Bang Bang Shrimp | The Best Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe

This bang bang shrimp is crispy, crunchy, and just downright delicious. And dipping each shrimp in a creamy, sweet, and spicy bang bang sauce takes this recipe to a new level. Plus, it's just super easy to make this bang bang shrimp - 15 minutes is all you need!

The Best Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe

If you're in the mood for some delicious breaded panko shrimp, then you've come to the right place. This bang bang shrimp - also known as boom boom shrimp - is by far one of my most favorite shrimp recipes. 

I just love how crispy the shrimp are from the panko breadcrumbs, and the combination of the sauce makes them downright irresistible. 

There's no question as to why it is such a popular dish at seafood restaurants. I mean, it makes an excellent appetizer to share, or, you can enjoy it as a main course, and eat it for dinner. 

But if you are looking for a complete shrimp meal for lunch or dinner, definitely check out this shrimp lo mein recipe.

That said, this recipe is going to bring restaurant-quality bang bang shrimp to your house. 

So, without further adieu, let's get into the ingredients & steps!

Ingredients For Bang Bang Shrimp

There are two parts to making this bang bang shrimp recipe - making the shrimp, and making the sauce.

That said, here's what you'll need to make the shrimp:

• ½ cup vegetable oil, or more for frying
• 1 large egg
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• ½ cup cornstarch
• ½ cup chickpea (garbanzo bean) flour or substitute with more cornstarch
• 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs 
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

And, for the sauce you'll need: 

• ¼ cup Greek yogurt (or mayonnaise) 
• 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
• 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
• Hot sauce to taste

The Many Uses Of Bang Bang Sauce

The bang bang sauce is undoubtedly where all of the flavor comes from in this shrimp recipe. 

The combination of Greek yogurt/mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, rice vinegar, and hot sauce is one that provides a ton of umami goodness. Seriously, combining these ingredients creates a creamy, sweet, and slightly spicy sauce with a flavor that's so good you'll want to put it on every meat dish imaginable. 

Personally, I love putting it on this blackened chicken. And, I love, love, LOVE it on this shrimp burger too.

That said, it also makes a great dipping sauce for french fries and chicken nuggets. 

And, you could even use it as a salad dressing or dipping sauce for some veggies if you want a healthy snack. 

Seriously, the possibilities are endless for this sauce!

Breadcrumbs To Use For Bang Bang Shrimp

Now, for this recipe, we'll be using panko breadcrumbs to coat our shrimp.

And panko breadcrumbs are a Japanese-style breadcrumb that is lighter and airier than regular breadcrumbs. They also absorb less oil and fat, so the shrimp stay crispier for longer after you cook them. 

Personally, I love panko breadcrumbs because they have larger flakes, which give the shrimp a consistently crunchy texture.

But, if you prefer regular breadcrumbs, you can use them to make your bang bang shrimp too. However, I suggest using plain breadcrumbs so the shrimp can take on the flavor of the seasonings that we will be putting together.

How To Make Bang Bang Shrimp

So, first-and-foremost, let me just say, if you're looking for an easy shrimp recipe, you've come to the right place.

This recipe consists of a basic battering and frying technique that results in deliciously crisp shrimp in just a few easy steps.

And, the shrimp cook incredibly quick, so you only have to fry them for about 1-3 minutes on each side - giving you an easy dish that you can have on the table in a flash. 

Ok, now let's get into it and make some bang bang shrimp!

Step 1: Making The Sauce

Ok, so, the first thing you'll want to do is whisk together the four sauce ingredients - the Greek yogurt, sweet chili sauce, rice vinegar, and hot sauce.

Then, set it aside so it is ready for the shrimp when they are done.

Step 2: Prepping The Mixture

The next thing you'll want to do is prepare the three mixtures to use for the shrimp batter. 

In one bowl, whisk the egg with salt and pepper. 

In another bowl, mix the chickpea flour and cornstarch until well combined. 

Then, in a third bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, onion powder, garlic powder, and oregano, and mix them together as well.

Step 3: Coating The Shrimp

Ok, so, working with a few shrimp at a time, cover them in the cornstarch and chickpea flour mixture.

Then, drop the shrimp into the whisked egg wash, and cover them entirely in it.

Lastly, put the shrimp in the panko mixture, and thoroughly coat them in it.

Step 4: Frying The Shrimp & Serving

Now, we're all set to fry our shrimp.

So, we're going to heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. 

Then, once our oil is hot, we're going to add the shrimp - in batches - to the hot skillet, and fry until golden and crispy - about 1-3 minutes each side.

And although this doesn't seem like much time, it is crucial not to overcook the shrimp, as it can quickly get chewy and burnt, ruining the texture.  

Now once the shrimp is cooked properly, you'll want to transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to soak up any of the excess oil that might still be on them.

Then, once that oil gets soaked up, you can serve the shrimp with the bang bang sauce, and dig in! 

Other Ways To Cook Your Shrimp

So, if you do not want to fry your shrimp on the stove, you can also bake them in the oven or cook them in an air fryer.

To bake in the oven, preheat it to 400°F (204°F). Then, bake the shrimp for 12-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

Now, to cook your shrimp in an air fryer, the first thing you'll want to do is preheat it to 400°F (204°F).

Then, place the shrimp in the air fryer so each one can lay flat on the basket. And try not to overcrowd the shrimp to ensure each one cooks evenly. Also, before cooking them, give the top of the shrimp a light spray of cooking oil.

Ok, so, at this point you'll want to cook your breaded shrimp for about 5 minutes, and then give them a flip. Then, once they're flipped, you'll want to spritz them with oil again and cook them for another 3-5 minutes.

Storing Your Bang Bang Shrimp

While it will probably be hard to resist eating up all of this bang bang shrimp deliciousness right when you make it, you can save and enjoy them as an appetizer, or meal later in the week. 

That said, you can store these cooked shrimp in the fridge for up to 3 days. And the best way to keep them is in an airtight container, but you can also use a plastic bag.

Now, the bang-bang sauce, on the other hand, can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 10 days. And that should give you plenty of time to get creative with how you use it once the shrimp is gone. 

Reheating your Bang Bang Shrimp

So, as far as reheating the shrimp goes, I recommend reheating them in the oven, or air fryer. Those two methods are the best ways to keep your shrimp crispy after it's cooked for a second time.

That said, to reheat them in the oven, you'll want to cook them 350°F (176°C) for about 10 minutes, or so.  Really just until the shrimp reach your desired temperature.

And to reheat them in the air fryer, just a couple of minutes at 400°F (204°F) is all they should need.

Then, once your shrimp is reheated, all you have to do is get out your bang bang sauce and enjoy! 

By the way, DO NOT re-fry the shrimp, as this will cause them to get soggy and ruin the breading. 

Wrapping it all up

So, after you make this bang bang shrimp, you'll see why it is one of the most popular and tasty shrimp recipes out there. 

I mean, the shrimp is incredibly flavorful and crispy, and the sauce goes great on practically anything savory, so what's not to love about it?!

Anyway, I hope you love this recipe as much as I do!

As always, if you make it, let me know what you think in the comments below. 

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