This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
This recipe brings a restaurant favorite right into your kitchen with less oil and all the flavor. These battered and “fried” air fryer bang bang shrimp are coated in a spicy sauce that will become a repeat recipe in your household.
Quick and Easy Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe
This Bang Bang Shrimp recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a fun appetizer for your next gathering. It’s crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and drizzled with a creamy, spicy sauce that will have everyone asking for more.
Ingredients
- Shrimp: Start with large, raw shrimp for the best results.
- Egg: Helps the flour and breadcrumbs adhere to the shrimp.
- Milk: Combines with the egg to create a wet dip for the breading.
- All-Purpose Flour: The primary coating that creates a crispy exterior.
- Panko Breadcrumbs: Adds extra crunch to the shrimp’s breading.
- Red Pepper: Provides a mild, spicy kick.
- Ground Black Pepper: Enhances overall flavor.
- Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, and Dried Basil: These seasonings add depth and savory notes to the breading.
- Olive Oil: Used to spray the shrimp to ensure they crisp up in the air fryer.
For the Bang Bang Sauce
- Mayo: The base of the sauce gives this dish a creamy texture.
- Garlic Chili Sauce: Adds a fiery depth to the sauce.
- Rice Vinegar: Balances the sauce with a slight tang.
How to Cook Bang Bang Shrimp in the Air Fryer
STEP 1 – Clean and pat dry the shrimp.
STEP 2 – Add panko bread crumbs, flour, and seasonings to a medium bowl. Mix well.
STEP 3- In a small mixing bowl, add egg to the milk and whisk until combined.
STEP 4 – Dip the shrimp into the flour and panko mixture, the egg mixture, and then back into the flour mixture. Place on a wire rack.
STEP 5 – Chill the breaded shrimp in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
STEP 6 – Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
STEP 7 – Arrange shrimp in a single layer in the preheated basket, spray lightly with olive oil, and air fry for 5 minutes. Flip the shrimp after 5 minutes, spray again, and cook for 3-5 minutes until golden and crispy.
STEP 8 – While the shrimp are cooking, make the spicy sauce. Add the mayo, chili garlic sauce, and rice vinegar to a small bowl. Mix well until thoroughly combined. Set aside.
STEP 9 – Toss the cooked shrimp in the sauce until well-coated.
Now dive in and enjoy this dish!
NOTE: This recipe was made using a Cosori Air Fryer. If you’re using a different brand of air fryer, you may need to adjust the temperature and cooking time slightly to accommodate your specific air fryer.
Tips
- Ensure Even Cooking: Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to allow even airflow around each shrimp.
- Spray Evenly: Lightly spray the shrimp with olive oil to help the breading crisp up without drying out.
- Serve Immediately: For the best texture and flavor, serve the shrimp immediately after tossing with the sauce.
Variations
- Add Heat: Incorporate more garlic chili sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper into the sauce for extra spice.
- Sweet and Spicy: Mix a little honey into the Bang Bang sauce for a sweet twist.
FAQs:
How can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Substitute the all-purpose flour and panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives to enjoy the same crispy texture without the gluten.
What are the best dipping sauces for Bang Bang Shrimp besides the Bang Bang sauce?
For those who enjoy variety, consider serving with sweet chili sauce, ranch dressing, or a zesty lime yogurt sauce for dipping.
Can I prepare the Bang Bang Shrimp ahead of time?
For best results, it’s recommended to prepare and cook the shrimp close to serving time. However, you can bread the shrimp and keep them refrigerated up to a few hours before frying to manage prep time better.
It’s a delicious recipe the whole family will enjoy.
Looking for other recipes like this one? Check out our other favorite air fryer recipes below.
MORE ASIAN INSPIRED AIR FRYER RECIPES:
Be sure to leave a review of this recipe and give it a star rating. It lets us know how we are doing and lets others know they should try it!
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a STAR ⭐️ RATING in the COMMENTS 📝 SECTION below.
Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer
Ingredients
Shrimp breading and seasoning
- 25 shrimp
- 1 egg
- 1 cup milk
- 3/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil, to spray
Bang Bang Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 4 teaspoons garlic chili sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon rice vinegar
Instructions
- Clean and pat dry the shrimp.
- Add panko bread crumbs, flour, and seasonings to a medium bowl. Mix well.
- In a small mixing bowl, add egg to the milk and whisk until combined.
- Dip the shrimp into the flour and panko mixture, the egg mixture, and then back into the flour mixture. Place on a wire rack.
- Chill the breaded shrimp in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Arrange shrimp in a single layer in the preheated basket, spray lightly with olive oil, and air fry for 5 minutes. Flip the shrimp after 5 minutes, spray again, and cook for 3-5 minutes until golden and crispy.
- While the shrimp are cooking, make the spicy sauce. Add the mayo, chili garlic sauce, and rice vinegar to a small bowl. Mix well until thoroughly combined. Set aside.
- Toss the cooked shrimp in the sauce until well-coated and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
