These Bang Bang Shrimp are the perfect balance of crispy texture and creamy, sweet-spicy flavor. Tossed in a sauce made from sriracha, sweet chili sauce, and mayonnaise, the shrimp achieve a crave-worthy flavor that keeps you coming back for more. Whether you’re making this dish as an appetizer or pairing it with a main course, it’s sure to impress. The recipe is quick to prepare, with a simple cornstarch coating and deep-frying method that gives the shrimp their signature crispiness. The bang bang sauce complements the shrimp’s natural sweetness and adds a spicy kick that is just mild enough for everyone to enjoy. Serve these shrimp as a fun appetizer, snack, or part of a light meal!
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 8 oz medium shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails removed
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 2 cups sunflower oil (for deep frying)
Bang Bang Sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 Tbsp sweet chili sauce (Mae Ploy brand preferred)
- 2 1/2 Tbsp sriracha
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
Directions:
- Prepare the Bang Bang Sauce: In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and salt. Cover and refrigerate until needed.
- Marinate Shrimp: In another bowl, marinate the shrimp in buttermilk for at least 10 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oil in a Dutch oven pot over medium heat to 375°F (2-3 inches of oil is ideal).
- Breading: Remove the shrimp from the buttermilk and allow any excess liquid to drip off. Coat the shrimp in cornstarch and shake off excess starch. Arrange 6-8 shrimp at a time on a cutting board.
- Fry the Shrimp: Fry the shrimp in batches until they float to the top and are golden brown (about 2-3 minutes). Transfer the shrimp to a paper towel-lined plate to drain off any excess oil.
- Coat with Sauce: While still warm, toss the fried shrimp in the prepared sauce to absorb it and develop a crispy coating.
- Serve: Arrange on a bed of lettuce and garnish with green onions.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes
Calories per Serving: 184 kcal | Servings: 8
A Burst of Sweet and Spicy Flavor
Bang Bang Shrimp is an irresistible appetizer that brings together the perfect balance of crispy, sweet, and spicy flavors. Originating from the popular Bonefish Grill restaurant, this dish has taken the culinary world by storm, becoming a favorite not just in restaurants but also for home cooks looking to recreate this simple yet flavor-packed dish. This Bang Bang Shrimp recipe is a copycat that stays true to the original, allowing you to enjoy restaurant-quality shrimp from the comfort of your kitchen.
What Makes Bang Bang Shrimp So Popular?
The appeal of Bang Bang Shrimp lies in its distinct combination of flavors and textures. The shrimp are lightly breaded, fried until golden, and then tossed in a mouthwatering sauce made from mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha. This sauce is what gives the dish its signature “bang,” blending the sweetness of chili sauce with the spiciness of sriracha, rounded off by the creamy richness of mayonnaise. The shrimp, when coated with this sauce, maintain a delightful crunch, with the sauce seeping into the breading to create a creamy, flavorful crust.
Bang Bang Shrimp is also versatile. It can be served as a standalone appetizer, transformed into a main dish over rice or noodles, or even used as a filling for tacos. This versatility makes it a great dish to have in your cooking repertoire, as it easily adapts to various serving styles and preferences.
The Origins of Bang Bang Shrimp
Bang Bang Shrimp is often associated with American-Chinese cuisine, but its flavor profile carries a more global influence. The sauce’s spicy kick and sweet notes have elements reminiscent of Thai cuisine, particularly with the use of sriracha and sweet chili sauce. The dish’s popularity soared when Bonefish Grill, a seafood chain in the United States, featured it on their menu as an appetizer. Since then, variations of this dish have appeared in other restaurants and seafood eateries, sometimes under different names like “Dynamite Shrimp.”
The Perfect Crunch: The Secret to the Crispy Coating
The key to perfecting Bang Bang Shrimp lies in achieving that signature crispy coating. Many traditional shrimp recipes use breadcrumbs or panko for breading, but this recipe calls for cornstarch. Cornstarch is widely used in Asian cuisine as a light breading that crisps up quickly when fried. It gives the shrimp a light, airy crunch without overwhelming them with a thick layer of breading. Additionally, soaking the shrimp briefly in buttermilk acts as a tenderizer, helping the cornstarch to adhere to the shrimp, creating a better crust when fried.
When deep-frying the shrimp, the temperature of the oil is crucial. Keeping it at a steady 350-375°F (176-190°C) ensures that the shrimp cook evenly and become golden without absorbing too much oil. The result is shrimp that are juicy on the inside and perfectly crispy on the outside.
