What to serve with Coconut Shrimp (21 best dishes)

There’s nothing like biting into a crunchy coconut shrimp when you are craving tropical flavors. Fried shrimp rolled in sweet, coconut flakes is delicious served at any dinner party. These are the best side dishes that are the perfect accompaniment to the flavors of coconut shrimp. 

How to make crispy coconut shrimp

My simple recipe spells out the best way to make this crunchy shrimp dish. 

Your options are to bake in the oven or air fryer, pan fry or deep fry the succulent shrimp. 

The main ingredients are easily available from your grocery store and consist of juicy shrimp, Panko, breadcrumbs, and sweetened or unsweetened coconut flakes for the coating. 

Serve it with your favorite dipping sauce. There are lots of options like a Thai sweet chili sauce, spicy tartar sauce, sweet barbecue sauce or make your own pineapple or mango salsa to go with it. 

If you don’t have time to make your own coconut shrimp recipe, you can purchase it frozen in the freezer aisle of your grocery store. 

Some specialty stores may offer sweet coconut shrimp fresh in their seafood section for purchase. 

What are the best sides to serve with coconut shrimp?

French fries

Frozen French fries are easy to bake or air fry at home. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can cut fresh potatoes into fries and deep fry them. 

Sweet potato chips

Buy frozen sweet potato fries and make it at home or follow this easy recipe for sweet potatoes with a spicy barbecue seasoning. 

Green beans

I love to serve simple, steamed green beans with coconut shrimp and a side of rice. Or add bacon or pancetta and shredded cheese for a special treat.

Pineapple salsa

Enjoy this sweet salsa with chips or use this as a topping to any fresh fish. It’s delicious on Mahi Mahi, salmon and swordfish.

Cucumber salad

Slice up a few cucumbers and red onion and toss it with a simple dressing consisting of of 1/4 cup each of apple cider vinegar and water, a tablespoon of white sugar, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. 

Asian coleslaw

This crunchy Chinese slaw recipe with ramen noodles is sweet and delicious and matches well with the sweetness of the coconut shrimp.

Potstickers

This delicious recipe was shared by my neighbor, who makes the best authentic Chinese potstickers I’ve ever tasted. Or try my butternut squash potstickers instead.

Peach and tomato salad

Peaches pair deliciously with shrimp and the sweetness of the coconut shrimp makes this salad an great option for getting in your greens.

Veggie spring rolls 

I’m a big fan of Costco‘s veggie spring rolls. Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s also carry premade Spring rolls. Or stop by your local Asian market. 

Baked potato

Scrub clean plenty of Idaho potatoes and bake them in a 450 degree oven for an hour. Drizzle each potato with olive oil and kosher salt for an extra special treat.

Fresh fruit kabobs

Grill your favorite fruit like peaches, watermelon, strawberries and kiwi and serve as is or drizzle a bit of balsamic glaze for extra sweetness.

What rice dishes go well with coconut shrimp?

While white rice and brown rice are typically served with tropical theme foods, I like to pair coconut shrimp with rice that has been jazzed up with flavor. 

Coconut rice

Fresh cilantro is tossed with coconut milk and fresh lime juice and mixed into Jasmine white rice for this personal favorite of mine.

Jasmine rice with plantains and cilantro

Stick to the tropical theme by sauteeing plantains seasoned with nutmeg and cloves and tossing them with steamed Jasmine rice for a unique flavor.

Cilantro rice

Add a tropical flair to your next rice dish by adding in black beans, fresh lime juice and fragrant cilantro. I promise my cilantro lime coconut rice is a winner.

Chicken fried rice

Add a main dish and serve coconut shrimp along side an easy recipe of fried rice. Add in the chicken or leave it out. 

Wild rice salad with leafy greens

Get your greens with healthy side dish. This wild rice salad with carrots, toasted pecans, crunchy pepitas and sweet cranberries can be ready in 20 minutes. Serve it warm or cold.

What desserts pair well with coconut shrimp?

There are so many sweet flavors that can be served after a main dish of coconut shrimp. Keeping with the theme of tropical, these desserts feature sweet fruits, yogurts and and crunchy nuts.

Banana pineapple milkshake

You won’t be able to say no to this delicious dessert. This sweet treat combines the tropical taste of freshly cut pineapple and banana with a novelty creamsicle popsicle.  

Caramelized plantain ice cream sundae

Turn an ordinary banana split into a delicious dessert you could only get at a gourmet restaurant.

Blondie bars

Sticking with crunchy, these granola blondie bars are delicious, chewy and loaded with oats, honey, almonds and topped with chocolate chips.

Peach and blueberry trifles

These easy yogurt parfaits are the best way to end a meal. Enjoy these trifles featuring the summer’s freshest peaches and sweetest blueberries topped with a dollop of whipped cream.

Remember to subscribe to HOME & PLATE NEWSLETTER to get the latest recipes delivered directly to your inbox!

If you love this recipe, please leave a comment with a five-star rating. Be sure to follow HOME & PLATE on FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST for all the latest content, recipes and updates.

If you make a recipe, be sure to snap a photo and hashtag it #homeandplate. I’d love to see what you cook!