This Bang Bang Shrimp is a great copycat for Bonefish Grill. The tender shrimp coated in a crispy cornstarch breading is the perfect appetizer or dinner. Plus, it takes just a few minutes to make and is easy to scale up for parties.
Want more tempting shrimp recipes? Try my appetizer Shrimp Cocktail and my Grilled Shrimp Kabobs for more delicious and tempting shrimp.
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Why this Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe is a Keeper
This Bang Bang Shrimp is a keeper because it delivers restaurant‑level flavor with almost no fuss. You get that irresistible combo of crispy, golden shrimp and a creamy, sweet‑heat sauce that clings to every bite, making it feel special without being complicated.
- The 20-Minute Factor: From fridge to table, it’s incredibly fast meal.
- Textural Contrast: You get the crunch of the cornstarch coating paired with the velvety, “bang bang” sauce.
- Crowd-Pleaser: It hits all the flavor profiles: sweet, salty, and spicy.
- Easy Ingredients: It uses common ingredients you often have on hand.
- Delicious Flavor: The dish tastes amazing and is a hit every time.
- Consistent Results: The recipe turns out well every time you make it and tastes just like the signature bang bang shrimp at Bonefish Grill.
What is Bang Bang Shrimp?
Bang bang shrimp is a popular appetizer. You fry the breaded shrimp until golden and pair it with a spicy and sweet sauce that complements the shrimp well. It’s great for parties or any get-together.
What Reader’s Are Saying…
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“Just perfect, so much flavor in one little dish!”
~ Donna
Ingredient Notes for Shrimp in Bang Bang Sauce
You only need a few easy-to-find ingredients, many of which you might have around your kitchen.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Shrimp: Make sure you have peeled and deveined shrimp before you fry the shrimp.
- Cornstarch: You will coat the shrimp in a cornstarch coating.
- Sweet Thai Chili Sauce: This is what makes this shrimp appetizer sweet and spicy.
Variations and Substitutions to Make Bang Bang Shrimp
This recipe is so versatile. I like to make many different varieties by switching up the ingredients.
- The Protein: Not a fan of shrimp? Try this with crispy cauliflower florets, cubed tofu, or make popcorn bang bang chicken.
- The Heat: Swap Sriracha for Sambal Oelek for a chunkier chili texture, or add a pinch of cayenne for more kick in the creamy sauce. You could even add a dash of hot sauce.
- Lighten it Up: Whisk together the sauce with Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise for the base of the sauce. It adds a nice tang while cutting down on fat.
Special Equipment Needed to Make This Recipe
A specific piece of equipment can sometimes make all the difference in a recipe. For this recipe, you’ll find a couple of things to be super helpful. A shallow bowl
- Spider Strainer: For safely scooping crispy shrimp out of hot oil.
- Heavy-Bottomed Pot (or Cast Iron): Holds heat better for a consistent fry.
- Instant-Read Thermometer: To ensure your oil stays around 350°F.
How to Make Copycat Bonefish Grill Bang Bang Shrimp
This recipe comes together in just 3 quick and easy steps. This shrimp dish is so good, it’s a great one to have on deck for all get-togethers.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Make the Sauce: In a medium bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and a little bit of the All Purpose Seasoning. Keep in the fridge until ready to use.
- Dredge the Shrimp: Season the shrimp with the rest of the All Purpose Seasoning, then add to a large bowl with buttermilk. Completely coat in milk before draining excess. Shake shrimp in cornstarch until shrimp is coated.
- Cook the Shrimp: Heat 2 inches of oil in a large pot. When oil is hot, add the shrimp and cook until lightly golden brown. Remove shrimp from oil and drain on paper towels. Toss cooked shrimp in the sauce and serve.
Prep Ahead Suggestions for Bang Bang Shrimp Sauce
Prepping ahead, even just a little bit, can can help to save time and kitchen space if hosting a party.
- Spicy Sauce: The sauce can be made in a small bowl up to 3 days in advance; the flavors actually meld better over time.
- Coating: You can butterfly and devein the raw shrimp a few hours early, but don’t coat them in cornstarch until the oil is hot, or the coating will get gummy.
