Perfect Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp You’ll Crave

Oh my gosh, let me tell you about the first time I tried Bang Bang Shrimp—it was love at first bite! That crispy coating, that perfect kick of heat balanced with sweetness, and those juicy shrimp… I knew I had to recreate it at home. But here’s the kicker: my air fryer Bang Bang Shrimp version is even better than the restaurant original. No deep fryer splatters, no greasy mess, just golden perfection in under 10 minutes. Trust me, once you taste these little flavor bombs with their addictive creamy-spicy sauce, you’ll be making them on repeat for game nights, quick dinners, or just because it’s Tuesday.

Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp

This recipe is my go-to for so many reasons—just wait until you try it! Here’s why it’s absolutely irresistible:

• Crispy magic: The panko coating gets golden and crunchy without deep frying (goodbye, grease splatters!)
• Lightning fast: From fridge to table in 25 minutes flat—even faster than takeout
• Flavor fireworks: That sweet-heat Bang Bang sauce? Pure addiction in cream form
• No-fuss cleanup: One basket, minimal dishes (my kind of cooking)

Seriously, these shrimp disappear faster than I can make them—every. single. time.

Ingredients for Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp

Gathering the right ingredients is half the battle with these crispy little wonders—but don’t worry, everything’s easy to find. Here’s what you’ll need (and yes, I’ve learned the hard way that measurements matter!):

• For the shrimp: 1 lb large shrimp (peeled, deveined, tails off—trust me, tails are messy eaters)
• For the coating: 1 cup buttermilk (the tang tenderizes), 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (packed tight!), 1/2 cup flour, 1 tsp paprika (smoked if you’re fancy), 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper
• For the sauce: 1/4 cup mayo (full-fat for creaminess), 2 tbsp sweet chili sauce (non-negotiable!), 1 tbsp hot sauce (adjust to your bravery level), 1 tsp honey (the flavor secret)

Ingredient Substitutions

Life happens—here’s how to adapt without losing that Bang Bang magic:

• Gluten-free? Swap panko for gluten-free breadcrumbs and flour for cornstarch
• Out of buttermilk? Mix 1 cup milk with 1 tbsp lemon juice, let sit 5 minutes
• Prefer tang? Greek yogurt works for mayo—just add extra honey
• But hear me: That sweet chili sauce is the sauce’s soul—don’t skip it!

Print

Equipment You’ll Need

Listen, you don’t need anything fancy here—just a few basics I bet you already have:

• An air fryer (obviously!)—mine’s a 6-quart, but any size works if you cook in batches
• Two mixing bowls (one for buttermilk bath, one for crispy coating)
• Tongs (trust me, fingers don’t mix well with breadcrumb massacres)

Pro tip: However big your basket is, don’t crowd those shrimp! Single-layer cooking is non-negotiable for maximum crunch.

If you love this recipe, you’ll also enjoy our Crispy Air Fryer Shrimp—a crunchy and golden classic you can make in minutes.

How to Make Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp

Alright, let’s get down to business—this is where the magic happens! I’ll walk you through each step like we’re cooking together in my kitchen. Promise, it’s easier than you think.

Step 1: Marinate the Shrimp

First things first—give those shrimp some love! Plop them into a bowl with the buttermilk and let them soak for 15 minutes. No rushing this step—that tangy bath makes them tender and helps the coating stick like glue. While you wait, this is the perfect time to mix your dry ingredients!

Step 2: Coat the Shrimp

Now for the fun part—the crispy transformation! Mix all your dry ingredients in another bowl (panko, flour, spices—the works). One by one, pull shrimp from the buttermilk, let the excess drip off, then roll them in the breadcrumb mixture. Important: Press gently to adhere, but don’t overdo it or you’ll get clumpy armor instead of a light, crispy shell.

Step 3: Air Fry to Perfection

Crank that air fryer to 400°F—preheating is key for instant crispiness! Arrange shrimp in a single layer (I mean it—no stacking!). Cook for 5 minutes, then flip each one carefully with tongs. They’ll need another 3-5 minutes until golden and crisp. Peek at the 8-minute mark—shrimp cook fast, and nobody wants rubbery seafood! They’re done when the coating sounds crunchy when tapped.

Step 4: Toss in Bang Bang Sauce

While the shrimp cook, whisk together that addictive sauce—just mayo, sweet chili sauce, hot sauce, and honey. When shrimp come out piping hot, drizzle half the sauce over them and toss gently (I use two forks to prevent coating casualties). Serve with extra sauce for dipping—because why hold back?

Tips for the Best Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp

After making these shrimp more times than I can count, here are my golden rules for absolute perfection:

• Dry those shrimp first: Pat them with paper towels before the buttermilk bath—extra moisture is the enemy of crispiness!
• Space is sacred: Overcrowding steams the shrimp instead of crisping them. Cook in batches if needed (it’s worth the wait).
• Serve immediately: That gorgeous crunch starts fading fast—have your sauce ready and plates waiting!
• Season aggressively: Taste your breadcrumb mix before coating—it should be slightly saltier than you think.

Follow these, and you’ll have shrimp so good, they’ll ruin takeout for you forever.

Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp

Okay, listen—you could just eat these straight from the air fryer basket (no judgment, I’ve done it!), but here are my favorite ways to serve them for maximum wow factor:

• Lettuce wrap party: Pile them into butter lettuce cups with shredded carrots and extra sauce—so fresh!
• Cilantro lime rice: The bright flavors cut through the richness perfectly
• Appetizer platter: Skewer them with toothpicks for easy grabbing (add lime wedges for drama)

Don’t forget the garnishes! Thinly sliced green onions and sesame seeds take these from tasty to restaurant-worthy in seconds.

Storage and Reheating

Here’s the deal—these shrimp are absolute perfection fresh, but if you’ve got leftovers (rare in my house!), store them without sauce in an airtight container for up to 2 days. The sauce goes in a separate container—this keeps the coating crispy. When you’re ready for round two, reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3 minutes until sizzling hot. No microwave sabotage allowed—we worked too hard for that crunch!

Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp Nutritional Info

Now, I’m no nutritionist, but here’s the scoop on what’s in these crispy shrimp (per serving, about 1/4 of the recipe): roughly 280 calories, 20g protein to keep you full, and 22g carbs—mostly from that irresistible panko crunch. The sauce adds about 12g fat, but hey, we’re here for flavor! Remember: these are estimates based on my exact ingredients—your numbers might dance a bit depending on brands or how heavy-handed you are with that fabulous sauce!

For more seafood recipes and air fryer favorites, check out our Pinterest page where we share daily inspiration.

FAQs About Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp

I get questions about this recipe all the time—here are the answers to everything you might wonder before diving in!

There you go—now you’re armed with all my hard-earned shrimp wisdom. Happy crunching!

Share Your Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp

I’d love to hear how your shrimp turn out! Snap a photo, tag me, and let’s see that golden crunch—these little bites deserve to be celebrated!