Introduction

Oh, the irresistible allure of Bang Bang Shrimp! Does the thought of those perfectly crispy, sweet, and spicy morsels make your mouth water? I know it does mine! There’s something so comforting and celebratory about a dish like this, and the best part? You don’t need a whole afternoon or a culinary degree to whip up a batch that rivals your favorite restaurant. Seriously, this Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp recipe is an absolute game-changer. It’s one of those “wow, I can’t believe I made this!” recipes that’s perfect for a weeknight treat or even an impressive appetizer for guests. Get ready to experience crispy, spicy, creamy goodness in minutes!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast: We’re talking minutes from start to finish. Perfect for those “what’s for dinner?” moments.
Easy: Minimal steps, simple ingredients. You’ve got this, even if you’re a beginner in the kitchen.
Giftable: While you’ll want to eat it all, these crispy shrimp are surprisingly great for sharing (if you can resist!).
Crowd-pleasing: From picky eaters to seasoned foodies, everyone seems to adore Bang Bang Shrimp. It’s a guaranteed hit!

Ingredients

Gathering your ingredients is half the fun! Here’s what you’ll need:

1 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined: Look for medium to large shrimp. They cook up beautifully in the air fryer.
1-2 teaspoons seafood seasoning or Old Bay Seasoning: This is where the magic starts! Old Bay is a classic for a reason, but any good seafood seasoning will work wonders.
1 teaspoon paprika (smoked paprika recommended): For a little extra depth and a gorgeous color. Smoked paprika adds a lovely, subtle smokiness.
Salt and pepper to taste: The usual suspects for flavor enhancement.
1 egg, beaten: Our binder to help everything stick.
½ cup all-purpose flour: This is for our initial dredge, helping create that crispy coating.
¾ cup panko breadcrumbs: Panko is the secret to super-crispy coatings! They’re lighter and crunchier than regular breadcrumbs.
Cooking oil: Just a little spray or light drizzle is all you need in the air fryer.

And for that dreamy sauce:

⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream: This is our creamy base. Greek yogurt adds a tangy richness without being too heavy.
2 tablespoons Sriracha: For that signature spicy kick! Adjust to your heat preference.
¼ cup sweet chili sauce: This brings the perfect balance of sweet and a hint of savory.

How to Make It

Alright, let’s get this party started! It’s so straightforward, you’ll be amazed.

Prep Your Shrimp: Pat your shrimp completely dry with paper towels. This is a crucial step for getting them extra crispy! In a medium bowl, toss the shrimp with your seafood seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper until they’re evenly coated.
Set Up Your Dredging Station: Now, let’s get ready to coat these little guys. You’ll want three shallow bowls or plates. In the first, place your beaten egg. In the second, put your all-purpose flour. In the third, pile up your panko breadcrumbs.
Coat Those Shrimp: Working in batches, take each seasoned shrimp and dredge it first in the flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip it into the beaten egg, letting any excess drip off. Finally, press it into the panko breadcrumbs, making sure it’s well coated. Place the coated shrimp on a clean plate or baking sheet as you go.
Air Fry Time: Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (190°C). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush with a little oil to prevent sticking. Arrange the coated shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Don’t overcrowd the basket; you might need to cook them in a couple of batches.
Cook ‘Em Up: Air fry for 8-10 minutes, flipping the shrimp halfway through, until they’re golden brown and perfectly crispy. The cooking time can vary slightly depending on your air fryer, so keep an eye on them!
Whip Up the Bang Bang Sauce: While the shrimp are air frying, grab a small bowl. Whisk together the Greek yogurt (or sour cream), Sriracha, and sweet chili sauce until it’s smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust the Sriracha or sweet chili sauce if you like!
Sauce It Up!: Once your shrimp are cooked and gloriously crispy, transfer them to a large bowl. Pour about half of the Bang Bang sauce over them and gently toss to coat. Add more sauce if you desire that extra saucy goodness!
Serve and Enjoy: Serve your Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp immediately. They’re fantastic on their own, over a bed of rice, in tacos, or on a salad. Oh, the possibilities!

