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Easy Beer Battered Coconut Shrimp

Coconut Shrimp is one of my favorite meals to have when I eat out.  I love the Red Lobster pina colada style coconut shrimp and also love the type that uses a beer batter.

For tonight, since it is the weekend, I opted to try making these easy beer battered coconut shrimp.  It has become one of my favorite easy appetizers.This beer battered coconut shrimp recipes gives you beautifully crisped shrimp with a delicate flavor. Simply the Best I have ever eaten!

The recipe ended up being one of the best examples of battered shrimp that I have ever eaten and it is now one of my favorite go-to shrimp recipes.

Coconut shrimp is one of those meals that you think “I wish I could make this at home” when you have it out.  Believe me, I thought that too. But this recipe is so easy, anyone can make it at home!Amazing beer battered coconut shrimp

Really all that you need is a bit of time, a dipping station and some hot oil. Oh – and it’s a TEENY bit messy to make but the end result is so tasty that you won’t mind that.

Let’s get started on the Beer Battered Coconut Shrimp Recipe.

This recipe has just a few ingredients.  You’ll need:

  • Some tail on large shrimp
  • Panko bread crumbs
  • Flaked Coconut
  • All purpose flour
  • Baking powder
  • salt and pepper
  • an egg
  • and some beer. Don’t forget the beer!!Ingredients for beer battered coconut shrimp

Make sure the shrimp are cleaned and deveined. You can buy them prepared that way, or you can devein the shrimp yourself.Cleaned and deveined shrimp

The Panko and flaked coconut get combined in one pan. I used a shallow baking dish, since this makes it easier to coat them later.  Just whisk the two and set the pan aside. You can use either sweetened or unsweetened coconut, as you wish.

I used sweetened because that is what I had on hand today and they were lovely. There is only salt and pepper to season in this recipe and the sweetness of the coconut really did shine.Mix the Panko and coconut well

Don’t substitute normal bread crumbs for the Panko.  Panko is made from crustless bread and the crumbs are larger and more airy than normal bread crumbs.

The end result is a very crispy shrimp that absorbs less of the oil. They also stay crisp longer, which is important if you are going to serve these as appetizers instead of a main course.

Next, combine the flour, salt and pepper, baking powder and the egg.  Pour over the beer and mix it all together. It will form a really thick batter.Beer batter for shrimp

Now, set up a dipping station. I lined two baking sheets with silicone baking mats and placed it near the dipping station.  The shrimp need to sit in the fridge for about 1/2 hour after you coat them so having them on baking sheets allows them to be spread out and stack-able in the fridge.Ingredients for beer battered coconut shrimp

This is the part where you get a bit messy.  In actual fact, it’s not too bad. The hardest part is getting the tail coated enough with the beer batter so that it will be sticky when you put it in the coconut mixture.

So, you will have to get a BIT of the batter on your finger tips but any coating has that possibility. (I often use both hands to keep them cleaner but didn’t even need to do that for these!dip the shrimp into the batter

First, dip the shrimp into the beer batter. Let the excess batter drip off and then plop the shrimp into the baking dish.   That will coat one side!  The spoon over more of the coconut/Panko mixture over the top and grab the tail and allow any residual dry coating mixture to drop back into the pan.Cost the shrimp well in panko and coconut

Lay the coated shrimp out on the baking pans and place them in the fridge for a half hour.  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 also make sure that most of the coconut stays on the shrimp (instead of in the oil) when you cook them.Shrimp battered and coaated

Heat the oil in a pan with deep sides, or heat the a deep-fryer to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C)  Fry the coated shrimp in batches, turning once for 2-3 minutes. Don’t crowd the pan for best results. Be careful to test the oil and don’t let it get too hot or you will burn the shrimp.Frying the beer battered coconut shrimp

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

Time to taste test these beer battered coconut shrimp!

My favorite part of making each recipe is that first taste, to see if they turned out as well as I had hoped.  I was NOT disappointed. The coating is light and crispy with a slight sweet taste of the coconut. They are not at all oily and the inside is cooked perfectly.Take a bite of these beer battered coconut shrimp

Serve the beer battered coconut shrimp warm with your favorite dipping sauce.  They make a perfect party appetizer!Dip the beer battered coconut shrimp into a dipping sauce

And an even better main course.  Seriously, I can’t wait for you to try these. So, so GOOD.These beer battered coconut shrimp make a great party appetizer

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.  And the next time you eat out at a restaurant, you won’t be thinking that you can’t make these beer battered coconut shrimpBeer battered coconut shrimp with a dipping sauce

Yield: 4

Easy Beer Battered Coconut Shrimp

Easy Beer Battered Coconut Shrimp
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 3 minutes
Total Time 48 minutes

Ingredients

Shrimp:

  • 1 pound of peeled tail on, cleaned and deveined shrimp. (I used the 31-40 count size)
  • 1 tsp sea salt and cracked black pepper

Beer Batter

  • 1 cup of Panko bread crumbs
  • 1 cup of flaked coconut, unsweetened or sweetened, your choice
  • 3/4 cup of all purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1 medium egg
  • 3/4 cup of your favorite beer

Instructions

  • Clean and devein the shrimp. Leave the tail on. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
  • Place a silicone baking mat or parchment paper on two large baking sheets.
  • Mix the Panko bread crumbs and flaked coconut in a shallow baking pan and set aside.
  • In a medium sized bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, sea salt, egg and beer. Mix well until a thick batter forms.
  • Hold the shrimp by the tail and dip into the beer batter. Tap it to the side of the bowl to get rid of excess batter. Drop into the pan with the coconut/Panko crumbs and spoon over mixture so both sides are coated.
  • Place the coated shrimp on the prepared baking pans and place in the fridge for 1/2 hour to set.
  • Heat the oil in a deep fryer or deep sided pan to 350 º F.
  • Cook the shrimp in batches, turning once for 2-3 minutes until light golden brown. Remove with tongs or a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain excess oil.
  • Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
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    Ryan

    Sunday 14th of October 2018

    Hey carol. I've been wanting to make coconut shrimp for a while. Finally did. Recipe is great. I added more powder and a touch of baking soda. Also. After frying. I sprinkled salt on them in a metal bowl and tossed. Kosher salt. Did a tester with no salt. Then added the salt after. Thanks for the good stuff.

    Carol

    Monday 15th of October 2018

    Glad you liked the recipe Ryan. It's a favorite at our house! Carol

    Sarah

    Monday 1st of May 2017

    This looks really yummy! I'm having a brunch party soon, these would be the perfect appetizer!

    Carol

    Monday 1st of May 2017

    HI Sarah. Your guests will just love them! Carol

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