If you've ever wished restaurant-style Bang Bang Shrimp could come together in under 15 minutes in your own kitchen, this recipe is your answer. Plump, juicy shrimp coated in a light, ultra-crispy panko breading, air-fried to golden perfection, and tossed in a creamy, sweet, spicy, and tangy signature sauce. It's addictively delicious, incredibly easy, and significantly lighter than deep-fried versions!
The magic of this recipe comes down to the air fryer. Traditional restaurant bang bang shrimp is submerged in heavy oil, making it messy and calorie-dense. By using the air fryer, you get that same shatteringly crisp texture with just a quick spritz of cooking spray. Once hot out of the air fryer, the shrimp are tossed in a 3-ingredient sauce made from mayo, sweet Thai chili sauce, and Sriracha that clings to every crunchy ridge.
I first recreated this recipe when craving the famous bonefish restaurant appetizer on a Friday night without wanting to leave the house or pay restaurant prices. My kids and husband went wild for them — the entire bowl vanished in less than 5 minutes! Now, it's our ultimate weekend snack, game day appetizer, and quick weeknight taco filling that everyone begs for.
What Is Bang Bang Shrimp?
Bang Bang Shrimp was originally popularized by Bonefish Grill, an American casual dining seafood restaurant chain. The signature dish featured crispy fried shrimp tossed in a creamy, sweet, and spicy chili sauce, served over a bed of shredded lettuce. It quickly became one of the most famous restaurant appetizers in America.
The name "Bang Bang" comes from traditional Chinese street food (such as Bang Bang Chicken), which refers to the savory, spicy, and sesame-infused sauces paired with crispy meats. The American seafood adaptation reimagined those flavors using Thai sweet chili sauce, Japanese mayonnaise, and Sriracha for a sweet-heat flavor bomb.
Today, Bang Bang Shrimp is a viral sensation across Pinterest, TikTok, and Instagram. Home cooks love it because air frying delivers restaurant-level crunch in under 10 minutes of cooking time, making it an easy homemade luxury!
Why You'll Love This Bang Bang Shrimp
- Air-fried perfection in 8 minutes: Super quick cook time with zero deep frying or greasy clean-up.
- Shatteringly crispy coating: Panko breadcrumbs give the shrimp an incredible crunch that stays crisp under the sauce.
- 3-Ingredient famous sauce: Simply whisk mayo, sweet chili sauce, and Sriracha for an irresistible creamy sweet heat.
- Lighter & healthier: Uses 90% less oil than deep-fried restaurant versions while delivering 100% of the flavor.
- Multi-purpose star: Serve as an appetizer, over rice bowls, inside warm tortillas for Bang Bang Tacos, or over crisp greens.
- High-protein snack: Plump shrimp provide lean protein in every crispy, saucy bite.
Key Ingredients
Raw Large Shrimp
Use peeled and deveined medium or large shrimp (tails removed). Thawed raw shrimp yield the juiciest interior texture.
Panko Breadcrumbs
Japanese panko breadcrumbs create light, airy flakes that stay remarkably crunchy in the air fryer compared to fine standard breadcrumbs.
Sweet Thai Chili Sauce
The signature sweetener for the sauce! Gives that irresistible sticky, sweet, garlic-infused glaze.
Mayo & Sriracha
Real mayonnaise creates the creamy base, while Sriracha provides the fiery "bang" contrast. Adjust Sriracha to your heat preference!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Pat Shrimp Dry & Prep Breading Station
Pat peeled and deveined raw shrimp thoroughly dry with paper towels. Set up two shallow bowls: Bowl 1 with whisked egg white (or buttermilk) and cornstarch. Bowl 2 with Panko breadcrumbs seasoned with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
💡 Pro Tip: Removing surface moisture from the shrimp ensures the cornstarch and egg wash stick tightly without sliding off.
Coat Shrimp in Crunchy Panko
Dip each shrimp into the egg mixture to coat, let any excess drip off, then press firmly into the Panko breadcrumbs until completely covered on all sides. Place coated shrimp on a clean plate.
💡 Pro Tip: Press the panko firmly into the shrimp with your fingers so the breadcrumbs adhere firmly during air frying.
Air Fry Until Golden & Crisp
Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Spray the basket with avocado oil spray. Arrange shrimp in a single un-crowded layer. Generously spray top of shrimp with oil spray. Air fry for 7–8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
💡 Pro Tip: Don't overlap the shrimp in the air fryer basket! Air circulation is the secret to maximum crunch.
