Healthy Paleo Fried Coconut Shrimp Recipe | Wicked Spatula (2024)

These paleo coconut shrimp are the HEALTHY version of coconut fried shrimp! This gluten-free fried coconut shrimp recipe is EASY and ready in less than 30 minutes.

by Maya Last Updated on March 31, 2020 32 Comments

These paleo coconut shrimp are crunchy, sweet, and all-around perfect! Forget what you think you know about coconut shrimp. This fried coconut shrimp recipe is the ULTIMATE version with coconut flakes, coconut flour, AND coconut oil. Nope, no panko bread crumbs, junky oils, or bleached flour to be seen with these coconut fried shrimp. Just pure, wholesome ingredients that make these the best healthy coconut shrimp you’ll EVER have. Pinky promise!!! Plus, they are gluten-free coconut shrimp in addition to being paleo, so something everyone can enjoy.

These shrimp are delicious (obviously!) with the perfect amount of sweetness. They take just a few minutes to throw together, and they’re an excellent option for a quick dinner along with a side salad. I love to serve them with a fruit-sweetened orange marmalade, but they’re also great with some cantaloupe salsa!

How Do You Make Coconut Shrimp?

You will love two things about this recipe. Not only is this coconut shrimp recipe super easy to make, but it’s also SO FULL of flavor!

Here are the simple steps for how to make the best coconut shrimp recipe ever:

• Make the breading mixture. Add tapioca starch and an egg in a small bowl. In a second small bowl, add the coconut, coconut flour, sea salt, and paprika.
• Butterfly the shrimp. Simply slice it down the back without cutting all the way through, until you can open them up and lay them flat.
• Prepare the shrimp to cook — dip shrimp in egg mixture, then coconut mix.
• Fry shrimp in pan. Once the shrimp have cooked, move them to a plate with a paper towel to drain excess oil.

TIP: Make sure the oil is super hot, so that it browns the breading!

Is Coconut Shrimp Healthy?

Yes, this easy coconut shrimp is VERY healthy. While many versions are coated with white flour, my recipe is a gluten-free coconut shrimp.

It’s also made with nutritious ingredients – you’ll feel great eating this homemade coconut shrimp. Here are some of the health benefits:

• Shrimp – You will not only get lots of healthy protein when you eat this coconut shrimp dinner, but you will also get vitamin D, magnesium, calcium, and selenium.
• Coconut – They are packed with delicious nutrients! Fiber, vitamin B6, iron, vitamin C, phosphorus, and more.
• Egg – Zinc, copper, selenium, vitamin B2, vitamin D, and protein are all packed into every egg you eat.

How Many Calories Are In Coconut Shrimp?

This fried coconut shrimp recipe has 394 calories per serving, 26 grams protein, 28 grams fat, and only 4 grams net carbs.

This entire recipe makes 4 servings, so you can eat 1/4 of it. That’s about 9-10 medium shrimp per serving.

If you would prefer to eat it as an appetizer, the serving size would be cut in half and would be even fewer calories.

How Do You Store Gluten-Free Coconut Shrimp?

You should store this fried coconut shrimp recipe in the refrigerator. It should be kept in an airtight storage container with a lid to keep it fresh longer. This will also prevent it from taking on other flavors that might be in the fridge. The coconut fried shrimp will last 3-4 days in the refrigerator.

To reheat the paleo coconut shrimp, there are 3 options:

• Microwave it, covered with a damp paper towel to prevent drying out. It will heat up quickly, so just warm it in 30-second intervals until it’s the temperature you are looking for.
• Re-heat it in a hot skillet with some oil.
• Heat it in the oven at 325 degrees F. Heat the shrimp for 10-15 minutes until it’s hot all the way through.

TIP: Be careful not to overheat your shrimp, or it will become rubbery.

How To Freeze This Fried Coconut Shrimp Recipe

The best way to freeze the paleo coconut shrimp is by laying the cooked shrimp flat on a cookie or baking sheet. Set it in the freezer for 1-2 hours until the shrimp is relatively solid. Then, you can remove them from the pan and place them in an airtight container.

Freezing this healthy coconut shrimp is an excellent option so you can grab it quickly later. To warm up the gluten-free coconut shrimp, it’s best to place it in the fridge overnight so it can defrost. Once it’s thawed, you can heat it up in the microwave or oven.

More Paleo Shrimp Recipes

Looking for more paleo shrimp recipes? Right this way…

• Healthy Paleo Shrimp Chow Mein
• Garlicky Shrimp
• Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos

More Paleo Dinner Recipes

There are so many delicious paleo dinner recipes that I want to share with you. Here are some of my favorites that I think you are going to love:

• Easy Grilled Thai Chicken Satay – Plus, I share how to make marinade and dipping sauce. So yummy!
• Easy Baked Stuffed Clams – Every bite is so rich and delightful.
• Baked Maple Mustard Glazed Salmon – This is so flavorful and easy to make!