Alternate Cooking Methods – Air Fryer Easy Shrimp Recipe
Alternatively, you can make this copycat bang bang shrimp recipe using your air fryer, oven or grill.
- Air Fryer: Healthier & very crunchy. Spray the breaded shrimp generously with oil mid-cycle. You will probably have to fry shrimp in batches.
- Baked: Easiest cleanup. Use panko breadcrumbs instead of cornstarch for better color.
- Grilled: Smoky & light. Skewer the shrimp and brush the sauce on during the last 30 seconds.
Store, Reheat and Use Leftover Appetizer
- Storing: Store the crispy fried shrimp in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Reheating: Reheat the creamy sweet chili sauce in the microwave or stovetop.
- Using Leftovers: Try using it in sandwiches or sliders or:
- Tacos: Shred some cabbage, add lime juice, and tuck the shrimp into warm tortillas.
- Rice Bowls: Serve over jasmine rice with pickled cucumbers and edamame.
- Salad Topper: Chop them up and throw them over a crunchy Romaine or kale salad.
Common Questions About Easy Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe
When you fry shrimp, the cornstarch will make them super crisp. However, you could use a different breading if you like.
If you find that your coating is falling off, give it a good pat into the skin of the shrimp.
Yes, but I prefer to work with them thawed so that I don’t get soggy shrimp.
Use any size you like, but be aware cooking time may change depending on size. So feel free to use large shrimp or smaller shrimp.
Expert Tips for the Best Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe
- Dry the Shrimp: Pat the shrimp bone-dry with paper towels before dredging. Moisture is the enemy of a crispy crust.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Fry in batches. Adding too many shrimp at once drops the oil temperature, leading to greasy, soggy seafood.
- The “Double Dip”: For an extra-thick crust, dip the shrimp or soaking the shrimp in buttermilk, then cornstarch, then back in buttermilk, and one last time in cornstarch.
- Serve: Serve bang bang shrimp on creamy Shrimp pasta or as bang bang Shrimp Tacos.
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Bang Bang Shrimp
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Ingredients
- ½ cup Mayonnaise
- ¼ cup Thai sweet chili sauce
- ¼ teaspoon Sriracha
- 2 ½ teaspoons All Purpose Seasoning, divided
- 1 pound Shrimp, shelled and deveined
- ½ cup Buttermilk
- ¾ cup Cornstarch
- Canola oil, enough for frying
Instructions
- In a small bowl add the mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha and ½ teaspoon All Purpose Seasoning Blend; Whisk until combined.
- Refrigerate sauce until ready to use.
- Season the shrimp with 2 teaspoons of All Purpose Seasoning.
- Add the shrimp to a medium bowl bowl; Pour buttermilk over the shrimp and stir until shrimp are completely coated in buttermilk.
- Drain excess buttermilk from the shrimp.
- Add the cornstarch to a zip top bag; Add shrimp to the bag, seal the bag and shake until the shrimp are completely coated in cornstarch.
- Add 2 inches of oil to a heavy bottomed pot. Heat the oil to 375℉.
- Add the coated shrimp in batches to the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pot.
- Fry for 2 minutes or until lightly browned.
- Remove the shrimp from the oil and drain on a plate lined with paper towels.
- Repeat frying process with remaining shrimp.
- Transfer cooked shrimp to a large bowl and add the sauce to the shrimp; Toss to coat.
- Serve immediately.
Christina’s Notes
- Recipe Can be Doubled: Great recipe for a crowd. Simply increase the ingredients proportionately and follow recipe below
- Do Not Crowd: Make in small batches and do not crowd for extra crispy shrimp.
- More Sauce: Use this sauce as a dipper or for more pasta sauce so definitely make extra.
- Rack: Remove and set aside the cooked shrimp on a wire rack or paper towel lined plate to remove excess oil. Excess oil makes crispy shrimp sogg
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
I love this bang bang shrimp recipe. Yum!
Just perfect, so much flavor in one little dish!
I haven’t made this yet but will over the weekend when I have more time… quick question though…. can I use half flour and half cornstarch? Will it affect the dish … I don’t have enough cornstarch . Have a great day!
This is the perfect dinner. Thank you. Love this sauce.