Crispy, crunchy, and coated in a creamy, spicy-sweet sauce, this Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp is an irresistible appetizer or easy weeknight meal! Lightly breaded shrimp are air-fried to golden perfection, then tossed in a bold Bang Bang Sauce made with mayo, sweet chili sauce, and a touch of heat from Sriracha. Serve it with extra sweet chili-Sriracha dipping sauce for the ultimate flavor punch. It’s faster and just as delicious as the restaurant version—ready in under 30 minutes!
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This post was originally published in September 2017 and has since been updated.
Hello Air Fryer BANG BANG Fried Shrimp recipe! Can you tell that I am excited? I am definitely not trying to hide it. I first had bang bang shrimp years ago at Bonefish Grill Restaraunt. I have not been to the restaurant in ages. At the time the shrimp was their most popular appetizer. This still may be the case, I am not sure.
After whipping up my Air Fryer 3 Ingredient Catfish I couldn’t wait to test out seafood again in the Air Fryer.
Can shrimp be cooked in the air fryer? Absolutely!
Why Readers Love This Recipe
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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
Key Ingredients
- Shrimp
- Seafood Seasoning or Old Bay
- Paprika
- Egg
- Flour
- Breadcrumbs
- Greek Yogurt or Sour Cream
- Sriracha
- Sweet Chili Sauce
What is Bang Bang Shrimp/Why it’s Called 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!
What Type of Shrimp to Use/What Size Shrimp
Shrimp can be found at the grocery store in a few different ways. There is raw, pre-cooked, raw and frozen, deveined, tails on, tails off, etc. Also consider sizing. I like the large shrimp since these are handheld, and not served in a soup or salad.
I never use pre-cooked shrimp. There is an obvious difference in taste due to the lack of quality. The shrimp is cooked and then frozen and you have to cook it/warm it up again. This usually overcooks the shrimp. Raw shrimp only takes minutes to make, just buy it raw.
Always look for deveined, that’s my preference. It already has the black vein that runs along the back of the shrimp (the digestive intestinal tract, shrimp poop removed). You can buy it with the vein and remove it using a sharp paring knife to make a slit along the back and lift out the vein with the tip of the knife.
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.
- Create a cooking station with all-purpose flour, egg whites, and panko breadcrumbs. Dip each of the shrimp in the flour, egg whites, and then the panko breadcrumbs.
- Place the shrimp in the air fryer and spray with cooking oil.
- Air fry.
Air Fryer Temperature
I like to fry the shrimp at 400 degrees.
Cook Time/How Long to Cook
I recommend air frying for 8-10 minutes. Monitor and adjust to your liking.
Frequently Asked Questions FAQs
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.
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!
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.
Pair this shrimp with Air Fryer French Fries, Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potatoes, Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken, or Air Fryer Asparagus.
Air Fryer Recipes
Air Fryer Fish Sticks
Air Fryer Salmon
Air Fryer Shrimp Po Boys
Air Fryer Crab Cakes
Shrimp Egg Rolls
Air Fryer Fish Sandwich
Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries with Garlic Truffle Aioli
Shrimp Parmesan (Parmigiana)
Air Fryer Bang Bang Fried Shrimp
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
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- cooking oil
Bang Bang Sauce
- 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 2 tablespoons Sriracha
- 1/4 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, 1/2 cup all purpose flour, 3/4 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.1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream, 2 tablespoons Sriracha, 1/4 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)
Ginger
Tuesday 10th of December 2024
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
Wednesday 11th of December 2024
Wonderful! Glad to hear it!
Jill
Sunday 15th of October 2023
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
Monday 16th of October 2023
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Jo Kiser
Sunday 9th of January 2022
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
Sunday 9th of January 2022
I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Christina Smith
Sunday 29th of August 2021
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
Tuesday 31st of August 2021
haha yes. So good!
Jenn
Friday 11th of June 2021
This was a delicious recipe! Will be making this again. The sauce was a perfect amount of heat. A must try!
staysnatched
Wednesday 16th of June 2021
Wonderful! I'm glad you enjoyed it!