Bang Bang Shrimp

Bang bang shrimp is a dish that has captured the hearts of seafood lovers everywhere. Its signature combination of crispy, golden fried shrimp coated in a creamy, spicy sauce makes it a standout appetizer, main course, or party favorite. This bang bang shrimp recipe brings together textures and flavors in perfect harmony crispy shrimp, tangy and slightly sweet sauce, and a kick of heat that excites the palate.

More Dinner Ideas

People love this dish because it offers the indulgence of fried shrimp with a flavor profile that is both familiar and bold. Each bite delivers crunch followed by a creamy, spicy coating that is utterly irresistible. This dish works for casual dinners, game day snacks, or upscale seafood evenings, offering versatility and crowd-pleasing appeal.

Bang bang shrimp also serves as a gateway to other shrimp dishes for a crowd or weeknight dinners with shrimp. It is easy to adapt, approachable for home cooks, and delivers a restaurant-quality experience at home.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This bang bang shrimp recipe excels for multiple reasons. First, the balance of flavors is meticulous. The sauce is tangy, slightly sweet, and has just the right level of heat to complement the fried shrimp. It enhances, rather than overwhelms, the natural sweetness of the shrimp.

Second, the texture is a joy. Crispy breading on the shrimp contrasts with the creamy sauce, creating a dynamic mouthfeel. This makes the dish engaging to eat and impressive for presentation.

Third, this recipe is highly adaptable. You can prepare easy homemade bang bang shrimp, use different breading techniques, or serve alongside grilled shrimp sides, coconut shrimp sides, or fried shrimp dinner ideas sides for complete meals.

Finally, it is approachable for home cooks. The instructions are clear, practical, and use readily available ingredients, so even a beginner can achieve professional results.

Preparation and Cooking Time, also Serving

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 10–12 minutes (frying)
Sauce Preparation: 5 minutes
Total Time: 30–35 minutes
Servings: 4 as a main dish, 6–8 as an appetizer

Ingredients

For the Shrimp

1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 large eggs, beaten
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
Vegetable oil for frying

For the Bang Bang Sauce

1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
1–2 tablespoons sriracha (adjust heat)
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon lime juice
Optional garnish: sliced green onions or chopped cilantro

Substitution Notes

Shrimp: Can use frozen shrimp, thawed completely before cooking.
Flour and cornstarch: Can substitute with gluten-free flour blend for GF version.
Mayonnaise: Greek yogurt can replace for a lighter sauce.
Sweet chili sauce: Can replace with a mix of honey and mild hot sauce.
Sriracha: Adjust for preferred spice level or replace with chili garlic sauce.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Shrimp

Pat shrimp dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This ensures the breading sticks properly and the shrimp fries evenly.

Step 2: Prepare the Breading Station

Set up three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. In the second bowl, beat the eggs. In the third bowl, place panko breadcrumbs. This setup allows for efficient dredging and consistent breading.

Step 3: Bread the Shrimp

Dredge each shrimp in the flour mixture, shake off excess, dip in beaten eggs, and coat with panko breadcrumbs. Press gently to ensure the breadcrumbs adhere. Proper breading ensures a crispy exterior that holds the bang bang sauce without becoming soggy.

Step 4: Fry the Shrimp

Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Once hot (about 350°F), fry shrimp in batches for 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Avoid overcrowding the pan, which can lower the oil temperature and result in less crispy shrimp. Drain on paper towels.

Step 5: Prepare the Bang Bang Sauce

While shrimp are frying, combine mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and lime juice in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth. Adjust sriracha for preferred heat. This sauce is creamy, slightly sweet, tangy, and spicy perfectly balanced to coat the crispy shrimp.

Step 6: Toss Shrimp in Sauce

Place fried shrimp in a large mixing bowl. Pour the bang bang sauce over the shrimp and toss gently until all pieces are evenly coated. Handle carefully to maintain crispiness while ensuring thorough coverage.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Transfer coated shrimp to a serving platter. Garnish with sliced green onions or chopped cilantro for freshness and visual appeal. Serve immediately for optimal crunch.

