Vatapá-Style Creamy Shrimp and Coconut Bread Pudding

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-06 · Updated 2026-06-06

A traditional Brazilian Afro-Bahian dish, vatapá is a creamy stew of shrimp, bread, and coconut milk infused with peanuts and palm oil for rich, complex flavors. This Brazilian-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs dried shrimp, large shrimp, peeled and deveined, white bread slices for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup dried shrimp
• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 4, crusts removed, torn into pieces white bread slices
• 2 cups coconut milk
• 3 tbsp dendê (palm) oil
• 1/3 cup peanut butter (smooth)
• 1 medium, finely chopped onion
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp grated ginger
• 3, chopped scallions
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Soak 1/2 cup dried shrimp in warm water for 10 minutes, then drain and roughly chop.
2. Step 2: In a blender, combine 4 torn white bread slices (crusts removed) with 2 cups coconut milk until smooth; set aside.
3. Step 3: Heat 3 tablespoons dendê (palm) oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 medium finely chopped onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tablespoon grated ginger. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
4. Step 4: Stir in the chopped dried shrimp and 1/3 cup smooth peanut butter, cooking for 2 minutes to combine.
5. Step 5: Pour the bread and coconut milk mixture into the skillet, stirring constantly to prevent lumps, and simmer for 8-10 minutes until thickened to a creamy pudding consistency.
6. Step 6: Add 1 pound peeled and deveined large shrimp, 3 chopped scallions, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, 1 tablespoon lime juice, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Cook for 5-6 minutes until the shrimp are opaque and cooked through.
7. Step 7: Serve hot, garnished with extra cilantro if desired, alongside white rice or as a hearty stew.