Olivia Let me tell you—once you make this Bang Bang Shrimp at home, you might just retire your takeout habit altogether. These crispy, golden shrimp are tossed in a creamy, spicy-sweet sauce that’s so good, you’ll find yourself licking the bowl (no shame, I do it too). I first tried a version of Bang Bang Shrimp at a restaurant, and I just had to recreate it at home—because honestly, why wait for a table when you can make something even better in your own kitchen?
The magic is all in the contrast: crunchy panko-crusted shrimp paired with that smooth, spicy mayo-based sauce. And the best part? You can whip this up in under 30 minutes. Whether you’re hosting a casual get-together or just want to shake up your weeknight dinner routine, this dish is your new MVP.
What’s on the Plate
Overview
- Cuisine: American-Asian fusion
- Course: Appetizer, Main
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Servings: 4
What’s in Every Bite
- Calories: 420
- Carbs: 28g
- Fats: 22g
- Protein: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 910mg
Total Recipe Cost
- Estimated Total Cost: $11.50
- Cost Per Serving: $2.88
- Main Cost Factors: Shrimp, mayo, sriracha
The Story Behind the Flavor
Bang Bang Shrimp first became a cult favorite when it hit the menu at Bonefish Grill in 2000. Inspired by the bold, craveable flavors of Thai street food, it was designed to be a crowd-pleasing appetizer that blended crispy texture with creamy, spicy heat. The name “Bang Bang” refers to the one-two punch of flavor—sweet, spicy, and tangy all wrapped into one.
While its restaurant fame sparked imitators, the core concept is simple: lightly breaded shrimp, flash-fried, and tossed in a signature sauce of mayonnaise, sweet chili, and sriracha. The dish itself doesn’t hail from a specific Asian country—it’s more of a delicious fusion that borrows the best from Thai, Japanese, and American cuisines.
I took the idea, ran with it, and gave it the homemade touch. And I promise, once you try this version, you’ll never look back.
Perfect For
Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles is the kind of dish that wears many hats — casual, craveable, and downright satisfying. Here’s where this flavor-packed, saucy noodle bowl really shines:
- Game Night Snack Tables – Pile it into mini bowls or serve it buffet-style with chopsticks. It’s the kind of dish people hover around, slurping happily between plays. Instant MVP status.
- Weeknight Meals with a Kick – This one’s a lifesaver when your day’s been long and your stomach’s louder than your to-do list. It’s quick enough to whip up in 30 minutes, but the flavors? They hit like a weekend treat.
- Date Nights In – Light some candles, pour a chilled glass of white wine (or a crisp Asian lager), and twirl your noodles in sync. It’s cozy, impressive, and way more fun than waiting for takeout.
- Potlucks and Parties – Double or triple the recipe, toss it into a warm slow cooker or big serving bowl, and just watch. It’ll disappear before you can say “Who brought the noodles?”
- Meal Prep for the Week – It reheats like a dream and holds its flavor beautifully. Pack it up in lunch containers and feel like a kitchen genius all week long.
- Teen-Approved Dinners – If you’ve got picky eaters who love fast food, this one’s your golden ticket. Sweet, savory, and totally slurp-worthy.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Let me tell you — once you make this Bang Bang Shrimp at home, you might just ditch the takeout menu forever. Here’s why it’s about to become a permanent member of your dinner rotation:
- Quick and Easy – We’re talking under 30 minutes from fridge to fork. It’s the kind of meal you can whip up after a long day and still feel like a rockstar in the kitchen.
- Flavor Explosion – Each bite is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, tossed in a creamy, sweet, spicy sauce that hits every craving note. It’s the kind of addictive flavor that makes you go back for just one more bite… three times in a row.
- Seriously Versatile – Serve it as an appetizer for parties, stuff it in lettuce wraps or tacos, or pile it on a bowl of jasmine rice with some slaw. However you serve it, this shrimp shows up and shows off.
- Restaurant-Worthy, Budget-Friendly – You’re getting that signature bang-bang flavor without the fancy bill. Skip the delivery fees and still feel like you ordered from your favorite bistro.
