January 8, 2024
Review RecipeBang Bang Shrimp
Table of Contents
Bang bang shrimp is one of those taste-filled recipes that appears on the menu at places like the Cheesecake Factory and Bonefish Grill. The great thing about this recipe is that you can easily make it at home as long as you have the right spicy sauce to add to those crispy shrimp to give it that bang bang flavor.
Bang Bang Shrimp Ingredients
PRO TIP:
You can use frozen shrimp as it is easy to have on hand in your freezer. To thaw the shrimp quickly, place them in a bowl of cold water for about 20 minutes.
Bang Bang shrimp is a classic Asian-inspired dish that packs a punch of flavor and crunch.
A restaurant copycat recipe, one of the best parts about making it at home is that you can adjust the level of heat to your preference.
For our bang bang shrimp recipe, you’ll need:
For The Bang Bang Sauce:
- ½ cup of mayonnaise
- ¼ cup of Thai sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon of chili garlic sauce
For The Batter:
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 cup of buttermilk
- ½ cup of all-purpose flour
- ½ cup of panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon of onion powder
- ½ teaspoon of garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon of paprika
For Frying:
- 1 pound of medium uncooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
- vegetable oil
How To Make A Buttermilk Substitute
You can make your own buttermilk using whole or 2% milk and lemon juice or distilled vinegar. For every 1 cup of milk, stir in 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar.
Substitutions And Additions
MAYO: you can switch the mayo for Greek yogurt if you prefer, the idea is to have something creamy to offset the tanginess of the other sauces.
CHILI GARLIC SAUCE: for a spicier version, swap this for some Sriracha sauce or another hot sauce – if you are brave enough!
How To Make This Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe
To make this delicious recipe, tender shrimp get coated in a batter, fried until crispy, then tossed in the signature sweet and tangy bang bang sauce. It’s one of those dishes that’s hard to resist.
STEP ONE: In a small bowl, add mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, and chili garlic sauce. Whisk to combine. Set aside.
PRO TIP:
Using a new jar of room temperature, unopened mayonnaise may make a noticeable positive difference in the flavor.
STEP TWO: In a separate medium mixing bowl, add the egg and buttermilk. Whisk to combine.
STEP THREE: In another separate mixing bowl, combine flour, panko bread crumbs, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika. Whisk to combine.
STEP FOUR: To bread the shrimp, dip each shrimp in the flour mixture, then dip the shrimp in the egg mixture, last, you’ll dip the shrimp back in the flour mixture. Repeat for all shrimp.
STEP FIVE: Place the coated shrimp on a plate and place them in the refrigerator for 20 to 30 minutes. This will help the breading set and stick to the shrimp as they are frying.
STEP SIX: In a deep-sided skillet, add vegetable oil until it covers around two inches of the bottom of the pan, then heat on medium heat until the temperature of the oil reaches 350°F.
STEP SEVEN: When the oil is ready, carefully place shrimp in the hot oil and fry shrimp for about 3 minutes total, turning halfway through the cooking process.
Remove the golden brown shrimp from the hot oil and place it on a plate lined with paper towels.
STEP EIGHT: When all of the shrimp are done cooking, place them in a large mixing bowl. Spoon ¼ cup of the sauce over the shrimp and toss to coat. Serve the remaining sauce with the shrimp.
How To Serve
Bang bang shrimp can be an appetizer, a starter, or even a main dish when served with pasta, noodles, fried rice, or dinner rolls.
This popular appetizer would also be delicious to serve to guests at a party. They would love this spicy and flavorful dish served alongside the dipping sauce.
From salad and coleslaw to potato sides and fried rice, there’s no limit to the delicious side dishes that can be paired with bang bang shrimp.
MORE SHRIMP RECIPES
While you are at it, whip up our bang bang chicken, too, for a different spin with the same tasty flavor.
If you have the urge to try more delicious shrimp dishes after making this recipe, why not try some simple spicy garlic shrimp? Or you could create something for a main meal with chicken and shrimp tacos.
Storing Bang Bang Shrimp
IN THE FRIDGE: If you have made more fried shrimp than you need to serve, the best way to store it is without the sauce on. Add the cooked shrimp to an airtight container once they are cooled, and store the sauce in another container for 3 to 4 days.
REHEATING: To reheat this saucy shrimp, pop it in the oven at 375°F for 10 minutes, turning halfway through, then drizzle with the sauce.
IN THE FREEZER: Bang bang shrimp can also be frozen in an airtight container for up to three months.
Bang bang shrimp is one of those copycat recipes you just have to try making at home. Combining crispy fried shrimp with a sweet-spicy sauce, this recipe will have everyone asking for seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fry only with oils that have a high smoking point. The smoking point is the temperature it takes for the oil to start to break down and smoke.
