When I first started air frying in 2016, this bang bang shrimp was one of the recipes that made people finally take the gadget seriously. It’s quick, crunchy, and covered in that sauce everyone goes crazy for. I’ve been testing and sharing air fryer recipes for nearly a decade now, so when I say this one works, trust me, it does.
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This post was originally published in September 2017 and has since been updated.
This air fryer bang bang shrimp is every bit as crispy and flavorful as the restaurant version, just lightened up and way easier to make at home I’ve spent years testing air fryer recipes so you don’t have to guess or settle for bland. I know how to get that perfect crunch, and this one delivers every time.
What People Love About the Recipe
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I made this recipe tonight…the first one in my new air fryer. Can I just say YUM!!!!! Super easy and very tasty, especially with the spicy sauce! I’ll definitely be making this again! Thanks for the delicious recipe!
~Donna
What is Air Fried Bang Bang Shrimp?
Bang Bang Shrimp is a crispy, creamy, and slightly spicy shrimp dish made famous by Bonefish Grill. It features lightly breaded and fried shrimp tossed in a rich, tangy, and slightly sweet Bang Bang Sauce, which is typically a blend of mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and Sriracha.
This dish is known for its perfect balance of crunch and creaminess, with just the right amount of heat. It’s often served as an appetizer, in tacos, or over rice for a quick and flavorful meal.
With an air fryer version, you get all the crispy goodness without deep frying, making it a lighter but equally delicious alternative!
Ingredients for Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp
- Shrimp: When you’re buying shrimp, you’ll see all kinds: raw, pre-cooked, frozen, deveined, tails on, tails off, and different sizes. I always go for large, raw shrimp since this recipe is meant to be handheld, not tucked into a soup or salad. Skip the pre-cooked kind. Trust me, it’s just not the same. Pre-cooked shrimp gets cooked, frozen, and then you end up cooking it again, which usually makes it rubbery and overdone. Raw shrimp takes just a few minutes, and the flavor is way better.
- Seafood Seasoning or Old Bay Seasoning
- Paprika
- Egg
- Flour
- Breadcrumbs
- Greek Yogurt or Sour Cream
- Sriracha
- Sweet Chili Sauce
How to Make Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp
Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Season the Shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Toss them with seafood seasoning and paprika until evenly coated.
- Set Up the Breading Station: Place flour in one shallow bowl, the beaten egg in another, and breadcrumbs in a third.
- Bread the Shrimp: Dredge each shrimp in the flour, dip into the egg, then coat in breadcrumbs. Press lightly so the coating sticks.
- Air Fry Until Crispy: Spray the air fryer basket with oil. Place the shrimp in a single layer and air fry, flipping halfway, until golden brown and crisp.
- Make the Bang Bang Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt or sour cream, sriracha, and sweet chili sauce until smooth.
- Toss and Serve: Once the shrimp are done, toss them lightly in the bang bang sauce or drizzle it over the top. Serve immediately while hot and crispy.
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Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound raw shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1-2 teaspoons seafood seasoning or Old Bay Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika I used smoked paprika.
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 egg Beaten
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
- cooking oil
Bang Bang Sauce
- ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 2 tablespoons Sriracha
- ¼ cup sweet chili sauce
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer to 400 degrees.
- Season the shrimp with the spices.1 pound raw shrimp, 1-2 teaspoons seafood seasoning, 1 teaspoon paprika, salt and pepper to taste
- Place the flour, beaten egg, and panko bread crumbs in three separate bowls.1 egg, ½ cup all purpose flour, ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
- Create a cooking station. Dip the shrimp in the flour, then the egg, and the panko breadcrumbs last.
- Spray the shrimp with cooking oil.cooking oil
- Add the shrimp to the Air Fryer basket. Cook for 4 minutes. Open the basket and flip the shrimp to the other side. Cook for an additional 4 minutes or until crisp.
Bang Bang Sauce
- Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl. Mix thoroughly to combine.⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream, 2 tablespoons Sriracha, ¼ cup sweet chili sauce
Notes
- Find the biggest shrimp/prawns that you can! Big shrimp is a major win for this recipe.
- Bang bang shrimp is a recipe that includes crispy fried shrimp that is usually tossed in a spicy, sweet chili sauce. Instead of tossing the shrimp in the sauce, I decided to create a separate dipping sauce. This will ensure the shrimp remains crunchy for as long as possible.
- I also added plain, non-fat Greek yogurt to the dipping sauce to substitute. Greek yogurt also provides an additional boost of protein.
