This 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.
Why You'll Love This Spicy Shrimp Recipe
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 Does Bang Bang Shrimp Taste Like?
Bang Bang Shrimp has a crisp, juicy, and creamy flavor combination that’s both sweet and spicy.
The shrimp are lightly battered and fried until golden and crunchy, then coated in a rich, tangy sauce made from mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and a touch of sriracha.
The result is a perfect balance of creamy heat, subtle sweetness, and savory depth, with each bite delivering a satisfying crunch followed by a smooth, flavorful kick. It’s an addictive, restaurant-style dish that’s both bold and comforting.
Ingredients You'll Need
- 1 pound Raw Shrimp- The main protein of the dish; shrimp cook quickly in the air fryer, turning tender and juicy with a crisp exterior.
- 2 tablespoons Cornstarch or Rice Flour- Used to coat the shrimp lightly before air frying, creating a delicate, crispy crust that helps the sauce cling better.
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt- Enhances the natural sweetness of the shrimp and balances the flavors.
- Cooking Oil Spray- Helps the shrimp crisp up evenly in the air fryer without excess oil, giving that perfect golden texture.
- 1/2 cup Mayonnaise- Forms the creamy base of the Bang Bang sauce, adding richness and smooth texture.
- 1/4 cup Thai Sweet Chili Sauce- Provides a sweet and tangy flavor with a mild heat that defines the dish’s signature taste.
- 2–4 tablespoons Sriracha Sauce- Adds customizable spice and a touch of garlicky depth, balancing the sweetness of the chili sauce.
- 1 teaspoon Minced Garlic- Infuses the sauce with a savory aroma and a punch of flavor that ties all the components together.
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.
- Make the sauce. In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, sriracha sauce and garlic.
- Prepare the coating. 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.
- Add to the air fryer. 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.
- Coat with oil. Spray well with additional oil.
- Air fry. Set the air fryer to 330F and cook for 10 minutes, tossing halfway through and spraying with additional oil.
- Toss with sauce. 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.
- Finish in the air fryer. 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.
Tips and Tricks
Making Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp is simple, but a few key tips can help you achieve shrimp that are crispy on the outside, juicy inside, and perfectly coated in that irresistible creamy sauce. Here’s how to get the best results:
- 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
- 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.
Variations
Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp is easy to customize, and with a few simple twists, you can create new versions that suit your taste or dietary preferences. Here are some delicious variations to try:
- Lightened-Up Version- Use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise for a tangy, lower-fat alternative that still keeps the sauce creamy.
- Coconut Bang Bang Shrimp- Coat the shrimp in a mix of cornstarch and shredded coconut before air frying for a tropical twist.
- Sweet and Smoky- Add a drizzle of honey and a dash of smoked paprika to the sauce for a rich, complex flavor.
If you're looking for more seafood ideas, check out this list of our best low carb seafood recipes.
How Long Does It Last?
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 separate.
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.
Can You Freeze It?
You can freeze Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp, but it’s best to freeze the cooked shrimp separately from the sauce to maintain their crispy texture.
After air frying, let the shrimp cool completely, then place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze until solid before transferring them to an airtight container or freezer bag. They’ll keep well for up to 2 months.
When ready to eat, reheat the shrimp in the air fryer until hot and crispy, then toss them with freshly made Bang Bang sauce just before serving.
What To Eat 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:
Other Shrimp Recipes To Enjoy
- 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.
Ingredients
For the Shrimp
- 1 pound (453.59 g) Raw Shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons (2 tablespoons) cornstarch or rice flour
- 1/2 teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) Kosher Salt
- Cooking Oil Spray
For the Sauce
- 1/2 cup (112 g) mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup (37.5 g) Thai sweet chili sauce
- 2-4 tablespoons (2 tablespoons) Sriracha Sauce
- 1 teaspoon (1 teaspoon) Minced Garlic
Instructions
- For the sauce: In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, sriracha sauce and garlic.
- For 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.
- 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.
Emily
I think my shrimp were not dry enough because the corn starch was more of a paste on the shrimp, and they did not turn out crispy in the air fryer. I'll have to try that again and get them really dry. The sauce was great---just like the yum-yum sauce you find at Hibachi places. I would suggest that you either halve or omit the salt in the corn starch mixture. Shrimp is pretty salty by itself, and I found the finished dish too salty for me.