Bang Bang Shrimp – Easy, Crispy, Best Ever Copycat Appetizer

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Bang bang shrimp coated in creamy sauce with green onions and sesame seeds on a plate

Crispy shrimp coated in a creamy sweet-spicy bang bang sauce with green onion on top.

This Bang Bang Shrimp is crispy, saucy, and totally addictive. It tastes like a copycat restaurant appetizer, but you can make it at home with simple ingredients. The sauce is creamy, sweet, and a little spicy, and it clings to every crunchy bite.

The standout trick is tossing the shrimp in sauce right before serving. That keeps the coating crisp instead of soggy. Trust me, don’t sauce too early.

Why You’ll Love This Bang Bang Shrimp

  • Copycat favorite: Tastes like a restaurant appetizer.
  • Crispy + saucy: The best texture combo.
  • Easy to make: Simple breading and quick cook.
  • Party perfect: Great for game day and gatherings.
  • Adjustable heat: Make it mild or spicy.

Ingredients for the Best Bang Bang Shrimp

Shrimp, panko, eggs, mayo, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha for bang bang shrimp
Shrimp, crunchy coating, and a quick sweet-spicy sauce make bang bang shrimp
  • Shrimp: Use peeled shrimp; pat dry for crisp coating.
  • Cornstarch: Helps coating stick and crisp.
  • Eggs: Binder for crumbs.
  • Panko breadcrumbs: Extra crunch; regular breadcrumbs also work.
  • Mayonnaise: Creamy sauce base; Greek yogurt works, slightly tangier.
  • Sweet chili sauce: Sweet and sticky flavor.
  • Sriracha: Heat; adjust to taste.
  • Lime juice: Bright finish.
  • Salt and black pepper: Seasoning.
  • Green onions and sesame seeds: Fresh topping.

How to Make Bang Bang Shrimp

Four panel collage showing mixing sauce, breading shrimp, cooking until crisp, and tossing in sauce to serve
Mix sauce, bread shrimp, cook until crisp, then toss and serve
  • 1. Mix the sauce. Stir mayo, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and lime juice until smooth. Set aside.
  • 2. Prep the shrimp. Pat shrimp dry and season lightly with salt and pepper.
  • 3. Bread. Coat shrimp in cornstarch, dip in egg, then press into panko.
  • 4. Cook until crisp. Bake at 425°F for 10–12 minutes (flip halfway) or air fry at 400°F for 7–9 minutes until crisp and cooked through.
  • 5. Toss and top. Toss shrimp with just enough sauce to coat. Sprinkle green onions and sesame seeds.

Tips for Perfect Bang Bang Shrimp

  • Dry shrimp well for crisp coating.
  • Don’t overcrowd—space helps crisping.
  • Sauce right before serving.
  • Start with less sauce and add more if needed.
  • Adjust spice with more or less sriracha.

Variations & Substitutions

  • Extra spicy: Add more sriracha or red pepper flakes.
  • Lighter: Use Greek yogurt in the sauce.
  • Gluten-free: Use gluten-free panko and cornstarch.
  • Bowl idea: Serve over rice with shredded cabbage and cucumbers.
  • Leftovers: Re-crisp in air fryer, then add sauce again.

Make-Ahead & Freezing

  • Fridge: Store cooked shrimp up to 2 days (best crisp day-of).
  • Reheat: Re-crisp in air fryer at 375°F for 3–4 minutes.
  • Freeze: Freeze cooked, unsauced shrimp up to 1 month; re-crisp and sauce after.

Serving Suggestions

  • Serve with rice and cucumber salad.
  • Add to tacos with slaw.
  • Make a party platter with dips.
  • Great as an appetizer or light dinner.

Reader Review

This tasted exactly like the restaurant version. Keeping the sauce separate until serving kept everything perfectly crispy.

Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe Card

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 27 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Category: Appetizer
Method: Baking or Air Fryer
Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Diet: Pescatarian

If you make this Bang Bang Shrimp, leave a rating and a comment. Do you like it mild, medium, or spicy?

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