Coconut Shrimp Recipe with Pina Colada Sauce

Coconut Shrimp is a crispy, crave-worthy appetizer that everyone will love. It’s especially delicious when paired with spicy Pina Colada Sauce! The two go hand in hand, a match made in heaven. And this coconut shrimp recipe is just as good as a main dish as it is as a party appetizer!

crispy coconut shrimp and a bowl of pina colada sauce.

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Why We Love This Coconut Shrimp Recipe

Crispy, battered, deep-fried, and delicious… this Coconut Shrimp recipe is just so tasty! This shrimp appetizer is perfect for parties (especially New Year’s Eve), and it’s just as good when eaten as a main dish. When eaten with the most amazing coconut shrimp sauce… watch out, because you won’t be able to stop eating!

Easy. You can make this recipe stress-free in just about half an hour! All you need is a deep pot/pan to heat the oil, then drop the battered shrimp in.
Crispy. These crispy little shrimp are covered in the most delicious coconut-flavored batter and then fried to perfection on the stovetop.
Flavorful. We’ve got a super delicious pina colada sauce for dipping because no appetizer is complete without a little dip.

Variations on Coconut Shrimp

Add cayenne pepper or chili flakes to the coconut breading mixture for a kick. Or brush the coconut-coated shrimp with a teriyaki glaze as soon as they come out of the fryer.

a plate of coconut shrimp with a small bowl of pina colada dipping sauce.

How to Store and Reheat

Store leftover coconut shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 300°F oven for 8-10 minutes or in a 400°F air fryer for 3-4 minutes. Store pina colada sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

How to Freeze

Freeze coconut shrimp in a single layer on a lined baking sheet until solid, about 1-2 hours. Transfer to an airtight container or Ziplock bag for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. We do not recommend freezing pina colada sauce.

Serving Suggestions

These crispy coconut shrimp pair perfectly with the pina colada sauce, but you can also serve them with classic ketchup, tartar sauce, BBQ sauce, bang bang sauce, or sweet and sour sauce.

Add a side of homemade french fries, coleslaw, or mind-blowing grilled corn salad.

Do you eat the tail of coconut shrimp?

No, you do not eat the tails! You can leave them on during cooking, but be sure to eat the meat out from the tails and discard the hard shell.

What is coconut shrimp sauce made of?

This pina colada dipping sauce is made from pina colada drink mix, crushed pineapple, coconut flakes, and lime juice thickened with cornstarch.

Does pina colada sauce have alcohol?

No, there is no actual alcohol in this shrimp dipping sauce. Pina colada mix does not contain alcohol.

a coconut shrimp dipped in pina colada sauce.

More Shrimp Recipes To Try

Notes from the Test Kitchen

Make the sauce first (and up to 4 days ahead of time!) to ensure it is cooled, thickened, and ready when the shrimp are done.
If you can’t find pina colada mix, you can use a mixture of equal parts cream of coconut and pineapple juice.

5-Star Review

“This is out of this world good! I recommend this to everyone I know!” -Sommer

How to Make Coconut Shrimp Step by Step

Heat the Sauce: In a medium saucepan, whisk together 1½ cups of pina colada mix, ¼ cup of water, and 4 teaspoons of cornstarch until the cornstarch is dissolved. Bring the mixture to a low boil over medium-low heat. Simmer while stirring for 4-5 minutes, or until the mixture thickens.

A person using a whisk to stir a bowl of pina colada sauce.

Thicken the Sauce: Add 4 tablespoons of crushed pineapple, ¼ cup of sweetened flaked coconut, ⅛ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes, ¼ teaspoon of kosher salt, and the juice and zest of 1 lime and whisk well. Bring the mixture back to a low boil and simmer until the mixture is the desired consistency, about 4-5 minutes.

Strain the Sauce: Strain the sauce through a mesh strainer over a medium bowl. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Season the Shrimp: Heat 3-4 cups of canola oil in a deep-sided, heavy-bottom Dutch oven or sauté pan set over medium heat until it registers 340°F on an instant-read or candy thermometer. While the oil heats, lay 1 pound of peeled and deveined jumbo shrimp on double thick paper towels and pat the tops dry with another paper towel. Lightly season the shrimp with kosher salt.

Whisk the Flour: In a shallow bowl, whisk together 1 cup of all-purpose flour, ¾ teaspoon of ground paprika, ½ teaspoon of ground white pepper, ⅛ teaspoon of ground cayenne pepper, and ¼ teaspoon of table salt.

Mix the Eggs: In a second shallow bowl, whisk together 2 whole eggs, 2 egg whites, and 1½ teaspoons of cold water.

Combine the Breadcrumbs and Coconut: In a third shallow bowl, whisk together 1 cup of Panko breadcrumbs and 1 cup of shredded coconut.

Dredge the Shrimp: When the oil is ready, pick up the shrimp by the tail, dip it in the flour mixture, and shake off the excess. Dredge the shrimp in the beaten eggs allowing the excess to drip off. Press the shrimp in the coconut/panko mixture so the mixture adheres.

Dredge Again: Dip the shrimp in the beaten eggs a second time and allow the excess to drip off. Once again, press the shrimp in the coconut/panko mixture and place it carefully in the hot oil.

a dredged shrimp over a bowl of breadcrumbs.

Fry the Shrimp: Fry the shrimp for about 1 minute, or until golden brown, on the bottom side then flip it over and fry the other side for about 1 minute. It should take about 2-2½ minutes for the shrimp to be cooked through and golden brown. Set the cooked shrimp on a paper towel-lined plate and repeat until all shrimp are cooked.