Bang Bang Shrimp is the kind of recipe that actually delivers on its promise. Crispy air-fried shrimp tossed in a creamy, sweet, and spicy sauce bold, satisfying, and ready in under 20 minutes. As a nutritionist and busy mom, I love that it packs 32g of protein per serving with zero deep frying required.
I still remember the first time I served this to my teenagers and braced for the usual “it’s fine.” They asked for seconds before I even sat down. What makes bang bang shrimp so special is how the cornstarch coating creates a satisfying crisp in the air fryer, while the sauce brings just the right balance of heat and sweetness in every bite. It is weeknight-easy but genuinely feels like a restaurant win.
Table of Contents
Ingredients for Bang Bang Shrimp
These ingredients are simple, accessible, and come together fast. I always use large, peeled, and deveined shrimp for this recipe because they cook evenly and crisp up beautifully in the air fryer. Here is everything you need.
- 16 oz shrimp, peeled and deveined (fully thawed and patted completely dry if using frozen)
- 1/4 cup cornstarch (add 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs to the mix for an extra craggly, crispier crust)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Neutral oil spray (I recommend avocado oil spray for a clean, high-heat option)
- 1/3 cup mayo (my preference is to swap half for plain Greek yogurt to boost protein and cut fat)
- 2 tbsp Thai sweet chili sauce
- 2 tbsp sriracha (in my experience, start with 1 tbsp if you are sensitive to heat, then build from there)
- Pinch of salt (for the sauce)
Optional garnishes: steamed white or brown rice, sliced scallions, fresh cucumber slices
Step-by-Step Instructions
I recommend reading through all the steps before starting because this recipe moves quickly once the shrimp hits the air fryer. Having everything prepped and ready makes the whole process seamless.
Step 1: Combine the cornstarch and salt in a mixing bowl and stir lightly. Add the shrimp and toss until every piece is fully coated. Make sure your shrimp are completely dry before this step. Any surface moisture will prevent the crispy crust from forming properly.
Step 2: Spray your air fryer basket with oil, then arrange the shrimp in a single layer. Do not overlap them or they will steam instead of crisp. Spray the tops lightly with more oil. Air fry at 400 degrees F (205 degrees C) for 8 minutes, or until the shrimp are golden, lightly crisp on the outside, and cooked through with no translucency remaining.
Step 3: While the shrimp cooks, whisk together the mayo, Thai sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and a pinch of salt in a separate bowl until completely smooth. Taste the sauce now and adjust the heat level to your preference before the shrimp goes in.
Step 4: Transfer the hot, crispy shrimp directly into the sauce bowl and toss quickly until every piece is evenly coated. Work fast so the shrimp stay warm. Serve immediately over steamed rice and garnish with scallions and sliced cucumbers.
What to Serve with Bang Bang Shrimp
The bold, creamy heat of bang bang shrimp pairs best with sides that are mild, fresh, or lightly textured to balance the dish out perfectly. Here are my favorite pairings.
Steamed White or Brown Rice: The classic base that soaks up every drop of that extra sauce. Drizzle any leftover bang bang sauce right over the top for bonus flavor on every bite.
Sliced Cucumber: Fresh, cool cucumber cuts right through the richness of the mayo-based sauce and adds a satisfying crunch with zero effort or extra prep.
Cilantro Lime Shrimp Bowl: If you want to keep the shrimp theme going across your week, this bright and zesty bowl is a perfect companion recipe for meal prep days.
Bang Bang Chicken Rice Bowl: Love the bang bang sauce? This rice bowl version with chicken is a natural next recipe to try and uses the same sauce profile in a heartier format.
Creamy Garlic Shrimp: Another quick shrimp dinner that pairs beautifully as a companion dish when feeding a crowd or mixing up your weeknight protein rotation.
Asian Chicken Fried Rice: A flavor-forward, high-protein side that works incredibly well under or alongside bang bang shrimp instead of plain steamed rice.
Simple Green Salad: A light salad with a citrus vinaigrette keeps the meal feeling fresh and adds fiber without competing with the shrimp. It also rounds out the nutritional balance of the plate nicely.
Healthy Shrimp Avocado Salad: A cool, creamy side salad that complements the spicy-sweet sauce beautifully and adds healthy fats to the meal.
Storage and Serving Tips
Bang bang shrimp is absolutely best served fresh right out of the air fryer. That is when the cornstarch coating stays at peak crispiness. If you are meal prepping, store the cooked shrimp and the bang bang sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, place the shrimp back in the air fryer at 375 degrees F for 3 to 4 minutes to bring back the crunch, then toss with the sauce right before eating. I recommend avoiding the microwave entirely for the coated shrimp since it turns the texture rubbery fast.
Pro tip: leftover bang bang sauce keeps in the refrigerator for up to one week. It makes an incredible dip for veggies, a spicy drizzle over grilled shrimp bowls, or even a bold spread on wraps and sandwiches.
Conclusion
Bang bang shrimp proves that a high-protein, restaurant-quality meal does not have to be complicated or take a long time to put together. With a handful of simple ingredients and an air fryer, you have a dish that genuinely impresses every single time. Try it this week and let me know how it goes. I am confident it will earn a permanent spot in your dinner rotation.
Bang Bang Shrimp
Equipment
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Air fryer
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Mixing bowls
Ingredients
- 16 oz shrimp peeled and deveined, fully thawed and patted completely dry if using frozen
- 0.25 cup cornstarch add 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs for extra crispy crust
- 0.5 tsp salt for the shrimp coating
- neutral oil spray avocado oil spray recommended for high-heat cooking
- 0.33 cup mayo or half mayo and half plain Greek yogurt for higher protein and lower fat
- 2 tbsp Thai sweet chili sauce
- 2 tbsp sriracha reduce to 1 tbsp for milder heat preference
- 1 pinch salt for the bang bang sauce
Instructions
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Combine the cornstarch and salt in a mixing bowl and stir lightly. Add the shrimp and toss until every piece is fully coated. Ensure shrimp are completely dry before this step any surface moisture will prevent the crispy crust from forming.
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Spray your air fryer basket with oil and arrange the shrimp in a single layer without overlapping. Spray the tops lightly with more oil. Air fry at 400 degrees F (205 degrees C) for 8 minutes until golden, lightly crisp on the outside, and cooked through with no translucency remaining.
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While the shrimp cooks, whisk together the mayo, Thai sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and a pinch of salt in a separate bowl until completely smooth. Taste and adjust heat level to your preference before adding the shrimp.
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Transfer the hot crispy shrimp directly into the sauce bowl and toss quickly until every piece is evenly coated. Work fast to keep the shrimp warm.
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Serve immediately over steamed white or brown rice. Garnish with sliced scallions and fresh cucumber slices. Drizzle any extra bang bang sauce over the rice.
