Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe | Crispy Fried Shrimp

This easy Bang Bang Shrimp recipe is out of this world delicious! Lightly breaded and fried shrimp are coated in a sweet and spicy Asian-inspired sauce with a flavorful kick. You’ll love these crispy shrimp as an appetizer or simple dinner idea!

EASY BANG BANG SHRIMP

Certain dishes are just, well, special. The Bonefish Grill’s Bang Bang Shrimp is one of them. Think of them as the buffalo wings of seafood: lightly crispy, deliciously spicy, and super-snackable. They make an absolutely killer appetizer – and I also like to make a double batch, paired with fresh fruit and coconut rice, for a special lunch or festive dinner.

WHAT IS BANG BANG SHRIMP?

Bang Bang Shrimp is an Asian-fusion dish that is similar to buffalo chicken. Shrimp are lightly breaded, fried, and then topped with a creamy, sweet, and spicy sauce. The sauce is the “secret ingredient” that makes these shrimp so very craveable.

Side note: While you are here, you should also grab my awesome recipe for Crispy Air Fryer Buffalo Shrimp! ? 

But, yeah, Bang Bang Shrimp is really easy to make to make at home, using easy-to-find ingredients! My version also uses cornstarch, rather than flour or breadcrumbs, for the breading mixture. This gives a light tempura-style texture to the shrimp, which pairs perfectly with the spicy sauce!

RECIPE INGREDIENTS

For the Shrimp:

• Canola Oil: I like to use this oil for frying, but you can substitute other high-heat oils like coconut oil. Be sure to check the packaging for temperature recommendations, as some oils scorch or degrade at high temps!
• Fresh Raw Shrimp: These should be peeled and de-veined.
• Kefir or Buttermilk: Rather than egg, Bang Bang Shrimp are coated in buttermilk before frying. I also like to use kefir, a tangy yogurt-like dairy product.
• Cornstarch: For breading the shrimp. You can also use coconut flour to cut down on the carbs.
• Cayenne Pepper and Garlic Powder: These add a little oomph to the shrimp batter! You can leave out the cayenne if you’d prefer a milder dish.
• Salt and Pepper

For the Sauce:

• Mayonnaise
• Sweet Chili Sauce: This tasty condiment can usually be found in the ethnic/imported food aisle of your grocery store.
• Sriracha Sauce: Spicy and deeply flavorful, this versatile hot sauce is a key ingredient and is usually stocked near the tabasco sauces OR the stir-fry sauces in your grocery store.
• Lime Juice: Fresh is good, but bottled will work just fine as well.
• Chopped Fresh Parsley, for garnish

HOW TO MAKE BANG BANG SHRIMP

1. Heat the Oil: Pour about 2 inches of oil (you can use vegetable oil or peanut oil) into a large, heavy skillet or saucepan. Heat the oil to about 375˚F. Use an Instant Read Thermometer to check the temperature. 
2. Batter the Shrimp: Combine the shrimp with the kefir or buttermilk to coat. Mix the cornstarch, cayenne, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a dish or on a plate. Shake off any excess buttermilk from the shrimp, and coat with the cornstarch mixture one by one.
3. Fry the Shrimp: As you batter each shrimp, lower gently into the heated oil with a slotted spoon or spider strainer. Fry for about 1 minute on each side, until golden brown. Don’t crowd the pan, or the shrimp will not get crispy. Drain shrimp on a cookie sheet or platter lined with paper towels.
4. Prepare the Sauce: In a separate bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha sauce, and lime juice. Stir well.
5. Combine Shrimp and Sauce: Place shrimp on a clean platter or in a serving bowl. Top with sauce. If desired, toss gently to coat.
6. Serve and Enjoy!

Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp

If you want to avoid frying food in oil, get out the Air Fryer to make Bang Bang Shrimp.

