Red Lobster Coconut Shrimps Copycat Recipe

Name: Red Lobster Coconut Shrimps Copycat Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 1 Cup Plain Breadcrumbs; 1 Cup Sweetened Coconut Flakes; ¾ Cup Cornstarch Divided Use; ½ Cup Piña Colada Mix; 1 Tablespoon Powdered Sugar; 3 Tablespoons Captain Morgan Spiced Rum; Vegetable Oil For Deep Frying; ½ Pound Jumbo Shrimp Butterflies (Deveined)

Recipe Pin

One of my favorite appetizers is Red Lobster Coconut Shrimp. Red Lobster stands alone in doing justice to these crispy shrimp laden with coconut. Something about this recipe hits right.

That’s why I couldn’t resist these delicious, sweet shrimp, which finally made me try this at home. This Red Lobster Coconut Shrimps recipe is the best shrimp recipe I have tried. They are golden and crunchy. Whenever I make this at home, they fly away from the appetizer platter in minutes.

As a seafood junkie, I really liked the tropical appeal and crunchy textures in this recipe. I will not lie; I have had my fair share of doubt because Red Lobster does an amazing job with their Coconut Shrimp.

From customers to celebrities, everybody raves about Red Lobster Coconut Shrimp. If you have never tried this recipe, let me teach you how to make it at home.

What's In The Post

Equipment Required

Plate: I prefer using a plate to spread the breadcrumbs on a level surface for an even coating.
Pan: Since I am going to fry my shrimp, I am using a pan.
Tongs: Tongs come in handy for flipping the shrimp.
Bowl: To make cooking easier, I like to assemble all the ingredients in the bowl.
Whisk: I need my whisk to thoroughly mix and blend all the ingredients.

Red Lobster Coconut Shrimp Ingredients & Substitutions

Note: The ingredients in this recipe can serve up to 2 people. You can increase or decrease the quantities to adjust the portions.

1 Cup Plain Breadcrumbs
1 Cup Sweetened Coconut Flakes
¾ Cup Cornstarch Divided Use
½ Cup Piña Colada Mix
1 Tablespoon Powdered Sugar
3 Tablespoons Captain Morgan Spiced Rum: Brands like Sailor Jerry or Kraken offer similar flavour profiles with their own unique twists. Additionally, you can also use dark rum and add your own spices (like cinnamon, vanilla, or nutmeg) to mimic the flavour of spiced rum.
Vegetable Oil For Deep Frying: When I don’t have vegetable oil on hand, I use other oils with high smoke points, like peanut or avocado oil.
½ Pound Jumbo Shrimp Butterflies (Deveined)

Preparation And Cooking Time

Preparation Time	Resting Time	Cooking Time	Total Time
10 Minutes	10 Minutes	20 Minutes	40 Minutes

How To Make Red Lobster Coconut Shrimp Recipe At Home

Step 1

Place the bread crumbs, cornstarch, and coconut flakes in a bowl and mix well.

Step 2

In another bowl, add cornstarch, sugar, pina colada mix, and rum. Give it a nice whisk to make a smooth paste.

Step 3

Dip your clean and deveined shrimps into the paste and coat them well. Keep it aside for some time.

Step 4

Once they are nicely marinated and rested, add them to the oil. Fry them until they are golden brown.

Step 5

Fry all of them in batches.

Step 6

Your Red Lobster Coconut Shrimp will be ready.

Expert Tips That I Recommend

When I am looking for shrimp for this recipe, I like to choose large shrimp since they are easier to clean and prep.
I always use unsweetened coconut flakes because sweet coconut flakes can make the shrimp very sweet and sugary, which is not the ideal taste I am going for.
I like to keep the tails on because they make it easier to grab. But you can always remove them, and it all comes down to personal preference.
To ensure they are cooked properly, I avoid overcrowding the pan. Too many shrimp can affect cooking time, leading to undercooked or overcooked shrimp.
With recipes like this, which require marination, it is important to let the ingredients sit. Hence, I let my shrimp sit for 10-15 minutes so they are well coated and absorb all the flavors.

FAQs About Red Lobster Coconut Shrimp

How can I devein the shrimp for my Red Lobster Coconut Shrimp?

Veins are the black string-like part that is observed at the back of the shrimp. To devein the shrimp, get a sharp knife and make a slit at the back of the shrimp and pull it out. To make the process easy, you can also get a deveiner, which is a knife-like kitchen tool that can devein shrimp with shells.

Can I fry the shrimp with the coating on directly?

If you fry your shrimp directly in the oil, they won’t have that crispy texture and coconut flavor. For frying recipes, it is important to coat the shrimp well so that it gets that crunchiness. This is why you need to coat them as directed in the recipe before adding them to the oil to enjoy the real texture of the Red Lobster Coconut Shrimp.

