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Home » Recipes » Main Dishes

Coconut Shrimp Dipping Sauce (Red Lobster Style) + Air Fryer Shrimp

Mar 12, 2021 · Modified: Oct 27, 2021 by Sara Ayesh · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

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Yep, it's true, you can totally dip shrimp in something other than cocktail sauce! This is the best air fried shrimp ever and by pairing it with creamy coconut shrimp dipping sauce you won't be disappointed.

Our version of Red Lobster's pina colada sauce is a crowd-pleaser with a creamy coconut flavor perfect for dipping shrimp. Mix it up and serve with air-fried coconut shrimp for an easy meal you'll make again and again.

skillet lined with parchment with coconut shrimp and coconut dipping sauce

Ingredients for Coconut Shrimp Dipping Sauce

Ingredients the coconut sauce for shrimp are pretty simple and take less than 5 minutes to put together. The beginning of a delicious 30-minute meal!

  • Unsweetened coconut cream (it comes in a can!)
  • Pineapple Juice
  • Crushed Pineapple (optional for sweetness or if you don't like the texture)
  • Sour Cream
  • Lime juice
  • Agave syrup (optional for sweetness)
ingredients for coconut shrimp and sauce

How to Make Coconut Sauce for Shrimp from Scratch

Now that you've gathered your ingredients, lets whip up this coconut sauce shall we?

  1. If your coconut cream is really thick, combine that and the pineapple juice in the mixing bowl and microwave for 15 seconds. Whisk to combine.
  2. Stir in the lime juice, sour cream, and crushed pineapple if you are using.
  3. Give it a taste for sweetness and add in the optional agave if you would like it a touch sweeter!

Yes, it's really that simple! Pop it into the refrigerator for the best results. It gives it time for the flavors to come together while we prepare the shrimp.

whisking ingredients for coconut dipping sauce together in mixing bowl

Easy Air Fryer Shrimp Recipe

Speaking of those shrimp! Let's make this air fryer fried shrimp to go with that creamy sauce.

  • Using large shrimp (peeled and deveined) dredge them in coconut cream, Panko bread crumbs, and shredded coconut.
  • Place in the basket of an air fryer and spray with cooking oil.
  • Air fry at 400 for 5-7 minutes until golden brown.
process of drying and dredging shrimp
breading shrimp in coconut and air frying process shots

What to Serve with Coconut Shrimp and Dip

This creamy coconut shrimp sauce and the crispy shrimp are a match made in heaven. You might serve it along side a delicious Pina colada or ice cold beer.

This is a great side dish, appetizer, or main course for any season. Your guests will love this fun Red Lobster Copy Cat recipe!

Frequently Asked Questions

Will any kind of coconut flakes work?

I find that unsweetened coconut flakes or desiccated coconut work the best. The sauce we dip it in is already so sweet so we don't want to overwhelm the dish.

What size shrimp should I use for this air fryer recipe?

The biggest you can find! I used XL shrimp with the shell still on, however I peeled them before beginning the dredging process.

How can I tell when the shrimp is done?

Shrimp cooks incredibly quick, only taking 2-3 minutes per side for this size of shrimp. You can use a meat thermometer and check the internal temperature for doneness. It should be at 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

Otherwise cut one shrimp in half and it should be opaque all the way through. No more translucent pink should remain.

Can I put frozen shrimp in an air fryer?

You can absolutely put frozen shrimp in the air fryer! However for this recipe I don't recommend it. Since we need to batter the shrimp up first, having a thawed out shrimp that is patted dry will give the best results.

Want More Shrimp and Dipping Sauce Recipes?

If you like shrimp as much as I do, you’ll love these other shrimp recipes. And be sure to check out the romesco dip. It pairs so well with seafood if you’re wanting something other than that tropical pina colada flavor:

  • https://whitekitchenredwine.com/coconut-lime-shrimp-curry-veggie-orzo/
  • https://whitekitchenredwine.com/web-stories/healthy-burrito-bowl-with-shrimp/
  • https://whitekitchenredwine.com/shrimp-scallop-pasta/
  • https://whitekitchenredwine.com/romesco-dip/

That about wraps it up for today. Now go try this copycat Red Lobster coconut shrimp dipping sauce recipe and let me know how it turned out!

coconut shrimp pin image

📖 Recipe

skillet lined with parchment with coconut shrimp and coconut dipping sauce

Creamy Coconut Dipping Sauce & Air Fried Shrimp

Make your own piña colada dip at home with this easy creamy coconut dipping sauce. Pairs perfectly with air fryer shrimp - a recipe for that included too! The entire meal is ready in less than 30 minutes.
4.41 from 10 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
20 minutes mins
Author: Sara Ayesh

Equipment

  • mixing bowls
  • air fryer

Ingredients

Coconut Shrimp

  • 1.5 lbs of peeled and deveined extra large shrimp
  • ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • ½ cup finely shredded unsweetened coconut
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup coconut cream
  • ½ teaspoon pepper

Coconut Sauce

  • ¼ cup coconut cream
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • 3 tablespoon pineapple juice
  • 3 tablespoon crushed pineapple optional
  • 1 teaspoon agave syrup optional
  • ¼ cup lime juice
Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

Coconut Sauce

  • Make the sauce first, put the coconut cream in a mixing bowl with pineapple juice. Coconut cream can become separated. Make sure that you mix together the "cream" and the "water" in the can before using.
  • If it's still thick, pop it in the microwave for 15 seconds.
  • Mix in the sour cream, crushed pineapple, lime juice, and mix until smooth.
  • Put into the refrigerator to set up while you prepare the shrimp.

Coconut Shrimp

  • Place shrimp evenly on a plate and pat dry.
  • Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  • In a small mixing bowl combine the panko and shredded coconut.
  • In an additional bowl put ½ cup of coconut cream.
  • Dip the shrimp into the coconut milk then into the panko mixture to coat.
  • Repeat with all of the shrimp.
  • Place 7-8 shrimp in the basket of the air fryer and spray with cooking oil.
  • Air fry at 400 degrees for 6 minutes.
  • You will need to do this in batches so you don't overcrowd the fryer.
  • Repeat until all shrimp are done. Serve with coconut sauce!
Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @WhiteKitchenRedWine or tag #whitekitchenredwine!

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Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    April 27, 2022 at 8:12 pm

    I eat this coconut shrimp in the buffet can’t stop eating it so delicious.

    Reply
  2. Linda says

    March 18, 2021 at 4:20 pm

    5 stars
    Love this coconut shrimp! This reminds me of what we had when we went to the Caribbean and we just couldn't stop munching these. So good!

    Reply
  3. Paula says

    March 17, 2021 at 5:51 pm

    5 stars
    This was so good. II love the combination of coconut and shrimp

    Reply
  4. Swathi says

    March 17, 2021 at 2:47 pm

    5 stars
    This coconut shrimp looks delicous

    Reply
4.41 from 10 votes (7 ratings without comment)

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Sara Ayesh Head Shot.

Hey, I'm Sara!

Wichita-based food blogger, photographer, and mom of two, passionate about crafting recipes that bring people together. I find joy in hosting parties, making home-cooked meals with real, whole foods, and enjoying all of the rosy moments in between!

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