Crispy Bang Bang Shrimp is the kind of dinner that feels like a restaurant favorite but is surprisingly easy to make at home. Juicy shrimp are coated in a light, crunchy breading, fried until golden, and tossed in a creamy, sweet-and-spicy Bang Bang sauce.
The combination of crispy shrimp, creamy sauce, and a little heat makes this recipe perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, party appetizer, or seafood night. It comes together quickly and pairs beautifully with rice, salad, or vegetables.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love Crispy Bang Bang Shrimp – Easy and Spicy
- Ultra Crispy & Golden: Each shrimp gets a crunchy coating that stays wonderfully crisp on the outside while remaining tender and juicy inside.
- Sweet, Creamy & Spicy: The Bang Bang sauce combines creamy richness with sweetness and a gentle kick for an addictive flavor.
- Quick Weeknight Recipe: Shrimp cook quickly, making this an excellent choice when you want a flavorful meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Serve it as an appetizer for parties or turn it into a satisfying dinner with rice, noodles, or fresh vegetables.
- Easy to Customize: Adjust the spice level, add extra sauce, or serve the shrimp in tacos, bowls, or lettuce wraps.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Bang Bang Shrimp is crispy, golden, and coated in a sauce that’s creamy with just the right kick of sweet and spice. Best part? The ingredients list is short, so it’s genuinely easy to pull off at home.
One tip: use fresh or fully thawed shrimp, and toss everything together right before serving — that’s how you keep the shrimp crispy instead of soggy.
- Shrimp – Use peeled and deveined shrimp for easy preparation. Medium or large shrimp work especially well.
- All-Purpose Flour – Creates the base of the crispy coating and helps the breading cling to the shrimp.
- Cornstarch – Adds extra crunch and helps create that light, crisp texture.
- Eggs – Helps the flour and cornstarch coating adhere evenly to each shrimp.
- Panko Breadcrumbs – The secret to an extra-crispy exterior with plenty of texture.
- Garlic Powder – Adds savory garlic flavor without overpowering the shrimp.
- Paprika – Gives the coating a mild peppery flavor and beautiful golden color.
- Salt – Enhances the natural flavor of the shrimp and balances the sauce.
- Black Pepper – Adds a subtle earthy bite to the crispy coating.
- Mayonnaise – Forms the creamy base of the Bang Bang sauce.
- Sweet Chili Sauce – Provides sweetness, mild heat, and the signature sticky flavor.
- Sriracha – Brings extra heat and a delicious chili-garlic flavor. Add more or less according to your preference.
- Honey – Adds a touch of sweetness that balances the heat from the Sriracha.
- Lime Juice – A little acidity brightens the rich sauce and keeps the flavors balanced.
- Cooking Oil – Use a neutral oil suitable for frying, such as vegetable or canola oil.
- Green Onions – Add freshness, color, and a mild onion flavor when serving.
Step-By-Step Direction
Step 1: Prepare the Shrimp
Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture helps the coating stick better and gives you a crispier finished shrimp.
Step 2: Make the Crispy Coating
Combine the flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Place the beaten eggs in a separate bowl and the panko breadcrumbs in another.
Dip each shrimp into the egg, then coat thoroughly with the seasoned flour mixture and finish with panko breadcrumbs.
Step 3: Fry Until Golden and Crispy
Heat the oil in a deep skillet or heavy-bottomed pan. Carefully add the coated shrimp in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan.
Cook until the shrimp are golden brown and cooked through, turning as needed. Transfer them to a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate to drain.
Step 4: Make the Bang Bang Sauce
Whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, honey, and lime juice until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust the spice or sweetness if needed.
Step 5: Toss and Serve
Add the crispy shrimp to a large bowl and drizzle with the Bang Bang sauce. Gently toss until the shrimp are coated without crushing their crispy exterior.
Finish with sliced green onions and serve immediately.