- Crowd Pleaser for All Ages – The crispy shrimp is a universal favorite, and you can easily adjust the heat. Go bold with extra sriracha for the spice lovers or keep it mellow for the kiddos.
- No Deep Fryer Needed – Just a skillet and a quick pan-fry is all you need to achieve that crunchy texture without the mess or oil overload.
- Perfect Make-Ahead Sauce – You can prep the sauce in advance and toss it right before serving, which makes this dish even more weeknight-friendly.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Core Ingredients
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- ½ cup buttermilk (or regular milk with a splash of vinegar)
- ½ cup cornstarch
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- Oil for frying (canola or vegetable)
For the Bang Bang Sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sweet chili sauce
- 1–2 tbsp sriracha (adjust to spice preference)
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp rice vinegar (optional for tang)
Optional Add-ins
- Chopped green onions for garnish
- Sesame seeds for crunch
- Shredded cabbage if serving as a taco filling
Ingredient Highlights
- Shrimp – Go for large or extra-large shrimp for the best bite and juiciness.
- Panko breadcrumbs – The key to that restaurant-style crunch.
- Sweet chili sauce – Adds just enough sweetness and tang to balance the heat.
- Sriracha – The heat hero here; use more or less depending on your spice level.
- Mayonnaise – A creamy base that holds the sauce together like a flavor glue.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prep the shrimp: Rinse and pat dry your shrimp. Set aside.
- Make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and rice vinegar. Taste and adjust heat or sweetness.
- Set up your breading station: In three bowls, place:
- Bowl 1: flour + garlic powder + salt + pepper
- Bowl 2: beaten egg + buttermilk
- Bowl 3: panko breadcrumbs + cornstarch
- Coat the shrimp: Dredge each shrimp in flour, dip in egg mixture, then coat in panko mixture.
- Heat the oil: Heat oil in a skillet or deep fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry the shrimp: Cook shrimp in batches for 2–3 minutes per side or until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
- Toss and serve: Once all shrimp are fried, gently toss them in the Bang Bang sauce or drizzle the sauce on top if you prefer crispy texture.
- Garnish: Sprinkle with green onions or sesame seeds. Serve immediately.
Pro Tips
Let’s take your Bang Bang Shrimp from good to whoa, did you make this?! with these easy, game-changing tips:
- Rack It Up – After frying, skip the paper towels and place your shrimp on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. This lets air circulate underneath, keeping that golden crust crispy instead of soggy.
- Batch Fry Like a Boss – Don’t crowd your skillet! Fry the shrimp in batches so the oil temperature stays hot. Crowding drops the heat and leads to limp, greasy shrimp—not the crispy bites we’re after.
- Sauce Smartly – Want that sauce to really pop? Make it first and let it chill in the fridge for 10–15 minutes. This gives the flavors time to mingle and deepen, making every bite of shrimp extra crave-worthy.
- Meal-Ready Magic – Turn your shrimp into a full meal by serving it over fluffy jasmine rice, tucking it into lettuce wraps, or layering it in tacos with slaw and avocado.
- Double Dip the Sauce (Smartly) – If you want an extra saucy shrimp experience, reserve a little sauce on the side and drizzle it over right before serving. It keeps the coating crisp but still brings the heat.
- Season the Flour Mixture – Don’t forget to season your dredge! A little garlic powder, paprika, or cayenne in the cornstarch-flour mix can go a long way in making the shrimp flavorful even before it meets the sauce.
- Shrimp Size Matters – Use medium to large shrimp for the best bite. Too small, and you lose that juicy interior; too large, and they’re harder to coat and fry evenly.
Recipe Variations
- Baked Bang Bang Shrimp: Bake coated shrimp at 400°F for 12–15 minutes instead of frying.
- Air Fryer Version: Air fry at 390°F for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Bang Bang Cauliflower: Swap shrimp with cauliflower florets for a vegetarian twist.
- Taco Night: Serve in flour tortillas with slaw for Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos.
Gluten-Free Version
- Use gluten-free panko and flour.
- Make sure your sweet chili sauce and sriracha are certified gluten-free.
