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This incredible bang-bang shrimp air fryer recipe is the perfect appetizer or main dish. Crispy, crunchy air fryer panko shrimp is fried to golden perfection with just a spritz of oil then drizzled with a creamy and spicy sauce for bang bang shrimp. Enjoy loads of flavor using simple ingredients you already have on hand.
I love crispy fried shrimp and when they are drizzled in a sweet and spicy sauce, I am in heaven! Air fryer bang bang shrimp is so easy to make at home and the shrimp are juicy on the inside and unbelievably crunchy on the outside. The taste will rival the flavor of the same dish from any restaurant.
If you love sweet and spicy dishes, try my Sweet and Spicy Shrimp Stir Fry, Chinese Szechuan Chili Chicken or Sweet and Spicy Asian Chicken.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Panko Shrimp with Bang Bang Sauce
- It’s juicy and crunchy. Air fryer panko shrimp is so juicy and not overcooked or rubbery. The coating is incredibly crispy and perfectly golden.
- It’s sweet and spicy. A combo of mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce and sriracha make a sauce for bang bang shrimp that is creamy, sweet and just spicy enough to be interesting.
- It’s so easy to make. This recipe comes together quickly and uses only a few simple ingredients that you already have on hand. You are just minutes away from enjoying deliciously crispy shrimp.
Bang-bang Shrimp Air Fryer Ingredients
- Shrimp – select medium shrimp that have been peeled and deveined
- Cornstarch – coat the chicken with cornstarch for a nice crisp coating.
- Seasoning – paprika and salt season the shrimp perfectly.
- Buttermilk – if you don’t have buttermilk, you can add 1 ½ teaspoons of vinegar or lemon juice to milk.
- Panko – panko bread crumbs provide lots of crunch.
- Mayonnaise – you can substitute plain Greek yogurt or miracle whip for the mayonnaise, but it will slightly alter the final flavor of the dish.
- Sweet Chili Sauce – a delightful combination of sweet and spicy.
- Sriracha – adds extra heat to the sauce for bang bang shrimp. You can adjust the amount to fit your tastes.
- Honey – you can also use pure maple syrup.
- Parsley – as a garnish for serving.
How To Make Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp
- Prepare the shrimp. Pat dry the shrimp with a paper towel and keep it aside. In a medium bowl, combine cornstarch and paprika. Mix it well. Coat the shrimp in cornstarch mixture first, then dip it in buttermilk and finally dredge in the panko breadcrumbs until well coated and keep it on parchment paper. Repeat the same with the remaining shrimp.
- Prepare the equipment. Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees F. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
- Air fry panko shrimp. Arrange the shrimp in a single layer on the basket and air fry for 5 minutes, flip to the other side and air fry further for 5 more minutes until shrimp turns crispy and golden.
- Prepare the sauce for bang bang shrimp. Meanwhile, prepare the bang bang sauce by combining mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha sauce and honey in a bowl until well combined.
- Drizzle and serve. Drizzle the bang bang sauce over the shrimp and garnish with chopped parsley and serve.
Tips To Make Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe
- If using frozen shrimp be sure to defrost them completely.
- Dry the shrimp well before beginning the coating process.
- Use one hand for wet ingredients and one hand for dry when coating the shrimp.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer. The shrimp will get crispier if they don’t overlap.
- Cook the air fryer panko shrimp in batches if necessary.
- Don’t overcook the shrimp.
- Make a double batch of the sauce for bang bang shrimp or make it in advance. It will keep in the fridge for a week.
Frequently Asked Questions
After coating the shrimp, place them in a preheated air fryer in a single layer. Air fry panko shrimp for 5 minutes on each side or until the shrimp turns golden in color.
Air fryer bang bang shrimp can be made with fresh or frozen shrimp. If you use frozen shrimp, you will want to thaw it completely before coating and air frying.
Bang bang shrimp is an appetizer that was made popular by the Bonefish Grill. The restaurant version featured a pile deep fried shrimp topped with a creamy sauce. This bang-bang shrimp air fryer recipe is a lightened up version of this cult favorite.
Air fryer bang bang shrimp is best served right away but the shrimp can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The bang bang sauce can be kept for about a week. Reheat the shrimp in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes until they are warmed through. You can reheat the shrimp in the microwave but they will be rubbery.
Yes! Place the cooked shrimp into a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge and reheat in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes.
Bang Bang Shrimp is usually served as an appetizer, but it can easily be paired with rice, noodles or served crunchy lettuce for a fun twist on lettuce wraps. You can also serve it with Air Fryer French Fries or alongside other sides like Cheesy Broccoli Bites and Creamy Au Gratin Potatoes.
More Shrimp Recipes
- Healthy Chipotle Shrimp Bowl
- Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Spaghetti
- Shrimp Fajita Sheet Pan
- Shrimp Pineapple Salad
- Cilantro Lime Shrimp
I hope you enjoy all the recipes I share with you, including this delicious Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp recipe. I hope you try it, enjoy it, rate it, and share it with your friends and family!
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Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp
Ingredients
For Shrimp
- 1 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 ½ cup panko bread crumbs
- ¾ tsp Salt , to taste
For Sauce
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 1 teaspoon sriracha sauce
- 1 teaspoon honey
- Fresh parsley, to serve
Instructions
- Pat dry the shrimp with a paper towel and keep it aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine cornstarch, salt and paprika. Mix it well.
- Coat the shrimp in cornstarch mixture first, then dip it in buttermilk and finally dredge in the panko breadcrumbs until well coated and keep it in a parchment paper. Repeat the same with the remaining shrimp.
- Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees F. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
- Arrange the shrimp single layer on the basket and air fry for 5 minutes, flip to the other side, and air fry further for 5 more minutes until shrimp turns crispy and golden.
- Meanwhile, prepare the bang bang sauce by combining mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha sauce and honey in a bowl until well combined.
- Drizzle the bang bang sauce over the shrimp and garnish with chopped parsley and serve.
Notes
- If using frozen shrimp be sure to defrost them completely.
- Dry the shrimp well before beginning the coating process.
- Use one hand for wet ingredients and one hand for dry when coating the shrimp.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer. The shrimp will get crispier if they don’t overlap.
- Cook the air fryer panko shrimp in batches if necessary.
- Don’t overcook the shrimp.
- Make a double batch of the sauce for bang bang shrimp or make it in advance. It will keep in the fridge for a week.
