Air-Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Bang Bang Shrimp is a popular appetizer at Bonefish Grill restaurants in the US. It's made with crispy fried shrimp coated in a creamy, spicy, sweet Thai chili sauce. This recipe recreates the dish using an air fryer, making it healthier and quicker to prepare. The shrimp are coated in cornstarch, buttermilk, and breadcrumbs before being cooked in the air fryer for 10 minutes. They are then tossed in a sauce made from mayonnaise, sriracha, and sweet chili sauce. The dish can be served as an appetizer or main course.

How to make the sauce

To make the sauce for Bang Bang Shrimp, you'll need to combine mayonnaise, Thai sweet chilli sauce, Sriracha, and honey.

For a more authentic version, opt for Kewpie-brand mayonnaise, a Japanese-style mayo that is richer, sweeter, and more savoury than other types. For the Sriracha, choose a Thai chilli sauce with chilli peppers, vinegar, garlic, sugar, and salt.

Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and whisk until fully blended and smooth. Taste and add more Sriracha if you prefer more spice. Set aside until you're ready to coat the shrimp.

For an extra kick of spice, try using a spicy Sriracha sauce. You can also substitute the honey with lemon juice for a more tangy flavour.

How to coat the shrimp

To coat the shrimp, you will need to prepare a cooking station with a few bowls. The exact ingredients will vary depending on the recipe you are following, but you will need cornstarch, flour, egg whites, buttermilk, and breadcrumbs. Some recipes also include mayonnaise.

First, dip the shrimp in cornstarch, then in buttermilk, and finally, roll them in the breadcrumbs until they are fully covered. You can also dip the shrimp in egg whites before coating them in breadcrumbs. Make sure to shake off any excess cornstarch or buttermilk before moving on to the next step. Place the coated shrimp on a baking sheet or in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching.

Some recipes suggest coating the shrimp with cooking spray or oil before placing them in the air fryer.

How long to cook the shrimp for

The cooking time for the shrimp will vary depending on the size of your air fryer and whether you are cooking the shrimp in batches or all at once. It will also depend on whether you are cooking the shrimp from raw or frozen.

For raw shrimp, you should air fry for around 8-12 minutes at 400°F. If your shrimp is frozen, you should cook for 10 minutes at 360°F and then another 5 minutes at 400°F or until crisp.

When cooking, make sure the shrimp are in a single layer and not touching. You may need to cook the shrimp in batches.

How to serve the shrimp

There are several ways to serve bang bang shrimp. Here are some ideas:

As an Appetizer

Bang bang shrimp is often served as an appetizer. You can put the shrimp on butter or loose leaf lettuce leaves for easy handling and top with some green onions.

As a Main Course

You can serve bang bang shrimp as a main course by making tacos, rice bowls, or salads. For tacos, put the shrimp in tortillas along with some shredded lettuce or cabbage and diced tomatoes. For a rice bowl, add the shrimp to a bowl of rice and some veggies. For a salad, try serving the shrimp on a bed of greens.

With Sides

Bang bang shrimp can also be served with sides such as French fries, fried rice, or tortillas. You can also serve it over spaghetti noodles or rice with a cucumber mint salad on the side.

As a Protein

Bang bang shrimp can also be used as a protein in dishes such as Homemade Shrimp Tempura Roll or Shrimp Avocado Salad with quinoa.

How to store leftovers

While bang bang shrimp is best served fresh, you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Freezing leftovers is not recommended.

To reheat, place the shrimp on a microwave-safe plate or dish and microwave in 20-second increments. Note that the shrimp will not be as crispy as when it was freshly made.

Frequently asked questions