Bang Bang Shrimp
bang bang shrimp but make it air fryer 🍤🔥 same crispy panko coating, same addictive bang bang sauce — just lighter and way less mess than deep frying. this is the kind of appetizer that disappears before you even sit down. made it for a weeknight dinner and we had zero leftovers!
Ingredients
Shrimp coating
1 lb large shrimp, peeled & deveined
½ cup panko breadcrumbs
¼ cup cornstarch
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
Avocado cooking spray (or any cooking spray)
Bang bang sauce
⅓ cup mayo
3 tbsp sweet chili sauce
1–2 tbsp sriracha (adjust to heat preference)
1 tsp honey
Serves 2
Prep time ~15 mins
Cook time ~10mins
Cooking Instructions
Make the sauce
Whisk together mayo, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and honey until smooth. Taste and adjust heat to your preference. Set aside.
Prep and cook the shrimp
Pat shrimp dry with paper towels.
Set up a dredging station: cornstarch in one bowl, beaten egg in another, panko in a third. Add 1/2 the measurements of garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to the flour and cornstarch
Coat each shrimp in cornstarch → egg → panko, pressing gently to adhere.
Preheat air fryer to 375°F. Arrange shrimp in a single layer in the basket — don't overlap. Spray generously with cooking spray.
Air fry for 10 minutes, flipping halfway and spraying again, until golden and crispy.
Sauce & serve
Gently toss hot shrimp in bang bang sauce until fully coated. Pile onto a plate and garnish with sliced green onions and black sesame seeds. Serve immediately.
Tips & Notes
Pat shrimp completely dry before coating — moisture is the enemy of crispy
We like to layer our seasoning - add seasoning to both the cornstarch and panko ensures flavor in each step!
Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket — cook in batches if needed for even crispiness
Spray shrimp generously with cooking spray before air frying — it's what gets that golden panko crunch
Toss in sauce right before serving so the coating stays crispy
Add more sriracha for extra heat 🌶️, more sweet chili sauce to dial it back
Great as an app, over rice, or stuffed into tacos 🌮