This air fryer bang bang shrimp is one of my favorite things to make when I want something crispy, flavorful, and ready in under 20 minutes.
The shrimp come out perfectly golden and crunchy from the air fryer. Then you toss them in a creamy, sweet, and slightly spicy sauce that makes them completely addictive.
If you have ever ordered bang bang shrimp at a restaurant, this homemade version tastes just as good. Honestly, maybe even better because it is fresher and you control the spice level.
The sauce is super simple to put together while the shrimp cook. It only takes a few ingredients and about one minute of whisking.
This works great as an appetizer, a snack, or even a main dish served over rice. It is one of those recipes that everyone always asks for again.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Crispy Without Deep Frying – The air fryer gives these shrimp an incredibly crispy golden panko coating without all the oil and mess of deep frying.
The Sauce Is Addictive – That creamy sweet chili and sriracha sauce has the perfect balance of sweet and spicy that makes you reach for one more shrimp every time.
Tastes Like a Restaurant Appetizer – If you love bang bang shrimp from your favorite restaurant you will be amazed at how close this air fryer version gets to the real thing.
Ingredients
- 1 lb Large Shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 cup Cornstarch
- 2 Large Eggs, beaten
- 1 cup Panko Breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
- 3 tbsp Sweet Chili Sauce
- 1 tbsp Sriracha
- 1 tsp Honey
- Cooking Spray
- Salt and Pepper to taste
How To Make
Step 1
Pat shrimp dry and season with salt and pepper. Set up three bowls: cornstarch in first, beaten eggs in second, and panko breadcrumbs in third.
Step 2
Coat each shrimp in cornstarch, dip in egg, then press into panko breadcrumbs until fully coated. Place on a plate.
Step 3
Spray air fryer basket with cooking spray. Arrange shrimp in a single layer and spray tops lightly with cooking spray.
Step 4
Air fry at 400°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
Step 5
While shrimp cook, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and honey in a bowl. Toss cooked shrimp in sauce and serve immediately.
Tips
Dry Your Shrimp Really Well
This is the most important step for getting crispy shrimp. Use paper towels and press down firmly on each side of every shrimp until there’s zero visible moisture left.
If the shrimp are even a little wet, the cornstarch turns into a gummy paste instead of a dry coating. That means the egg and panko won’t stick properly and you’ll get patches that fall off in the air fryer.
Spread them out on a paper towel-lined plate after patting them down and let them sit for a couple minutes while you set up your breading station. That extra time helps any remaining surface moisture evaporate.
Press the Panko On Firmly
Don’t just dip the shrimp into the panko and hope it sticks. Use your hand to really press the breadcrumbs into the shrimp on all sides so they’re packed on tight.
Panko is bigger and flakier than regular breadcrumbs, which is why it gets so crispy in the air fryer. But that also means it falls off easier if you don’t press it in well.
After breading all your shrimp, let them sit on a plate for about 5 minutes before putting them in the air fryer. This gives the coating time to set and it’ll hold together much better during cooking.
Don’t Crowd the Basket
Lay the shrimp in a single layer with a little space between each one. If they’re touching or overlapping, the hot air can’t circulate and you’ll get soggy spots instead of an even golden crunch.
Depending on the size of your air fryer, you’ll probably need to cook these in two batches. It’s worth the extra few minutes to get every single shrimp perfectly crispy.
Keep the first batch warm on a wire rack in a 200°F oven while the second batch cooks. Don’t put them on a plate or the bottoms will steam and lose their crunch.
Related Recipes
- Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp
- Air Fryer Buffalo Shrimp
- Air Fryer Honey Walnut Shrimp
- Air Fryer Panko Shrimp
- Air Fryer Crispy Calamari
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
Yes, you can absolutely use frozen shrimp – just make sure to thaw them completely first. The easiest way is to place them in a colander and run cold water over them for about 5-10 minutes until they’re fully defrosted.
After thawing, pat them really dry with paper towels. This step is important because excess moisture will prevent the panko coating from sticking properly, and you won’t get that crispy result from the air fryer.
Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp
- air fryer
- 1 lb Large Shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 cup Cornstarch
- 2 Large Eggs, beaten
- 1 cup Panko Breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
- 3 tbsp Sweet Chili Sauce
- 1 tbsp Sriracha
- 1 tsp Honey
- Cooking Spray
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- Pat shrimp dry and season with salt and pepper. Set up three bowls: cornstarch in first, beaten eggs in second, and panko breadcrumbs in third.
- Coat each shrimp in cornstarch, dip in egg, then press into panko breadcrumbs until fully coated. Place on a plate.
- Spray air fryer basket with cooking spray. Arrange shrimp in a single layer and spray tops lightly with cooking spray.
- Air fry at 400°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
- While shrimp cook, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and honey in a bowl. Toss cooked shrimp in sauce and serve immediately.