Substitutions & Additions

This recipe is wonderfully adaptable! Here are a few ideas:

Spicier Sauce: If you love heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a bit more Sriracha to the sauce.
Milder Sauce: For less heat, use a bit less Sriracha and more sweet chili sauce, or even a touch of honey.
Gluten-Free: Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend and use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs.
Add Veggies: You can air fry some broccoli florets or bell pepper strips alongside the shrimp for a complete meal. Just make sure they’re coated lightly with oil and seasonings.
Herbaceous Touch: A sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or cilantro after saucing adds a lovely freshness.

Tips for Success

A few little tricks to ensure your Bang Bang Shrimp are absolute perfection:

Dry Shrimp = Crispy Shrimp: I can’t stress this enough! Patting your shrimp completely dry is key to a crunchy coating.
Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: Give your shrimp some breathing room in the air fryer. This allows the hot air to circulate properly and get everything nice and crispy. Cook in batches if necessary.
Watch the Cook Time: Air fryers can vary. Keep an eye on your shrimp during the last few minutes to prevent overcooking. You want them cooked through but still tender.
Prep Ahead: You can prepare the Bang Bang sauce a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. The shrimp coating process is best done right before air frying for maximum crispiness.
Season Generously: Don’t be shy with the seafood seasoning and paprika on the shrimp before coating. This adds a layer of flavor that’s essential!

How to Store It

While these are best enjoyed fresh, sometimes you might have leftovers (unlikely, but possible!).

Refrigeration: Store any leftover cooked Bang Bang Shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Reheating: For the crispiest results, reheat them in the air fryer at around 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes until warmed through. Microwaving will make them a bit soft.
Sauce: The Bang Bang sauce can also be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

FAQs

Are these shrimp spicy?

They have a nice spicy kick from the Sriracha in the sauce, but it’s balanced by the sweet chili sauce and creamy yogurt. You can easily adjust the heat by adding more or less Sriracha!

Can I make the sauce ahead of time?

Yes, absolutely! The Bang Bang sauce can be made up to a week in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Just give it a good whisk before serving.

What can I serve with Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp?

These are super versatile! They’re amazing on their own as an appetizer, served over rice with a side of steamed broccoli, stuffed into tacos or lettuce wraps, or added to salads.

Can I use regular breadcrumbs instead of panko?

You can, but panko breadcrumbs give you that signature extra-crispy coating that makes this dish so special. Regular breadcrumbs will work, but the texture will be a little less crunchy.

Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp

Quick and easy air fryer recipe for crispy, sweet, and spicy shrimp, perfect for a weeknight meal or appetizer. Features a creamy, zesty sauce.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 10

Servings 4 people

Equipment

Air Fryer
paper towels
Medium bowl
Shallow bowls or plates 3 for dredging station
Clean plate or baking sheet For coated shrimp
Small bowl For sauce
Large bowl For tossing shrimp with sauce
Airtight container For storage

Ingredients

Shrimp

1 pound raw shrimp peeled and deveined, medium to large
1.5 teaspoons seafood seasoning or Old Bay Seasoning
1 teaspoon paprika smoked paprika recommended
salt and pepper to taste
1 egg beaten
0.5 cup all-purpose flour
0.75 cup panko breadcrumbs
cooking oil spray or light drizzle for air fryer

Bang Bang Sauce

0.33 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
2 tablespoons Sriracha adjust to taste
0.25 cup sweet chili sauce

Instructions

Pat your shrimp completely dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, toss the shrimp with your seafood seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper until they're evenly coated.
Set up your dredging station with three shallow bowls or plates: one with beaten egg, one with all-purpose flour, and one with panko breadcrumbs.
Working in batches, dredge each seasoned shrimp first in the flour, then in the beaten egg, and finally press it into the panko breadcrumbs. Place coated shrimp on a clean plate or baking sheet.
Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (190°C). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or oil. Arrange coated shrimp in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding.
Air fry for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
While shrimp air fry, whisk together Greek yogurt (or sour cream), Sriracha, and sweet chili sauce in a small bowl until smooth. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Transfer cooked shrimp to a large bowl. Pour about half of the Bang Bang sauce over them and gently toss to coat. Add more sauce if desired.
Serve immediately.

Notes

Patting shrimp completely dry is crucial for crispiness. Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook time may vary by air fryer model. Bang Bang sauce can be made up to a week in advance.