Bang Bang Shrimp

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Bang Bang Shrimp is the perfect balance of crunchy, creamy, and spicy flavors. The shrimp are coated in a crispy batter, fried to golden perfection, and then tossed in a creamy, sweet, and spicy sauce made with mayonnaise, sriracha, and a touch of honey. It’s a versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer, side, or main dish. Plus, it’s quick and easy to make, and the combination of textures and flavors makes it highly addictive!

Ingredients

• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined

• ½ cup all-purpose flour

• ½ cup cornstarch

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• 1 large egg, beaten

• 1 cup buttermilk (or regular milk)

• Vegetable oil, for frying

For the sauce:

• ½ cup mayonnaise

• 2 tablespoons sriracha sauce (adjust to taste)

• 1 tablespoon honey

• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

1. Prepare the shrimp: Rinse and pat dry the shrimp with paper towels. Set aside.

2. Make the batter: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg and buttermilk together.

3. Coat the shrimp: Dip each shrimp into the wet mixture (egg and buttermilk), then dredge it in the dry flour mixture until well-coated. Repeat until all shrimp are coated.

4. Heat the oil: In a large skillet or deep fryer, heat vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C). Fry the shrimp in batches for 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. Remove the shrimp from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

5. Make the sauce: In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sriracha sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and garlic powder. Stir until smooth and well-combined.

6. Toss the shrimp: Once the shrimp are fried and crispy, place them in a large bowl. Pour the sauce over the shrimp and toss gently until all shrimp are coated.

7. Serve: Transfer the Bang Bang Shrimp to a serving dish and garnish with chopped green onions or cilantro, if desired. Serve immediately.

Servings and Timing

• Servings: 4

• Prep Time: 15 minutes

• Cook Time: 10 minutes

• Total Time: 25 minutes

Variations

• Make it spicier: Increase the amount of sriracha in the sauce for more heat, or add chili flakes to the batter.

• Baked version: For a lighter option, bake the shrimp in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.

• Substitute the shrimp: You can use chicken tenders or scallops as an alternative to shrimp.

• Gluten-free option: Use a gluten-free flour blend or rice flour to coat the shrimp.

• Add toppings: Top the finished dish with chopped scallions, cilantro, or a squeeze of lime for extra freshness.

Storage/Reheating

Bang Bang Shrimp is best enjoyed immediately while the shrimp are crispy. However, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 day. To reheat, bake the shrimp in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 5-7 minutes or until crispy again. The sauce can be stored separately in the fridge for up to 3 days.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes, frozen shrimp works perfectly. Just make sure to thaw them properly in the refrigerator before cooking.

Can I make the sauce ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the sauce up to 2 days ahead of time and store it in the fridge. Just give it a stir before using.

How do I make the shrimp crispy?

Make sure the oil is hot enough (around 350°F/175°C) when frying the shrimp. Also, don’t overcrowd the pan to ensure the shrimp cook evenly and stay crispy.

Can I make this recipe without frying the shrimp?

Yes, you can bake or air-fry the shrimp for a healthier alternative. Coat the shrimp in the batter and cook them in the air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through.

What other dipping sauces can I use for Bang Bang Shrimp?

In addition to the Bang Bang sauce, you can serve the shrimp with a spicy aioli, sweet chili sauce, or garlic butter for extra flavor.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

While the shrimp are best served fresh and crispy, you can prep the shrimp and sauce ahead of time and cook them just before serving.

Can I use another sauce for the shrimp?

Yes! You can use variations of spicy mayo, ranch dressing, or a spicy mustard sauce depending on your taste.

How do I know when the shrimp are cooked through?

Shrimp cook quickly. They should be opaque and pink when done. If they curl into a tight “C” shape, they are ready.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes, you can easily double the recipe. Just make sure to fry the shrimp in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.

Is this recipe spicy?

The dish has a mild to medium level of heat from the sriracha, but you can adjust the spiciness to your liking by adding more or less sriracha sauce.

Conclusion

Bang Bang Shrimp is a delicious, flavorful dish that’s sure to please anyone who loves shrimp. With its crispy texture, creamy sauce, and a little bit of spice, it’s perfect as an appetizer, side dish, or even a main course. The recipe is easy to follow and can be customized based on your preferences, making it a perfect addition to your recipe collection. Enjoy these crispy, saucy bites as a satisfying treat that’s sure to impress your family and friends!

Bang Bang Shrimp

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Bang Bang Shrimp is a popular dish known for its crispy shrimp coated in a creamy, spicy, and tangy sauce. This appetizer or main dish is a crowd-pleaser, offering irresistible flavors with a perfect balance of crunchy, creamy, and spicy.

• Author: Laura
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings
• Category: Appetizer, Main Dish
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

1. 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
   
   ½ cup all-purpose flour
   
   ½ cup cornstarch
   
   1 teaspoon baking powder
   
   1 teaspoon garlic powder
   
   Salt and pepper, to taste
   
   1 large egg, beaten
   
   1 cup buttermilk (or regular milk)
   
   Vegetable oil, for frying
   
   For the sauce:
   ½ cup mayonnaise
   
   2 tablespoons sriracha sauce (adjust to taste)
   
   1 tablespoon honey
   
   1 tablespoon rice vinegar
   
   1 teaspoon garlic powder

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Instructions

Rinse and pat dry the shrimp with paper towels. Set aside.

1. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg and buttermilk together.
2. Dip each shrimp into the wet mixture (egg and buttermilk), then dredge in the dry flour mixture until well-coated. Repeat until all shrimp are coated.
3. In a large skillet or deep fryer, heat vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C). Fry shrimp in batches for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Remove shrimp and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
4. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sriracha sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and garlic powder. Stir until smooth and well-combined.
5. Once the shrimp are fried and crispy, place them in a large bowl. Pour the sauce over the shrimp and toss gently until all shrimp are coated.
6. Transfer the Bang Bang Shrimp to a serving dish and garnish with chopped green onions or cilantro, if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

• For extra heat, increase the amount of sriracha in the sauce or add chili flakes to the batter.
• For a lighter option, bake the shrimp at 400°F (200°C) for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
• Chicken tenders or scallops can be used as alternatives to shrimp.
• Use gluten-free flour or rice flour for a gluten-free version.
• Top the finished dish with chopped scallions, cilantro, or a squeeze of lime for added freshness.
• Best enjoyed immediately while the shrimp are crispy. Leftovers can be stored for up to 1 day in an airtight container.
• Store the sauce separately for up to 3 days in the fridge.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 550mg
• Fat: 25g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 20g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 20g
• Cholesterol: 160mg