to make your coconut shrimp. Do I use unsweetened or sweetened coconut flakes.
Thx Jane
Hi Jane – We used sweetened flakes. Enjoy!
I’ve been saving this recipe and am FINALLY ready to give it a go. Do you think I could pan fry these as opposed to deep frying? I hate to waste the oil!
Hi Betty – Yes you can fry this in oil in a skillet instead. Enjoy!
The coconut shrimp reminded me of the pina colada dip Red Lobster serves with their coconut shrimp, it is heavenly by itself!!
That sounds delicious Judy! I think I’ve seen copycat recipes for that dip online – FYI! 🙂
Hi Martha, I would love you to stop by Food on Friday: Coconut over at Carole’s Chatter to add this to the recipe collection! Cheers!
PS If you would like to be part of the Food on Friday group, just put a reminder in your calendar this time each week to check out the new theme or email me if you would like a reminder by email. You can also see the themes coming up in one of the tabs at the top of my home page
I LOVE coconut shrimp. In fact it’s probably my favorite way to enjoy shrimp….yum!
What a sweet story and this is one of fav ways to enjoy shrimp!