Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp brings restaurant-quality flavor right to your kitchen with crispy, tender shrimp coated in that irresistible sweet-spicy sauce we all love. The magic of the air fryer gives these bite-sized morsels the perfect texture without deep frying – crispy on the outside and perfectly juicy inside.
Last week, Lily and Jake were hovering around the kitchen as the aroma filled our home. Even my picky Jake, who typically avoids anything with “bang bang” in the name (too spicy, he claims), couldn’t resist trying these. He ended up eating nearly half the batch!
What makes bang bang shrimp air fryer recipes so perfect for busy weeknights is the lightning-fast cooking time and minimal cleanup. From start to finish, you’ll have these on the table in under 20 minutes – a lifesaver when you’re juggling after-school activities and homework help like I am most evenings.
What You Need to Make This Recipe
For this Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp, you’ll need plump shrimp, light breading ingredients, and simple components for that addictive bang bang sauce that makes everyone come back for seconds. I always opt for larger shrimp for the best texture-to-sauce ratio. The complete ingredient list with exact measurements is in the recipe card below.
How to Make Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp
Making air fried bang bang shrimp couldn’t be simpler! You’ll coat the shrimp in a light breading, air fry until perfectly crispy, then toss in that irresistible sweet-spicy sauce. The air fryer works its magic in minutes, creating that restaurant-quality texture without deep frying. Even on my busiest nights, I can have this impressive dish ready with minimal effort.
Ultimate Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp (Must Try!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Notes
Prepare the Shrimp
Start by peeling and deveining your shrimp if they aren’t already prepared. I leave the tails on for a prettier presentation and easier handling, but you can remove them if you prefer. Pat the shrimp completely dry with paper towels – this is crucial for getting that crispy coating!
Create the Breading
In a shallow bowl, combine the cornstarch, flour, salt, and pepper. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs. Working in batches, dip each shrimp first in the egg mixture, then coat it in the dry mixture, shaking off any excess. This light coating gives bang bang air fryer shrimp that perfect crunch without being heavy.
Air Frying
Preheat your air fryer to 380°F for 3 minutes. Lightly spray the basket with cooking oil, then arrange the shrimp in a single layer – overcrowding is the enemy of crispiness! Spray the tops lightly with oil and cook for 5-6 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and the shrimp reach 145°F internally.
Make the Bang Bang Sauce
While the shrimp cooks, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and honey in a large bowl. The sauce should be the perfect balance of creamy, sweet, and spicy. When the air fried bang bang shrimp are done, gently toss them in the sauce until evenly coated. Serve immediately for maximum enjoyment!
Pro Tips for Making This Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp
Don’t Skip the Preheating: Always preheat your air fryer for at least 3 minutes before adding your shrimp. This ensures the Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp start cooking immediately, creating that perfect crispy exterior while keeping the inside juicy.
My Secret Trick: I add a tablespoon of cornstarch to my flour mixture! This creates an ultra-light, crispy coating that stands up to the sauce without getting soggy, even after being tossed.
Work in batches if necessary rather than overcrowding your air fryer basket. I’d rather spend a few extra minutes air frying than end up with soggy shrimp that steamed instead of crisped.
For the perfect sauce consistency, start with less sriracha than you think you need. You can always add more to taste, but I’ve learned from experience (after making it too spicy for Jake once) that you can’t take the heat away!
Fun Variations for Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp
Family-Friendly Adaptation
For my kids’ sake, I sometimes make a “Bang-Less” version alongside the regular batch. I keep a small portion of the sauce separate and omit the sriracha completely for Jake. As Lily has gotten older, she’s developed quite the spice tolerance and now prefers the original version!
Coconut Bang Bang Shrimp
Add 1/2 cup shredded coconut to your breading mixture for a tropical twist on Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp. David absolutely loves this version – the sweet coconut pairs beautifully with the spicy sauce. It’s like a vacation on a plate!
