Why You’ll Love Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe
This recipe is quick enough for a weeknight but impressive enough for entertaining. The shrimp come out crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, while the sauce adds the perfect balance of creamy richness, sweetness, and heat. It uses simple pantry ingredients, comes together in about half an hour, and can easily be adjusted to suit your preferred spice level. It is also versatile enough to serve as a starter, taco filling, rice bowl topping, or salad addition.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
½ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup Thai sweet chili sauce
1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce
1 egg, beaten
1 cup buttermilk
½ cup all-purpose flour
½ cup panko breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon paprika
1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
vegetable oil
Directions
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, and chili garlic sauce until smooth and well combined. Set the sauce aside.
In a separate medium mixing bowl, whisk together the beaten egg and buttermilk.
In another bowl, combine the flour, panko breadcrumbs, salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika. Whisk well so the coating mixture is evenly blended.
Dip each shrimp into the flour mixture first, then into the egg mixture, and finally back into the flour mixture. Repeat until all of the shrimp are coated.
Arrange the coated shrimp on a plate and refrigerate them for 20 to 30 minutes. This chilling step helps the coating stay in place during frying.
Pour vegetable oil into a deep-sided skillet until it reaches about 2 inches deep. Heat the oil over medium heat until it reaches 350°F.
Carefully fry the shrimp in batches for about 3 minutes total, turning halfway through, until they are golden brown and cooked through. Transfer the cooked shrimp to a paper towel-lined plate.
Place the fried shrimp in a large mixing bowl. Spoon ¼ cup of the prepared sauce over the shrimp and toss gently to coat. Serve immediately with the remaining sauce on the side.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes 4 servings.
Prep Time: 27 minutes
Cook Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Variations
For a lighter version, you can air fry the shrimp instead of deep frying them. Spray the breaded shrimp lightly with oil and cook until crisp and cooked through.
To make the dish spicier, add extra chili garlic sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce.
For a milder flavor, reduce the chili garlic sauce and increase the sweet chili sauce slightly.
You can use large shrimp instead of medium shrimp if that is what you have on hand. Just keep an eye on the cooking time.
Bang Bang Shrimp can also be served in lettuce wraps, tacos, grain bowls, or over a bed of shredded cabbage for a fresh and flavorful meal.
Storage/Reheating
Store leftover shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep any extra sauce in a separate container to help preserve the crisp texture of the shrimp.
To reheat, place the shrimp in an oven or air fryer at 350°F until warmed through and crispy again. Avoid reheating in the microwave if possible, as it can make the coating soft. The sauce can be stirred and served cold or brought to room temperature before serving.
FAQs
Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
Yes, frozen shrimp work well as long as they are fully thawed, peeled, and deveined before breading and frying.
What does Bang Bang Shrimp taste like?
It has a crispy texture with a creamy, sweet, tangy, and spicy coating. The flavor is bold but balanced.
Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
Yes, the sauce can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator until you are ready to use it.
Why do the shrimp need to chill before frying?
Chilling helps the breading adhere better to the shrimp, which reduces the chance of it falling off in the hot oil.
Can I bake the shrimp instead of frying?
Yes, you can bake them, though they may not be quite as crispy as fried shrimp. A wire rack and a light spray of oil can help improve texture.
What oil is best for frying shrimp?
A neutral oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable oil, works best for frying this recipe.
How do I know when the shrimp are done cooking?
The shrimp should be golden on the outside and opaque inside. They cook quickly, so avoid overcooking them.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute a gluten-free flour blend and gluten-free breadcrumbs if needed.
What can I serve with Bang Bang Shrimp?
It pairs well with rice, salad, roasted vegetables, noodles, or even as a filling for tacos and wraps.
Can I use the sauce for other dishes?
Yes, the sauce is delicious on chicken, fish, tacos, sandwiches, and even as a dipping sauce for fries or vegetables.
Conclusion
Bang Bang Shrimp is a crowd-pleasing dish that combines crispy fried shrimp with a creamy sweet-and-spicy sauce for a meal or appetizer that is hard to resist. It is easy to prepare, full of bold flavor, and flexible enough to suit many occasions. Whether you serve it for dinner, a gathering, or a special treat at home, this recipe is sure to become a favorite.
Bang Bang Shrimp
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Halal
Description
Crispy fried shrimp tossed in a creamy, sweet and spicy bang bang sauce. This restaurant-style favorite is perfect as an appetizer or main dish.
Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup Thai sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
- vegetable oil (for frying)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, and chili garlic sauce. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg and buttermilk.
- In another bowl, combine flour, panko breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Dip each shrimp into the flour mixture, then into the egg mixture, and back into the flour mixture to coat evenly.
- Place coated shrimp on a plate and refrigerate for 20–30 minutes to help the coating stick.
- Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet to 350°F, about 2 inches deep.
- Fry shrimp in batches for about 3 minutes, turning halfway, until golden brown. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Toss fried shrimp with ¼ cup of the prepared sauce. Serve immediately with remaining sauce on the side.
Notes
- Refrigerating the coated shrimp helps the breading adhere better during frying.
- Do not overcrowd the pan when frying to maintain oil temperature.
- Serve with rice, salad, or as an appetizer.
- Adjust chili garlic sauce to control spice level.
- Best enjoyed fresh; reheating may reduce crispiness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Deep Fry
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 190 mg
