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Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp

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Air fryer Bang Bang Shrimp is the perfect appetizer for your next game day or holiday party! It features crispy shrimp with a sweet and spicy dipping sauce.

This is a copycat recipe for Bonefish Grill’s Bang Bang Shrimp! Using the air fryer makes it a healthier alternative to the famous shrimp appetizer. Enjoy all the crunchy taste without any downsides!

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But you don’t have to make this just as a fun party snack. Serve the shrimp over rice and top it with the delicious sauce for a dinner the entire family will love. My favorite way to serve this recipe is in shrimp tacos!

🌶️Bang Bang Sauce

Bang Bang sauce is a hot and sweet creamy sauce that is perfect for dipping crispy shrimp, chicken, fries, or almost anything you love to dip. I use a simple mayonnaise-based sauce flavored with hot sauce, sweet chili sauce, and honey for a great combination of sweet and spicy! You can vary the spicy sauce by adding more hot sauce or cayenne pepper to make it extra hot.

Love Bang Bang sauce? Check out my bang bang chicken recipe! Or try air fryer mini pizzas or lemon pepper wings for more tasty appetizer ideas.

🦐Key Ingredients

For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below

Although the ingredient list looks long, this is really a simple recipe!

  • Shrimp
  • Milk
  • Corn starch
  • Panko breadcrumbs
  • Egg
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Hot sauce
ingredients for bang bang shirmp
Bang Bang Shrimp ingredients

👩🏻‍🍳How to Make Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp

  1. Peel and devein the shrimp.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine the buttermilk, cornstarch, salt, pepper, hot sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, and egg. Mix it all until it forms a thick batter.
  3. Put the bread crumbs in a shallow bowl.
  4. Dip each shrimp in cornstarch mixture, letting any excess drip off. Then dip it in the breadcrumbs.
dip shrimp in egg mixture
Dip shrimp in milk mixture
dipping shrimp in breadcrumbs
Dip shrimp in panko
  1. Put the breaded shrimp on a tray and refrigerate it for 15 minutes. This will help the coating stick.
  2. Preheat the air fryer at 390 degrees F for 3 minutes when you are ready to cook.
  3. Use a spray bottle to coat the pieces with a little bit of oil. Put the shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer.
  4. Air fry at 390 degrees F for 5 minutes. Flip the shrimp over and air fry for another 5 minutes.
shrimp before air frying
Shrimp before air frying
closeup of cooked bang bang shrimp
Shrimp after air frying

🥣Make Bang Bang Sauce

The Bang Bang sauce is made by mixing the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, hot sauce, and honey in a medium bowl. Whisk it all together to combine.

🍴Serving Ideas

These tiny bites of crunchy shrimp are versatile and can be served in many ways. Just serve them with the dipping sauce for a fun finger food snack.

Or toss them with the sauce and serve them over a bed of rice or pasta. My favorite way to make them is to use them to make Bang Bang shrimp tacos with mango salsa. They are also great on a salad or in a wrap.

bang bang shrimp taco

💭How to Store

Store the shrimp and sauce separately in an airtight container. They will keep for 4 days in the refrigerator. To reheat leftovers, put the shrimp in the air fryer at 400 F for 3 minutes. They won’t be as crispy after reheating.

⭐Tips and Variations

Be sure to check out the step by step instructions

  • Don’t use commercial cooking spray in the air fryer since it can damage the air fryer basket. Put oil in a spray bottle instead.
  • Breading and air frying will be easier with medium to large shrimp.
  • Keep the shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook in batches if necessary.
  • Try to only use one hand when doing the breading, so one stays clean and dry.
  • Chilling the shrimp before cooking helps the breading stick and is worth the extra time it takes.
  • Preheat the air fryer for the crispiest shrimp.

air fryer bang bang shrimp in air fryer basket

📝FAQ

Can I use frozen shrimp in this recipe?

No, it is too challenging to make breading stick to frozen shrimp. Thaw them before making this recipe.

Can I leave the tails on the shrimp?

Yes. Leave the tails on or take them off, whichever you prefer.

Did You Make This? Leave a Star Rating!

top view of air fryer bang bang shrimp with sauce
4.50 from 2 votes

Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe

Published By Anne
Air fryer Bang Bang Shrimp is the perfect appetizer for your next game day party! Make this copycat Bonefish Grill recipe for crispy shrimp with a spicy sauce.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Chilling Time15 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Servings: 2
Print Save Rate Pin

Ingredients
 

  • 1 pound shrimp peeled and deveined
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1 egg beaten
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper powder
  • 1/2 tablespoon hot sauce
  • 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • Spray bottle of oil

Bang Bang Sauce Ingredients

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
  • 1 tablespoon hot sauce such as Sriracha
  • 1 tablespoon honey

Instructions

  • Combine the milk, cornstarch, salt, pepper, hot sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, and egg in a mixing bowl.
    1/2 cup milk, 1/4 cup cornstarch, 1 egg beaten, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper powder, 1/2 tablespoon hot sauce
  • Put the breadcrumbs in a separate bowl.
    3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • Dip the shrimp in the milk mixture, followed by the breadcrumb mixture, coating the entire shrimp. Try to only use one hand during the breading process so one stays clean and dry.
    1 pound shrimp
  • Arrange the coated shrimp on a tray and put it in the refrigerator to chill for 15 minutes. Chilling will help keep the breading from falling off.
  • Make Bang Bang Sauce: While the shrimp chills, mix the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, honey, and hot sauce in a small bowl. Whisk until everything is well combined.
    ½ cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce, 1 tablespoon hot sauce, 1 tablespoon honey
  • Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 390 degrees F.
  • Spray the basket with a quick spray of oil. Then add the shrimp in a single layer and spray the top side with oil. Don’t drench the pieces. They just need a small amount of oil. Keep them in a single layer and cook them in batches if necessary.
    Spray bottle of oil
  • Air fry at 390 F for 5 minutes on one side, flip the shrimp, and cook for another 5 minutes or until golden brown.

Notes

Serving Ideas

  • To serve as an appetizer, dip the spicy shrimp in the sauce and enjoy.
  • For a main dish, pour the sauce over the pieces, mix and garnish with green onions.
  • Or use the cooked shrimp in tacos, wraps, or sandwiches.

Notes

  • Don’t use commercial cooking spray in the air fryer since it can damage the air fryer basket.
  • Use medium to large size shrimp.
  • Chilling the shrimp after breaking but before cooking helps the breading stick.
  • Preheat the air fryer for the best results.

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Nutrition Information

Calories: 671kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 47g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 26g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 113mg | Sodium: 1586mg | Potassium: 211mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 270IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 138mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition facts are estimates.

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bang bang shrimp in front of sauce bowl
anne

Hi, I’m Anne!

I love to cook and I want to share my recipes with you. I believe cooking should be approachable and fun, not a chore. I want to make simple recipes using everyday ingredients that you can make again and again, whether it is for a busy weeknight, a summer cookout or a special dessert. Read more...

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