Nothing makes me think of summer more than eating at seafood shacks in beach towns. Fried shrimp is always at the top of my list for my seafood cravings, so creating a healthier and easier to make version is exciting for me. These homemade gluten free coconut shrimp hit the mark in every way possible- incredibly flavorful and made with healthy and fresh ingredients! If you haven’t cooked shrimp before, don’t be afraid- they tell you when they are done, more details on that below.
What are the best kind of shrimp to buy for this recipe?
Buying the best ingredients is always important but even more so with shrimp. Try to find large peeled and deveined shrimp at your grocery store, and stay away from the very small shrimp (sometimes called “cocktail shrimp”) as they overcook too easily. Look for “jumbo shrimp” in the seafood aisle as bigger shrimp cook more evenly. If they aren’t peeled and deveined you can always ask the fishmonger to do it for you.
What is the best type of breading to use with these shrimp?
I like to eat gluten-free as much as possible so my breading of choice is Gluten Free Panko by a brand called Ians. They also make a non-gluten-free option that is equally fantastic.
How do I know when the coconut shrimp are fully cooked and ok to eat?
The best part about cooking shrimp is that they tell you when they are done! When you see the shrimp curl into a ball, that’s the telltale sign that they are ready to eat. If you want to be extra sure, just cut one open while it’s in the pan. The color of cooked shrimp should be white and a bit flaky. Uncooked shrimp will look translucent and have a slightly slimy texture.
What are some great dipping sauces for these gluten free coconut shrimp?
The most classic dipping sauce for coconut shrimp is a tartar sauce. You can also dip them in ketchup or even some melted butter.
Tips:
- Wipe down the pan after cooking each batch of shrimp to remove old oil or burnt bits. This will allow every batch of coconut shrimp to come out free of burned flavor.
- If you love these shrimp and want another shrimp recipe, check out my Mexican Style Shrimp and Rice recipe.
Recipe Video:
Coconut Shrimp
Ingredients
- 1 lb jumbo shrimp peeled, de-veined
- salt & pepper
- 1/3 cup gluten-free all purpose flour
- 1 tsp lime zest
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs I used gluten-free
- grapeseed oil for cooking
Instructions
- Season the shrimp with salt and pepper and set aside.
- You will need 3 bowls- in bowl #1, combine flour and lime zest. In bowl #2, add the beaten eggs. In bowl #3, combine coconut with panko breadcrumbs.
- Dip each shrimp in bowl #1, then #2 and then #3. Make sure the shrimp are coated generously. Set aside.
- Heat a skillet or pan with grapeseed oil over medium heat. Fry the shrimp on each side for approx. 2 minutes or until golden brown.
- Cool shrimp before serving. Serve with either tartar sauce or any of your other favorites.