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Bang Bang Shrimp

By Samira Kazan

updated August 13, 2024

Bang Bang Shrimp - 1 Bang Bang Shrimp - 2 Bang Bang Shrimp - 3 Bang Bang Shrimp - 4

Perfectly crispy and tossed in a delicious sweet and spicy sauce, this bang bang shrimp is easy to make and certain to impress even the pickiest of eaters.

A close up of Bang Bang Shrimp - 5
  • What is Bang Bang Shrimp
  • Ingredients
  • How to make Bang Bang Shrimp
  • How to store
  • What goes with Bang Bang Shrimp
  • Other delicious shrimp recipes
  • Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe

What is Bang Bang Shrimp

Made up of crispy fried tender shrimp and tossed in a thick and creamy sauce, Bang Bang shrimp was created at Bonefish Grill in Florida. A staple of American seafood restaurants, the crispy texture of this breaded and fried shrimp and the creamy sauce have made it a popular appetizer.

Ingredients

Ingredients for bang bang shrimp - 6
  • Shrimp: Cleaned and deveined. Before cooking, shrimp will be a gray color and you can use different sizes depending on your preference. You can use frozen shrimp, but allow them to defrost completely and pat dry before using so no excess moisture gets into the breading.
  • Buttermilk: You can use store-bought or make your own – this is used to tenderize the shrimp.
  • Flour: All-purpose or plain.
  • Spices : Garlic powder, salt and black pepper
  • Vegetable Oil: Or any neutral cooking oil with a high smoking point for better frying (avocado, rapeseed, canola, etc.)
  • For the Sauce: Mayonnaise: Use store-bought or homemade , but I recommend full-fat mayo for the creamiest results. Sweet Chili Sauce Sriracha Sauce Rice Vinegar .

For exact measurements, check the printable recipe card below .

How to make Bang Bang Shrimp

Tenderize the Shrimp : In a large bowl, add the cleaned and deveined shrimp. Then, pour over the buttermilk. Cover and let sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to allow the shrimp to fully tenderize.

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Prepare the Dry Coating and the Sauce : In a separate shallow bowl, add the flour, garlic powder, salt, and pepper and mix well. Set aside. Make the Bang Bang Sauce in another bowl by adding the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and rice vinegar. Mix well using a fork or small whisk, then set the mixture aside.

steps for the sauce and the coating of bang bang shrimp - 8

Coat and Fry the Shrimp : In a large pan or wok, add the vegetable oil and preheat until warm – this will make for better frying. Then, using tongs or a fork, remove the shrimp from its bowl and coat it with the flour mix. Next, add to the hot oil and fry for 1-2 minutes on each side, removing any excess oil.

Don’t overcrowd the pan – it’ll lower the temperature of the oil. Fry the shrimp in batches for the best crispy bang bang shrimp.

steps to coat and fry shrimps - 9

Toss with the Sauce and Serve : Place your fried shrimp in a serving bowl, then pour the Bang Bang sauce over the top. Toss to completely coat. Garnish with fresh green onions and enjoy while the shrimp is still hot and perfectly crispy.

toss the shrimp in bang bang sauce - 10

How to store

In The Fridge: Allow the shrimp to cool completely before transferring the leftovers to an airtight container. It’ll keep in the fridge for 3-4 days.

To Reheat: You can reheat the shrimp in the microwave in 30-40 second bursts until the shellfish are completely warmed through. Alternatively, to bring back some of the original crispiness, transfer into the air fryer (or an oven) and cook for 3-5 minutes at 400ºF/200°C until warmed through.

I don’t recommend freezing this recipe as it can affect the texture of the dish.

What goes with Bang Bang Shrimp

Bang Bang Shrimp is great for appetizers or as a main course, and it gets even better with extra dipping sauce .

It pairs perfectly with a simple side dish like Instant pot jasmine rice or kimchi fried rice . Or add it to a vegetable stir fry or chili garlic noodles . Alternatively, top your favorite Asian-inspired salad with it – try it with this crunchy fresh salad .

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Other delicious shrimp recipes

  • Super Quick Air Fryer Shrimp
  • Shrimp Tempura
  • The Best Shrimp Cocktail
  • Garlic Butter Shrimp
  • Coconut Shrimp
  • Cajun Shrimp Pasta
  • Shrimp Fried Rice
  • Shrimp Stir Fry
  • Shrimp Alfredo
  • Shrimp fajitas

And if you’re firing up the grill this week, don’t miss my grilled shrimp skewers —quick, flavorful, and perfect for summer.

Equipment

  • Wok or a large frying pan

IngredientsUS CustomaryMetric1x2x3x

  • ▢ 1 lb shrimp peeled and deveined
  • ▢ 1 cup buttermilk
  • ▢ 1/2 cup flour
  • ▢ 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ▢ 1/2 tsp salt
  • ▢ 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • ▢ 1 cup vegetable oil for frying

Ingredients for bang bang sauce

  • ▢ 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • ▢ 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
  • ▢ 1/2 Tbsp sriracha hot chili sauce
  • ▢ 1 tsp rice vinegar

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, add the cleaned and deveined shrimp and pour over the buttermilk. Cover and let sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to allow the shrimp to fully tenderize.
  • Add the flour, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a shallow bowl and mix well. Set aside.
  • In another bowl, make the Bang Bang sauce. Add the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and rice vinegar. Mix well using a fork or small whisk, then set aside.
  • In a large pan or wok, add the vegetable oil and preheat until warm – this will make for better frying.
  • Using tongs or a fork, remove the shrimp from its bowl and coat it with the flour mix.
  • Add to the hot oil and fry for a couple of minutes on either side, removing any excess oil. Don’t overcrowd the pan – it’ll lower the temperature of the oil. Fry the shrimp in batches if needed.
  • Place the fried shrimp in a serving bowl, then pour the Bang Bang sauce over the top. Toss to completely coat. Garnish with fresh green onions and enjoy while the shrimp is still hot and perfectly crispy.

Video

Notes

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

A close up of Bang Bang Shrimp - 12

Bang Bang Shrimp

Equipment

  • Wok or a large frying pan

Ingredients

  • 1 lb shrimp peeled and deveined
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 cup vegetable oil for frying

Ingredients for bang bang sauce

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
  • 1/2 Tbsp sriracha hot chili sauce
  • 1 tsp rice vinegar

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, add the cleaned and deveined shrimp and pour over the buttermilk. Cover and let sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to allow the shrimp to fully tenderize.
  • Add the flour, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a shallow bowl and mix well. Set aside.
  • In another bowl, make the Bang Bang sauce. Add the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and rice vinegar. Mix well using a fork or small whisk, then set aside.
  • In a large pan or wok, add the vegetable oil and preheat until warm – this will make for better frying.
  • Using tongs or a fork, remove the shrimp from its bowl and coat it with the flour mix.
  • Add to the hot oil and fry for a couple of minutes on either side, removing any excess oil. Don’t overcrowd the pan – it’ll lower the temperature of the oil. Fry the shrimp in batches if needed.
  • Place the fried shrimp in a serving bowl, then pour the Bang Bang sauce over the top. Toss to completely coat. Garnish with fresh green onions and enjoy while the shrimp is still hot and perfectly crispy.

Video

Notes

Nutrition

Recipe on Alphafoodie: https://www.alphafoodie.com/bang-bang-shrimp/