Hey there, fellow food lovers! I’ve been obsessing over Bang Bang Shrimp lately, and after tons of testing in my kitchen, I’m super excited to share this amazing recipe with you. If you’ve ever had Bonefish Grill’s famous appetizer, you know exactly what I’m talking about – that incredible combination of crispy shrimp coated in a creamy, sweet-and-spicy sauce that’s totally addictive!
What’s Bang Bang Shrimp, Anyway?
Before we dive into the cooking process, lemme tell you that Bang Bang Shrimp isn’t just any ordinary fried shrimp dish. It’s actually inspired by a Thai dish called bang bang chicken, but with a delicious twist that’s become a huge hit in American restaurants.
The Secret’s in the Sauce!
The magic of Bang Bang Shrimp lies in its incredible sauce Here’s what you’ll need
- ½ cup mayonnaise (Japanese mayo works best!)
- ¼ cup Thai sweet chili sauce
- 1-3 tablespoons Sriracha (depending on how spicy you like it)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional, but adds amazing flavor)
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Shrimp:
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup cornstarch or buttermilk for marinating
- Salt to taste
- Oil for frying
For Garnish:
- Fresh chopped green onions
- Lettuce leaves (optional)
Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect Bang Bang Shrimp
1. Prep the Shrimp
First things first let’s get those shrimp ready
- Clean and devein your shrimp if they aren’t already
- Remove the tails (trust me, it makes eating easier!)
- Pat them dry with paper towels
2. Make That Amazing Sauce
Mix together
- Mayonnaise
- Sweet chili sauce
- Sriracha
- Sesame oil (if using)
Set aside while you cook the shrimp.
3. Coating Options (Choose Your Fighter!)
Option 1 – Cornstarch Method:
- Season shrimp with salt
- Coat each shrimp in cornstarch
- Shake off excess
Option 2 – Buttermilk Method:
- Marinate shrimp in buttermilk for 10-15 minutes
- Drain and coat in cornstarch or breadcrumbs
4. Frying Time!
Here’s where the magic happens:
- Heat oil to 375°F (190°C)
- Fry shrimp in batches (don’t overcrowd!)
- Cook for 3-4 minutes until golden brown
- Drain on paper towels
5. The Grand Finale
- While shrimp are still hot, toss them in your bang bang sauce
- Garnish with chopped green onions
- Serve immediately (nobody likes soggy shrimp!)
Pro Tips from My Kitchen to Yours
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Temperature Matters: Make sure your oil is hot enough – test with a small piece of bread, it should bubble and turn golden in about 30 seconds.
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Don’t Skip the Draining: Those paper towels are crucial for keeping your shrimp crispy!
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Sauce Control: Start with less sauce and add more as needed. You want to coat the shrimp, not drown them!
Serving Suggestions
Y’all can get creative with how you serve these bad boys:
- As an appetizer on a bed of lettuce
- In tacos with slaw and extra sauce
- Over rice for a main dish
- Wrapped in seaweed (my personal fave!)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
-
Overcrowding the Pan: This drops the oil temperature and makes soggy shrimp. Nobody wants that!
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Using Cold Shrimp: Let them come to room temperature before cooking.
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Too Much Sauce: Start light, you can always add more!
Storage Tips
- Best eaten fresh (like, right away!)
- If you must store, keep sauce separate
- Reheat in air fryer or oven to restore crispiness
Variations to Try
- Healthier Version:
- Air fry instead of deep fry
- Use light mayo in the sauce
- Try with panko breadcrumbs
- Spicier Version:
- Double the Sriracha
- Add red pepper flakes
- Mix in some cayenne
- Gluten-Free Option:
- Stick with cornstarch coating
- Check your sauce ingredients carefully
Final Thoughts
Making Bang Bang Shrimp at home is actually way easier than you might think! Plus, you get to control the spice level and portion size (because let’s be real, sometimes we want more than just an appetizer portion!).
I love making this recipe for parties – it’s always a crowd-pleaser and people think I’m some sort of kitchen wizard. Little do they know it’s actually pretty simple to make!
