Name: Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup mayonnaise; 1/4 cup Thai sweet chili sauce; 1/4 teaspoon Sriracha; 1 pound shrimp (raw), shelled and deveined; 1/2 cup buttermilk; 3/4 cup cornstarch; Vegetable oil, for frying (about 2-3 inches depth)

There's something irresistibly creamy, crunchy, and just a little spicy about the classic Bang Bang Shrimp. This Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe combines a zesty sauce with crispy shrimp that’s perfect for a quick weeknight treat or a flavorful appetizer that impresses friends. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll want to make it again and again.

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’ve made this Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe dozens of times, and every single time it hits the spot. It strikes the perfect balance between creamy and spicy, with shrimp that stay tender inside and crunchy on the outside. It’s quick enough for dinner and fancy enough for entertaining — a total winner!

Simple Ingredients: You don’t need a kitchen full of fancy items, just a few pantry staples and fresh shrimp.
Quick to Make: From start to finish, it takes about 20 minutes—perfect for busy evenings.
Versatile Flavor: The sweet, spicy, creamy sauce pairs beautifully with the crispy shrimp.
Fun to Serve: It’s a crowd-pleaser that can easily be the star appetizer or a main dish with your favorite sides.

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 uses a handful of ingredients that combine to create that famously addictive flavor. The mayo and Thai sweet chili sauce provide richness and sweetness, while a touch of Sriracha adds a perfect hint of heat. Cornstarch makes the shrimp extra crispy, and buttermilk keeps them juicy and tender.

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: Adds creamy richness to the sauce, balancing out the spicy-sweet components.
Thai sweet chili sauce: This is the heart of the sauce – sweet, tangy, with just the right kick.
Sriracha: Adds a little heat to brighten up the flavors without overpowering.
Shrimp: Use medium or large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined for quick cooking and easy eating.
Buttermilk: Tenderizes the shrimp and helps the cornstarch coating stick.
Cornstarch: The secret to an ultra-crispy, light coating that fries up beautifully.
Vegetable oil: Essential for deep frying — gives that perfect golden crunch.

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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

One of the best things about this Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe is how easily you can tweak it to suit your tastes or dietary needs. I like mine with a little extra heat, but I’ve also dialed back the spice and added a hint of garlic for a milder, more savory version.

Variation: Sometimes I swap the cornstarch for panko crumbs if I’m in the mood for extra crunch and a slightly different texture — it works like a charm!
Make it lighter: For a lighter version, try baking instead of frying, tossing the shrimp with sprayed cooking oil before baking at 425°F until crisp.
Heat lovers: Add more Sriracha or a pinch of cayenne to the sauce if you like it spicy.
Gluten-free: Cornstarch keeps this recipe naturally gluten-free, which is great if you need to avoid gluten.

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

Step 1: Mix up the magic sauce

Start by combining mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, and Sriracha in a small bowl. Stir until smooth—this is the sauce that makes the dish pop. Taste it and add a little more Sriracha if you're feeling bold. It’s so good you might want to dip fries in it too!

Step 2: Prep the shrimp with care

Place peeled and deveined raw shrimp in a bowl with buttermilk. Give them a gentle stir to coat and let them soak for a few minutes—this tenderizes the shrimp and helps the cornstarch stick better. Don’t skip this step if you want juicy, flavorful shrimp.

Step 3: Coat shrimp and heat the oil

Remove the shrimp from the buttermilk and let any excess drip off. Then, toss them in cornstarch, making sure each shrimp is coated evenly. Meanwhile, heat your vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pan to 375°F — hot enough for frying but not smoking.

Step 4: Fry until crispy perfection

Carefully fry the shrimp in batches so they cook evenly. It usually takes about 1 to 2 minutes per side until they’re golden and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a wire rack or paper towels to drain excess oil. This step keeps them crisp, not soggy.

Step 5: Toss and serve immediately

Once all shrimp are fried, toss them quickly in the prepared sauce while they're still hot. Serve right away to keep that delightful crunch and creamy coating intact.

Top Tip

After making this Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe many times, I’ve learned these simple tricks really make a big difference. They’ll help you get the perfect crispy, tender shrimp that everyone raves about.

Oil Temperature Matters: Use a thermometer to maintain 375°F to ensure shrimp cook quickly and don’t absorb too much oil.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Fry in small batches. Crowding drops oil temperature and makes shrimp greasy, not crispy.
Drain Well: Place fried shrimp on a wire rack instead of paper towels to keep them crisp longer.
Toss Warm: Coat shrimp in sauce right after frying so it adheres well without making the coating soggy.

How to Serve Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe

Garnishes

I love to garnish this Bang Bang Shrimp with finely chopped green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for texture and color contrast. A squeeze of fresh lime juice right before serving brightens up the dish beautifully.

Side Dishes

This recipe pairs wonderfully with a simple green salad, steamed jasmine rice, or even some cool cucumber salad to balance the heat and creaminess. For a real treat, try it with fried rice or garlic noodles.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I like serving the shrimp in small portions on individual spoons or mini taco shells for fun finger food. Another time, I layered the crispy shrimp over a bed of greens with avocado for a refreshing twist on a shrimp salad.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftover fried shrimp separately from the sauce in an airtight container in the fridge. This helps keep the shrimp crispy longer since they don’t get soggy from sitting in sauce.

Freezing

While I don’t typically freeze this recipe because the fried shrimp lose some crispness, you can freeze the cooked shrimp without sauce on a baking sheet then transfer to a freezer bag. Reheat in an oven or air fryer for best texture.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop leftover shrimp in a hot oven or air fryer for a few minutes until warmed through and crispy again. Avoid microwaving as it makes the coating soggy and the shrimp rubbery.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen shrimp for this Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe?

Yes! Just make sure to thaw the shrimp completely and pat them dry before soaking them in buttermilk and coating them with cornstarch. This helps prevent excess water, which can lead to soggy fried shrimp.

What’s the best way to make the shrimp extra crispy?

Using cornstarch instead of flour and frying in hot oil at 375°F helps create an ultra-crispy crust. Also, fry the shrimp in small batches so the oil temperature stays consistent and don’t overcrowd the pan.

Can I bake the shrimp instead of frying to make it healthier?

Absolutely! For a baked version, toss shrimp coated in cornstarch with a little oil, spread on a lined baking sheet, and bake at 425°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crispy.

How spicy is this Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe?

This recipe has a mild to medium heat level thanks to the Thai sweet chili sauce and a small amount of Sriracha. You can easily adjust the spice by adding more or less Sriracha or even some cayenne pepper according to your preference.

Final Thoughts

Making this Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe always feels like a mini celebration in my kitchen. The combination of crispy shrimp and that luscious, tangy-sweet sauce just hits all the right notes. I’m confident that once you try it, it’ll quickly become a go-to for quick meals and party fare alike — enjoy every bite like a friend sharing their favorite dish!