bang-bang-shrimp

Delicious Bang Bang Shrimp – Easy and Delightful

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Bang Bang Shrimp

Crispy, juicy, and coated in a creamy sweet-and-spicy sauce, Bang Bang Shrimp is a restaurant-inspired seafood dish that’s bursting with bold flavour and irresistible crunch. Lightly battered shrimp are fried until perfectly golden, then tossed in a silky Bang Bang sauce made with mayonnaise, sweet chilli sauce, sriracha, honey, and fresh lime juice. The result is a delicious combination of crispy seafood, creamy richness, and a gentle kick of heat in every bite.

The delicate sweetness of the shrimp pairs beautifully with the tangy, spicy sauce, while the crisp coating locks in moisture and adds satisfying texture. Finished with fresh spring onions, coriander, sesame seeds, or a squeeze of lime, this dish is as visually stunning as it is delicious.

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Delicious Bang Bang Shrimp – Easy and Delightful

bang-bang-shrimp
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  • Author: clare recipe

Ingredients

For Shrimp:
1 pound shrimp (large or jumbo, cleaned and deveined)
¾ cup buttermilk
¼ cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup cornstarch
1 egg
½ tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
½ tablespoon hot sauce
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
Oil (for frying)
For Sauce:
¼ cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
½ tablespoon hot sauce
1 tablespoon honey
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Mix all sauce ingredients together and refrigerate until ready for serving.
In a medium bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Add hot sauce, egg, and buttermilk and whisk until smooth.
Add shrimp to the batter, ensuring each piece is coated. Set aside.
Place Panko breadcrumbs in a separate bowl.
Coat each shrimp with breadcrumbs, adding more breadcrumbs as needed.
Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry shrimp for 2 minutes on each side until light golden brown, working in batches to avoid overcrowding.
Transfer cooked shrimp to a plate lined with paper towels to remove excess oil.
Drizzle with sauce and serve.

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Ready in about 30 minutes, Bang Bang Shrimp is perfect as an appetiser, party snack, or main course served with rice, noodles, tacos, or crisp salads. It can also be prepared in an air fryer for a lighter alternative without sacrificing its signature crunch.

Whether you’re recreating a restaurant favourite or trying it for the first time, this Bang Bang Shrimp recipe delivers incredible flavour with surprisingly little effort.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Crispy and Creamy

Combines:

  • Crispy fried shrimp
  • Creamy Bang Bang sauce
  • Sweet chilli
  • Lime
  • Gentle heat

For an irresistible balance of textures and flavours.

Quick to Make

Ready in around 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy evenings.

Restaurant-Quality at Home

Simple ingredients create a dish worthy of your favourite seafood restaurant.

Perfect for Every Occasion

Ideal for:

  • Family dinners
  • Party appetisers
  • Game days
  • Weekend lunches
  • Seafood nights
  • Holiday gatherings

What Is Bang Bang Shrimp?

Bang Bang Shrimp features lightly battered shrimp fried until crispy and coated in a creamy, sweet, and spicy sauce.

It typically includes:

  • Large shrimp
  • Cornstarch
  • Flour
  • Sweet chilli sauce
  • Mayonnaise
  • Sriracha

The result is crispy shrimp with a rich, flavour-packed coating.

Ingredients Overview

For the Shrimp

  • Large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • Buttermilk
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

These ingredients help create tender, juicy shrimp.

For the Crispy Coating

  • Plain flour
  • Cornstarch
  • Garlic powder
  • Smoked paprika
  • Onion powder

This coating creates a light, crisp exterior.

For the Bang Bang Sauce

  • Mayonnaise
  • Sweet chilli sauce
  • Sriracha
  • Honey
  • Fresh lime juice

These ingredients create the signature creamy sauce.

Optional Garnishes

  • Spring onions
  • Fresh coriander
  • Sesame seeds
  • Lime wedges
  • Thinly sliced red chilli

These add freshness, colour, and texture.

Choosing the Best Ingredients

Selecting Shrimp

Choose large or jumbo shrimp that are peeled and deveined for quick cooking and a juicy texture.

Choosing Mayonnaise

Full-fat mayonnaise creates the richest, creamiest sauce.

Selecting Sweet Chilli Sauce

Use a high-quality sweet chilli sauce with balanced sweetness and mild spice.

Choosing Fresh Lime

Fresh lime juice brightens the rich flavours of the sauce.

Equipment You’ll Need

Large Frying Pan or Deep Pot

For frying the shrimp until golden.

Mixing Bowls

For the batter and sauce.

Tongs

For safely handling the shrimp while frying.

Wire Rack

For draining the cooked shrimp while keeping them crisp.

Paper Towels

To absorb excess oil after frying.

Preparing for Success

Before cooking:

  • Peel and devein the shrimp.
  • Pat them dry thoroughly.
  • Prepare the coating.
  • Mix the Bang Bang sauce.
  • Heat the frying oil to the correct temperature.

These simple preparations ensure crispy shrimp and smooth cooking.

Understanding the Flavour Profile

This dish offers exciting, balanced flavours.

The shrimp provide:

  • Sweet seafood flavour
  • Tender texture

The crispy coating contributes:

  • Crunch
  • Light savoury seasoning

The Bang Bang sauce adds:

  • Creamy richness
  • Sweetness
  • Gentle spice
  • Tangy citrus finish

The garnishes provide:

  • Freshness
  • Bright colour

Together, these ingredients create a bold yet balanced seafood dish.

Health Benefits of Key Ingredients

Shrimp

Provide:

  • Lean protein
  • Selenium
  • Vitamin B12
  • Iodine

Garlic

Contains:

  • Beneficial plant compounds
  • Natural antioxidants

Lime

Provides:

  • Vitamin C
  • Antioxidants

Fresh Herbs

Contain:

  • Vitamin K
  • Vitamin C
  • Natural antioxidants

Homemade Sauce

Allows you to control the spice level and sweetness to suit your taste.

Tips Before You Start

For the best Bang Bang Shrimp:

  • Dry the shrimp thoroughly before coating.
  • Fry in small batches.
  • Maintain consistent oil temperature.
  • Toss with the sauce just before serving.
  • Garnish immediately for the freshest flavour.

These techniques help create perfectly crispy shrimp.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overcooking the Shrimp

Shrimp cook very quickly and can become rubbery if overcooked.

Crowding the Frying Pan

Too many shrimp at once lower the oil temperature and reduce crispness.

Adding Sauce Too Early

Coat the shrimp just before serving to keep the coating crisp.

Skipping the Drying Step

Moisture prevents the coating from adhering properly.

Why This Recipe Is So Popular

People love this recipe because it offers:

  • Crispy texture
  • Creamy sweet-and-spicy sauce
  • Fast preparation
  • Restaurant-quality flavour
  • Versatile serving options

It’s a seafood favourite that’s always a hit.

Serving Suggestions

Serve alongside:

  • Steamed jasmine rice
  • Coconut rice
  • Asian slaw
  • Garlic noodles
  • Lettuce wraps
  • Mango salad

It also makes an excellent filling for tacos or rice bowls.

Make-Ahead Benefits

Prepare the Bang Bang sauce and coating mixture up to 24 hours in advance.

Cook the shrimp fresh just before serving for the crispiest texture.

Easy Variations

Try adding:

  • Coconut flakes to the coating
  • Tempura batter
  • Extra lime zest
  • Avocado slices
  • Mango salsa
  • Chopped peanuts

These additions create delicious flavour variations while maintaining the signature Bang Bang taste.

Storage Tips

Store leftover shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Reheat in the oven or air fryer until hot and crispy, then toss with freshly made Bang Bang sauce before serving.