Coconut shrimp facts for kids

Coconut shrimp with a dipping sauce

Coconut shrimp is a yummy dish made mostly from shrimp and coconut. You can make it in a few ways. Some people like it crunchy, where the shrimp are coated and cooked until crispy. Others prefer it sautéed, using creamy coconut milk and other tasty ingredients. Sometimes, it's even served on skewers like a kebab!

Crunchy Coconut Shrimp: A Crispy Treat

This popular type of coconut shrimp is super crunchy! To make it, shrimp are first dipped in flour, then in an egg wash, and finally coated with a mix of flaked coconut and bread crumbs. After that, they are often deep-fried until golden and crispy. Sometimes, the shrimp are flattened a bit, called "butterflied," before coating.

You can use different kinds of bread crumbs, like panko (which are extra crispy) or regular ones, or even a mix of both. Some recipes add chopped nuts, like macadamia or almond, to the coating for extra flavor and crunch!

How to Cook Crunchy Coconut Shrimp

While deep-frying is common, you can also bake, pan-fry, or grill crunchy coconut shrimp. Baking is a great option if you want a lighter meal, as it usually means less fat and calories. No matter how you cook them, they will have a wonderfully crunchy texture when done.

Serving Crunchy Coconut Shrimp

Crunchy coconut shrimp is often served with different dipping sauces. Popular choices include sweet and sour sauce, peach sauce, apricot sauce, or sweet chili sauce. You might also find it with marmalade. A squeeze of fresh lime or a sprinkle of lime zest can add a bright, zesty flavor to the dish.

This dish can be a great appetizer to start a meal or a main course all on its own. It's a common sight on menus at seafood restaurants, especially in places like the Caribbean and the Florida Keys, where it's a favorite at tiki bars.

Coconut-Milk Based Shrimp: Creamy and Flavorful

Coconut shrimp served over rice

Another delicious way to make coconut shrimp is as a sautéed or stir-fried dish. For this version, coconut milk is a key ingredient, giving the dish a rich, creamy sauce. This type of coconut shrimp is often served on top of rice.

Other ingredients that can be added to this creamy dish include onion, garlic, tomatoes, fresh parsley, and various spices to boost the flavor.

Skewered Coconut Shrimp

Sometimes, coconut shrimp made with coconut milk can be prepared on skewers, like a kebab. The shrimp might be soaked in the coconut milk and other seasonings (this is called marinating) before cooking. You can even add other foods to the skewers, like chunks of sweet pineapple, for a tropical twist!

These skewered shrimp can be cooked on a grill or in a pan. Just like the crunchy version, they can also be served with different dipping sauces.