Once it smokes, it’s not good for frying. Good oils to use are peanut oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, corn oil, or vegetable oil. Olive oil, on the other hand, is not a good oil to fry in.
This copycat recipe can be frozen in an airtight container for up to three months.
Bang bang shrimp is coated in a spicy sauce, but you can adjust the spice level by adding less hot sauce when adding your ingredients to make the sauce.
More Recipes You’ll Love
- Crispy Honey Chicken
- Honey Garlic Chicken
- Chicken Fried Rice
- Egg Roll in a Bowl
- Shrimp Dip
- White Queso Dip
- Cheese Dip
- Cajun Shrimp
- Cajun Shrimp Pasta
- Jalapeno Popper Dip
- Air Fryer Garlic Bread
Bang Bang Shrimp
Ingredients
Sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup Thai sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce
Egg Mixture
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 cup buttermilk
Breading Mixture
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Frying
- 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
- vegetable oil
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl, add mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, and chili garlic sauce. Whisk to combine. Set aside.
- In a separate medium mixing bowl, add egg and buttermilk. Whisk to combine.
- In another separate mixing bowl combine flour, panko bread crumbs, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika. Whisk to combine.
- Dip each shrimp in the flour mixture, then dip the shrimp in the egg mixture, last you’ll dip the shrimp back in the flour mixture. Repeat for all shrimp.
- Place the coated shrimp on a plate and place them in the refrigerator for 20 to 30 minutes. This will help the breading stick to the shrimp as they are frying.
- In a skillet with deep sides add vegetable oil so it is 2 inches deep. Heat over medium heat until the oil is 350°F.
- When the oil is ready, carefully place shrimp in the hot oil and fry for about 3 minutes total, turning halfway through the cooking process. Remove golden brown shrimp from the hot oil and place on a paper towel-lined plate.
- When all of the shrimp is done cooking, place them in a large mixing bowl. Spoon ¼ cup of sauce over the shrimp, and toss to coat. Serve the remaining sauce with the shrimp.
Video
Notes
- You can use frozen shrimp as it is easy to have on hand in your freezer. To thaw the shrimp quickly, place them in a bowl of cold water for about 20 minutes.
- Using a new jar of room temperature, unopened mayonnaise may make a noticeable positive difference in the flavor.
- You can make your own buttermilk using whole or 2% milk and lemon juice or distilled vinegar. For every 1 cup of milk, stir in 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar.
Nutrition
Even More Easy Recipes
- Thai Noodles
- Bourbon Chicken
- Homemade Sweet and Sour Sauce
- Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta
- Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers
- Garlic Bread
- Stuffed Ziti Fritta
- Seafood Lasagna
Side Dish Recipes
- Honey Garlic Pork Chops
- easy chicken and dumpling recipe
- shepherd’s pie
- beef stew recipe
- recipe for taco spaghetti
- how to fry pork chops
- the best meatloaf recipe
- ground beef casserole recipes
- taco bake casserole
Comments
Gloria says
I love this! Way better than take out even. Very good recipe!
Tricia says
Can these be done in a air fryer?
Layne Kangas says
Possibly! I haven’t tried them like that, so I can’t speak for how best to adjust the recipe. Please let me know if you try it!
Laurie says
I made this for the first time with jumbo shrimp.
I had to make more of the flour bread crumbs and the sauce but it came out perfect!
So my first try was not as pretty as the picture however it was fabulous in flavor. I’ll work on presentation!
Ps I didn’t have any buttermilk so I substituted sour cream and thin it out as suggested on the internet.
I would make it again in a heartbeat!
Roni Sue says
Amazing recipe! Definitely tasted like a restaurant quality meal. I ate it over brown sticky rice.
Max says
Delicious! Easy to make at home with these instructions.
Sharon says
This recipe is awesome. The only thing I changed was air frying the shrimp. It worked perfectly!
North A says
Could these be baked instead of fried?
Layne Kangas says
Hi, North – I’m not sure, we haven’t tested that with this recipe! If you try it, please let me know! Enjoy!
Roxie says
Easy recipe and a new favorite for my family!!!!
Delicious !!!
Melissa says
Iโve made this before, and I want to make it tonight for my bf for Valentines Day, but Iโm trying to decide how to add it to pasta- should I make double the sauce? Thanks!
Layne Kangas says
Hi, Melissa – we’ve got you covered! Here’s our bang bang shrimp pasta, enjoy!!!
Shawn says
I had to adjust this recipe due to a time crunch and I ended up just using the spice mixture on peeled and deveined shrimp. Then I sautรฉed it in a cast iron pan with a bit of olive oil and butter. I served it with a baked potato and crusty Italian bread so my Italian husband could soak up all that yummy sauce. It was delicious and requested as a regular meal!