Baked Coconut Shrimp with Pineapple Chili Sauce
This recipe is adapted from Tieghan Gerard's Half Baked Harvest cookbook, Every Day, with the pineapple chili sauce adapted from her blog. I halved the recipe for a smaller batch, used a mix of sweetened and unsweetened coconut instead of all unsweetened, and kept the sauce simple by leaving out the ketchup, basil, and cilantro.
Ingredients
For the Shrimp
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled, deveined, tails on
- 3/4 cup shredded coconut (half sweetened, half unsweetened), finely chopped
- 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Kosher salt and ground pepper, to taste
- 1 egg
- Olive oil spray
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)
For the Pineapple Chili Sauce
- 1/2 cup sweet Thai chili sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or finely chopped
- 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh pineapple
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet and spray lightly with olive oil.
- In a bowl, mix the chopped coconut, panko, flour, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper (and sesame seeds, if using).
- In a separate bowl, whisk the egg.
- Dip each shrimp in the egg, then dredge in the coconut mixture, pressing gently so it sticks. Place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Spray the shrimp lightly with olive oil spray.
- Bake for 8-12 minutes, until golden and the shrimp are cooked through.
- While the shrimp bake, stir together the sweet Thai chili sauce, garlic, and chopped pineapple in a small bowl.
- Serve the shrimp hot with the pineapple chili sauce on the side.
Notes
- A food processor works well for chopping the coconut finely and evenly if you want to skip the knife work.
- The sesame seeds are optional — I forgot them the first time I made this and didn't miss them, but they're a nice touch if you have them on hand.
- This recipe is halved from the original in Every Day — double everything if you're feeding a crowd.
- The original sauce also includes ketchup, basil, and cilantro. I left those out to keep the flavor simple and let the pineapple and chili sauce shine.
FAQs
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes, just thaw and pat completely dry before dredging — excess moisture will keep the coating from crisping up.
Can I fry these instead of baking?
Yes, though this version is designed for baking. If frying, use a neutral oil at around 350°F until golden.
What can I substitute for panko?
Regular breadcrumbs will work, though panko gives a lighter, crispier texture.
How do I store leftovers?
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to keep the coating crisp — the microwave will make it soggy.
More Saalf Life recipes:
- Blackened Red Snapper With Red Pepper Sauce
- Grilled Jerk Chicken Rasta Pasta
- Blackened Shrimp Gochujang Noodles
- Feta and Herb Crusted Salmon
- Blackened Swordfish with Pineapple Salsa
- Solo Cup Burger
- Blackened Blue Cheese Wings
- Cajun Shrimp Pasta



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