These Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp are crispy on the outside, juicy inside, and coated in a creamy, sweet, and spicy bang bang sauce. They’re quick to make, packed with flavor, and perfect as an appetizer, snack, or easy dinner.

Bang bang shrimp is a restaurant favorite for good reason: crunchy shrimp coated in a creamy, sweet and spicy sauce. Making it at home in the air fryer means no pot of hot oil and dinner on the table in under 20 minutes. More quick seafood ideas are waiting on the Airfryworld Facebook page.

Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp – Crispy & Creamy

Recipe by JuliaCourse: Air Fryer SeafoodCuisine: MediterraneanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

10

minutes

Calories

360

kcal

Protein

26

g

Carbohydrates

22

g

Fat

20

g

Fiber

1

g

Total time

25

minutes

Ingredients

• 400 g large shrimp, peeled and deveined

• 1/2 cup cornstarch

• 1 large egg

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

• Cooking spray, as needed

• For the Bang Bang Sauce:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise

• 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce

• 1 tablespoon Sriracha

• For garnish:

• 2 tablespoons sliced green onions

• 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes

Directions

• Prepare the shrimp
  Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Season with salt and black pepper.
• Coat the shrimp
  Dip each shrimp into the beaten egg, then coat evenly with cornstarch. Shake off any excess.
• Air fry
  Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Lightly spray the basket and the shrimp with cooking spray. Arrange the shrimp in a single layer without overcrowding.
• Cook until crispy
  Air fry for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the shrimp are golden, crisp, and cooked through.
• Make the bang bang sauce
  Mix the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and Sriracha until smooth and creamy.
• Coat and serve
  Toss the hot crispy shrimp with the bang bang sauce just before serving. Garnish with sliced green onions and red chili flakes.

Notes

• For the crispiest shrimp, pat them very dry before coating and avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if necessary.
• Add the sauce only right before serving so the coating stays crisp.
• For a milder version, reduce the Sriracha. For extra heat, add more Sriracha or additional chili flakes.

Julia’s Tip: Toss the shrimp in the sauce right before serving, or serve the sauce on the side for dipping. If they sit in the sauce too long, the coating loses its crunch.

Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp

These air fryer bang bang shrimp combine crispy, juicy shrimp with a creamy sweet-and-spicy sauce. They’re fast enough for a weeknight dinner but flavorful enough for parties, game day, or an easy appetizer.

Tips for the Best Bang Bang Shrimp

Make sure the shrimp are similar in size so they cook evenly. Leave space between each shrimp to allow the hot air to circulate. If your air fryer runs hot, start checking the shrimp after about 7 minutes to prevent overcooking.

Storage & Reheating

Store leftover shrimp and sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Reheat the shrimp in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for about 3–4 minutes until hot and crisp. Add the sauce after reheating.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen shrimp?

Yes. Thaw them completely first and pat them very dry before coating.

Can I make bang bang shrimp less spicy?

Yes. Reduce the Sriracha or leave it out completely for a milder sauce.

Can I prepare the sauce ahead of time?

Yes. The bang bang sauce can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator.

Why isn’t my shrimp crispy?

The most common reasons are excess moisture, overcrowding the basket, or adding the sauce too early. Keep the shrimp in a single layer and sauce them only immediately before serving.

How do I know when the shrimp are cooked?

Cooked shrimp turn pink and opaque and curl into a loose C shape. If they curl tightly into an O shape, they are overcooked.

Can I make the sauce ahead?

Yes. The bang bang sauce keeps in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 5 days. Stir it before serving.

Can I make it less spicy?

Simply reduce or skip the Sriracha. The sweet chili sauce alone gives a mild, sweet sauce that kids usually love.

Can I use flour instead of cornstarch?

Yes, but cornstarch gives a lighter and crispier coating. Panko breadcrumbs are another option for extra crunch.

How to Buy and Prepare Shrimp

Large shrimp (about 26 to 30 per pound) are the best size for air fryer bang bang shrimp. They stay juicy inside while the coating crisps up. Frozen raw shrimp are perfectly fine and often fresher than the shrimp at the seafood counter.

• Thaw frozen shrimp overnight in the fridge or in a bowl of cold water for 15 minutes.
• Peel and devein them, leaving the tails on if you like them for dipping.
• Pat them very dry with paper towels. Dry shrimp hold the coating much better.

Avoid pre-cooked shrimp for this recipe. They turn rubbery when they are cooked a second time.

Secrets to a Crispy Coating

The cornstarch coating gives the shrimp a light, crunchy crust. Shake off any excess cornstarch after dipping, then let the shrimp rest on a plate for a few minutes so the coating hydrates. Arrange them in a single layer with space between each piece and spray them lightly with oil. Flip them halfway through and cook in batches if needed. A crowded basket steams the shrimp instead of crisping them.

Serving Ideas for Bang Bang Shrimp

• Serve as an appetizer with toothpicks and extra sauce for dipping.
• Spoon over steamed jasmine rice with cucumber and edamame for a quick rice bowl.
• Wrap in warm tortillas with shredded cabbage for bang bang shrimp tacos.
• Toss with crunchy lettuce for a light, spicy shrimp salad.

More Air Fryer Recipes

Try our Air Fryer Crispy Potato Pockets with Cream Cheese Filling for another crispy and easy air fryer appetizer. In the mood for more seafood? Our Air Fryer Potato Asparagus Fish Bake is a cozy one-dish dinner with a creamy lemon dill sauce.