Whisk the Signature Bang Bang Sauce
While shrimp are air frying, whisk mayonnaise, sweet Thai chili sauce, Sriracha, and a teaspoon of honey or rice vinegar in a medium bowl until smooth and creamy.
💡 Pro Tip: Use Kewpie Japanese mayonnaise if available for an extra silky, umami-rich sauce experience!
Toss & Serve Hot
Transfer hot crispy shrimp directly into the bowl of Bang Bang sauce. Gently fold with a spatula until every piece is glossy and coated. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately while hot!
💡 Pro Tip: Toss in sauce right before serving so the panko stays crispy under the creamy glaze!
Expert Tips for the Best Results
High heat is key. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for fast cooking. High heat crisps the panko before the shrimp inside can overcook.
Use oil spray generously. Lightly spraying the panko-coated shrimp with high-heat cooking spray (avocado or olive oil) guarantees a rich golden crunch without dry white flour spots.
Adjust the spice level. For kids or mild palates, reduce Sriracha to 1 teaspoon. For heat lovers, double the Sriracha or add a pinch of chili flakes!
Remove the tails. Remove shrimp tails before breading so you can eat every piece in one easy bite!
Sauce on the side option. If serving to a crowd over a long period, serve the sauce in a side bowl for dipping to preserve ultimate crunch!
Squeeze of fresh lime. Serve with fresh lime wedges. A squeeze of fresh lime juice right over the sauced shrimp cuts through the rich mayo for pure perfection.
How to Store & Reheat
🧊 Refrigerator
Store leftover sauced shrimp in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Note that the panko coating will soften over time once sauced.
♨️ Reheating in Air Fryer
Reheat leftover shrimp in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3–4 minutes until warm and re-crisped. Avoid microwaving, which makes seafood rubbery.
🍱 Pro Tip for Leftovers
If prepping ahead, air fry the shrimp and store the sauce separately. Reheat the un-sauced shrimp in the air fryer for 3 minutes, then toss in fresh sauce for day-one crunch!
Serving Suggestions
Turn this incredible appetizer into a full meal with these fun serving ideas:
- Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos — Tuck sauced shrimp into warm flour tortillas with shredded purple cabbage, avocado slices, and cilantro.
- Bang Bang Rice Bowls — Serve over warm jasmine rice or sushi rice with sliced cucumber, edamame, and pickled red onions.
- Classic Party Appetizer — Serve in a white bowl with cocktail picks over a bed of finely shredded butter lettuce.
- Low-Carb Lettuce Wraps — Spoon inside crisp romaine or butter lettuce cups for a fresh, low-carb lunch.
- Crispy Asian Slaw Salad — Toss over a bed of shredded cabbage, carrots, cilantro, and toasted almonds.
- Bang Bang Slider Sliders — Sandwich 2–3 shrimp inside toasted brioche slider buns with crunchy coleslaw!
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Can I use frozen cooked shrimp?
❓ Can I make this gluten-free?
❓ What if I don't have an air fryer?
❓ Can I substitute Greek yogurt for mayonnaise?
❓ How do I stop the Panko from falling off in the air fryer?
❓ Can I make this with chicken instead of shrimp?
Crispy Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp
Crispy panko-crusted shrimp air-fried to perfection and tossed in a creamy, sweet chili sriracha sauce. Ready in 15 minutes!
- Air Fryer
- Tongs & Breading Bowls
- Avocado Oil Spray
- Prep shrimp & breading: Pat raw shrimp completely dry with paper towels. In Bowl 1, whisk egg white and cornstarch. In Bowl 2, combine Panko, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Bread shrimp: Dip each shrimp into egg wash, then press firmly into Panko mixture until completely coated.
- Air fry: Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Spray basket with oil spray. Arrange shrimp in a single layer (do not overlap). Spray top generously with oil spray. Air fry for 7–8 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Make sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk mayonnaise, sweet Thai chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey until smooth.
- Toss and serve: Add hot crispy shrimp into sauce bowl and gently fold to coat. Garnish with scallions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately!
📝 Recipe Notes
Oil spray choice: Use avocado or olive oil spray. Avoid aerosol non-stick sprays like PAM which can damage air fryer basket coating. Spice tweak: Adjust Sriracha from 1 tsp (mild) up to 2 tbsp (spicy). Oven baking: Bake on parchment at 425°F for 10–12 mins if no air fryer. Sauce timing: Toss in sauce right before serving for maximum crunch.