Make crispy, spicy Bang Bang Shrimp at home with this easy recipe. Better than takeout, it's a flavor-packed dish you'll love!
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Hey Guys! I’m super excited to share one of my all-time favorite recipes — Bang Bang Shrimp! If you’ve been following me for a while, you know that I’m all about making delicious food that's easy, fun, and packs a punch of flavor. And this dish? It’s a game-changer!
I’m talking about those crispy shrimp coated in a creamy, sweet, and spicy sauce. Every bite is a flavor explosion! It’s the perfect balance of sweet and spicy, with that crispy texture that just hits differently.
And the best part? You don’t have to go to a restaurant to enjoy it — you can make it right at home!
What is Bang Bang Shrimp?
If you’ve ever had this dish at a restaurant, you know exactly why it’s so special. It’s that perfect combo of crispy shrimp, creamy sauce, and just the right amount of spicy kick that makes each bite feel like a little flavor explosion in your mouth.
I mean, who doesn’t love shrimp that’s fried to crispy perfection, right? But what really makes Bang Bang Shrimp stand out is the Bang Bang sauce. It’s this super creamy sauce made with mayo, sweet chili sauce, and a touch of sriracha for some heat.
The magic happens when the shrimp get tossed in that sauce — the shrimp absorb all that creamy, sweet, and spicy goodness, and it’s honestly irresistible!
This dish originally comes from Bonefish Grill, but trust me, you don’t have to go out to get your hands on it. You can make this right at home, and it’s just as tasty (if not better ?).
Whether you’re serving it as a fun appetizer, over a bed of rice, or even in tacos, Bang Bang Shrimp is one of those dishes that will always leave you craving more.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Shrimp
- Large shrimp, peeled and deveined (400g ): I always go for large shrimp because they get that perfect crispy bite and hold up well when frying. Plus, they taste amazing when tossed in the sauce!
For the Wet Batter
- Buttermilk (1 cup ): This helps keep the shrimp nice and tender, and we all know the magic of buttermilk, right?
- Sriracha (½ tablespoon ): Just a little heat to get the flavor going and to make the Bang Bang sauce pop!
For the Dry Batter
- Cornstarch (1 cup ): This is the secret to making the shrimp super crispy. Trust me, cornstarch is the way to go!
- garlic powder (2 teaspoon ): A bit of garlic to give that savory kick.
- onion powder (1 teaspoon ): The onion powder brings a little depth to the coating.
- MSG or salt (½ teaspoon ): If you haven’t tried MSG, it’s a total flavor booster, but salt works just as well.
- vegetable oil (4 cups ): You’ll need plenty of oil for frying so the shrimp get that perfect golden color.
For the Bang Bang Sauce
- Mayo (½ cup): The creamy base that holds the whole sauce together.
- Thai sweet chili sauce (¼ cup + 1 tbsp): This gives the sauce its sweetness and depth.
- sriracha or chili sauce (4 tbsp): Adjust this based on how spicy you like it! More sriracha = more heat. You know I love it spicy!
- lemon juice (1 tbsp): A little acidity to balance out all the richness.
For Garnish
- Chives or green onions: I love how fresh these make the dish look and taste!
- Chili oil (optional): This is a game-changer for a bit of extra heat and shine. Totally optional but worth it if you love that added spice!
How to Make Bang Bang Shrimp: Complete Recipe
Prep the Shrimp
- First things first — you need to get that shrimp marinated! In a bowl, mix the buttermilk and sriracha together. Toss in your shrimp and let them soak in the goodness for about 20 minutes. This helps the shrimp stay juicy and tender!
Make the Bang Bang Sauce
- While your shrimp is soaking, let’s work on the sauce! In a small bowl, combine mayo, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and lemon juice. Stir it up until it’s nice and smooth. Set it aside and try not to eat it straight from the bowl (I know it's tempting ?).
Prepare the Dry Batter
- In another bowl, whisk together cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt (or MSG). This will be the crispy coating that gives the shrimp that perfect crunch!
Coat the Shrimp
- Once the shrimp is done marinating, take them out and shake off the excess buttermilk. Then, coat them in the dry batter mix, making sure they’re fully covered. The key here is to shake off any extra batter — we want that light, crispy coating!
Fry the Shrimp
- Heat the vegetable oil in a pot over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot (around 375°F), carefully drop the shrimp in and fry them for about 4 minutes, or until they’re golden brown and crispy. Don’t overcrowd the pot — fry them in batches if you need to. Once fried, set them aside on paper towels to let the excess oil drain.
Toss in the Sauce
- Now comes the fun part — tossing those crispy shrimp in the Bang Bang sauce! Grab a large bowl and gently coat the shrimp with the sauce, making sure every piece is nicely coated.
