Description
Bang Bang Shrimp is a crispy, flavorful appetizer featuring medium shrimp coated in a light flour and cornstarch batter, fried to golden perfection, and tossed in a creamy, spicy, and slightly sweet Bang Bang sauce. This dish combines Asian-inspired flavors with an American twist, making it perfect as an appetizer or a main dish served over shredded lettuce or cabbage.
Ingredients
Shrimp and Coating
- 1 pound medium shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- ½ cup buttermilk
- ½ cup cornstarch
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Oil for frying (about 2 inches in depth)
Bang Bang Sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon sriracha (or to taste)
- 1 tablespoon honey or sugar (optional for extra sweetness)
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar (optional for tang)
For Serving
- Chopped green onions (optional)
- Sesame seeds (optional)
- Shredded lettuce or cabbage (optional)
Instructions
- Marinate Shrimp: In a medium bowl, toss the peeled and deveined shrimp with ½ cup buttermilk and let it sit for 10–15 minutes to tenderize and add moisture.
- Prepare Coating Mixture: In another bowl, whisk together ½ cup cornstarch, ½ cup all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper to create the coating mixture for the shrimp.
- Heat Oil: Heat about 2 inches of oil in a deep skillet or pot to 350°F (175°C), ensuring the oil is hot enough for frying to achieve a crispy texture.
- Coat and Fry Shrimp: Remove shrimp from the buttermilk, shaking off any excess liquid. Dredge each shrimp in the flour and cornstarch mixture, coating thoroughly. Fry the shrimp in batches for 2–3 minutes until golden and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the shrimp to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Mix Bang Bang Sauce: In a separate bowl, combine ½ cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce, 1 tablespoon sriracha, 1 tablespoon honey or sugar (if using), and 1 teaspoon rice vinegar (if using). Mix until smooth and well blended.
- Toss Shrimp in Sauce and Serve: While the shrimp are still hot, toss them gently in the Bang Bang sauce until evenly coated or drizzle the sauce on top. Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds if desired. Serve the shrimp over shredded lettuce or cabbage as a refreshing base, or present them as a flavorful appetizer.
Notes
- For a lighter, healthier version, air fry the coated shrimp at 400°F (200°C) for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even cooking.
- You can substitute Greek yogurt for a portion of the mayonnaise in the sauce to reduce fat and calories while maintaining creaminess.
- Adjust the sriracha amount according to your preferred spice level.
- Ensure the frying oil is at the correct temperature to avoid greasy shrimp.