Serving Suggestions
Crispy Bang Bang Shrimp is incredibly versatile. For a complete meal, serve it over steamed white rice, jasmine rice, or coconut rice with a side of roasted or steamed vegetables.
For something lighter, add the shrimp to lettuce wraps, a crunchy cabbage slaw, or a fresh salad. You can also serve them as an appetizer with extra Bang Bang sauce for dipping.
For a fun dinner option, use the shrimp in tacos, rice bowls, or noodle bowls and top with green onions, sesame seeds, and a squeeze of fresh lime.
Tips for the Best Results
- Dry the Shrimp Well: Excess moisture can make the coating slide off and prevent the shrimp from becoming properly crisp.
- Use Panko for Maximum Crunch: Panko breadcrumbs create a lighter and crunchier coating than traditional breadcrumbs.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Fry the shrimp in batches so the oil stays hot and every piece develops an evenly golden crust.
- Control the Spice Level: Start with a smaller amount of Sriracha and add more gradually until the sauce reaches your preferred heat.
- Sauce Right Before Serving: Toss the shrimp with Bang Bang sauce just before eating to preserve as much of their crispy texture as possible.
Storage Tips
Refrigerator
Store leftover Bang Bang Shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the shrimp and sauce separate whenever possible for better texture.
Freezer
For best quality, freeze the cooked crispy shrimp without the sauce. Place them in a freezer-safe container and use within about 2 months.
Reheating
Reheat the shrimp in an air fryer or oven until hot and crisp again. Avoid microwaving when possible, as it can make the breading soft. Add fresh Bang Bang sauce after reheating for the best texture.
Crispy Bang Bang Shrimp – Easy and Spicy
Ingredients
Crispy Shrimp
- 1 pound large shrimp peeled, deveined, and tails removed
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups vegetable oil for frying
Bang Bang Sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 2 tablespoons green onions thinly sliced, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the shrimp: Pat the shrimp thoroughly dry with paper towels. This helps the coating stick properly and gives the shrimp a crispier exterior.
- Prepare the coating: In one bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Place the beaten eggs in a second bowl and the panko breadcrumbs in a third bowl.
- Coat the shrimp: Dip each shrimp into the beaten egg, then coat it with the seasoned flour mixture. Dip it back into the egg if needed, then press it gently into the panko breadcrumbs until completely coated.
- Heat the oil: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or deep frying pan over medium-high heat until it reaches about 350°F.
- Fry the shrimp: Carefully place the coated shrimp into the hot oil in batches. Avoid overcrowding the pan. Fry for about 2–3 minutes per side, or until golden brown, crispy, and cooked through.
- Drain the shrimp: Transfer the cooked shrimp to a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate to remove excess oil.
- Make the Bang Bang sauce: In a clean bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, honey, and lime juice until smooth and creamy.
- Toss with the sauce: Place the crispy shrimp in a large bowl. Drizzle the Bang Bang sauce over the shrimp and gently toss until evenly coated.
- Garnish and serve: Top with sliced green onions and serve immediately while the shrimp are hot and crispy.
Notes
- For the crispiest shrimp, pat the shrimp completely dry before coating.
- Use panko breadcrumbs rather than regular breadcrumbs for a lighter, crunchier coating.
- Fry the shrimp in batches to prevent the oil temperature from dropping.
- Adjust the amount of Sriracha depending on how spicy you want the Bang Bang sauce.
- For the best texture, toss the shrimp with the sauce immediately before serving.
- Serve with jasmine rice, steamed vegetables, salad, tacos, lettuce wraps, or noodles.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Reheat in an air fryer or oven rather than the microwave to help restore crispiness.
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Protein: 27 g
- Total Fat: 29 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 235 mg
- Sodium: 1,050 mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Dietary Fiber: 1 g
- Total Sugars: 12 g
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
| Product | Amazon Link |
|---|---|
| Panko Breadcrumbs | Shop on Amazon |
| Nonstick Frying Pan | Shop on Amazon |
| Instant-Read Food Thermometer | Shop on Amazon |
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