This Bang Bang Shrimp is crispy, saucy, and flavorful! Crunchy, yet juicy fried shrimp is tossed with a creamy, sweet and spicy sauce.
What is bang bang shrimp?
Bang bang shrimp is breaded, deep fried shrimp that’s been tossed with bang bang sauce, a sauce made with mayo, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and rice vinegar. It’s a popular appetizer from Bonefish Grill that we can now make at home!
Ingredients
This easy deep fried shrimp is made extra crispy thanks to flour, cornstarch, and panko!
- All-Purpose Flour and Cornstarch – work together to make a breading for the shrimp. This combination creates a light and crispy coating that gets golden brown and crunchy once deep fried.
- Panko Breadcrumbs – are crispier than “regular” breadcrumbs and are the key to super crispy deep fried shrimp. They are made by lightly baking coarse breadcrumbs, which gives them more crunch.
- Spices: Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Salt, and Pepper – this simple seasoning blend adds tons of flavor to the shrimp without overpowering the flavors of the bang bang sauce.
- Shrimp – buy large shrimp that have been peeled and de-veined with tails removed for the easiest prep. Fresh or frozen and thawed will work.
- Buttermilk – used to quickly marinate the shrimp, making it tender, and also helps the breading stick.
- Canola Oil – the best oil for frying, because of it’s neutral flavor and high smoke point. Vegetable oil, peanut oil, and corn oil may also be used.
- Bang Bang Sauce – a creamy, sweet and spicy homemade condiment made with mayo, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and rice vinegar. It’s used to coat the breaded shrimp and is what makes this dish extra special.
- Garnishes: Green Onions and Sesame Seeds – optional, but highly recommended. Green onions add a freshness to balance out the fried flavor and rich sauce. Sesame seeds add a nutty flavor and crispy, crunch.
Pro tip
Make the bang bang sauce before you start this recipe.
How to make
This recipe is easiest with a deep fryer, but a large straight-edge sauté pan works well too!
- Whisk flour, cornstarch, panko, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper together, then set aside.
- Marinate shrimp in buttermilk for 5 minutes, drain, then press the shrimp into the breading until fully coated.
- Working in batches, fry shrimp in oil at 375 degrees F until until cooked through and golden brown.
- Once all the shrimp has been cooked and drained, toss in as much or as little bang bang sauce as you’d like, garnish with green onions and sesame seeds, then serve immediately.
Pro tip
Be sure to read “Why are my shrimp soggy?” and “Tips” to ensure your shrimp comes out perfectly cooked!
How to bake or air fry
Deep frying will give the best flavor and texture, but if you’re looking to lighten this up a bit here’s how to bake or air fry bang bang shrimp:
- To bake: pre-heat oven to 400 degrees F and line a rimmed baking sheet with a silicone baking mat. Make shrimp as directed, place onto the prepared baking sheet, spray with cooking spray, then bake for 8-12 minutes, flipping once, or until cooked through. Toss with sauce and enjoy!
- To air fry: pre-heat air fryer to 400 degrees F. Make shrimp as directed, then working in batches, air fry for 6-8 minutes, or until cooked through and golden brown.
Pro tip
Cook times may vary depending on size of shrimp used.
Can i use frozen shrimp?
Yes! Frozen shrimp is a great option when fresh isn’t available. Look for peeled, deveined shrimp with the tails removed for the least amount of prep-work. Thaw according to package directions, pat dry, then proceed with the recipe.
Why are my shrimp soggy?
If made as directed, your shrimp should be crispy on the outside and juicy in the middle. Still ended up with soggy shrimp? Here’s what may have happened:
- You didn’t use enough breading. Be sure to press the breading into the shrimp. Don’t be shy! The breading is what makes this shrimp crispy.
- You over-crowded the pan and/or your oil wasn’t hot enough. If there are too many shrimp in the oil, the oil temperature will drop too much. If the oil isn’t hot enough, the breading soaks up too much oil.
- You didn’t serve immediately. Wait until all the shrimp is fried, then toss in the bang bang sauce and serve immediately.
Pro tip
Use a thermometer to check the oil temperature!
