Best Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe (Crispy Shrimp in Creamy Sweet‑Spicy Sauce)

Discover how to make Bang Bang Shrimp, inspired by the Bonefish Grill classic—crispy, lightly battered shrimp tossed in a creamy, sweet‑spicy sauce. This recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor at home using simple ingredients: shrimp dredged in cornstarch or cornstarch/flour, fried (or baked), then coated in a sensational mayo-based sauce featuring sweet Thai chili and sriracha. No deep fryer required!

Ingredients

• For the Shrimp:
• 1 lb (≈450 g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails on or off)
• Well Plated by Erin
• ½ cup buttermilk (or substitute: 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice, sit 5 min)
• ½ cup cornstarch (can mix with equal flour or panko for extra crunch)
• The Noshery
• Oil for frying (vegetable, canola, avocado)
• Optional: 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (for extra crispy coating)
• For the Bang Bang Sauce:
• ¼ cup mayonnaise (or Japanese/Kewpie mayo)
• Cooking with Cocktail Rings
• ⅓–½ cup Thai sweet chili sauce
• 1–2 tsp sriracha (adjust based on heat level)
• Optional: 1 tsp rice vinegar or lemon juice (for balance)
• For Serving:
• Thinly sliced green onion or scallions
• Lettuce or cabbage (as a bed or garnish)

Directions

1. 1. Marinate Shrimp
2. Combine shrimp and buttermilk in a bowl. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes to lightly tenderize.
3. 2. Prepare Sauce
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, and sriracha. Add rice vinegar or lemon juice if desired for tang. Refrigerate until serving.
5. Cooking with Cocktail Rings
6. 3. Bread the Shrimp
7. Drain excess buttermilk from the shrimp. Dredge shrimp in cornstarch (and flour/panko if using), pressing gently to ensure an even coating.
8. 4. Cook the Shrimp
9. Heat about 1–2 inches of oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or cast iron skillet to ~350°F (175–180 °C). Fry shrimp in batches for 1–2 minutes per side, until golden and crisp. Drain shrimp on paper towels.
10. Alternate option: Bake or air fry at 425°F (~220 °C) for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy. Salt spray helps crisping.
11. 5. Toss with Sauce
12. Place cooked shrimp in a bowl while still warm. Pour cooled or room-temperature sauce over and gently toss to coat.
13. 6. Serve
14. Serve immediately over a bed of lettuce or shredded cabbage. Garnish with green onions or scallions. Pair with rice, tacos, or stir fry bowls.