There’s something irresistibly crunchy, creamy, and just a little spicy about this **Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe** that makes it stand out every single time. It’s that perfect bite that combines crispy shrimp with a tangy, sweet, and subtly spicy sauce—a combo that’s pure magic on your taste buds and easy to whip up right in your kitchen.

A white plate filled mostly with bright orange fried shrimp coated in a shiny sauce, slightly piled in the center and sprinkled with small bits of green herbs. In the background at the top right edge of the plate, there is a small serving of coleslaw made of shredded cabbage, some purple and white pieces mixed with a few thin slices of carrots. The plate sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This 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 Recipe

I remember the first time I made this Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe at home, I couldn’t believe how quickly it came together and how much flavor it packed. It’s a fantastic way to impress dinner guests or just treat yourself on a weeknight without a ton of fuss.

Quick and Easy: This recipe only takes about 20 minutes from start to finish, perfect for when you want fast, flavorful food.
Perfect Crunch: Using cornstarch creates a light, crispy coating that clings to the shrimp beautifully.
Flavor-Packed Sauce: The combo of mayo, Thai sweet chili sauce, and a hint of Sriracha gives you that classic creamy-spicy bang that’s addictive.
Versatile: Great as an appetizer, main dish, or even tossed into a salad for a flavorful boost.

A single crispy shrimp is held close up by light brown wooden chopsticks, coated in shiny bright orange sauce with a smooth texture, showing little bits of green garnish. In the blurry background, many more shrimp in the same orange sauce create a soft, warm background with a bumpy texture. The overall scene is set on 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 crucial part in balancing texture and flavor. From the coating to the sauce, the combination is what makes it so special and reliably delicious.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of creamy mayonnaise, a small white ceramic bowl of vibrant red Thai sweet chili sauce, a small white ceramic bowl of bright red Sriracha, a cluster of raw, peeled and deveined shrimp with glossy shells and tails intact, a small white ceramic bowl of fresh buttermilk, a small white ceramic bowl filled with fine, white cornstarch, and a small puddle of golden vegetable oil in a small white ceramic bowl, all arranged in perfect symmetry, 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: Adds creaminess and helps the sauce stick to the shrimp for that luscious coating.
Thai sweet chili sauce: Brings sweetness and a subtle heat with a beautiful glaze-like shine.
Sriracha: Just a dash amps up the spice without overwhelming the dish.
Shrimp (raw, shelled, and deveined): Fresh or thawed shrimp work best for quick frying and great texture.
Buttermilk: Tenderizes the shrimp and helps the coating adhere better for a crispier finish.
Cornstarch: The secret to that perfectly light and crispy crust that’s not heavy or greasy.
Vegetable oil: For frying at just the right temperature to get that golden crunch.

📝

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 like to switch things up depending on my mood or what I have on hand. You can easily tailor this Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe with little twists to make it your own, which is one of the fun parts about it!

Variation: Sometimes I swap the Sriracha for a smoky chipotle hot sauce to give a deeper, smoky heat that I absolutely love.
Healthier tweak: Try baking the shrimp instead of frying for a lighter version — just spray lightly with oil and bake at 425°F until crispy.
Seasonal change: Toss in freshly chopped cilantro or green onions on top for a fresh herby lift in spring and summer.
Make it veggie: Swap shrimp for crispy cauliflower bites for a vegetarian twist — the sauce still rocks!

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

Step 1: Whip Up That Signature Sauce

Start by mixing the mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, and Sriracha in a small bowl. Give it a good stir until it’s smooth and all combined. This sauce is the heart of the dish and you’ll want to adjust the Sriracha to your spice preference here.

Step 2: Prep the Shrimp with Buttermilk Bath

Place your peeled and deveined shrimp in a separate bowl and cover with buttermilk. Let them soak for several minutes — this step is key for tenderness and helps the coating stick like a charm.

Step 3: Coat the Shrimp with Cornstarch

Remove shrimp from the buttermilk, letting any excess drip off, then toss each shrimp in cornstarch to coat evenly. Cornstarch is a game-changer here — it crisps up so beautifully and stays light.

Step 4: Fry to Golden Perfection

Heat a heavy-bottomed pan with 2-3 inches of vegetable oil to 375°F. Fry the shrimp in batches, about 1-2 minutes on each side until they turn a gorgeous golden brown. Don't overcrowd the pan for even cooking and crispiness. Rest cooked shrimp on a wire rack to keep them from getting soggy.

Step 5: Toss with the Sauce & Serve Immediately

Once all the shrimp are fried, quickly toss them in your prepared sauce until every piece is coated in that creamy, spicy goodness. Serve right away while they're still warm and crispy for the best experience.

Top Tip

From my many batches of bang bang shrimp experiments, I’ve learned a few things that truly make a difference in getting it right — so here’s my top advice to make your version shine!

Use Fresh Shrimp: Fresh or properly thawed shrimp result in better texture—never use frozen shrimp that haven’t fully thawed.
Oil Temperature: Keep your oil hot but not smoking; 375°F is perfect to get the crispy crust without sogginess.
Cornstarch Over Flour: Cornstarch creates a lighter, crunchier crust versus flour, which can turn doughy or heavy.
Don’t Skip the Wire Rack: Rest fried shrimp on a rack instead of paper towels to keep them crisp and avoid steam making them soggy.

How to Serve Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe

Garnishes

I love finishing my bang bang shrimp with a sprinkle of chopped green onions and a handful of fresh cilantro. It adds brightness and a fresh contrast to the creamy-spicy sauce. Sometimes a wedge of lime on the side is perfect too — a quick squeeze really lifts the flavors.

Side Dishes

This shrimp pairs wonderfully with a simple steamed jasmine rice or a light Asian slaw for crunch and acidity. I also enjoy serving it alongside garlic butter noodles or even sliced avocado for a richer touch.

Creative Ways to Present

For a party, try serving the bang bang shrimp in mini lettuce cups or on skewers for easy finger food. It also makes a fantastic topping for loaded fries or tacos, turning dinner into a fun, festive event.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover bang bang shrimp is still tasty but will lose some crispiness. I store mine in an airtight container in the fridge and try to enjoy within 1-2 days for best results.

Freezing

I don’t recommend freezing the cooked shrimp with sauce since the texture changes quite a bit after thawing. However, you can freeze the raw coated shrimp (without frying) on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag and fry fresh whenever you want.

Reheating

To reheat, pop the shrimp in a preheated oven at 375°F on a wire rack for a few minutes just until warmed through to help revive some crispiness—you’ll lose the fresh fried crunch, but it’s much better than a microwave.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Swap the cornstarch for a gluten-free alternative like rice flour or a gluten-free cornstarch brand to keep the crispy texture. Just make sure your other ingredients (like sauces) are gluten-free as well.

How spicy is the Bang Bang Shrimp Sauce?

The sauce has a mild kick thanks to the Thai sweet chili sauce and just a touch of Sriracha; you can easily adjust the heat by adding more or less Sriracha depending on your taste.

Can I bake instead of fry the shrimp?

Yes, baking is a great option if you want a lighter version. Toss coated shrimp on a baking sheet, spray lightly with oil, and bake at 425°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crisp.

What’s the best way to reheat leftover Bang Bang Shrimp?

Reheat leftovers in a hot oven (about 375°F) on a wire rack for 5-7 minutes. This helps bring back some crispiness better than microwaving, which usually makes the shrimp soggy.

Final Thoughts

This Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe has become one of my go-tos when I want something that feels special but comes together quickly. I love how it manages to be indulgent and approachable all at once, delivering that amazing crunch and flavor every time. Give it a try—you’ll find it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s as fun to make as it is to eat!