Get ready to enjoy a restaurant-quality appetizer right in your own kitchen with this Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp recipe. This lightened-up version delivers the perfect balance of crispy texture and creamy, spicy-sweet flavor without the mess of deep-frying. It is the ultimate quick-fix meal that tastes like an indulgence.
Table of Contents
Why You Will Love This Recipe
There are so many reasons to make Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp a staple in your home. First, it is significantly healthier than the traditional version because it uses the air fryer to achieve that signature crunch with much less oil. Second, the combination of the crispy panko coating and the zesty, creamy sauce creates a flavor profile that is hard to beat. Finally, it is incredibly versatile; you can serve it as an appetizer, a main course over rice, or tucked into fresh lettuce wraps for a low-carb treat.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 head loose leaf lettuce
- 2 green onions, chopped (optional garnish)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) to ensure it is hot and ready for the shrimp.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha sauce until the mixture is smooth. If you like extra sauce for dipping later, reserve a small portion in a separate bowl.
- Prepare your breading station by placing the all-purpose flour on one plate and the panko bread crumbs on a separate plate.
- Take each shrimp and coat it lightly in the flour first, then dip it into the mayonnaise sauce mixture, and finally roll it in the panko bread crumbs until fully coated.
- Place the coated shrimp on a baking sheet or plate as you work through the batch.
- Arrange the shrimp in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Be careful not to overcrowd the basket so the air can circulate properly.
- Cook the shrimp for 12 minutes. You may need to work in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Once cooked and golden brown, serve the shrimp immediately in lettuce wraps and garnish with chopped green onions if desired.
Expert Tips / Pro Tips
To get the best results with your Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp, always start with patted-dry shrimp. If the shrimp are too wet, the flour won’t stick properly, which can lead to the breading falling off. Another tip is to use a light spray of avocado or olive oil over the panko-coated shrimp just before air frying; this helps achieve an even more golden-brown, extra-crunchy exterior. Lastly, make sure your shrimp are of similar size so they all cook through at the same time.
If you are looking for a gluten-free option, you can easily swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend and use gluten-free panko or crushed pork rinds. For those who prefer a bit more heat, feel free to double the amount of sriracha in the sauce. If you don’t have shrimp on hand, this same breading and sauce method works wonderfully with bite-sized pieces of chicken breast or even cauliflower florets for a vegetarian twist.
Serving Suggestions
While these are traditionally served in lettuce wraps, there are many ways to enjoy Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp. You can serve them over a bed of jasmine rice or quinoa with a side of steamed broccoli for a complete meal. They also make fantastic tacos; just tuck the crispy shrimp into warm corn tortillas and top with a quick cabbage slaw and an extra drizzle of the bang bang sauce.
Leftover shrimp can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To maintain the crispiness, it is best to reheat them in the air fryer at 350 degrees F for 3 to 5 minutes. We do not recommend freezing the cooked shrimp, as the texture of the sauce and the breading can become soggy upon thawing. If you must freeze them, do so before adding the sauce, then air fry and toss in fresh sauce when ready to eat.
Nutrition Information
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 415 |
| Total Fat | 24g |
| Saturated Fat | 4g |
| Cholesterol | 183mg |
| Sodium | 894mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 33g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2g |
| Total Sugars | 3g |
| Protein | 24g |
Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) to ensure it is hot and ready for the shrimp.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha sauce until the mixture is smooth. If you like extra sauce for dipping later, reserve a small portion in a separate bowl.1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce, 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce
- Prepare your breading station by placing the all-purpose flour on one plate and the panko bread crumbs on a separate plate.1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- Take each shrimp and coat it lightly in the flour first, then dip it into the mayonnaise sauce mixture, and finally roll it in the panko bread crumbs until fully coated.1 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined, 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce, 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce, 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- Place the coated shrimp on a baking sheet or plate as you work through the batch.
- Arrange the shrimp in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Be careful not to overcrowd the basket so the air can circulate properly.
- Cook the shrimp for 12 minutes. You may need to work in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Once cooked and golden brown, serve the shrimp immediately in lettuce wraps and garnish with chopped green onions if desired.1 head loose leaf lettuce, 2 green onions
Notes
FAQ
Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen shrimp, but they must be completely thawed and patted dry with paper towels before you begin the breading process. This ensures the coating stays crispy and doesn’t become mushy.
Is the sauce very spicy?
The sauce has a mild to medium kick depending on your tolerance. The mayonnaise and sweet chili sauce provide a lot of balance to the sriracha. You can always adjust the sriracha amount to suit your personal preference.
Why is my breading falling off?
This usually happens if the shrimp were too wet before flouring or if the air fryer basket was overcrowded. Make sure to shake off excess flour and sauce at each step to ensure a thin, even coating that sticks well.
Can I make this in the oven?
While the air fryer provides the best crunch, you can bake these in a conventional oven at 400 degrees F on a wire rack set over a baking sheet for about 15-18 minutes, or until golden and cooked through.