Beer Battered Coconut Shrimp (Light, Crispy & Easy Recipe)

Crispy, golden, and packed with flavor, these beer-battered coconut shrimp are an easy way to bring restaurant-style shrimp right into your kitchen.

If you love the light crunch of beer batter with the sweetness of coconut, this shrimp recipe delivers both without a lot of fuss. It’s perfect as an appetizer or a fun weekend dinner.

With a simple batter, a quick dredging station, and hot oil, you’ll have perfectly crispy shrimp in no time. Cleanup is minimal, and the results are absolutely worth it.

Ingredients for beer battered coconut shrimp

To make these crispy beer batter shrimp, you’ll need the following ingredients:

For the shrimp:

• 1 pound of shrimp, peeled, tail on, cleaned and deveined
• 1 teaspoon of sea salt
• Dash of cracked black pepper

For the beer batter

• 1 cup of Panko breadcrumbs
• 1 cup of flaked coconut (either sweetened or unsweetened, your choice)
• ¾ cup of all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon of baking powder
• ½ teaspoon of sea salt
• 1 medium egg
• ¾ cup of beer

For frying

• 3 cups of oil for frying (a high smoke point oil such as peanut, canola, or vegetable oil)

How to make beer batter shrimp

You won’t believe how easy this recipe is!

Prepare the shrimp

• Peel and devein the shrimp.
• Leave the tail on.
• You can buy them prepared this way, or you can devein the shrimp yourself.
• Season the shrimp with salt and pepper.
• Set them aside.

Make the coating mixture

• Place the panko breadcrumbs and flaked coconut in a shallow dish.
• Whisk them to combine and set the coating mixture aside.

Pro tip: I used a shallow baking dish to hold the coating mixture. It’s much easier to coat the shrimp in this kind of dish, rather than a bowl.

Making the beer batter for shrimp

• Combine the flour, salt, pepper, baking powder, and the egg.
• Pour in the beer and mix it all. This will form a really thick batter.

Set up a dipping station

• Line two baking sheets with silicone mats or parchment paper.
• Hold the shrimp by the tails and dip them into the beer batter.
• Tap them against the side of the bowl to remove any excess batter.

• Place the shrimp into the pan with the coconut/panko breadcrumbs and spoon the mixture over so both sides are coated.
• Place the coated shrimp on the prepared baking pans and put them into the fridge for 1/2 hour to set.

Pro tip: Don’t skip this step. If you let the shrimp sit on the counter they will lose some of the crispness. Making them nice and cold will ensure that most of the coconut stays on the shrimp (instead of in the oil) when you cook them.

Cooking the beer batter coconut shrimp

• Heat the oil in a pan with deep sides, or heat a deep-fryer to 350°F (180°C).
• Fry the coated shrimp in batches, turning once for 2-3 minutes. Don’t crowd the pan for the best results.
• Test the oil temperature and don’t let it get too hot, or you will burn the shrimp.

Remove and drain on paper towels

Use tongs to transfer the shrimp to paper towels to drain. The coating on these beer battered fried shrimp is so light and crispy. I can’t wait to bite into one of them!

Time to taste the beer battered coconut shrimp recipe!

These coconut beer batter shrimp are light and crispy on the outside with a golden beer batter coating, slightly sweet from the coconut, and juicy and tender inside.

The texture is airy rather than heavy, with a clean crunch and a mild tropical flavor, making them feel more “restaurant-style” than heavy or greasy fried shrimp.

Serve the beer battered coconut shrimp warm with your favorite dipping sauce or homemade ranch dressing.

Whether you decide to serve them at a party with guests over cocktails, or as part of a tasty family meal, they will be gone in a flash.

FAQs for beer battered coconut shrimp

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about this crispy beer battered shrimp recipe to help you succeed.

Can you use normal breadcrumbs instead of Panko?

Yes, you can use regular breadcrumbs instead of Panko, but the texture will be slightly different. Panko breadcrumbs are made from crustless bread, and the crumbs are larger and more airy than normal breadcrumbs. This gives a very crispy shrimp that absorbs less of the oil.

What type of beer works best for coconut shrimp batter?

Light carbonated beers such as pilsners, American lagers, or pale ales work best for a coconut shrimp batter. They create a light, airy texture that doesn’t overpower the delicate shrimp and coconut flavors.

Do I need to leave the tail on the shrimp?

You don’t need to leave the tails on, but leaving the tail intact makes it much easier and cleaner to add the batter and coating. It also makes it easier to dip in a dipping sauce.

Why is my beer battered shrimp not crispy?

The oil may not be hot enough, which causes the batter to absorb oil instead of crisping. Avoid overcrowding the pan, since this lowers the oil temperature quickly.

Can I use this batter for regular shrimp (without coconut)?

Yes, this beer batter works well for regular shrimp without coconut. Just skip the coconut flakes and follow the same coating and frying process.

Do I need eggs in the beer batter?

No, you can omit the eggs. The carbonation in the beer helps create a light, airy coating on its own.

Can I make these coconut shrimp in an air fryer?

Yes, but the texture will be different from traditional frying. Beer batter doesn’t always crisp the same way in an air fryer because it needs hot oil to set properly. Spraying the shrimp with oil before air frying will help with crispiness.

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Craving something crispy, golden, and just a little indulgent? 🍤✨ This Beer Battered Coconut Shrimp is light, crunchy, and seriously irresistible - perfect for appetizers or a fun dinner idea! Get the easy recipe on Recipes Just 4U.… Share on X

Related Shrimp Recipes You Might Enjoy

If you love easy shrimp recipes, here are a few more quick and flavorful ideas from the kitchen:

• Garlic Parsley Shrimp: Perfect for a quick dinner or appetizer when you want something flavorful but uncomplicated.
• Grilled Cilantro Lime Shrimp Kebabs: Perfect for warm-weather grilling.
• Garlic Lemon Roasted Shrimp: Easy sheet-pan option that works great for busy weeknights.

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Admin note: This article on how to make beer batter shrimp first appeared on the blog in April 2017. This post has been updated with new photos, a printable recipe card, and a slideshow video.

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