This mouthwatering Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp recipe will have you hooked after the very first bite. Tender, crispy air-fried shrimp, tossed in a homemade, tangy sauce makes the ultimate delicious appetizer or easy-to-make main dish.

close up of orange bang bang shrimp with scallions

Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe

If you’ve ever had Bang Bang Shrimp from a Bonefish Grill restaurant, you know how addicting they are. This copycat recipe has all of the same wonderful flavors, but the shrimp are cooked to perfection in the air fryer. This method is less messy, plus it saves time and money compared to the version that’s deep-fried in oil.

Don’t have an air fryer? No worries. Try our Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta Recipe. Just as easy and delicious!

But let’s face it, the star of this recipe is the irresistible sauce. It’s tangy and creamy and has just a slight kick of heat that complements the shrimp beautifully. Whether as an appetizer, a main course, or a party snack, air fryer Bang Bang Shrimp is always a huge hit with its satisfying crunch and delectable combination of textures and flavors.

If you love this shrimp recipe, you should also try this easy Shrimp Scampi or these tasty Cajun Shrimp Tacos.

Why We Love This Recipe

Healthier option: One of the top reasons we love this Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp recipe is that it’s a healthier alternative to the traditional deep-fried shrimp version.
Quick and easy: With just a handful of simple ingredients and the convenience of using your air fryer, you can whip up this recipe, from prep to plate, in under 30 minutes.
Flavor, flavor, flavor: The sauce is too amazing to describe in words. The tanginess complements the fried shrimp perfectly.
Versatile dish: Bang bang shrimp makes a very popular appetizer at any party, but throw in a side dish and you’ll have an easy weeknight dinner the whole family will love.

Ingredients

Buttermilk
Sriracha
Raw, large, peeled and deveined shrimp
Garlic powder
Mayonnaise
Thai sweet chili sauce
Cornstarch
Salt
Black pepper

How to Make Bang Bang Shrimp in the Air Fryer

Rinse the shrimp in a colander until cold water and pat dry with a paper towel. Set aside.

Step One: Marinate the Shrimp

In a measuring cup whisk 1 teaspoon of sriracha with your buttermilk.
Pour your buttermilk over your raw shrimp and let it sit for 15 minutes.

Step Two: Mix the Coating

Combine your cornstarch, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a gallon-size Ziploc bag.

Step Three: Make the Sauce

In a bowl combine the mayonnaise, sweet Thai chili sauce and the remaining sriracha.

Step Four: Coat and Cook the Shrimp

zip top bag with flour and a bowl marinating raw shrimp in sauce

raw shrimp in zip top bag and bowl with shrimp and sauce

Using a slotted spoon to scoop the shrimp out of the buttermilk. Place the shrimp into the Ziploc bag and shake the shrimp until they are all coated in the cornstarch.

Step Five Air Fry the Shrimp

Preheat your air fryer to 370 degrees F. Spray your air fryer with nonstick cooking spray.
In a single layer, place the coated shrimp into the air fryer. Shake the basket to get any excess cornstarch off. Spray the top of the shrimp with cooking spray to help crisp them up.
Bake for 10 minutes, flipping them halfway through and spraying the top again to continue to help crisp them.

Step Six: Add the Sauce to the Shrimp and Serve

Once the crispy shrimp are cooked to a golden brown, place them into a large bowl and pour half of your bang bang sauce over them. Gently stir to coat the cooked shrimp, adding more spicy sauce as needed.
Plate and garnish with green onions, if desired.

Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe Variations and Add-ins

Honey: Add a touch of sticky sweetness by adding in a tablespoon of honey to the sauce.

Pineapple and ginger: Give your bang bang shrimp a tropical twist by adding minced ginger and crushed pineapple to the sauce.

Spicy hot: Kick up the heat a notch with a pinch of cayenne pepper and some red pepper flakes.

Mango lime: Just like with the pineapple, you can add a taste of the tropics by adding in some finely diced mango and fresh lime juice into the sauce.

Thai basil: Add a couple of minced fresh basil leaves for a vibrant, herbaceous twist.

Teriyaki infused: Give the dish an Asian-inspired flair by adding a couple of tablespoons of your favorite teriyaki sauce into the bang bang sauce.

Smoky chipotle: To the sauce add in a finely chopped chipotle pepper in adobo sauce. It gives the sauce a nice smoky flavor.

Tangy sauce: Swap out the mayo for Greek yogurt to give the sauce a real tangy twist.

bang bang shrimp on white plate with orange sauce next to air fryer

What Size Shrimp is Best for This Recipe?

For this recipe, you’ll want to use medium or large-sized shrimp. Smaller shrimp will end up getting lost in the sauce. You can also use jumbo shrimp, just be sure to increase the cooking time by a couple of minutes.

Delicious Ways to Serve This Bang Bang Shrimp

Whether you’re making them as the perfect appetizer, a quick lunch or a main course for dinner, there are so many different ways to enjoy Bang Bang Shrimp. Here are some of our favorite ideas:

Shrimp tacos: Place a few bang bang shrimp in a soft or crunchy taco shell with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and an extra drizzle of sauce.

Salads: Add some of your air fryer shrimp with mixed greens and any of your favorite salad toppings. Drizzle with a little Ranch dressing. The cool flavors pair really well with the spicy sauce.

Sliders: Place a few bang bang shrimp on mini slider buns. Top with coleslaw. Serve them as appetizers or a light meal.

Lettuce wraps: Add a few of the shrimp to large lettuce leaves. Top with diced tomatoes and your favorite crumbly cheese.

Bang Bang shrimp pasta: If you’ve made my Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta before, you’ll notice that the difference in the recipe is that the shrimp are pan-seared. You can simply swap them out with some of these air fryer shrimp.

Po’boy: Pile up a hoagie bun with some of the shrimp. Top with some lettuce and tomatoes and you’ll have a main course that is always a crowd-pleaser.

Rice bowls: Add to a bowl of steamed rice or some cauliflower rice. Then top with sautéed bell peppers, zucchini, and onions and a hearty drizzle of bang bang creamy sauce.

Tips for Cooking and Storing Air Fryer Shrimp

When cooking a full pound of shrimp, you’ll want to do so in separate batches. It is super important that the shrimp cook in a single layer so they hot air makes them crisp up.
Make sure you shake the shrimp in the air fryer basket to remove excess cornstarch before baking.
Always give the shrimp a spritz of oil before air frying. This gives them color and helps them to crisp up.
This is best served immediately but if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container overnight. To reheat, place shrimp back in your air fryer at 350 degrees for 5-7 minutes.

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Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp

Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe

Why We Love This Recipe

Ingredients