Bang Bang Shrimp

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The Bang Bang Shrimp is a sensational dish that delivers the perfect balance of heat and sweetness. Each shrimp is fried to golden perfection, then smothered in a creamy, spicy, and tangy sauce that keeps you coming back for more.

It’s a crowd-pleasing appetizer or satisfying main course that feels like restaurant-quality but is easy to whip up at home. Whether served on a bed of greens, over rice, or in tacos, this dish is as versatile as it is delicious. Make it once, and it might just become a weekly craving!

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

1 lb shrimp (peeled, deveined, tails off)
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp paprika
Oil for frying

Bang Bang Sauce:

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
1 tbsp sriracha (adjust to taste)
1 tbsp honey
1 tsp rice vinegar

Directions:

In a medium bowl, marinate the cleaned shrimp in buttermilk for 10–15 minutes.
In another bowl, whisk together cornstarch, flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
Heat oil in a deep pan over medium-high heat.
Dredge each shrimp in the dry flour mixture, ensuring even coating.
Carefully fry the shrimp in batches for 2–3 minutes per side or until golden and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels.
In a small bowl, mix all sauce ingredients until smooth.
Toss the crispy shrimp in the sauce right before serving to keep them crunchy.
Serve hot, optionally garnished with green onions or sesame seeds.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes
Kcal: 390 kcal | Servings: 4 servings

Everything You Need to Know About Bang Bang Shrimp

Bang Bang Shrimp is the kind of recipe that turns heads and satisfies cravings. It’s famous for its bold, zesty flavors, crispy fried texture, and creamy, spicy sauce that creates a beautiful balance of heat and sweetness. If you’ve ever tried this dish at a restaurant like Bonefish Grill, you know exactly why it’s so irresistible. But the good news? You can easily make it right at home – and it might even turn out better than the restaurant version.

This dish has made its way into the hearts (and stomachs) of food lovers all over the world. With its crispy texture, bold flavor, and easy prep time, it’s perfect for weeknight dinners, parties, or anytime you want to enjoy a fast yet fancy seafood meal. In this post, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about Bang Bang Shrimp: where it comes from, why it’s so popular, how to serve it, the best ways to store it, and how to tweak it to suit your taste or dietary needs.

Origins of Bang Bang Shrimp

While the exact origins of Bang Bang Shrimp are a bit of a mystery, the dish was made famous by Bonefish Grill – a popular American seafood restaurant. Their version featured fried shrimp tossed in a creamy, spicy mayo-based sauce, served over a bed of lettuce or in tacos. The flavor profile was influenced by Asian cuisine, especially Thai and Korean flavors, with ingredients like sriracha, chili sauce, and rice vinegar bringing a punch of heat and tang.

What really sets Bang Bang Shrimp apart is the balance of flavor: the sweetness of the chili sauce, the richness of the mayo, the slight tang of vinegar, and the heat from sriracha or hot sauce. When this creamy sauce coats crispy, juicy shrimp, the result is a mouthwatering dish that hits all the right notes.

Why You’ll Love This Dish

There’s a reason this recipe is a hit. Here are just a few reasons why home cooks and shrimp lovers can’t get enough of Bang Bang Shrimp:

Easy to Make: You don’t need a deep fryer or fancy tools. Just a skillet, some oil, and a few pantry staples.
Fast Cooking Time: The shrimp cook quickly, and the sauce comes together in minutes. It’s a perfect last-minute dinner or appetizer.
Versatile: Serve it as an appetizer, over rice, in tacos, or on a salad. It fits any meal.
Customizable: Adjust the sauce to your preferred spice level. Use Greek yogurt instead of mayo for a lighter version or air fry the shrimp instead of deep frying.
Restaurant-Quality at Home: This dish delivers a gourmet taste without requiring a culinary degree or hours in the kitchen.

What to Serve with Bang Bang Shrimp

Because Bang Bang Shrimp is so flavorful, it pairs well with simple, light side dishes that won’t compete with its bold sauce. Here are some great serving ideas:

On a Bed of Greens: Serve the shrimp over crisp lettuce or mixed greens to balance the richness of the sauce.
With White or Jasmine Rice: A classic choice that soaks up the sauce beautifully.
Tucked into Tacos: Use small tortillas and add shredded cabbage, cilantro, and a drizzle of extra sauce.
In a Rice Bowl: Add steamed rice, edamame, cucumber, shredded carrots, and avocado for a quick poke-style bowl.
As a Slider or Wrap: Add the shrimp into a soft slider bun or lettuce wrap for a party-friendly option.

