Crunchy, creamy, and just the right amount of spicy – this Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe is a total crowd-pleaser. What’s so special about it? It’s that perfect balance between crispy fried shrimp tossed in a luscious, tangy, and slightly sweet sauce that keeps you going back for more.

A white bowl filled with bright orange fried shrimp coated in a shiny sauce, piled high in the center. On the top right side of the bowl, there is a layer of chopped coleslaw with white, purple, and orange pieces, adding a fresh, crunchy texture. Small green scallion slices are sprinkled on top of the shrimp, giving a pop of color and freshness. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface, highlighting the vibrant colors of the food. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe

Why You'll Love This Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe

I’ve made this Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe countless times, and every single time it delivers that irresistible combo of flavors and textures. Whether I’m serving it as an appetizer or a fun main dish, it never fails to impress my guests (and my picky eaters too!).

Simple Ingredients: You probably already have everything you need in your pantry and fridge.
Quick to Make: From start to finish, it’s ready in about 20 minutes – perfect for busy nights.
Customizable Heat: You control how spicy it gets by adjusting the Sriracha and chili sauce.
Always Crispy: The cornstarch coating fries up beautifully, giving that signature crunch.

A close-up of a single orange-colored shrimp coated in a shiny, thick sauce being held by light brown wooden chopsticks. The shrimp shows a bumpy texture from the sauce with tiny green herb bits on it. The background is filled with more shrimp in the same sauce, slightly blurred. All is set against a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe plays a key role, blending flavors and textures seamlessly. Here’s why they’re essential and a few shopping tips to keep your shrimp game strong.

Flat lay of raw, pink shelled and deveined shrimp, a small bowl of creamy white mayonnaise, a small bowl of glossy bright red Thai sweet chili sauce, a tiny bowl of deep orange Sriracha, a fresh whole white egg with a clean shell, a small bowl of smooth white buttermilk, a small bowl filled with fine pale yellow cornstarch, and a small bowl of clear vegetable oil, all arranged in perfect symmetry on simple white ceramic bowls placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p awthu7i m7354615311229779997

Mayonnaise: Provides a creamy base for the sauce that mellows out the heat perfectly.
Thai sweet chili sauce: Adds sweetness with a subtle tang and a hint of spice — a must for authentic flavor.
Sriracha: A little heat punch that you can tweak depending on your spice tolerance.
Shrimp (raw, shelled, and deveined): Fresh or frozen works fine; just make sure to thaw fully if frozen for best texture.
Buttermilk: Helps tenderize the shrimp and aids the cornstarch in sticking for that perfect fry.
Cornstarch: Key to crispiness—lighter than flour, it fries up to a delicate crunch.
Vegetable oil: Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point for frying without burning.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love playing around with this Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe depending on the occasion. It’s super forgiving, so try different sauces or spice levels to really make it your own.

Variation: Once, I swapped out mayonnaise for Greek yogurt to make the sauce a bit lighter—it still tasted fantastic but with fewer calories.
Dietary tweak: You can use coconut oil for frying to give it a subtle tropical twist and accommodate dairy-free diets by substituting the buttermilk with a mix of almond milk and lemon juice.
Seasonal change: Adding finely chopped fresh cilantro or green onions on top gives the dish a fresh kick in warmer months.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe

Step 1: Whip Up That Gorgeous Sauce

Start by combining mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, and Sriracha in a small bowl. Give it a good stir until everything’s blended smooth and vibrant. This sauce steals the show, so make sure it's well mixed and balanced — taste and adjust the Sriracha to fit your heat comfort zone.

Step 2: Marinate the Shrimp

Grab a second bowl and toss the raw shrimp with buttermilk. This step helps tenderize the shrimp and makes the cornstarch cling beautifully for frying. Let it soak for about 5 minutes — patience here makes a huge texture difference!

Step 3: Coat, Fry & Rest

Drain the shrimp and shake off any excess liquid, then toss them in cornstarch until each piece is lightly coated. Heat vegetable oil in a heavy pan (about 2-3 inches deep) to 375°F. Fry shrimp in batches for 1-2 minutes per side until they turn golden and crispy. Drain on a wire rack or paper towels to keep that crunch intact.

Step 4: Toss in Sauce & Serve

While still warm, toss the fried shrimp in the sauce until they’re evenly coated. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor explosion. It’s seriously addictive!

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few things that make my Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe shine every time. These tweaks helped me get that perfect crunch and flavor balance that my family loves.

Oil Temperature is Key: Keeping your oil at a steady 375°F ensures the shrimp cook quickly without getting greasy.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Fry in small batches to keep oil temperature steady and maximize crispiness.
Drain Well: Using a wire rack to rest shrimp lets excess oil drip away so they stay crunchy.
Adjust the Sauce Heat: Taste as you go with the Sriracha — I like just a little kick, but if you love heat, add more!

How to Serve Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe

Garnishes

I usually finish my Bang Bang Shrimp with a sprinkle of chopped green onions and a handful of fresh cilantro for a pop of color and fresh flavor. Sometimes, a squeeze of lime juice adds the perfect zesty contrast that brightens the whole dish.

Side Dishes

This recipe pairs beautifully with simple sides like coconut rice or steamed jasmine rice to soak up the sauce. I also love serving it alongside a crunchy Asian slaw or light cucumber salad to balance the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I’ve arranged the shrimp on a large platter with lime wedges and extra sauce on the side for dipping. You could also serve them in mini lettuce cups or atop avocado slices for a fresh appetizer twist that wows guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover shrimp taste best if stored separately from the sauce in an airtight container in the fridge. This way, the shrimp stay less soggy, and you can toss them in fresh sauce before serving again.

Freezing

I don’t recommend freezing the shrimp after frying because the texture suffers. However, you can freeze raw, coated shrimp (before frying) on a baking sheet and then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 1 month.

Reheating

To reheat, pop the shrimp in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes on a wire rack to keep them crispy. Then toss in freshly made or leftover sauce right before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen shrimp for this Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe?

Absolutely! Just thaw the shrimp completely and pat them dry before soaking in buttermilk — this helps keep your shrimp crispy when frying.

How spicy is the sauce and can I make it milder?

The sauce has a nice hint of heat thanks to Sriracha and the Thai sweet chili sauce, but it’s not overwhelming. If you prefer milder, simply reduce or omit the Sriracha to suit your taste.

Can I bake the shrimp instead of frying them?

You can bake them, but frying gives the best crunch. If baking, coat shrimp with cornstarch and spray with oil, then bake at 425°F for about 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crispy.

What do I do if my shrimp lose their crispiness after coating with sauce?

For maximum crunch, toss shrimp in the sauce just before serving, and use a wire rack to drain any excess oil after frying. Leftover coated shrimp tend to get soggy, so it’s best to reheat them separately and add fresh sauce as needed.

Final Thoughts

For me, this Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe feels like the ultimate treat that’s easy to pull off any night of the week. It’s one of those dishes that brings everyone to the table with smiles, and the crispy, saucy bites deliver pure joy every time. Give it a try, and I bet it’ll find a permanent spot in your recipe rotation – just like it did in mine!