healthy coconut shrimp

As you know by now, I love shrimp. Coconut shrimp happens to be one of my favorite shrimp recipes of all time, it reminds me of Spring-time in Florida and immediately takes me back when I find some in the Northeast. The only negative in my mind for coconut shrimp in restaurants is the fact that they are fried and can be greasy at times. I was craving coconut shrimp as a snack and stumbled upon this recipe which bakes them, making the coating crispy and tasty. I tweaked the recipe to give it a bit more of a kick, make them healthier, and easier to eat. This is another perfect recipe if you are hosting New Year's Eve!!

Ingredients (for 4 appetizer portions):
24 frozen deveined tail-on shrimp, thawed
1 egg
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
1/2 cup panko
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
2 tbs flour
*optional 1/4 tsp zest of a lime or a lemon*
1/2 cup apricot preserves
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tbs rice vinegar
cooking spray

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 425F. Line a baking sheet with foil & spray with cooking spray. Thaw shrimp if frozen. 

2. Prepare stations: in a small bowl whisk 1 egg. In a separate bowl combine the coconut flakes, panko, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper (and zest if using). On a small plate flatten the flour for dredging.   

 

3. Dredge shrimp one-by-one through flour, shaking off any excess. Dip floured shrimp into egg, again shaking off before pressing into coconut-panko mixture on both sides. Transfer all coconut-ed shrimp to the baking sheet.
 

4. Spray tops of shrimp with cooking spray again to ensure crispiness. Pop in preheated oven for 8 minutes.
 

5. Meanwhile make the dip: combine the apricot preserves with red pepper flakes & rice vinegar. Mix well (if ingredients are not mixing: place all in a small nonstick pot and heat over medium-low heat for up to 10 minutes to thin out and combine). Place in fridge until ready to eat.

6. After 8 minutes, flip each shrimp and place back in oven for an additional 6 minutes. Remove from oven once crisped & browned. Grab by the tail and dip away!
  

 

 

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