The Flavorful Bang Bang Sauce
The sauce is what truly makes this dish a standout. It is a simple yet delicious combination of mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha. The mayonnaise provides a creamy base that helps coat the shrimp, while the sweet chili sauce adds a gentle sweetness. Sriracha contributes heat and spice, making the sauce tantalizingly addictive. The balance of flavors in this sauce is what gives the shrimp their “bang,” offering a satisfying punch without overwhelming the palate.
This sauce is not only great for shrimp but can be used for other dishes as well. It works well as a dip for chicken tenders, drizzled over fish tacos, or even as a condiment for sandwiches and wraps. The sauce’s simplicity and bold flavor make it versatile enough to enhance many other recipes.
How to Serve Bang Bang Shrimp
Bang Bang Shrimp can be served in a variety of ways, making it suitable for all kinds of meals and occasions. Here are a few ideas:
- As an Appetizer: Simply serve the shrimp on a platter garnished with lettuce, green onions, or chives for a crowd-pleasing starter. This dish pairs well with a refreshing drink or cocktail and is perfect for sharing at parties and gatherings.
- Over a Salad or Bowl: For a lighter meal, serve Bang Bang Shrimp over a bed of mixed greens, romaine lettuce, or coleslaw. Add fresh vegetables like cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, avocados, and sesame seeds to create a vibrant salad bowl. A squeeze of fresh lime juice adds a nice zest to the dish.
- Tacos or Wraps: Take soft flour or corn tortillas and fill them with the shrimp, along with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and herbs like cilantro. For an added twist, top with extra Bang Bang sauce and a squeeze of lime. These tacos are a fun and delicious way to enjoy Bang Bang Shrimp and make for a quick meal.
- Bang Bang Shrimp Rice Bowl: Serve the shrimp over steamed rice or fried rice for a complete meal. You can also add grilled or steamed vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, or snap peas to create a balanced and filling dish.
- Pizza or Sandwich Topping: Another creative way to use Bang Bang Shrimp is as a topping for pizzas or sandwiches. Place the shrimp over a pizza crust topped with a layer of cheese and bake until golden. Alternatively, pile the shrimp onto a sandwich bun with lettuce, tomato, and more sauce for a seafood-inspired twist on a classic sandwich.
Tips for Making the Best Bang Bang Shrimp
- Use Fresh or Quality Frozen Shrimp: Fresh shrimp will have the best flavor, but if you are using frozen shrimp, ensure they are properly thawed and patted dry before marinating. Pre-peeled and deveined shrimp will save you time during preparation.
- Don’t Overmarinate the Shrimp: The buttermilk marinade helps tenderize the shrimp and allows the cornstarch to adhere properly. However, it’s important not to soak the shrimp for too long, as the buttermilk’s acidity can make the shrimp rubbery. A brief 10-minute soak is enough to achieve the desired tenderness.
- Control the Oil Temperature: Maintaining the right oil temperature is key to crispy shrimp. If the oil is too hot, the shrimp will burn quickly; too cool, and they will absorb excess oil and become greasy. Use a kitchen thermometer to ensure the oil stays within the 350-375°F range.
- Toss the Shrimp in Sauce While Warm: Coating the shrimp in the sauce while they’re still warm helps the sauce seep into the breading, creating that creamy, spicy crust. This technique also allows the shrimp to absorb maximum flavor without becoming soggy.
The Versatility of Bang Bang Shrimp
While this recipe is designed to be an appetizer, its adaptability makes it suitable for any meal. You can add this shrimp to salads, tacos, or rice bowls, and even explore pairing it with other proteins like chicken for a “surf and turf” variation. The sauce is also easily adjustable; if you prefer more heat, add extra sriracha, or if you want it sweeter, increase the sweet chili sauce. The dish lends itself well to experimentation, so don’t hesitate to get creative with how you serve and enjoy it.
Conclusion:
Bang Bang Shrimp is more than just a dish; it’s a culinary experience that blends texture, flavor, and versatility. Its crispy coating, coupled with the spicy and sweet sauce, makes it a crowd favorite and a go-to recipe for many occasions. Whether you’re hosting a party, looking for a fun appetizer, or craving a seafood delight for your meal, this Bang Bang Shrimp recipe brings a burst of flavor and excitement to the table. Its simplicity and speed of preparation make it an accessible recipe for home cooks of all levels, and its incredible taste is sure to leave everyone wanting more.