If crispy shrimp with a creamy sweet and spicy sauce sounds good to you, this Bang Bang Shrimp is worth making. The shrimp stay golden and crunchy while every bite gets just enough creamy sauce to bring the flavor together, coming together in just 30 minutes for a restaurant-favorite appetizer at home.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crispy, crunchy shrimp. A buttermilk soak and cornstarch coating create the perfect crispy texture.
- That sweet and spicy Bang Bang sauce. Mayo, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha combine for a creamy, well-balanced glaze.
- Ready in 30 minutes. A fast, satisfying appetizer or main dish.
- Restaurant-favorite flavor at home. No need to order out for this one.
Ingredients
- 1½ lbs large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- 1 cup cornstarch
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Vegetable oil, for frying
For the Creamy Bang Bang Sauce
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup sweet chili sauce
- 2 tbsp sriracha, adjusted to taste
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Chopped parsley or green herbs, for garnish
How to Make Creamy Bang Bang Shrimp
1. Prepare the shrimp. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels, then place them in the buttermilk and let them soak briefly. This helps the coating stick and keeps the shrimp tender inside.
2. Coat the shrimp. Combine the cornstarch, flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Remove each shrimp from the buttermilk and coat generously in the flour mixture.
3. Fry until crispy. Heat the vegetable oil to 350°F. Fry the shrimp in small batches for 2 to 3 minutes until golden, crispy, and cooked through. Remove and drain briefly.
4. Make the Bang Bang sauce. Stir together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, lime juice, and garlic powder until smooth and creamy.
5. Toss with the sauce. Place the warm crispy shrimp in a large bowl. Gently toss with enough creamy Bang Bang sauce to coat each shrimp without making the crispy coating soggy.
6. Garnish and serve. Arrange the creamy Bang Bang Shrimp on a serving platter and sprinkle with chopped parsley or fresh green herbs. Serve immediately while the shrimp are warm and crispy.
Tips for the Best Bang Bang Shrimp
- Don’t skip the buttermilk soak. It helps the coating adhere and keeps the shrimp tender inside the crispy crust.
- Fry in small batches. Crowding the oil drops the temperature and leads to soggy, unevenly cooked shrimp.
- Toss gently and just before serving. This keeps the crispy coating from getting soggy under the sauce.
- Adjust the sriracha to taste. Start with less if you’re unsure, since you can always add more for extra heat.
What to Serve with Bang Bang Shrimp
These are delicious served over rice for a full meal, or on their own as an appetizer with toothpicks for easy serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bake these instead of frying?
Yes, bake at 425°F on a well-oiled sheet for about 12 to 15 minutes, flipping halfway, though the coating won’t be quite as crispy as frying.
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes, just thaw completely and pat very dry before soaking in the buttermilk.
Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
Yes, the Bang Bang sauce can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Creamy Bang Bang Shrimp
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels, then place them in the buttermilk and let them soak briefly. This helps the coating stick and keeps the shrimp tender inside.
- Combine the cornstarch, flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Remove each shrimp from the buttermilk and coat generously in the flour mixture.
- Heat the vegetable oil to 350°F. Fry the shrimp in small batches for 2 to 3 minutes until golden, crispy, and cooked through. Remove and drain briefly.
- Stir together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, lime juice, and garlic powder until smooth and creamy.
- Place the warm crispy shrimp in a large bowl. Gently toss with enough creamy Bang Bang sauce to coat each shrimp without making the crispy coating soggy.
- Arrange the creamy Bang Bang Shrimp on a serving platter and sprinkle with chopped parsley or fresh green herbs. Serve immediately while the shrimp are warm and crispy.