Bang Bang Shrimp 🍤
Okayyyy so this was a fun one
🛒 Ingredients
Shrimp
• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled & deveined
• ½ cup buttermilk
• ½ cup cornstarch
• ¼ cup flour
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp paprika
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• Oil for frying
Bang Bang Sauce
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• ½ cup sweet chili sauce
• 1–2 tbsp sriracha (to taste)
• 1 tbsp honey (optional but 🔥)
👩🍳 Step-by-Step
1️⃣ Marinate
Put shrimp in a bowl with buttermilk. Let sit 10–15 minutes. This helps the coating stick and keeps shrimp juicy.
2️⃣ Make Coating
In another bowl mix:
cornstarch + flour + garlic powder + paprika + salt + pepper.
3️⃣ Heat Oil
Heat oil to 350°F (medium-high). Shrimp cook fast, so don’t go too hot.
4️⃣ Coat Shrimp
Take shrimp from buttermilk → dredge in dry mix → press coating on well.
5️⃣ Fry
Fry in batches 2–3 minutes until golden and crispy.
Remove to paper towel.
🥣 Make the Sauce
Whisk mayo + sweet chili sauce + sriracha + honey until smooth.
💥 The Magic Step
Toss hot crispy shrimp in just enough sauce to coat — don’t drown them or they lose crunch!
🌿 Optional Garnish
• Chopped green onions
• Sesame seeds
• Serve over shredded lettuce (restaurant style)
🔥 Air Fryer Option
• Spray coated shrimp with oil
• Air fry 400°F for 8–10 min, flipping halfway
Making Bang Bang Shrimp at home is such a rewarding experience, especially when you get that perfect balance of crunchy coating and spicy, creamy sauce. When I first tried this recipe, I found that marinating the shrimp in buttermilk really helped keep them juicy and helped the coating stick better during frying. One tip I picked up over time is controlling the oil temperature carefully. I aim for around 350°F because shrimp cook so fast, frying them too hot can burn the coating before the inside cooks through. Also, frying in small batches ensures they stay crispy and golden without crowding the pan. The sauce is definitely the star here. Mixing mayonnaise with sweet chili sauce and sriracha gives it that sweet-heat combo that's addictive. Adding honey is optional but highly recommended for a hint of extra sweetness that melts the spice just right. I also love tossing the shrimp in just enough sauce to coat them lightly; this keeps the crunch intact instead of soggy shrimp. Serving them over shredded lettuce and garnishing with chopped green onions and sesame seeds gives a fresh, restaurant-style finish. For a healthier twist, the air fryer method is a game-changer. Spraying the coated shrimp lightly with oil before air frying at 400°F for about 8-10 minutes (flip halfway) yields crispy shrimp without deep frying. It’s quicker and less messy! Overall, this recipe is super versatile and can be adjusted. You can tweak the heat level by varying the sriracha amount, and it suits any occasion—whether game day snacks, dinner with friends, or a fun family meal. Enjoy experimenting with it and make it your own!
Bang bang shrimp is so good. Crispy, creamy, and that sweet spicy sauce really makes it stand out.