TIPS FOR SUCCESS

• Use a wide pan, rather than a deep one. While it’s definitely possible (and sometimes better) to deep-fry food in a large, deep fryer or stockpot, for this dish I prefer to use a wide skillet or saucepan so that I can add and remove shrimp from the hot oil more easily. The sides of the pan should still be fairly high, however! The pan must comfortably hold two inches of hot oil, with extra room for adding and removing shrimp without spilling the oil.
• Remember safety. Any time you fry food, be aware that oil spills can quickly catch fire on a hot stovetop, and cannot be put out with water. An oil-based fire should always be put out safely, either by smothering it with a metal item like a cookie sheet or pot lid, or by using a fire extinguisher. If the fire is very small, it may be possible to smother it with baking soda or salt.
• Size ‘Em Up. Shrimp are sold in various sizes, from very small salad shrimp to large, juicy “king prawns” or jumbo shrimp. Smaller shrimp will cook much faster, so be aware of that as you fry.
• Skip the Prep. If peeling and de-veining shrimp doesn’t sound like something you want to do, check in with your grocery store fishmonger. They often prep seafood for free, or for a very minimal charge per pound.

WHAT GOES WITH BANG BANG SHRIMP?

HOW TO STORE AND REHEAT LEFTOVERS

• To store leftovers, place in a plastic food storage bag, pushing out as much air as possible before sealing. Refrigerate for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 6 months.
• To reheat, first thaw shrimp in the refrigerator just until defrosted (if reheating from frozen). Then place on a cookie sheet and bake in a preheated, 375°F oven until just heated through, about 10 minutes or so.

More Shrimp Recipes

ENJOY!

Tools Used in this Recipe

Bang Bang Shrimp

A sweet and spicy appetizer of crispy, battered, deep-fried shrimp in a delicious (and easy!) Asian-fusion sauce.

Course:

Appetizer

Cuisine:

American, Asian

Servings: 4

Calories: 316 kcal

Ingredients

For the Shrimp:

• vegetable/canola oil or peanut oil,
  for frying
• 1
  pound
  raw shrimp,
  peeled and de-veined, tails ON or OFF
• 1/2
  cup
  kefir or buttermilk
• 1/2
  cup
  cornstarch
• 1/4
  teaspoon
  cayenne powder
• 1/4
  teaspoon
  garlic powder
• 1/4
  teaspoon
  salt
• 1/8
  teaspoon
  freshly ground black pepper

For the Bang Bang Sauce:

• 1/4
  cup
  mayonnaise
• 3
  tablespoons
  sweet chili sauce
• 1
  teaspoon
  sriracha sauce
• 1
  teaspoon
  lime juice,
  or to taste
• chopped fresh parsley,
  for garnish, optional
• sesame seeds,
  for garnish, optional
• sliced green onions,
  for garnish, optional

Instructions

1. In a large frying pan or deep skillet, add the oil, coming up about 2 inches on the sides. Heat oil to 375˚F.

2. In the meantime, place raw shrimp in kefir or buttermilk to coat.

3. In a separate bowl or plate, combine cornstarch, cayenne, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

4. Remove shrimp from liquid; shake off any excess, and coat shrimp in cornstarch mixture.

5. Add coated shrimp to the hot oil and fry for about 1 to 2 minutes per side, or until golden brown.

6. Remove shrimp to a paper towel lined plate.

7. In a mixing bowl stir together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and lime juice.

8. Transfer shrimp to a serving bowl.

9. Garnish with parsley and sesame seeds.

10. Serve with the sauce. You can also drizzle the sauce over the shrimp.

Nutrition Facts

Bang Bang Shrimp

Amount Per Serving (4 ounces)

Calories 316
Calories from Fat 117

% Daily Value*

Fat 13g20%

Saturated Fat 2g10%

Cholesterol 295mg98%

Sodium 1286mg54%

Potassium 91mg3%

Carbohydrates 23g8%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 8g9%

Protein 24g48%

Vitamin A 62IU1%

Vitamin C 6mg7%

Calcium 202mg20%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.