Tips
This shrimp recipe couldn’t be easier, but here are a few tips and tricks to make the process go smoothly.
- Read the entire recipe/instructions before starting. This recipe is easy, but get organized (setting out paper towels for draining, etc.) before you start to make your life easier.
- Buy peeled and deveined shrimp. It’s less prep!
- Buy large shrimp. You’ll be less likely to overcook the shrimp if they’re large (vs medium or small).
- Press the breading into the shrimp. I tried throwing the breading ingredients into a ziplock baggie and shaking to coat the shrimp, but the breading didn’t stick as well.
- Work in batches. For extra crispy shrimp, be sure to not over-crowd the pan. In between batches, be sure the oil comes back up to temperature; it will lower once the shrimp is added in.
- Wait until all the shrimp is cooked before tossing with the sauce. The shrimp will naturally start to get soggy as it sits in the sauce. While the rest of your shrimp is cooking, throw the cooked shrimp into a warm oven.
How to serve bang bang shrimp
Bang bang shrimp is most commonly served over butter lettuce as an appetizer, but can be bulked up to be a complete meal.
- As an appetizer. Spoon shrimp over butter lettuce and garnish with sesame seeds and green onions. I use the lettuce for presentation, but feel free to use it to make lettuce wraps! Serve with egg rolls and potstickers for a full meal of appetizers.
- As a bowl. Serve shrimp with your favorite rice and roasted broccoli for a well balanced meal.
- As tacos. Recipe coming soon!
- As pasta. Recipe coming soon!
How to store
Bang bang shrimp is best served immediately, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Freezing is not recommended.
To enjoy again, bake at 350 degrees F until warm and crispy, about 10 minutes.
Pro tip
For the best results, don’t sauce the shrimp if you know you want leftovers. Then, once the shrimp has been re-crisped in the oven, toss in the leftover sauce.
– Jennifer
Bang Bang Shrimp
This Bang Bang Shrimp is crispy, saucy, and flavorful! Crunchy, yet juicy fried shrimp is tossed with a creamy, sweet and spicy sauce.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 4 people
Equipment for this recipe
(equipment shown are affiliate links)
Ingredients
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 pound large shrimp peeled, deveined, tails removed, and patted dry
- ½ cup buttermilk
- Canola oil for frying
- 1 batch bang bang sauce *
- Green onions and sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Place flour, cornstarch, panko, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper onto a large shallow plate, then stir to combine. Set aside.
- Place shrimp into a medium sized bowl, cover with buttermilk, then let shrimp marinate for 5 minutes.
- Drain the shrimp, then working with one at a time, press the shrimp into the breading until it’s fully coated. Repeat with remaining shrimp.
- Heat oil to 375 degrees F in a deep-fryer or large saucepan, then working in batches, submerge the shrimp and fry for 1-5 minutes (depending on size of shrimp) or until cooked through and golden brown.
- Use a metal slotted spoon to remove the shrimp, then let drain in a single layer on paper towels while the remaining shrimp cooks.
- Once all the shrimp has been cooked and drained, toss in as much or as little bang bang sauce as you’d like, garnish with green onions and sesame seeds, then serve immediately.
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STORING
Room Temp:N/A
Refrigerator:4 Days
Freezer:N/A
Reheat:Bake at 350 degrees F until crispy
*Storage times may vary based on temperature and conditions
Notes
*Make the sauce before you start this recipe. You probably won’t use an entire batch of the sauce. Start with a few spoonfuls and add more until the shrimp has been sauced to your liking. Nutrition information uses the entire batch of bang bang sauce, but does not include the canola oil, for frying.
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Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Bang Bang Shrimp
Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
Calories 480 Calories from Fat 207
% Daily Value*
Fat 23g35%
Saturated Fat 4g25%
Trans Fat 1g
Cholesterol 198mg66%
Sodium 1378mg60%
Potassium 397mg11%
Carbohydrates 39g13%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 15g17%
Protein 27g54%
Vitamin A 74IU1%
Vitamin C 3mg4%
Calcium 141mg14%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
*Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on products used.
Keywords: breaded shrimp, fried shrimp, shrimp appetizer