Easy Bang Bang Shrimp

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Easy Bang Bang Shrimp

Crispy, tender shrimp coated in a creamy, spicy-sweet sauce—Bang Bang Shrimp is the ultimate appetizer or weeknight dinner. This homemade version is easy to prepare, requiring just a few simple ingredients, and it’s even better than the restaurant version.

Ingredients

Shrimp & Frying

  • 1 pound medium shrimp (31/40 count), peeled and deveined
  • Vegetable shortening, for frying (or use peanut oil, avocado oil, or other neutral oil)

Bang Bang Sauce

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup Thai sweet chili sauce
  • 3 tsp sriracha (adjust to taste)

Breading

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (or rice flour for extra crispiness)
  • ½ cup cornstarch
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp onion powder
  • 2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Prepare the Sauce

In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, and sriracha until smooth. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. Adjust sriracha according to your preferred level of heat.

2. Set Up the Breading Stations

  • In a bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Divide into two separate bowls.
  • In a third bowl, mix buttermilk with salt and pepper.

3. Heat the Oil

Pour vegetable shortening into a deep, heavy-bottomed pot (about 2 inches deep). Heat over medium to medium-low until the oil reaches 300–325°F. Monitor carefully—too hot and the shrimp will burn, too cool and they will absorb excess oil.

4. Bread the Shrimp

Working in small batches:

  1. Lightly toss the shrimp in the first bowl of flour mixture.
  2. Dip shrimp into the buttermilk mixture, letting it soak for 2–3 minutes.
  3. Coat shrimp in the second bowl of flour mixture, pressing lightly to ensure a good coating.

5. Fry the Shrimp

Carefully place 5–6 shrimp at a time into the hot oil. Fry for 1–1½ minutes, until golden and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Repeat with remaining shrimp.

6. Toss and Serve

Place the cooked shrimp in a medium bowl and toss with the prepared Bang Bang sauce. Serve immediately, with extra sauce on the side for dipping.

Tips for Perfect Crispy Shrimp

  • Avoid overcrowding the pan to keep the oil temperature steady.
  • If you prefer less spice, reduce the sriracha; add more for extra heat.
  • This recipe also works with 1-inch chunks of chicken for Bang Bang Chicken.

Serving Suggestions

  • Serve over white or cilantro-lime rice for a complete meal.
  • Use as a filling for tacos or lettuce wraps.
  • Pair with an Asian-style slaw or sautéed vegetables for added crunch.

Storing Leftovers

  • Store cooked shrimp in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
  • Sauce can be kept for up to 5 days.
  • Reheat in a 400°F oven for 4–5 minutes to restore crispiness.

 

 

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