There’s something truly addictive about the crispy, creamy, and spicy goodness of this Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe. Every bite bursts with flavor, and it’s surprisingly easy to whip up right at home—you just can’t help but smile as you eat it!

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 first made this Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe when I wanted to replicate that irresistible appetizer from my favorite restaurant. It ended up being one of those dishes I keep coming back to because it's fast, flavorful, and always a crowd-pleaser.

Simplicity: Minimal ingredients deliver maximum flavor without fuss or complicated steps.
Texture Contrast: Crispy shrimp coated in a creamy, spicy sauce gives an unforgettable bite.
Versatility: Perfect as an appetizer, main dish, or even served on salad or tacos.
Impresses Easily: Looks gourmet enough to wow guests, but you’ll spend very little time in the kitchen.

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

This Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe relies on a few key ingredients that balance creaminess, spice, and texture beautifully. Each one plays an important role to bring that iconic flavor and crunch we all love. Here are some shopping tips before you get started!

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: Creates that silky, creamy base in the sauce, so make sure to use a good-quality mayo for the best flavor.
Thai sweet chili sauce: This adds sweetness with just the right amount of mild heat and tang. Find it in the Asian aisle or your local grocery store.
Sriracha: Bring some extra kick here—adjust the amount to suit your heat preference.
Raw shrimp: Peeled and deveined shrimp are easiest to cook and eat, but feel free to use larger or smaller shrimp to your liking.
Buttermilk: Helps tenderize and add subtle tang to the shrimp while prepping, making the final bite juicier.
Cornstarch: This is the secret to that crispy coating—thinner than flour, it fries up super crunchy without heaviness.
Vegetable oil: Choose an oil with a high smoke point for frying, and keep enough on hand for a few inches deep to get consistent browning.

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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

What’s great about this Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe is how easy it is to tweak for your taste or dietary needs. I often switch up the heat level or try different dipping sauces, and there are plenty of ways you can make it uniquely yours.

Variation: Sometimes I swap out half the mayo for Greek yogurt to lighten the sauce without losing creaminess — it’s delicious and tangy.
Heat level: Adjust the Sriracha or add a pinch of cayenne if you like it hotter, or omit it for a mild version that kids love.
Gluten-free: Cornstarch is naturally gluten-free, making this recipe easy to adapt just by checking your chili sauce ingredients.
Serve differently: Try tossing the shrimp in a crunchy salad or building them into shrimp tacos for a fun twist.

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

Step 1: Whip Up That Signature Sauce

I like to start with the sauce because it’s super quick to mix and sets the tone for our dish. Just combine the mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, and Sriracha in a small bowl—taste it and tweak the spice until it's just right for you. Keep it in the fridge while you get the shrimp ready.

Step 2: Soak the Shrimp for Tender Juiciness

Place your peeled and deveined raw shrimp in a bowl with buttermilk, stirring gently so every piece gets coated. This step is a game-changer—it tenderizes the shrimp and helps the cornstarch stick better. Let them soak for at least 5 minutes if you can.

Step 3: Coat and Fry for Crispy Perfection

Drain the shrimp from the buttermilk, letting the excess drip off. Then toss them in cornstarch, making sure each shrimp is evenly coated. Heat your oil to 375°F (190°C)—using a thermometer really helps here. Fry the shrimp in batches, about 1-2 minutes per side, until they turn beautifully golden and crisp. I like to rest them on a wire rack to keep that crunch.

Step 4: Toss in Sauce and Serve Immediately

Once your shrimp are crispy and rested, quickly toss them in your prepared Bang Bang sauce. Serve right away while everything’s still warm and luscious. I promise, that first bite will make you smile every time!

Top Tip

After cooking this Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe several times, I realized these tips really take it up a notch. Paying attention to the frying temperature and draining properly will save you from soggy shrimp.

Use a thermometer: Keeping your oil around 375°F ensures a crispy exterior without greasy shrimp.
Don’t overcrowd the pan: Fry shrimp in small batches so the temperature doesn’t drop, which can cause sogginess.
Drain on a wire rack: Placing fried shrimp on paper towels can trap steam—use a wire rack for perfect crunch.
Coat just before frying: Coat your shrimp in cornstarch right before frying to avoid clumps and ensure crispiness.

How to Serve Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe

Garnishes

I’m a sucker for fresh green onions sprinkled on top along with finely chopped cilantro—both add a fragrant, fresh pop that balances the richness of the shrimp perfectly.

Side Dishes

My favorite sides to go with this Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe are simple but tasty—think garlic butter rice, a crisp Asian slaw, or steamed broccoli with lemon. They keep things light and let the shrimp shine.

Creative Ways to Present

For a party, I love skewering a few shrimp with a wedge of lime and a bit of slaw on the side. Or, serve the shrimp over mini lettuce cups for a fun finger-food style appetizer—it’s always a hit!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any leftover shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. I like to keep the shrimp and sauce separate if possible, so the shrimp stay crisp a bit longer.

Freezing

Personally, I don’t freeze cooked fried shrimp—it tends to lose texture after thawing. If you want to prep ahead, you can freeze raw shrimp separately and fry fresh when you’re ready.

Reheating

The best way I’ve found to reheat is in the oven at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes on a wire rack to bring back some crisp without drying out the shrimp. Avoid the microwave or they’ll get rubbery.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Since cornstarch is naturally gluten-free, just double-check that your Thai sweet chili sauce doesn’t contain any gluten ingredients. This recipe is a great option for gluten-free diets.

What type of shrimp works best for this recipe?

Medium to large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined, work best here. Size 31-40 or 41-50 count shrimp fry quickly and get a nice crunch without drying out. Avoid pre-cooked shrimp as they won't crisp up well in the frying process.

How spicy is this dish? Can I adjust the heat?

This Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe offers a balanced mild heat. You can easily adjust spice levels by varying the amount of Sriracha or even adding more chili sauce. For a kid-friendly version, simply omit the Sriracha altogether.

Is deep frying necessary, or can I bake the shrimp?

Deep frying is key to getting that perfect golden crunch. Baking won’t achieve the same texture but you could bake the shrimp coated in cornstarch sprayed with oil at high heat as a lighter option, though the texture will be different.

Final Thoughts

This Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe has become one of those “go-to” dishes in my kitchen when I want something fast, tasty, and impressive. I hope you’ll enjoy making it as much as I do. It’s fun to share with friends or savor as a special treat—either way, those crispy, saucy shrimp always deliver smiles.