Air Fryer Shrimp with Bang Bang Sauce

4.67 / 5 ( 9 Reviews )
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Bang Bang shrimp in the air fryer

Shrimp is one of my favorite seafood to make in the air fryer. It is incredibly simple and super versatile. This bang-bang shrimp recipe is a family-favorite dinner and crowd-favorite appetizer. You will love this recipe because you only need 20 minutes to make a delicious shrimp that even people who don’t like shrimp will love! Watch me make the bang bang shrimp recipe, and check out my daughter’s honest review at the end.

Ingredients and Supplies You Need to Make Breaded Shrimp in the Air Fryer:

Ingredients for Bang Bang shrimp

I love this recipe because there are two ways to make it. There is the traditional way to bread shrimp, and then there is the Thai seasoning that really makes the bang bang shrimp special.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound of medium to extra-large shrimp that is peeled and deveined. You can keep the tails on or off.
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 large eggs
  • Thai seasoning

We recommend adding this delicious Thai seasoning mix for extra flavor and excitement. As someone who doesn’t love shrimp, I find this recipe absolutely AMAZING. The seasoning mix really complements the shrimp. Add it to the panko during the breading process. You have to give it a try.

Homemade Thai Seasoning mix:

  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¾ teaspoon paprika
  • ¾ teaspoon basil
  • 1/2 zest of one lime
  • 1/2 teaspoon coriander
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • Dash of cayenne pepper
  • Dash of black pepper

Of course, the Bang Bang sauce is the kicker. Use this sauce for dipping, on top of tacos, or drizzled over rice bowls. It does not disappoint!

Bang Bang Sauce:

  • 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 3 tablespoons Thai-style sweet chili sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Sriracha

Supplies

  • Air Fryer
  • Oil sprayer
  • 4 small mixing bowls
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Fork
  • Spoon

How to Make Bang Bang Shrimp in the Air Fryer:

Breading shrimp with flour, seasoning, eggs, and panko

Step 1: Set up your breading station

Prepare three separate bowls or shallow dishes. In the first, place the flour. In the second, whisk together the eggs. In the third, mix the panko with the Thai seasoning mix. If you want traditional bang bang shrimp, omit the Thai seasoning mix.

Step 2: Coat the shrimp

First, dredge the shrimp in flour. Dip it in the beaten egg and coat the shrimp in the panko mixture. It can get a little messy, but there is nothing fancy here; you just want that amazing flavor!

Breaded shrimp in the air fryer

 Step 3: Air fry

Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil and place the shrimp in a single layer.  It is important not to overcrowd the shrimp in the basket. I have found that in my 5-Qt Cosori Air Fryer, I can fit 1 pound of shrimp perfectly laid out without stacking them on top of each other.

Cook the shrimp at 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes. Flip it over and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. It’s good that it cooks so fast because it is hard to wait!

How to make Bang Bang Sauce

Bang Bang sauce made with Greek yogurt

The Bang Bang sauce is the perfect finish for the shrimp. I love this sauce because it hits the spot—just enough sweet and spicy. Plus, it is so easy to make. Whisk together the ingredients until combined. Then, enjoy dipping your freshly cooked shrimp!

Want more Bang Bang sauce? Try it with chicken!

Bang bang shrimp in the air fryer

What to Serve with Bang Bang Shrimp

Bang Bang shrimp is a crowd-pleasing appetizer or a delicious dinner. It pairs nicely as:

  • The meat in a taco,
  • In a salad
  • In a rice bowl
  • On its own with a side like cilantro lime rice, asparagus, coleslaw, or anything else!

This recipe will be a hit for the holiday season coming up. When will you serve Bang Bang shrimp this season? Please share your thoughts with us in the comment section down below!

Frequently Asked Questions

Bang bang shrimp in the air fryer

How long should I cook shrimp in the air fryer?

Shrimp is best cooked at a higher heat for about 8 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).

  • How to store and reheat shrimp:

Store shrimp and sauce separately in an air-tight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (176°C) for 2-4 minutes.

What is Bang Bang Sauce?

Bang Bang sauce has a sweet and spicy flavor. The yogurt gives it a creamy texture, great for dipping! The beauty of this homemade recipe is that you can adjust your spice level. Add a little less or more sriracha depending on your preference. Adding more yogurt will also dull the spice a bit.

  • How is it different from Yum Yum or Boom Boom Sauce?

Both Yum Yum and Boom Boom have a tomato flavor. All the sauces have different levels of sweetness, spice, and tang. All are delicious and best served at different times. Bang Bang sauce is best with this recipe because of the Thai chili flavors.

How many calories are in a serving of bang bang sauce?

Traditional Bang Bang sauce uses mayonnaise, which has a higher caloric density and fat ratio. However, our Bang Bang sauce uses yogurt; depending on the type of yogurt you like, you can cut the fat to 0 grams! Calories will vary depending on the brand of products you buy, but when you use nonfat Greek yogurt, there are only 140 calories in the whole Bang Bang Sauce recipe. And with all that shrimp, there is plenty enough to share.

bang bang shrimp tacos

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Bang bang shrimp in the air fryer

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Air Fryer Fried Shrimp with Bang Bang Sauce

Delicious, tasty, and flavorful fried shrimp that is not only healthier in the air fryer, but way tastier too!
4.67 / 5 ( 9 Reviews )
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 7 minutes
Total Time: 17 minutes
Serves: 4
Adjust Servings: 4

Equipment

Ingredients

Thai Seasoning Mix

Bang Bang Sauce

Instructions

  • Prepare 3 separate shallow bowls. In the first bowl, place the flour. In the second, whisk together the eggs. In the third, mix the panko with the Thai seasoning mix (If you want traditional bang bang shrimp, omit these seasonings and combine the panko with ½ teaspoon of salt).
  • Spray the air fryer basket with oil. Then, cover the shrimp in the flour, egg, and panko. Place the shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket and lightly spray the top of the shrimp.
  • Cook in the air fryer at 400°F/200°C for 5 minutes. Flip the shrimp and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until it is golden and crispy.
  • While the shrimp is cooking, prepare the bang bang sauce by whisking together the ingredients.
  • Remove the shrimp from the air fryer basket and enjoy while warm!

Nutrition

Calories: 237kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 5g | Sodium: 1089mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g
Ingredients: Shrimp
Meal Type: 30-Minute Meals, Appetizers and Snacks, Main Dish, Popular, Sauces, Spreads, and Dressings, Christmas, New Year's Eve, Super Bowl Party
Categories: Finger Food and Dips, Seafood, Air Fryer
4.67 from 9 votes (9 ratings without comment)

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