Bang Bang Shrimp | Air Fryer Shrimp Recipe

Sweet, spicy, and tangy Air Fryer Bang Bang shrimp recipe is fast, delicious, and serves as either a main course or an appetizer. Minimal prep is needed and this yummy recipe is made with just a handful of simple ingredients.

I absolutely love this Bang Bang Shrimp recipe. It reminds me so much of Bonefish Grill Bang Bang Shrimp but made in the comfort of your own kitchen! It's bursting with flavor and you truly can't wait to say the name a few times when making and serving it.

This seafood air fryer recipe is perfect to serve as an appetizer or part of a main course. With just 30 minutes hands off cooking time, this low carb recipe is gluten-free, nut-free and high protein.

Why Is It Called Bang Bang Shrimp?

Bang Bang Shrimp got its name from the perfect spicy kick that you get from the delicious sauce the shrimp is coated in. Don't let the name fool you. It's not over-the-top spicy, but has just enough of a kick to make it a bite that will keep you coming back for more!

What Is Bang Bang Sauce Made Of?

For the Shrimp

• Raw Shrimp, peeled and deveined
• cornstarch or rice flour
• Kosher Salt
• Cooking Oil Spray

For the Sauce

• mayonnaise
• Thai sweet chili sauce
• Sriracha Sauce
• Minced Garlic

The sauce not only contains sweet chili sauce but, it also contains sriracha sauce. It only takes a tiny bit of sriracha sauce to set your tongue on fire. This is a great mix of sweet and spicy.

You can adjust the spices as needed of course. In my house, that means a lot of spice! So this can be either mild enough for the whole family, or a perfect spicy dish for those who love spicy food.

Equipment You May Need

• An Air Fryer
• Silicone tongs for flipping the shrimp
• Measuring spoons
• Measuring cups

How To Make Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp

This air fryer shrimp recipe is probably one of the easiest recipes I've ever made. It takes very little preparation and only half an hour to cook.

Of course, since it's made in the air fryer, you don't have to sit and watch it or flip it, etc.

Just take a few minutes to throw this delicious recipe together then pop it in the air fryer and go about your business until it tells you you're ready to eat.

To make the Bang Bang Sauce

• In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, sriracha sauce and garlic.

To make the shrimp

• In a medium bowl or a plastic ziptop bag, toss together the shrimp, cornstarch and salt until the shrimp is coated with the cornstarch or rice flour.
• Place the shrimp in the air fryer basket, trying to keep them in as flat a layer as possible. You may want to use a rack, and place half the shrimp in the basket and the other half on the rack. 
• Spray well with additional oil. 
• Set the air fryer to 330F and cook for 10 minutes, tossing halfway through and spraying with additional oil. 
• Remove the shrimp and toss into the bowl with the half sauce. Set the other half of the sauce aside to serve as a dipping sauce.
• Put the shrimp back into the air fryer basket. Set the air fryer to 330F for 4-5 minutes until the sauce has formed a glaze. Serve with the sauce. 

Recipe Tips and Notes

Things that will make this air fryer recipe even easier to make:

• Serve as soon as they are ready as they will not keep terribly well once you dip them in the sauce
• You can make bang bang shrimp tacos by adding a little shredded cabbage, tucking these into tortillas, and drizzling some more sauce over the top
• You can use the same technique for bang bang chicken. Cut the chicken into bite-size pieces, and proceed as directed for the shrimp
• Make double the sauce as it will keep in the fridge for at least a week.
• Adjust the level of spice in the sauce to suit your tastes.

Can you reheat the shrimp?

These Bang Bang Shrimp are best served as soon as they are made so that they are nice and crispy. If you need to, keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge - keep the shrimp and sauce seperate.

Reheat the shrimp either in the oven at 375F for 10 minutes, flipping half way through. You can also reheat them in the air fryer at 350F for 3 to 5 minutes.

What Food Goes With Bang Bang Shrimp?

These tasty shrimp are perfect served as an app with the sauce, but you can also make them into a fuller meal and serve with rice, salad, veggie and potato side dishes. Try them with:

• Instant Pot Basmati Rice
• Beet Salad
• Savory Potato Patties
• Shwarma Green Beans

Other Shrimp Recipes To Enjoy

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• Are you a big fan of shrimp? Then you need to try out my Air Fried Salt and Pepper Shrimp! They're super easy to make, delightfully crunchy and gluten-free.
• Another fantastic shrimp recipe is my Keto Air Fryer Shrimp Scampi. Just like most air fryer recipes, it's really easy to make and it's so delicious you won't believe it!
• My Mediterranean Shrimp With Feta and Olives is a fast, delicious, and easy recipe made with shrimp, tomatoes, feta, and olives.
• My Air Fryer Pork Chops is another fantastic air fryer recipe and is quite possibly the best way to cook pork chops!
• This Shrimp and Asparagus Gribiche is a delicious meal with shrimp, fresh asparagus topped with a gribiche sauce. It's quick, easy and keto!
• This Air Fryer Shrimp Fried Rice is easily made in the Air Fryer in about 30 minutes!

When cooked right, the texture and flavor of shrimp can be quite delicious. Bang Bang Shrimp might just become your favorite way to eat shrimp. You can always attempt other meat options if desired as this sauce is perfect either way.

Originally Published June 19, 2019