- If you don't have panko breadcrumbs on hand, standard breadcrumbs will work just fine.
- Use your judgment for cook time. I like for my shrimp to be extra crispy, so 8-10 minutes works for me.
Nutrition (displayed with net carbs)
Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp Frequently Asked Questions
Prep the Shrimp:
Season the shrimp and store in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to bread.
Prep the Coating:
In one bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, salt, and any seasonings.
In another bowl, whisk eggs or buttermilk for dredging.
In a third bowl, prep the panko breadcrumbs.
Store each separately in airtight containers or zip-top bags at room temp.
Make the Bang Bang Sauce
Whisk together mayo, sweet chili sauce, and Sriracha.
Store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
When Ready to Cook
Dredge the shrimp in the coating right before air frying (don’t bread them too early, or they’ll get soggy).
Air fry and toss in sauce as usual!
Raw shrimp start gray and translucent. Fully cooked shrimp turn opaque white with a pink or orange hue. Perfectly cooked shrimp curl into a "C" shape. Overcooked shrimp tighten into an "O" shape and become rubbery. Shrimp should feel firm but springy when pressed.
You can use frozen shrimp, but thaw them first. Place shrimp in a colander under cold running water for 5-7 minutes, tossing occasionally or, thaw in the fridge overnight. Pat them completely dry with paper towels before breading to ensure they get crispy.
For raw, frozen shrimp, cook the shrimp for 10 minutes on 360 degrees. And then another 5 minutes on 400 degrees or until crisp. Add seasoning once the shrimp is no longer frozen, but before it becomes crisp.
Simply omit the panko breadcrumbs in this recipe. The cook time will remain the same.
Leftovers can be stored tightly covered and sealed for 3-4 days.
Air Fryer (Best for Crispiness): Reheat at 375 degrees for 3-4 minutes or until crisp.
Oven or Toaster Oven: Reheat at 375 degrees on a baking sheet with a wire rack (this helps keep them crispy) for 5-7 minutes or until heated through.
Stovetop (Quick & Easy): Heat a nonstick pan over medium heat. Add shrimp and cook for 2–3 minutes, flipping once. Avoid overcrowding the pan to keep them crisp.
Microwave (Not Recommended): The shrimp will lose crispiness and turn soggy.
If you must use a microwave, reheat in 15-second intervals, but expect a softer texture.
Recipe Tips
- Find the biggest shrimp/prawns that you can! Big shrimp is a major win for this recipe.
- Bang bang shrimp is a recipe that includes crispy fried shrimp that is usually tossed in a spicy, sweet chili sauce. Instead of tossing the shrimp in the sauce, I decided to create a separate dipping sauce. This will ensure the shrimp remains crunchy for as long as possible.
- I also added plain, non-fat Greek yogurt to the dipping sauce to substitute sour cream, but sour cream works just fine in equal parts. Greek yogurt also provides an additional boost of protein.
- If you don't have panko breadcrumbs on hand, standard breadcrumbs are great.
How to Serve
Serve this as an appetizer with shredded cabbage or lettuce, over rice, in tacos, on a salad, or in a bowl.
Pair this shrimp with Air Fryer French Fries, Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potatoes, Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken, or Air Fryer Asparagus.
More Air Fryer Recipes
Air Fryer Fish Sandwich
Shrimp Egg Rolls
Air Fryer Crispy Sweet Potato Fries
Shrimp Parmesan (Parmigiana)
Free resource centre says
great recipe
Meagan says
I loved this recipe! It was so helpful to have the section about what Shrimp to use. It answered so many questions! My husband also devoured these and said “you definitely need to make these again!”
staysnatched says
I'm glad those tips worked for you!
Devon says
The shrimp are amazing! They’re extremely crispy and the dip is great too. Super easy and quick recipe. It definitely cured my craving for fried shrimp.
staysnatched says
Wondeful! I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipe.
Ali Chamblin says
So yummy! Easy and quick shrimp that everyone should love, we have it for dinner often! Just follow the directions!
staysnatched says
Wonderful! I'm glad you enjoy the shrimp.
Sabrina Boucher says
This on right here is a must try!!! So delicious! Even without the sauce the shrimp had such great flavor.
staysnatched says
Yes, this can go without the sauce and still be good.
Leandra Mansur says
I made this last night for me and my husband. We could not get enough and he has already asked me to make them again soon! The lighter panko breading is super crispy and leaving the dip on the side keeps them that way just as Brandi suggests. The yogurt is also a perfect substitute for the dip. Another great recipe from Stay Snatched!
staysnatched says
Yay! I'm so glad you enjoyed these.