Kid-Friendly Version
- Tone down the spice by using less sriracha or omitting it completely.
- Serve the sauce on the side as a dip.
Bang Bang Shrimp
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Rinse and pat dry your shrimp. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and rice vinegar. Taste and adjust heat or sweetness.
- Bowl 1: flour + garlic powder + salt + pepper
- Bowl 2: beaten egg + buttermilk
- Bowl 3: panko breadcrumbs + cornstarch
- Dredge each shrimp in flour, dip in egg mixture, then coat in panko mixture.
- Heat oil in a skillet or deep fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook shrimp in batches for 2–3 minutes per side or until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
- Once all shrimp are fried, gently toss them in the Bang Bang sauce or drizzle the sauce on top if you prefer crispy texture.
- Sprinkle with green onions or sesame seeds. Serve immediately.
Notes
Bang Bang Shrimp – Helpful Tips
Cooking Tips & Techniques- Pat the shrimp dry before dredging—this helps the coating stick better and get that irresistible crisp.
- Use cornstarch or a mix of flour and cornstarch for extra crunch when frying. It creates that signature crispy shell without feeling too heavy.
- Fry in small batches to avoid lowering the oil temp too much. Crowded shrimp = soggy shrimp. No thanks!
- Toss the shrimp in the bang bang sauce right before serving to keep them crispy—not soggy.
- Mix mayo, sweet chili sauce, and a touch of sriracha for that classic bang bang flavor. Adjust sriracha for your preferred heat level.
- Let the sauce sit for 10–15 minutes before tossing—it melds and gets even better!
- Want it tangier? Add a tiny squeeze of lime juice for a fresh twist.
- Serve over a bed of shredded lettuce or cabbage for a restaurant-style appetizer.
- Turn it into a Bang Bang Shrimp Bowl with rice, avocado, and cucumber.
- Make it a taco night hit—pile them into warm tortillas with slaw and extra sauce!
- The bang bang sauce can be made up to 5 days in advance—store it in a sealed jar in the fridge.
- Fried shrimp is best fresh, but you can reheat leftovers in the oven or air fryer to bring back some crisp.
- Avoid microwaving if possible—it makes the coating soft and the shrimp rubbery.
- Go low-carb by skipping the breading and grilling or sautéing the shrimp, then tossing in sauce.
- Try it with popcorn chicken or cauliflower florets for a meat-free twist.
- Want extra crunch? Add panko breadcrumbs to your dredging mix.
Taste What’s Next
Cheesy One Pot Beef and Potatoes
Tater Tot Breakfast Bowl with Sausage Gravy
Easy Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls
Looking for more delicious bites?
You Can Dig Deeper Recipes by clicking this: Appetizer, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Desserts.
Storage & Reheating
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 5 minutes or in the oven for 10 minutes until crispy again.
- Freezing: Freeze cooked, un-sauced shrimp for up to 1 month. Reheat from frozen in the oven or air fryer.
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Frying pan or deep fryer
- Tongs
- Cooling rack
- Paper towels or wire rack
FAQs
What is Bang Bang Shrimp made of? Bang Bang Shrimp is made of breaded, fried shrimp tossed in a creamy sauce made from mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha.
Can I make Bang Bang Shrimp in the air fryer? Absolutely! Coat the shrimp as directed and air fry at 390°F for 10 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
What does Bang Bang Shrimp taste like? It tastes crispy, creamy, spicy, and slightly sweet—all in one bite. The sauce really brings it to life.
Is Bang Bang Shrimp spicy? It has a mild-to-medium heat depending on how much sriracha you use. You can always adjust it to your preference.
Can I use frozen shrimp? Yes, just thaw completely and pat dry before breading and frying.
External Resources
Conclusion
If you’re anything like me, you’ll end up sneaking bites straight off the plate before it even hits the table. Bang Bang Shrimp brings the heat, the crunch, and the creamy goodness—all in one dish that’s easier than it looks. It’s the perfect dish when you want to impress guests or just treat yourself (because let’s be honest, you deserve it).
So go ahead — snap a photo and post it online! Don’t forget to tag me! I want to see your cooking success. Happy cooking!