How to Serve

Bang bang shrimp is versatile for serving:

As an appetizer on a party platter or for game day shrimp recipes.
Over rice or quinoa for a complete dinner recipe with shrimp.
Alongside coconut shrimp sides, grilled shrimp sides, or simple salads.
With a wedge of lime or drizzle of extra sauce for enhanced presentation.
For a casual dinner, serve with steamed vegetables or noodles for a homemade shrimp stir-fry recipe idea.

Additional Tips

Use medium-high heat for frying to ensure crispy shrimp.
Avoid stacking shrimp after frying to prevent sogginess.
If making ahead, fry shrimp and store uncoated; toss with sauce just before serving.
For extra crunch, double-coat shrimp with flour-egg-panko sequence.
Use fresh shrimp for best flavor, though fully thawed frozen shrimp works fine.

Recipe Variations

Easy Homemade Bang Bang Shrimp: Use oven-baked shrimp instead of frying for a lighter version.
Whole Sha Bang Shrimp Recipe Easy: Add extra garlic and a touch of lemon zest to the sauce for a zesty twist.
Shrimp Stir-fry Recipe Ideas: Toss the coated shrimp into stir-fried vegetables with a light soy-sriracha sauce for a complete meal.
Coconut Shrimp Sides Variation: Combine panko and shredded coconut in breading for tropical flair.

Freezing and Storage

Cooked fried shrimp are best eaten fresh; texture may degrade if stored too long.
Store uncoated fried shrimp separately in an airtight container for up to 2 days in the refrigerator.
Store bang bang sauce in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Reheat uncoated fried shrimp in a 375°F oven for 5–7 minutes to restore crispness.
Do not freeze shrimp already coated in sauce as it will become soggy.

Nutritional Information (per serving, 6–7 shrimp)

Calories: 320 kcal
Fat: 20 g
Saturated Fat: 3 g
Carbohydrates: 18 g
Sugar: 5 g
Protein: 18 g
Sodium: 580 mg

Final Words

Bang bang shrimp is a dish that combines bold flavors, exciting textures, and effortless elegance, making it a true crowd-pleaser. Crispy, golden fried shrimp coated in a creamy, slightly spicy sauce creates a harmony of taste and crunch that feels indulgent yet approachable. By making this recipe at home, you can achieve the same restaurant-quality results without the hassle of dining out, allowing you to enjoy fresh, perfectly cooked shrimp any time.

This easy homemade bang bang shrimp recipe shows that even complex-tasting dishes can be simple in the kitchen. From mastering fried shrimp cooking tips to creating a balanced, flavorful bang bang sauce, each step is an opportunity to elevate your skills and understand the nuances of seasoning, texture, and timing. Home cooking gives you the freedom to adjust heat levels, sauce consistency, and portion sizes to suit your family or guests, ensuring that every bite is customized to perfection.

Beyond flavor, this dish is versatile and fun. Serve it as an appetizer for game day shrimp recipes, a main course alongside rice or stir-fried vegetables, or as part of a larger seafood spread with coconut shrimp sides or grilled shrimp sides. Its adaptability makes it perfect for casual dinners, parties, or even special occasions where presentation and taste matter.

Preparing bang bang shrimp at home also invites creativity. You can experiment with different marinades, try oven-baked or air-fried variations, or explore unique plating ideas to impress friends and family. Even small tweaks, like adding a fresh lime squeeze or garnishing with green onions and cilantro, can transform the dish into something extraordinary.

Ultimately, this recipe is more than just fried shrimp with sauce it’s an opportunity to craft a dish that’s visually stunning, flavorful, and satisfying. The joy of sharing perfectly crispy, flavorful shrimp with loved ones, while knowing you created it from scratch, is unmatched. Embrace the process, savor each step, and take pride in serving a dish that’s as impressive as it is delicious. Bang bang shrimp proves that home cooking can be bold, fun, and unforgettable, giving you a recipe you’ll return to again and again for both everyday meals and special occasions.

FAQ’s

Yes, thaw completely before breading and frying for best results.

Yes, bake at 425°F for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway. For crispier shrimp, brush with oil and broil briefly at the end.

The spice level depends on sriracha; adjust according to preference. You can also reduce or omit sriracha for a milder version.

Yes, store bang bang sauce in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Toss with shrimp just before serving.

Serve with rice, stir-fried vegetables, coconut shrimp sides, grilled shrimp sides, or a simple salad.