Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe – Crispy Shrimp with Creamy Sweet Chili Sauce
Bang Bang Shrimp is a delicious, restaurant-style seafood dish featuring golden, crispy shrimp coated in a creamy, sweet, and spicy chili sauce. Every bite combines a crunchy exterior, tender shrimp, and an irresistible sauce made with mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and honey.
This easy homemade Bang Bang Shrimp recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, family dinners, parties, or appetizers. With simple ingredients and approximately 25 minutes of preparation and cooking, you can create a flavorful seafood dish that tastes like something from your favorite restaurant.
Served over crisp shredded iceberg lettuce and finished with sesame seeds and fresh green onions, these shrimp are as beautiful as they are delicious.
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
8–10 minutes
Total Time
25 minutes
Servings
3–4
Why You’ll Love This Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe
There are plenty of reasons why Bang Bang Shrimp has become such a popular seafood dish.
First, the shrimp develop a delicious crispy coating thanks to cornstarch, which creates a light, crunchy exterior without requiring a complicated breading process.
Second, the homemade Bang Bang sauce delivers a wonderful combination of creamy, sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors.
The mayonnaise creates a smooth base, sweet chili sauce adds sweetness, sriracha provides heat, and honey balances everything beautifully.
Finally, this recipe is incredibly versatile. You can serve Bang Bang Shrimp as an appetizer, over rice, inside tacos, or as a main course with fresh vegetables.
Ingredients for Bang Bang Shrimp
For the Crispy Shrimp
12 jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined (approximately 1 pound)
½ cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ cup vegetable oil, for shallow frying
For the Homemade Bang Bang Sauce
⅓ cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
1 tablespoon sriracha sauce, adjusted to taste
1 teaspoon honey
For Serving and Garnishing
2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
2 green onions, thinly sliced
Extra Bang Bang sauce, optional
How to Make Bang Bang Shrimp
Follow these simple steps to make crispy, flavorful shrimp with a creamy sweet chili sauce.
Step 1: Prepare the Shrimp
Pat the peeled and deveined shrimp thoroughly dry using paper towels.
Removing excess moisture is important because it helps the cornstarch coating adhere properly and become crispy during frying.
Step 2: Season and Coat the Shrimp
In a medium bowl, combine the cornstarch, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
Add the shrimp and toss gently until every piece is evenly coated.
Shake off any excess cornstarch before frying.
Step 3: Heat the Oil
Pour the vegetable oil into a large skillet and heat over medium-high heat.
The oil should be hot enough to sizzle when a small amount of coating is added, but it should not be smoking.
Step 4: Fry the Shrimp
Carefully arrange the coated shrimp in a single layer in the hot skillet.
Cook for approximately 2 minutes per side, or until the shrimp are golden, crispy, and fully cooked.
Work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan.
The shrimp should reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
Step 5: Drain the Shrimp
Transfer the cooked shrimp to a plate lined with paper towels or a wire rack.
Allow any excess oil to drain while you prepare the sauce.
Step 6: Prepare the Bang Bang Sauce
In a small mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and honey.
Whisk until the sauce becomes smooth, creamy, and evenly blended.
Taste and adjust the sriracha according to your preferred spice level.
Step 7: Coat the Shrimp
Place the warm, crispy shrimp in a large bowl.
Add enough Bang Bang sauce to lightly coat each piece.
Toss gently to avoid damaging the crispy coating.
Step 8: Prepare the Serving Plate
Spread the shredded iceberg lettuce evenly across a large serving platter or individual bowls.
The lettuce creates a refreshing, crunchy base that balances the rich sauce.
Step 9: Add the Shrimp
Arrange the sauce-coated shrimp over the shredded lettuce.
For an attractive restaurant-style presentation, pile the shrimp slightly toward the center of the plate.
Step 10: Garnish and Serve
Drizzle a little extra Bang Bang sauce over the shrimp.
Sprinkle with sesame seeds and freshly sliced green onions.
Serve immediately while the shrimp are warm and crispy.
What Is Bang Bang Shrimp?
Bang Bang Shrimp is a popular seafood appetizer made with crispy fried shrimp coated in a creamy sweet-and-spicy sauce.
The sauce typically combines mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and a spicy ingredient such as sriracha.
The result is a delicious balance of flavors that complements the natural sweetness of shrimp.
Bang Bang Shrimp is especially popular in American seafood restaurants, but it’s surprisingly easy to prepare at home.
The Secret to Extra Crispy Bang Bang Shrimp
The most important part of this recipe is achieving a crispy coating that stays crunchy even after adding the sauce.
Use cornstarch instead of regular flour. Cornstarch creates a lighter, crispier exterior that works beautifully with shrimp.
Dry the shrimp thoroughly. Excess moisture can cause the coating to become soggy and may lead to oil splattering during frying.
Make sure the oil is hot. If the oil is too cool, the shrimp can absorb excess oil instead of developing a crispy exterior.
Avoid overcrowding the skillet. Frying too many shrimp at once lowers the oil temperature and can prevent proper browning.
Add the sauce just before serving. The longer the shrimp sit in the sauce, the softer the crispy coating becomes.