Garlic Parmesan Bang Bang
For a fusion flavor, add 2 tablespoons of grated parmesan and 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder to your breading. After air frying, toss the bang bang air fryer shrimp in the sauce as usual and then sprinkle with additional parmesan. This variation has become a regular request for our Friday movie nights.
Keto-Friendly Option
Replace the flour and cornstarch with almond flour and crushed pork rinds for a low-carb version. For the sauce, use a sugar-free sweet chili sauce and a touch of monk fruit sweetener instead of honey. It’s still delicious but works for friends following specialized diets.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp
These Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp make a fantastic appetizer on their own, but I often turn them into a complete meal. My go-to accompaniment is a simple jasmine rice – it soaks up that amazing sauce and provides the perfect backdrop for the flavorful shrimp.
For a lighter option, serve over a bed of mixed greens with sliced avocado and cucumber. The cool, crisp vegetables balance the warm, air fried bang bang shrimp beautifully, and it’s become Lily’s preferred way to enjoy them.
On busy weeknights, I’ll quickly steam some broccoli and carrots to serve alongside. The veggies add color, nutrition, and a pleasant textural contrast to the meal. Jake will actually eat his vegetables when they’re sharing a plate with these shrimp!
For entertaining, I arrange the shrimp on a platter with lime wedges and cilantro, then add small bowls of extra bang bang sauce for dipping. It’s always the first dish to disappear at our neighborhood get-togethers.
How to Store and Reheat
While Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp are best enjoyed fresh, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. I recommend keeping any unused sauce separate to prevent the breading from becoming soggy.
To reheat, the air fryer is definitely your best friend! Preheat to 370°F, then heat the shrimp for 2-3 minutes until warmed through. They’ll regain most of their original crispiness this way. If you stored them already sauced, they won’t get quite as crispy, but the flavor will still be delicious.
My family tip: I often make a double batch of the bang bang sauce and save half in the refrigerator – it keeps well for up to a week and is fantastic on grilled chicken or as a dipping sauce for raw vegetables when you need a quick snack.
Nutritional Benefits
Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp offers impressive nutritional value, with shrimp providing high-quality lean protein and essential omega-3 fatty acids. Using the air fryer dramatically reduces the fat content compared to traditional deep-fried versions, while still delivering that satisfying crunch. It’s a protein-packed option that fits perfectly into our family’s balanced approach to weeknight meals.
FAQs
How to get crispy coating on air fryer bang bang shrimp?
Pat the shrimp completely dry before breading, don’t skip the cornstarch in your mixture, and never overcrowd your air fryer basket. A light spray of oil on both sides of the breaded shrimp before air frying also helps achieve that golden crispy coating.
Can I use frozen shrimp for air fryer bang bang shrimp?
Absolutely! Thaw frozen shrimp completely in the refrigerator overnight or under cold running water, then pat thoroughly dry before breading. I keep a bag of frozen shrimp on hand specifically for last-minute dinners like this.
When to add the bang bang sauce – before or after air frying?
Always add the sauce after air frying. Coating the shrimp after cooking ensures they maintain their crispy texture. If you sauce them before air frying, you’ll end up with soggy shrimp and a messy air fryer basket.
What size shrimp works best for this recipe?
Large or jumbo shrimp (21-25 or 16-20 count per pound) work best. They provide the perfect bite-size portion and won’t overcook in the air fryer. Medium shrimp work too but reduce cooking time by 1-2 minutes.
Conclusion
Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp has become a staple in our Colorado home for good reason – it delivers restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort, perfect for those busy weeknights when you want something special without the fuss. The combination of crispy, tender shrimp with that addictively sweet-spicy sauce never fails to bring everyone to the table with smiles. Even on our most hectic days, I can count on this dish to transform dinner from ordinary to extraordinary in under 20 minutes. Give it a try – I’m confident it will earn a permanent spot in your family’s meal rotation too!