Short Description:
If you love crispy shrimp with a sweet and spicy kick, then this Bang Bang Shrimp recipe is going to be your new favorite! It’s the perfect appetizer, snack, or main dish, and it comes together in no time with just a handful of ingredients. Trust me, you’ll be craving it every week!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
This Bang Bang Shrimp is everything you want in a dish: crispy, creamy, and bursting with flavor. The shrimp are perfectly fried, coated in a sweet, spicy sauce, and packed with crunch. Whether you serve it as an appetizer for a party or pair it with a side of rice for a main dish, this is one recipe that’s sure to impress. Plus, it’s super easy to make and will have everyone asking for the recipe!
Ingredients:
Here’s a sneak peek at the ingredients—check the full list below for more details:
- Shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- Cornstarch
- Buttermilk
- Flour
- Mayonnaise
- Sweet chili sauce
Directions:
Step 1: Prepare the Shrimp
Start by peeling and deveining the shrimp, if not done already. Pat them dry with paper towels to ensure they’re nice and dry. This will help the coating stick better and give you a crispier fry.
Step 2: Make the Coating
In one bowl, whisk together some flour and cornstarch. In another bowl, pour in buttermilk. First, dip each shrimp in the buttermilk, then dredge it in the flour and cornstarch mixture, making sure it’s coated well. This creates that crispy exterior that makes Bang Bang Shrimp so irresistible.
Step 3: Fry the Shrimp
Heat vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully drop in the coated shrimp and fry for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they turn golden brown and crispy. Don’t overcrowd the pan—fry them in batches if needed. Once fried, remove the shrimp from the oil and set them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
Step 4: Make the Bang Bang Sauce
While the shrimp are frying, make the sauce. In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise and sweet chili sauce. Add a little sriracha if you like things extra spicy. Mix everything together until smooth, adjusting the amount of chili sauce and sriracha to taste.
Step 5: Toss the Shrimp in the Sauce
Once the shrimp are crispy and ready, place them in a bowl. Pour the Bang Bang sauce over the shrimp and toss gently until each shrimp is well-coated in that creamy, spicy sauce. The shrimp should be covered in a nice thick layer of sauce that clings to every bite.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!
Serve the shrimp immediately, garnished with a sprinkle of green onions or cilantro if you like. They’re perfect on their own or paired with a side of rice or a fresh salad. Enjoy the crispy, creamy, and spicy goodness!
Expert Tips and Tricks:
- Frying Temperature: Make sure the oil is hot enough before adding the shrimp. If the oil isn’t hot enough, the shrimp will absorb too much oil and become greasy. Aim for around 350°F.
- Make It Crispy: If you prefer extra-crispy shrimp, you can double-coat them by dipping them in buttermilk and flour mixture twice before frying.
- Homemade Sauce: If you don’t have sweet chili sauce on hand, you can make a simple version at home by combining honey, vinegar, and chili paste.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Fry the shrimp in small batches to avoid overcrowding, which can cause the shrimp to become soggy.
Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions:
- Sauce Swap: If you prefer a creamier sauce, you can add a bit of ranch dressing to the Bang Bang sauce for a twist.
- Baked Option: For a lighter version, bake the coated shrimp at 400°F for 12-15 minutes until golden and crispy, flipping halfway through.
- Non-Shrimp Version: If you’re not a shrimp fan, this same method works great with chicken tenders or tofu for a vegetarian version.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions:
Bang Bang Shrimp is fantastic on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with a light, crunchy salad, such as a simple cucumber or coleslaw salad. You can also serve it alongside fried rice, steamed jasmine rice, or even in tacos for a fun twist. If you’re making this for a party, serve with a cool dipping sauce like ranch or blue cheese to balance the heat. A crisp glass of white wine or a cold beer would pair wonderfully with this spicy dish.
Storage and Reheating Tips:
While this dish is best served fresh and crispy, you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To reheat, place the shrimp in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake at 375°F for 8-10 minutes to crisp them up again.
4 FAQs:
- Can I make the Bang Bang Shrimp in advance?
For the best texture, I recommend frying the shrimp fresh. However, you can prep the shrimp by coating them ahead of time and storing them in the fridge until you’re ready to fry them. - Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes, you can use frozen shrimp. Just make sure to thaw them completely and pat them dry before coating and frying. - How can I make the Bang Bang sauce spicier?
To make the sauce spicier, add more sriracha or a pinch of cayenne pepper. You can also add a few dashes of hot sauce for an extra kick! - Can I make the sauce without mayonnaise?
If you don’t want to use mayonnaise, you can substitute it with Greek yogurt for a tangier, healthier option. You can also use sour cream if that’s more to your liking.
Conclusion:
This Bang Bang Shrimp recipe is a total winner. It’s crispy, creamy, and packed with the perfect balance of heat and sweetness. Whether you’re making it as an appetizer, snack, or main dish, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser. So go ahead and give it a try—you’re in for a treat!
The Crispy, Creamy Bang Bang Shrimp You’ll Want to Make Again and Again
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer, Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired, Seafood
Description
If you love crispy shrimp with a sweet and spicy kick, then this Bang Bang Shrimp recipe is going to be your new favorite! It’s the perfect appetizer, snack, or main dish, and it comes together in no time with just a handful of ingredients. Trust me, you’ll be craving it every week!
Ingredients
- Shrimp: 1 lb (peeled and deveined)
- Cornstarch: 1/4 cup
- Buttermilk: 1/2 cup
- Flour: 1/2 cup
- Mayonnaise: 1/2 cup
- Sweet chili sauce: 1/4 cup
- Sriracha (optional for extra heat): 1-2 teaspoons (adjust to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare the Shrimp:
Peel and devein the shrimp if necessary, then pat them dry with paper towels. This helps the coating stick and gives you crispy shrimp. - Make the Coating:
In one bowl, whisk together flour and cornstarch. In another bowl, pour in buttermilk. Dip each shrimp into the buttermilk, then dredge in the flour/cornstarch mixture. - Fry the Shrimp:
Heat vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat (aim for around 350°F). Fry the shrimp in batches for 2-3 minutes on each side, until golden and crispy. Remove the shrimp from the pan and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. - Make the Bang Bang Sauce:
In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise with sweet chili sauce and sriracha (optional) for added heat. Adjust the amount of chili sauce and sriracha to taste. - Toss the Shrimp in the Sauce:
Once the shrimp are fried and crispy, place them in a bowl. Pour the Bang Bang sauce over them and toss gently to coat each shrimp with the creamy, spicy sauce. - Serve and Enjoy:
Serve immediately, garnished with green onions or cilantro. This dish is great on its own or served with rice, a fresh salad, or in tacos.
Notes
- Frying Tip: Ensure the oil is hot enough before frying; around 350°F is ideal for crispy shrimp.
- Extra Crispy Option: Double-coat the shrimp by dipping them in buttermilk and flour twice before frying.
- Sauce Tip: For a spicier sauce, add more sriracha or cayenne pepper.
- Baked Version: To bake, coat the shrimp as directed and bake at 400°F for 12-15 minutes until crispy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 160mg