Why You’ll Love these Crispy Bang Bang Shrimp
If you’ve ever dreamed of recreating that irresistible restaurant favorite at home, these Crispy Bang Bang Shrimp will make all your seafood fantasies come true.
The perfect balance of textures—crunchy outside and tender inside—makes these shrimp absolutely addictive.
What makes them special? It’s that light breading (the real secret) paired with the spicy-sweet sauce that tingles your taste buds just right. Not too hot, not too mild.
And can we talk about how gorgeous they look, sprinkled with green scallions atop those crisp lettuce leaves? A restaurant-quality appetizer without the restaurant price tag. Simply irresistible.
What Ingredients are in Crispy Bang Bang Shrimp?
The magic of Bang Bang Shrimp lies in the perfect balance of simple ingredients that create explosive flavor. You don’t need anything fancy or hard-to-find for this recipe—just fresh shrimp and pantry staples that work together to create that signature crispy coating and spicy-sweet sauce that makes this dish so craveable. The combination might seem straightforward, but trust me, the results are anything but ordinary.
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 nice lettuce leaves (whole)
- 1 scallion, chopped
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup Thai sweet chili sauce
- 1 teaspoon sriracha hot chili sauce
- 1/2-1 teaspoon chili-garlic sauce
When shopping for this recipe, the quality of your shrimp matters. Look for fresh or properly thawed frozen shrimp that smell clean and briny, never fishy. The sauce ingredients—particularly the Thai sweet chili sauce and chili-garlic sauce—can typically be found in the international aisle of most grocery stores. Can’t find buttermilk? No problem. You can make your own by adding a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to regular milk and letting it sit for about 10 minutes. The acidity helps tenderize the shrimp while adding subtle tang that balances the sweet-spicy sauce.
How to Make these Crispy Bang Bang Shrimp
The secret to perfect Bang Bang Shrimp isn’t just in the ingredients—it’s in the technique. Start by preparing your sauce first, combining 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/2 cup Thai sweet chili sauce, 1 teaspoon sriracha, and 1/2-1 teaspoon chili-garlic sauce (depending on your heat preference).
Making this sauce ahead of time—up to a day in advance—allows the flavors to meld together and actually helps tame some of the spiciness. The sauce develops character as it sits, kind of like how a good story gets better with each retelling.
For the shrimp preparation, toss 1 pound of peeled shrimp with 1 teaspoon of salt and let them sit for 10-15 minutes—this quick brine makes all the difference in flavor. While they’re brining, heat your oil to 350°F in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pan. For authentic cajun-style results, a premium cajun fryer will provide the perfect temperature stability needed for consistently crispy shrimp.
Next, give the shrimp a buttermilk bath (1 cup), coating them thoroughly before draining in a colander. This is where the magic happens: place the drained shrimp on a rimmed baking sheet and sprinkle half of your cornstarch-panko mixture (1 cup cornstarch mixed with 1/2 cup panko) over them, then flip and coat with the remaining mixture.
Remember, the key is a light breading—we’re going for delicate and crispy, not heavy and doughy. Fry these beauties until they turn golden brown, keeping an eye on the panko which will darken faster than the rest of the coating.
Once they’re perfectly crisp, drain them well and arrange on whole lettuce leaves for that restaurant-style presentation. For an even more convenient cooking experience, consider using a premium electric griddle to maintain consistent temperature control while frying your shrimp. Drizzle your prepared sauce over the shrimp—as little or as much as your heart desires—and finish with a sprinkle of chopped scallions for color and freshness.
What you’ll end up with is that perfect balance of crispy exterior, tender shrimp, and a sauce that’s simultaneously sweet, spicy, and creamy. Isn’t it amazing how something so impressive can come together with such simple steps?
Crispy Bang Bang Shrimp Substitutions and Variations
While we all love the classic Bang Bang Shrimp recipe, sometimes you’ll need to make substitutions based on what’s in your pantry or dietary restrictions.
Don’t have buttermilk? Mix regular milk with a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar.
Cornstarch can be swapped for rice flour for an equally crispy coating, perfect for gluten-sensitive folks.
For a lighter version, you can bake these at 400°F for 10-12 minutes instead of frying.
The sauce is flexible too.
Try honey instead of Thai sweet chili sauce, or Greek yogurt in place of mayo.
Craving extra heat? A dash of cayenne will do the trick.
What to Serve with Crispy Bang Bang Shrimp
Pairing your crispy Bang Bang Shrimp with the right sides transforms an appetizer into a complete meal that’ll impress any dinner guest.
I love serving these spicy-sweet morsels with coconut rice or cold sesame noodles to balance the heat.
For a lighter approach, try a crisp Asian slaw with rice vinegar dressing or a simple cucumber salad.
Want something more substantial? Steamed jasmine rice soaks up that delicious sauce perfectly.
Need veggie options? Stir-fried bok choy or garlicky green beans complement the flavors wonderfully.
And don’t forget a cold Tsingtao beer or lemonade to cool things down!
Final Thoughts
After mastering this crispy Bang Bang Shrimp recipe, you’ll never need to visit that famous seafood chain again! The secret truly lies in that light breading—just enough cornstarch and panko to create the perfect crunch without overwhelming the tender shrimp.
I love how versatile this dish is. Serve it as an appetizer, pile it on tacos, or make it the star of your dinner plate. If you enjoy seafood with complex flavors, try making miso salmon for a delicious umami-rich alternative.
The sweet-spicy sauce, with its perfect balance of Thai chili sweetness and sriracha heat, is what makes this dish unforgettable. For a complementary side dish, try roasted broccoli florets tossed in a tangy vinaigrette and cooked until the edges brown deliciously.