Garnish and Serve
- Serve the Bang Bang Shrimp over hot steamed rice. Top with some chives or green onions for that fresh pop of color. If you’re like me and love an extra kick, drizzle a little chili oil on top. It’s optional, but it takes the dish to the next level!
Enjoy your Bang Bang Shrimp — crispy, creamy, spicy, and totally irresistible!
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yep, you can! Just make sure to thaw them completely and pat them dry to get rid of any excess moisture. Wet shrimp won’t get crispy, so drying them off is super important!
Can I make this recipe in advance?
While Bang Bang Shrimp is best enjoyed fresh and crispy, you can definitely make the Bang Bang sauce ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. But for the shrimp, I recommend frying them just before serving to keep that crispy texture.
How do I store leftovers?
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. If you’re reheating, try using an air fryer or the oven to keep the shrimp crispy. The microwave will make them soggy, so I’d avoid it if you can!
Can I make this dish gluten-free?
Yes! You can use rice flour or potato starch instead of cornstarch to make it gluten-free. Just make sure to check the ingredients on your sauces to ensure they’re gluten-free too.
Can I adjust the spice level?
Absolutely! I love sriracha, but you can always reduce the amount or even use a milder hot sauce if you’re not a fan of too much heat. Or, if you're like me and enjoy a fiery dish, you can add even more sriracha to get the heat just right!
Can I make Bang Bang Shrimp without frying?
Absolutely! If you prefer a lighter version, you can air-fry the shrimp or bake them in the oven. The key is to get them crispy, so air frying at 400°F for about 7-8 minutes works great, and baking at 425°F for 12-15 minutes will give you a crispy finish too.
What can I serve with Bang Bang Shrimp?
Bang Bang Shrimp pairs perfectly with steamed white rice, fried rice, or a fresh salad. You can also serve it in tacos for a fun twist or enjoy it with crispy veggies on the side. It's super versatile, so you can get creative!
Can I make the Bang Bang sauce ahead of time?
Yes! The Bang Bang sauce can be made up to 3 days ahead of time. Simply store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Just give it a little stir before tossing it with the shrimp when you're ready to serve.
How do I keep the shrimp crispy after frying?
To keep the shrimp crispy, avoid stacking them on top of each other after frying. Place them on a wire rack instead of a paper towel to allow air circulation. This way, the coating stays nice and crispy.
What type of shrimp is best for this recipe?
I recommend using large shrimp for this recipe, as they hold up better to the frying process and give you a nice bite. Make sure they’re peeled and deveined for the best texture and flavor. You can use medium shrimp if that's all you have, but large shrimp really take this dish to the next level!
Can I use a different sauce instead of sweet chili sauce?
You can substitute sweet chili sauce with honey or maple syrup if you prefer a different sweetness. However, the sweet chili sauce gives it that signature sweet-spicy flavor that makes Bang Bang Shrimp so unique.
Final Remarks: Why You’ll Love This Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe
Honestly, this recipe is one of my favorites because it’s so easy, crispy, and absolutely packed with flavor. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, your family, or having friends over, this Bang Bang Shrimp will always steal the show. You can even make it healthier by swapping out the oil for air-frying or baking if you’re looking to cut down on the calories.
If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turns out! Make sure to share your pictures with me on social media. I’m always so excited to see your amazing recreations of my dishes! Tag me using @geniuseatss, so i can see your creations!
PrintBang Bang Shrimp Recipe: Better Than Takeout
Make crispy, spicy Bang Bang Shrimp at home with this easy recipe. Better than takeout, it's a flavor-packed dish you'll love!
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 3 servings 1x
- Category: appetizer
- Method: Easy
- Cuisine: Asian-American cuisine
Ingredients
Shrimp
- 400g of large shrimp, peeled and deveined
Wet batter
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ tbsp of sriracha
Dry batter
- 1 cup of cornstarch
- 2 tsp of garlic powder
- 1 tsp of onion powder
- ½ tsp of msg / salt
- 4 cups of vegetable oil or more for frying
Bang Bang sauce
- ½ cup of mayo
- ¼ cup + 1 tbsp of Thai sweet chili sauce
- 4 tbsp of sriracha or chili sauce
- 1 tbsp of lemon juice
Garnish
- Chives
- Chili oil
Instructions
- In a bowl, add buttermilk, sriracha and shrimps. Mix until the shrimps are evenly coated and set it aside for 20 minutes.
- In a bowl, combine mayo, Thai sweet chili sauce, sriracha and lemon juice. Set aside.
- For the dry batter, combine cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder and salt.
- Remove the shrimps from the buttermilk and shake off the excess. Coat it in cornstarch mixture and shake off any excess.
- Heat a pot of oil over medium-high heat. Fry the shrimps for 4 minuted or until golden brown and crispy. Set it aside and let it cooldown.
- Toss fried shrimps with the sauce, serve with hot steamed rice and garnish with green onion or chives. Enjoy!
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