Erika says
I made these for our Christmas Eve surf & turf dinner and they were delicious! These were also super easy to prepare and were so much better than the oily fried ones. Per Brandi’s recommendation, I did them for 10 minutes to get them extra crispy. The only change I made was using Mayo instead of Greek yogurt for the dipping sauce (its all we had). I’ll definitely be making these again!
staysnatched says
Wonderful! I'm so glad you enjoy the recipe!
Olivia says
Thank you for the delicious recipe looks so tasty!
staysnatched says
I hope you enjoy it!
Anna says
I made this for dinner tonight and it was delicious! And the recipe was super easy to follow. This is the first recipe I have made from Stay Snatched and I can't wait to try more! Thank you so much
staysnatched says
You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed the recipe.
Alison says
I loved this recipe! It was so quick to put together and I loved the recommendation to put the sauce on the side. This way you could make a non-spicy batch for the kids and spice up another batch for yourself! The only changes I made was to add some fresh squeezed lemon to the shrimp prior to battering. On the sauce I just added a squeeze of lemon, a splash of Worcestershire and Tabasco sauce and a little garlic powder. I then took a third of the sauce put in a squeeze bottle added just enough vinegar to make it squeeze out and used that to squeeze over the shrimp prior to serving. Delicious!
staysnatched says
Wonderful! I'm glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Rachel says
As a pescatarian that doesn’t consume dairy (I know, I know LOL), I often look for other ways to make the foods I can eat. I was craving fried shrimp and went right to Brandi’s site!
This recipe was extremely easy to follow and I was able to make a few adjustments based on items that I had on hand. The shrimp gave me that “fried” crunch I was looking for and the sauce was great! I will be making more the next time! I appreciate it being figure friendly too!
staysnatched says
Yay! I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
K. Phillips says
I used to go to happy hour just to get bang bang shrimp for $5 at the bar. This recipe yields the perfectly crispy shrimp (follow her advice and get the JUMBO!). I'm so glad I can make the sauce at home so I can put it on errythang! The heat is there, so definitely cater to your own tastes but either way, this is delicious and easy.
staysnatched says
That's so good to hear!
Shawna says
Made these tonight after seeing your insta story and they were amazing. I never expect anything less than you. The whole family loved them! Thanks for another great recipe!
staysnatched says
You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed them.
Eleanor says
Yes. This is exactly what I’ve been trying to achieve and just wasn’t successful. It was perfection!
staysnatched says
I'm glad to hear it!
Margaret Carmen says
Great recipe, can't wait to give this one a try! That sauce sounds amazing, as well. Thanks for sharing this great technique!
staysnatched says
You're welcome! I'm glad it worked out.
Kristal DLP says
AMAZING FLAVOR and so easy to make! The shrimp did not last long and I will definitely make this again. I thawed raw frozen peeled and deveined shrimp for the recipe and they cooked up just fine. Instead of using the bang bang shrimp sauce on the side as a dip, I tossed a little to coat the shrimp, put the shrimp on a bed of spinach and arugula and ate it as a salad. Thank you for sharing, I look forward to trying more recipes.
staysnatched says
I hope you enjoy more recipes.
Celene says
So so good!! Absolutely delicious and super easy to make. I got the air fryer you recommended and love it so much more than the one I had before! Thank you for all your hard work!
staysnatched says
You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Jenn says
This was a delicious recipe! Will be making this again. The sauce was a perfect amount of heat. A must try!
staysnatched says
Wonderful! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Christina Smith says
Follow THIS recipe (WITH the panko) for the juiciest, most crispy fried shrimp EVER! Had to make a double batch as my kids kept reaching for samples straight out of the air fryer! Came together easily- always a WIN in my book!
staysnatched says
haha yes. So good!
Jo Kiser says
LOVE THIS! I've always made it in the skillet, but love the air-fried idea. I serve my Bang Bang Shrimp over jasmine rice, drizzled with the sauce. The flavor of the sauce on both the shrimp and rice is truly addictive. (for the person who wanted a substitute for the yogurt in the sauce, the original recipe calls for mayonnaise. No, isn't as healthy with the extra calories, but it's out of this world in flavor!)
staysnatched says
I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Jill says
This shrimp turned out hecka good. I need bigger shrimp. I love that I can make it in my air fryer and have dinner on the table quickly.
staysnatched says
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Ginger says
It's good for me because I love shrimp and my adult daughter does not like any seafood, so I can quickly make up a batch just for me.
staysnatched says
Wonderful! Glad to hear it!