Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe
If you’re searching for a dish that brings sweet heat, irresistible crunch, and a punchy sauce you’ll want to put on everything, Bang Bang Shrimp has your dinner (or happy hour!) totally covered. This popular restaurant favorite is surprisingly simple to whip up at home, with tender shrimp enveloped in a light, golden coating and tossed with a creamy, spicy-sweet sauce. Whether you’re entertaining friends, spicing up weeknight dinners, or just craving bold flavors, Bang Bang Shrimp guarantees you’ll be licking your fingers and planning your next batch before the last piece is even gone.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Bang Bang Shrimp is all about balance — crispy shrimp, a tangy and fiery sauce, and a handful of pantry basics. Each ingredient adds its own spark, so don’t skip the little details for the best flavor and texture in every bite!
- Shrimp: Large, peeled, and deveined shrimp stay juicy and soak up that delicious sauce.
- Buttermilk: This gives the shrimp a subtle tang and helps the coating stick perfectly.
- Cornstarch: Essential for that ultra-light, ultra-crispy crunch you crave.
- All-Purpose Flour: Adds structure and helps brown the coating just right.
- Garlic Powder: Gives every bite a savory, aromatic backbone.
- Paprika: Delivers gentle warmth and a beautiful golden color.
- Salt: Brings all the flavors together and enhances the sweetness of the shrimp.
- Black Pepper: Adds a mild kick that pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the sauce.
- Vegetable Oil: Neutral flavor and high smoke point make it ideal for deep-frying.
- Mayonnaise (for sauce): Brings creamy texture and balances the other bold ingredients.
- Sweet Chili Sauce (for sauce): Infuses the signature sweet and mildly spicy flavor.
- Sriracha (for sauce): Controls the spice level, so you can dial up or down the heat.
- Honey (for sauce): Rounds out the sauce with smooth sweetness — don’t skip it!
How to Make Bang Bang Shrimp
Step 1: Marinate the Shrimp
Start your Bang Bang Shrimp by soaking the cleaned shrimp in buttermilk. This quick marinade tenderizes the shrimp and gives the coating something to cling to. Just 15 minutes is all you need for that juicy-in-the-middle magic.
Step 2: Prepare the Coating
In a shallow bowl, combine the cornstarch, all-purpose flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. This blend gives your shrimp that signature crispy-tender crust and layers of subtle flavor. Make sure the mixture is well stirred so each piece gets evenly coated.
Step 3: Whip Up the Bang Bang Sauce
Bang Bang Shrimp is nothing without its saucy crown jewel. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey. Taste and tweak the spice if you like it bolder — the sauce should be creamy, sweet, and just spicy enough to keep things interesting.
Step 4: Dredge and Fry the Shrimp
Heat a heavy-bottomed deep skillet or saucepan and pour in 1 to 2 inches of vegetable oil. While the oil heats, remove the shrimp from the buttermilk and dredge them in the flour mixture, pressing lightly to make sure the coating sticks. Once the oil is hot (about 350°F), fry the shrimp in batches for 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden and crazy-crispy. Drain the fried shrimp on a paper towel-lined plate to keep them light and crunchy.
Step 5: Toss with Sauce and Serve
While the shrimp are still piping hot from the fryer, tumble them into the bowl with your prepared Bang Bang sauce. Gently toss to coat every nook and cranny. The heat from the shrimp warms the sauce just enough to make it cling, and suddenly you have flavor fireworks.
How to Serve Bang Bang Shrimp
Garnishes
The finishing touches make the dish pop — I love sprinkling sliced green onions or toasted sesame seeds on top. The freshness and slight crunch from the onions complement the creamy, spicy shrimp delightfully. A wedge of lime squeezed over just before serving perks up all the flavors too.
Side Dishes
Bang Bang Shrimp is wonderfully versatile, pairing beautifully with steamed white rice, noodles, or a bed of crisp greens for a lighter option. For an appetizer spread, try tucking them into lettuce cups or as a topper for tacos. Even a pile of fries or a cool cucumber salad works — let your cravings lead the way!
Creative Ways to Present
Bring your Bang Bang Shrimp to a party by serving in individual shot glasses or inside mini slider buns for hand-held fun. For something a little unexpected, set the shrimp atop a chilled rice noodle salad with a drizzle of extra sauce, or create a dramatic platter with lots of fresh herbs, shredded cabbage, and citrus wedges on the side.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, stash your Bang Bang Shrimp in an airtight container in the fridge. The shrimp will keep for up to two days, though the coating does soften a bit. For best texture, store the sauce and shrimp separately, tossing them together just before serving.
Freezing
Bang Bang Shrimp is best enjoyed fresh, but you can freeze un-sauced, cooked shrimp for up to one month. Lay them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer to a zip-top bag. When you’re ready, thaw gently in the fridge, then reheat and sauce as usual for a near-fresh experience.
Reheating
To get that crispy edge back, reheat shrimp in a 400°F oven or an air fryer for just 4-6 minutes. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it tends to make the breading soggy. Give the sauce a quick stir or bring to room temperature, then toss with the hot, re-crisped shrimp.
FAQs
Can I make Bang Bang Shrimp gluten-free?
Absolutely! Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend and double-check your sauces for hidden gluten. The cornstarch already helps keep things ultra-crisp, so you won’t miss a beat on texture.
Is there a baked or air fryer version?
Yes! Arrange coated shrimp on a parchment-lined baking sheet or in your air fryer basket, spritz lightly with oil, and cook at 400°F until golden and crispy, usually 8–10 minutes. It’s a lighter spin on classic Bang Bang Shrimp with all the flavor and crunch.
How spicy is the sauce, and can I adjust it?
The beauty of Bang Bang Shrimp lies in the sauce — and you’re in control! Add more Sriracha for extra heat, or dial it back for a milder taste. You can even experiment with different hot sauces for your own signature blend.
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Definitely. Thaw the frozen shrimp fully, then pat them dry before marinating in the buttermilk. This keeps the coating light and prevents any unwanted splatters when frying.
Does this recipe work as an entrée?
Without a doubt! Serve Bang Bang Shrimp over rice or noodles with steamed veggies for a main course that feels restaurant-worthy, or double the recipe for a crowd-pleasing platter at your next gathering.
Final Thoughts
Bang Bang Shrimp brings the party to your table — it’s vibrant, crunchy, spicy-sweet magic in every bite. I can’t wait for you to try it and watch everyone fall in love with this crowd-pleaser. Get ready: once you make Bang Bang Shrimp at home, it’s bound to become a regular craving. Enjoy every saucy morsel!
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Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Get ready to impress your guests with this irresistible Bang Bang Shrimp recipe! Crispy fried shrimp coated in a sweet and spicy sauce, this dish is perfect as an appetizer or main course.
Ingredients
For the Shrimp:
- 1 pound large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- vegetable oil (for frying)
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha (or to taste)
- 1 teaspoon honey
Instructions
- Marinate the Shrimp: In a medium bowl, marinate the shrimp in buttermilk for 15 minutes.
- Prepare the Coating: Mix cornstarch, flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a shallow bowl.
- Make the Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey to create the bang bang sauce.
- Fry the Shrimp: Heat vegetable oil in a skillet, dredge shrimp in flour mixture, and fry until golden and crispy.
- Coat with Sauce: Toss the fried shrimp with the bang bang sauce until evenly coated.
- Serve: Garnish with green onions or sesame seeds and serve immediately.
Notes
- For a lighter version, bake or air-fry the shrimp at 400°F until crispy.
- This dish pairs well with lettuce wraps, tacos, or over rice.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer or Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American-Asian Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 190mg