For maximum crunch, you can also serve the sauce on the side for dipping.
How to Make the Best Homemade Bang Bang Sauce
The creamy sauce is what makes this recipe truly special.
Mayonnaise provides a rich, smooth texture, while sweet chili sauce adds sweetness and a mild tang.
Sriracha brings heat and a subtle garlic flavor, and honey adds an extra layer of sweetness.
For a milder sauce, reduce the sriracha to 1 teaspoon.
For a spicier version, add another teaspoon of sriracha or a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.
You can also add a small squeeze of fresh lime juice for a brighter flavor.
Can I Make Bang Bang Shrimp in an Air Fryer?
Yes. Bang Bang Shrimp can also be prepared in an air fryer, although the coating will have a different texture from shallow-fried shrimp.
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
Lightly spray the coated shrimp with cooking oil and arrange them in a single layer.
Air-fry for approximately 6–9 minutes, turning halfway through, until cooked through and lightly crispy.
Toss with the prepared Bang Bang sauce immediately before serving.
Can I Bake Bang Bang Shrimp Instead of Frying?
Absolutely.
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
Arrange the cornstarch-coated shrimp in a single layer and lightly spray them with cooking oil.
Bake for approximately 10–12 minutes, turning halfway through, until fully cooked.
Keep in mind that baked shrimp may not develop the same crunchy texture as fried shrimp.
What to Serve with Bang Bang Shrimp
Bang Bang Shrimp is delicious on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with a variety of side dishes.
Steamed jasmine rice
Fried rice
Garlic butter noodles
Fresh cucumber salad
Asian-inspired coleslaw
Roasted broccoli
Crispy French fries
Lettuce wraps
Warm tortillas for shrimp tacos
For a complete dinner, serve the shrimp over rice with fresh vegetables and extra Bang Bang sauce.
Delicious Bang Bang Shrimp Variations
Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos
Fill warm tortillas with crispy shrimp, shredded cabbage, avocado, and extra Bang Bang sauce.
Finish with fresh lime juice and chopped cilantro.
Bang Bang Shrimp Rice Bowls
Serve the shrimp over steamed rice with sliced cucumber, shredded carrots, avocado, and green onions.
Drizzle the creamy sauce over everything.
Bang Bang Shrimp Lettuce Wraps
Spoon the shrimp into crisp lettuce leaves and garnish with sesame seeds, green onions, and a little extra sauce.
This version is fresh, crunchy, and perfect for a lighter meal.
Extra Spicy Bang Bang Shrimp
Increase the sriracha and add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili flakes to the sauce.
Can I Use Frozen Shrimp?
Yes. Frozen shrimp works well for this recipe.
Thaw the shrimp completely in the refrigerator before cooking.
Once thawed, drain any excess liquid and pat the shrimp thoroughly dry.
Removing moisture is especially important when using cornstarch because wet shrimp can develop a gummy coating.
Can I Prepare Bang Bang Shrimp Ahead of Time?
You can prepare the sauce up to 2–3 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
The shrimp can also be peeled, deveined, and refrigerated until ready to cook.
For the best results, coat and fry the shrimp shortly before serving.
Avoid mixing the cooked shrimp with the sauce too far in advance, as the coating will gradually lose its crispiness.
How to Store Leftover Bang Bang Shrimp
Store leftover cooked shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2–3 days.
If possible, keep the sauce and shrimp separate.
To reheat, arrange the shrimp on a baking tray and warm in the oven at approximately 350°F (175°C) until heated through.
An air fryer can also help restore some of the crispy texture.
Avoid overheating because shrimp can quickly become rubbery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bang Bang Shrimp spicy?
Bang Bang Shrimp has a mild to moderate spicy flavor. You can easily adjust the heat by increasing or reducing the sriracha.
What makes Bang Bang Shrimp crispy?
The cornstarch coating and hot cooking oil help create a light, crunchy exterior.
Can I use smaller shrimp?
Yes. Medium or large shrimp can be used, but they may require less cooking time than jumbo shrimp.
Can I make Bang Bang Shrimp without mayonnaise?
You can substitute plain Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier sauce, although the flavor and texture will differ.
Can I use regular flour instead of cornstarch?
Yes, but the coating may be heavier and less crispy.
Why is my Bang Bang Shrimp soggy?
The most common causes are excess moisture, oil that isn’t hot enough, overcrowding the skillet, or adding the sauce too early.
Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
Yes. Store the sauce in a sealed container in the refrigerator and stir before serving.
Final Thoughts
Bang Bang Shrimp is an irresistible seafood recipe that combines crispy golden shrimp with a creamy, sweet, and spicy chili sauce.
With its crunchy coating, flavorful homemade sauce, fresh lettuce, sesame seeds, and green onions, this dish offers a delicious restaurant-style experience at home.
Whether you’re preparing a quick family dinner, hosting a party, or looking for an impressive seafood appetizer, this easy Bang Bang Shrimp recipe is sure to become a favorite.
Best of all, it takes approximately 25 minutes to prepare, making it a fantastic option whenever you’re craving something crispy, flavorful, and satisfying.