Remember, cooking should be fun, so don’t stress too much about getting everything perfect. Even if your first batch isn’t restaurant-worthy, it’ll still be delicious! Now go forth and make some amazing Bang Bang Shrimp! ✨
how to serve crispy bang bang shrimp
There are a few ways for you to serve the dish. My husband loves to eat it just as is because the crispy texture turns the shrimp into an amazing appetizer. Some times we eat it with rice, but it’s also quite popular to serve it in taco shells.
Lately though I’ve been enjoying folding the shrimp between seaweed sheets to make some delectable mini seaweed shrimp tacos.
(For full ingredient measurements, please proceed to the recipe card below.)
- Shrimp
- Salt
- Paprika
- Chili powder
- Sugar
- Egg
- Flour
- Plain bread crumbs/Panko crumbs
- Green onions (for garnish)
- Japanese mayo
- Sweet chili sauce
- Sriracha
- Sesame oil
How to make bang bang shrimp
- Make the spicy sauce by mixing all the sauce ingredients.
- Season the cleaned and deveined shrimp with salt, sugar, paprika and chili powder.
- Set aside for at least 10 minutes before breaking an egg into the same bowl and adding flour. Mix well.
- Add bread crumbs to a plate or bowl and coat the shrimp evenly with the bread crumbs.
- In a frying pan over medium heat, add enough oil to cover the surface and once add the shrimp once it’s hot enough.
- Shallow fry for 2-4 minutes on each side or until it’s golden brown.
- Let it rest on a paper towel for at least 5 minutes before coating it with the spicy sauce. Garnish with green onions. Serve and enjoy!
How To Make Bang Bang Shrimp – Better Than Bonefish Grill!
FAQ
What is bang bang sauce made of?
Bang Bang sauce is typically made from a combination of mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and Sriracha, with honey and sometimes other ingredients like soy sauce or lime juice added for extra flavor.
What is on Bang Bang Shrimp?
- Mayonnaise. This Bang Bang Shrimp recipe starts with mayonnaise, which gives the dish creaminess and tang.
- Spicy Sauces. Bring the sweet and savory heat with Thai-style sweet chili sauce and sriracha hot chili sauce.
- Cornstarch. …
- Shrimp. …
- Oil. …
- Lettuce Leaves. …
- Green Onions.
Is bang bang sauce and Yum Yum sauce the same?
How do you make a copycat Bang Bang Shrimp?
Here’s what you’ll need to make copycat Bang Bang Shrimp in the comfort of your own kitchen: This Bang Bang Shrimp recipe starts with mayonnaise, which gives the dish creaminess and tang. Bring the sweet and savory heat with Thai-style sweet chili sauce and sriracha hot chili sauce. What makes Bang Bang Shrimp so wonderfully crispy?
What is Bang Bang Shrimp?
The inspiration for bang bang shrimp is a saucy Thai-inspired dish known as bang bang chicken, where the meat is cooked, shredded and served with a spicy sauce. The Bonefish Grill version of this bang bang dish opts for crispy fried shrimp instead of chicken and a kickin’ mayo-based bang bang shrimp sauce.
How do you make Bang Bang Shrimp from Bonefish Grill?
This copycat Bang Bang Shrimp from Bonefish Grill is a crispy, creamy, sweet, and spicy dish with just a few ingredients! Try it today! In a small bowl add the mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce and Sriracha and stir. In a second bowl add the shrimp and buttermilk and stir to coat all the shrimp.
How do you eat Bang Bang Shrimp?
Fry the shrimp until it’s lightly browned and no longer transparent in the center. Put the fried shrimp in a bowl and coat with a mixture of mayonnaise and spicy sauces. Serve the Bang Bang Shrimp on lettuce leaves and garnish with green onions. “This was, by far, the most popular new recipe I’ve tried this year,” raves Shawne Baines.
How do you make Bang Bang sauce?
First in a medium bowl with peeled and deveined shrimp, add buttermilk. Let this sit for 10 minutes for shrimp to tenderize. Next in a small bowl, combine Bang Bang Sauce ingredients as listed. Set aside. Then in a shallow bowl or baking sheet, whisk together cornstarch, salt, garlic powder and black pepper.
Can you eat Bang Bang Shrimp dipping sauce?
Sauce – Rather than tossing the shrimp with the sauce you can serve Bang Bang sauce as a dipping sauce in a small bowl on the side. While Bang Bang shrimp is best just after it’s been prepared, you can store leftovers.