Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp is shrimp that is cooked to a crispy, golden brown in an air fryer and topped with homemade bang bang sauce. Try my Air Fryer Shrimp for another flavorful shrimp recipe cooked in an air fryer. (Don’t want to make it in an Air Fryer? Here is the original recipe for Bang Bang Shrimp!)
Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp
This recipe will give you all the flavors of fried bang bang shrimp but in a healthier way. The shrimp is still coated, but instead of being fried in oil, it is cooked to a golden brown in an air fryer. Then, the shrimp is topped with the sweet and spicy bang bang sauce.
Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp Ingredients
Shrimp: For this bang bang shrimp recipe, I used uncooked shrimp that was peeled, deveined, and had the tail removed. If buying fresh shrimp, it is up to you if you decide to devein the shrimp. Deveining is actually based on looks, not any other reason. To peel the shrimp, start underneath. Remove the tail for this recipe.
To devein, make a slit (not too deep) along the back of the shrimp, pulling out the black vein with the tip of a knife. It’s really not as intimidating as it would seem. If already peeled and deveined shrimp are not an option for you, don’t skip on the recipe–try the fresh stuff!
Mayonnaise: The mayonnaise gives the bang bang sauce the creamy texture it is known for.
Sweet Chili Sauce: The sweetness really comes out in each bite, followed by the heat from the Sriracha.
Sriracha: We used half a teaspoon of Sriracha in this recipe, but you could definitely go up to a full teaspoon (or even more), depending on how much heat you can handle!
Buttermilk: Use full-fat buttermilk to coat the shrimp after dredged in the flour. If you don’t have any on hand, here is a recipe to make your own buttermilk.
Panko: Panko is flaky breadcrumbs made with white bread without the crusts. Coating with panko results in lighter and crunchier food. You could get by using regular breadcrumbs in this recipe, but it will give the shrimp a slightly different texture.
How to Make the Sauce
It’s all about the sweet and spicy bang bang sauce in this recipe. To make the sauce, simply mix together the mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey. (Remember, you can always add more Sriracha to give the sauce a little more of a kick.) Set the sauce aside as you air fry the shrimp. If you are not preparing the shrimp right away, store the sauce in the refrigerator for up to a week.
How to Make Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp
With the sauce made, it’s time to air fry the shrimp. The shrimp may not have quite the crispiness of frying it in oil, but it’s a tradeoff for a healthier version of the popular appetizer. First, preheat the air fryer to 380°F and spray the basket of the air fryer with nonstick cooking spray. Next, prepare the shrimp.
To prepare the shrimp to cook in the air fryer, set out three bowls. Fill one bowl with flour, a second bowl with buttermilk, and the third bowl with panko. First, dredge shrimp in the flour. Next, dip the shrimp in the buttermilk, and finally, coat with panko. You may have to gently press down on the breadcrumbs to set the coat.
Place the coated shrimp into the basket of the air fryer. Spray the tops of the shrimp with nonstick cooking spray and cook for 6 minutes. Then, using tongs, flip the shrimp over and cook for another 6 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove the shrimp from the air fryer and coat with the bang bang sauce. Serve immediately.
Looking for More Appetizers?
Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan French Fries
Fried Ravioli (Toasted Ravioli)
Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp
Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp is shrimp that is cooked to a crispy, golden brown in an air fryer and topped with homemade bang bang sauce.
Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup Thai sweet chili sauce
- ½ teaspoon Sriracha
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled, deveined, tail removed
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup panko
- nonstick cooking spray
Instructions
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Preheat the air fryer to 380°F and spray the basket of the air fryer with nonstick cooking spray.
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In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey. Mix well and set aside.
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Set out three bowls. In one bowl, add flour. In the second bowl, pour in the buttermilk. In the third bowl, add panko.
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With each piece of shrimp, first, dredge in the flour. Then, dip the shrimp in the buttermilk, and finally, coat with the panko. Gently press the panko into the shrimp to set the final coat.
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Place the coated shrimp in the basket of an air fryer and spray the tops of the shrimp with nonstick cooking spray. Cook for 6 minutes. Then, using tongs, flip the shrimp over and cook for another 6 minutes, or until golden brown.
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Remove the air fried shrimp and coat with the bang bang sauce. Serve immediately.
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