Tips for the Best Bang Bang Shrimp

To make sure your Bang Bang Shrimp turns out perfectly every time, follow these tried-and-true tips:

Dry the Shrimp Thoroughly: Pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel before marinating. This helps the coating stick better and results in a crispier finish.
Use Fresh or Thawed Shrimp: Frozen shrimp is fine, but make sure it’s completely thawed and well-drained before cooking.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Fry the shrimp in batches to ensure they get crispy and don’t steam.
Toss in Sauce Just Before Serving: To keep the shrimp crunchy, don’t sauce them until it’s time to eat.
Make Extra Sauce: It’s so good, you’ll want to drizzle it over rice, veggies, or use it as a dip.

Storage and Reheating

Although Bang Bang Shrimp is best served fresh and crispy, you can store leftovers and still enjoy them later with a few adjustments.

Refrigeration: Store any leftover shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Reheating: Reheat the shrimp in an air fryer or oven at 375°F (190°C) for 5–6 minutes to restore some crispiness. Avoid microwaving, which makes the coating soggy.
Sauce Storage: The sauce can be made ahead and stored in the fridge in a sealed jar for up to 1 week. Just give it a good stir before using.

Substitutions and Dietary Options

Whether you’re catering to food allergies, watching calories, or simply out of an ingredient, Bang Bang Shrimp is a flexible recipe. Here are some substitutions and variations you can try:

Dairy-Free: Use dairy-free mayo and plant-based buttermilk substitutes (like almond milk + lemon juice).
Low-Carb/Keto: Use almond flour or crushed pork rinds instead of all-purpose flour and cornstarch.
Baked or Air Fried: Bake the coated shrimp at 400°F (204°C) for 12–15 minutes, or air fry them at 390°F (199°C) for about 10 minutes.
Vegetarian Version: Substitute shrimp with cauliflower florets or tofu cubes for a delicious meat-free alternative.
Spice Level: If you’re sensitive to spice, reduce the sriracha or add a little more honey. If you want more heat, toss in some chili flakes or extra hot sauce.

Make-Ahead Instructions

You can prepare parts of this recipe ahead of time, which is perfect if you’re planning to serve it at a party or for dinner guests.

Sauce: Make the sauce 1–2 days in advance and store it in the fridge.
Shrimp Prep: Marinate the shrimp in buttermilk and keep them chilled for a few hours ahead of time.
Dry Mix: Pre-mix your flour and seasoning blend and keep it in a sealed container on the counter for quick coating.

When it’s time to cook, all you’ll need to do is dredge and fry the shrimp, toss in the sauce, and serve.

Great for Parties and Entertaining

Bang Bang Shrimp is an excellent party appetizer or game-day snack. It’s finger-food friendly, crowd-pleasing, and looks beautiful on a platter. Add toothpicks for easy serving, and consider offering a side of extra sauce for dipping. You can even make a shrimp bar with tacos, sliders, or rice bowls where guests can customize their servings. For larger gatherings, double or triple the recipe – just keep batches warm in the oven at 200°F (93°C) until ready to serve.

A Crowd-Favorite Dish That’s Easier Than You Think

One of the best things about Bang Bang Shrimp is that you don’t need to be an experienced cook to pull it off. With minimal ingredients and a simple frying method, it’s one of those recipes that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort. And because the sauce is so versatile and addictively good, you’ll probably find yourself using it on other dishes too, think grilled chicken, roasted veggies, or even sandwiches.

Conclusion

Whether you’re making it as an appetizer, weeknight meal, or party snack, Bang Bang Shrimp is a guaranteed hit. It’s fast, easy, and bursting with flavor, the kind of dish that people talk about and request again. From its perfectly crispy coating to its sweet and spicy creamy sauce, every bite is pure comfort and indulgence.

Now that you know all the tips, tricks, and variations, you can confidently recreate this dish in your kitchen. It’s a restaurant favorite turned homemade her, one that deserves a spot in your regular recipe rotation.

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