Can I make these Red Lobster Coconut Shrimp in the air fryer?

Yes, you can make these Red Lobster Coconut Shrimp in the air fryer. To do this, you need to add the shrimp in batches after coating them and heat them for about 5-8 minutes. Then, flip them on the other side and let them cool as well.

Why are my Red Lobster Coconut Shrimp rubbery?

Shrimps can become rubbery if overcooked. Shrimps do not take much time to cook. Therefore, keep a close eye on them while frying and remember that they will be ready once they turn pink and opaque, which could take 2-3 mins on each side.

How do I prevent the coating from falling off during frying?

If your coating is falling off while frying, then either the coating is too runny or the oil is not hot enough. After coating your coconut shrimp, you need to shake off the excess batter so that you do not have extra batter sticking to the shrimp. Also, ensure that the oil is hot enough to prevent the coating from falling off.

How do I know when the shrimp are fully cooked?

You will know your coconut shrimp are ready once they are golden brown on both sides. This should take about 15-20 minutes. Eventually, when the coconut shrimp are well-fried, they form a C shape, which dictates that they are ready.

Can I prepare the coating in advance?

Yes, you can prepare the coating in advance to save time. However, make sure that you store it in a safe and hygienic way to prevent the dish from spoiling.

Nutritional Information Per Serving

Red Lobster Coconut Shrimp tastes delectable, but they are not a healthy snack to eat regularly. Although shrimp are a nutritious choice, the way they are prepared and fried can make them high in calories and fat.

Calories	416 kcal
Carbohydrates	62 g
Protein	15 g
Fat	8 g
Saturated Fat	6 g
Cholesterol	142 mg
Sodium	708 mg
Potassium	174 mg
Fiber	3 g
Sugar	19 g
Vitamin C	2.3 mg
Calcium	135 mg
Iron	2.9 mg

On a brighter note, this recipe is completely dairy-free, so people following this diet can enjoy it to the full.

Red-Lobster-Copycat-Coconut-Shrimp-Recipe

Recipe Variations For Different Diets

Keto-friendly: Instead of frying the shrimp, I prefer baking or air-frying them to enjoy it keto-friendly.
Gluten-Free: Typically, Red Lobster coconut shrimp isn’t gluten-free, but I use gluten-free flour (aka almond flour) in this recipe. Also, double-check your breadcrumbs to ensure they are gluten-free.

How To Store And Reheat This Recipe

Storing

Countertop: After making these delicious Red Lobster coconut shrimp from scratch, I do not leave them open for more than 2 hours. All my hard work would be ruined if they got contaminated, so I hop them straight into the fridge for further storage.
Refrigeration: I store my Red Lobster coconut shrimp in airtight containers in the coldest part of the fridge, not on the door. To ensure effectiveness, I set the temperature between 32 degrees F and 38 degrees F.

Reheating

Stovetop: I start by adding oil to a pan and letting it heat well. Next, I dip the shrimp for 60-90 seconds, then dry them on a towel before serving.
Oven: I preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Then, I let them bake for 8 minutes on each side before serving them hot.
Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees, then cook the shrimp for 3-4 minutes. However, this takes more time, since you need to do it in batches to avoid overcrowding the shrimp.

What To Serve With This Recipe

There are so many recipes that you can serve with this Red Lobster coconut shrimp. I like to serve it hot with some Egg-Fried Rice, Crispy Fried Rice, or cauliflower rice. These also act as great appetizers, and you can enjoy them with a tangy or mayonnaise-based dip.

To make this more filling, you can also add it to your favorite Salads for some protein. If you want something simpler, you can also enjoy it with roasted broccoli, carrots, or asparagus on the side.

Printable Version

More Red Lobster Recipes That You Can Try

Tartar Sauce by Red Lobster — Red Lobster Tartar Sauce

Red Lobster Cheddar Biscuits Baked — Red Lobster Tartar Sauce

Conclusion

This Red Lobster coconut shrimp is worth the effort, and you need to give it a try. Coating them with coconut flakes can be quite controversial, but don’t let that put you off. This elevates the flavors, adds a twist, and makes them crunchy.

So try out this super-quick recipe and give yourself a protein boost with this tasty seafood. It is addictive, easy to tweak, and a quick recipe for easy dinners and lunches. Now it is up to you to try this and let me know if you love this Red Lobster coconut shrimp as much as I do.

Red Lobster Coconut Shrimps Copycat Recipe

Equipment Required

Red Lobster Coconut Shrimp Ingredients & Substitutions

Preparation And Cooking Time