Description
Bang Bang Shrimp is a delicious Asian-American appetizer featuring crispy fried shrimp tossed in a creamy, spicy, and sweet bang bang sauce. The shrimp are dredged in a light batter and fried to golden perfection, then coated with a flavorful mixture of mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and honey. Served with a garnish of green onions and shredded cabbage, this dish offers a perfect balance of heat and sweetness, making it ideal as an appetizer or a main dish over rice or tacos.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp and Batter
- 1 lb medium shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Vegetable oil for frying
Bang Bang Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon sriracha (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon honey
Garnish
- Chopped green onions
- Shredded cabbage (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the bang bang sauce: In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and honey until smooth. Cover and chill in the refrigerator until ready to use to allow the flavors to meld.
- Soak the shrimp: Season the peeled and deveined shrimp with salt and pepper. Place them in a separate bowl and pour in the buttermilk to soak for 10–15 minutes; this tenderizes the shrimp and adds moisture.
- Prepare the coating: In another bowl, combine cornstarch and all-purpose flour. This mixture will create a light, crispy coating when fried.
- Heat the oil: Pour about 2 inches of vegetable oil into a deep skillet or pot and heat it to 375°F (190°C). Use a thermometer for accurate temperature to ensure crispy results.
- Coat and fry the shrimp: Remove the shrimp from the buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off. Dredge each shrimp thoroughly in the flour and cornstarch mixture, then carefully place in the hot oil. Fry the shrimp in batches for 2–3 minutes or until they turn golden brown and crispy.
- Drain excess oil: Using a slotted spoon, remove the shrimp and place them on paper towels to drain any excess oil.
- Toss with sauce: Once all shrimp are fried, gently toss them in the prepared bang bang sauce or drizzle the sauce over them just before serving.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped green onions over the shrimp and serve them on a bed of shredded cabbage if desired. This adds freshness and crunch to the dish.
Notes
- You can make this dish lighter by air frying or baking the shrimp instead of deep-frying.
- Adjust the sriracha to control the heat according to your preference.
- This dish works well as an appetizer or served over rice or tacos for a satisfying main course.
