Bang Bang Shrimp
Equipment
Ingredients
Shrimp
- 16 oz shrimp, peeled and deveined
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- ½ tsp salt
- Neutral oil spray
Bang Bang Sauce
- ⅓ cup mayo
- 2 tbsp Thai chili sauce
- 2 tbsp sriracha
- Pinch of salt
Optional Garnishes
- Rice, for serving
- Scallions
- Cucumbers
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine cornstarch and salt and mix lightly. Add your shrimp and toss until each piece is thoroughly coated.
- Spray oil in your air fryer basket and place the shrimp inside in a single layer. Spray lightly with more oil and air fry at 400°F (205°C) for 8 minutes, or until crispy and cooked through.
- While the shrimp cooks, combine mayo, Thai chili sauce, sriracha, and salt in a bowl. Mix thoroughly until smooth.
- Add the cooked shrimp to the sauce and toss until every piece is evenly coated.
- Serve the shrimp over a fresh bowl of rice and optionally garnish with scallions and cucumbers.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
What Makes This Bang Bang Shrimp Stand Out
I love this Bang Bang Shrimp recipe because it not only tastes like something you would get at a restaurant, but it also is way more convenient than deep frying. The air fryer gets the shrimp super crispy with just a light coating of cornstarch and a spray of oil. That crunch is further complimented with that creamy, spicy, and slightly acidic bang bang sauce that really brings the whole thing together. In my opinion, it’s good enough to eat on it’s own but tastes the best over a bowl of rice and with a bite of fresh cucumbers.
The Sauce That Delivers On Its Name
If you’re not sure what Bang Bang Sauce tastes like, I think it tastes like the sauce served inside a dynamite roll or with hibachi steak. It’s creamy, spicy, slightly sweet, and savory all at the same time. The best part is that the bang bang sauce is actually very easy to make. It’s only a simple combination of mayo, Thai chili sauce, sriracha, and just a pinch of salt. Before tossing with the crispy shrimp, I like to let the shrimp rest in order for that crispiness to set before coating in the sauce. If you have any leftover sauce, you can drizzle the leftovers over rice or even dip your veggies in it!
What You’ll Need To Make Bang Bang Shrimp
Shrimp
- 16 oz shrimp, peeled and deveined
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- ½ tsp salt
- Neutral oil spray
Bang Bang Sauce
- ⅓ cup mayo
- 2 tbsp Thai chili sauce
- 2 tbsp sriracha
- Pinch of salt
Optional Garnishes
- Rice, for serving
- Scallions
- Cucumbers
How To Make Bang Bang Shrimp
In a bowl, mix cornstarch and salt. Add shrimp and toss to coat evenly.
Spray your air fryer basket with oil and place shrimp in a single layer. Spray lightly with more oil.
Air fry at 400°F (205°C) for 8 minutes or until golden and crispy. While shrimp cooks, mix mayo, Thai chili sauce, sriracha, and salt in a bowl to make your bang bang sauce.
Add crispy shrimp to the sauce and toss until every piece is coated.
Serve over rice and optionally top with scallions and cucumbers.
Tips & Variations
If you want your shrimp to be even crispier, add a quarter cup of panko crumbs to the cornstarch mixer to create that craggly outside.
To meet your high protein goals, split the mayo in half and add greek yogurt instead! It will still taste virtually the same, but be a little lower in fat and higher in protein!
I personally like my bang bang sauce to be mildly spicy, but if you like it even spicier, feel free to add even more sriracha or chili sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes, just make sure they’re fully thawed and patted dry before coating in cornstarch. Moisture will prevent the crust from forming around the shrimp.
Can I bake instead of air fry?
You can! Bake at 425°F (217°C) on a parchment-lined tray, flipping halfway through. They won’t be quite as crispy as air-fried, but will still have all that amazing flavor.
What’s the best mayo to use?
Any mayo works here! I actually prefer low fat, but kewpie mayo or even vegan mayo works!
Is this dish good for meal prep?
It’s best fresh because that’s when the shrimp is at its peak crispiness, but you can prep the sauce and shrimp separately. Reheat shrimp in the air fryer and toss with sauce before eating! I also love to eat the sauce with other things like sliced veggies.
What to Make Next
If you’re still craving seafood, try my Spicy Creamy Shrimp Pasta!
Still want something crispy and crunchy? You’ll love my Honey Butter Chicken!
Love high protein meals? Try out my Mongolian Beef!
