Description
Bang Bang Shrimp is a crispy, flavorful appetizer featuring medium shrimp coated in a crispy seasoned flour mixture and tossed in a spicy, sweet Bang Bang sauce made from mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and honey. This Asian-American inspired dish is perfect as a tasty starter or served over lettuce or in tacos for a fun meal option.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp and Coating
- 1 pound medium shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- ½ cup buttermilk
- ½ cup cornstarch
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Vegetable oil for frying (about 1½ inches deep)
Bang Bang Sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon sriracha
- 1 tablespoon honey
Instructions
- Prepare the Bang Bang Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and honey until smooth and well combined. Set aside to allow the flavors to meld.
- Toss Shrimp in Buttermilk: Place the peeled and deveined shrimp in another bowl and coat them evenly with the buttermilk. Let sit while you prepare the dry coating.
- Mix the Coating: In a shallow dish, combine cornstarch, all-purpose flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to distribute the spices evenly.
- Heat Oil for Frying: Pour vegetable oil into a deep skillet or Dutch oven to about 1½ inches deep. Heat the oil to 350°F (175°C), using a thermometer for accuracy to ensure crisp frying without greasiness.
- Coat and Fry the Shrimp: Working in batches, remove shrimp from the buttermilk, dredge them thoroughly in the seasoned flour mixture, shaking off excess. Carefully place the shrimp into the hot oil and fry for 2 to 3 minutes until they turn golden brown and crispy.
- Drain the Fried Shrimp: Use a slotted spoon to remove shrimp from the oil and drain them on paper towels to remove excess oil and maintain crispiness.
- Toss Shrimp in Sauce: While the shrimp are still hot, toss them in the prepared Bang Bang sauce until they are evenly coated with the spicy and sweet glaze.
- Serve: Serve the Bang Bang Shrimp immediately for optimal crispness. Optionally, garnish with chopped green onions or fresh cilantro. This dish goes well served over shredded lettuce, in tacos, or as an appetizer with extra Bang Bang sauce on the side.
Notes
- For a lighter version, air fry the shrimp at 400°F for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even cooking.
- Serve over shredded lettuce or inside tacos for a fun twist.
- Extra sauce can be served on the side for dipping.
- Ensure oil is at the correct temperature to avoid greasy shrimp.
- Do not overcrowd the pan when frying to maintain oil temperature.
