Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe: Crispy with Creamy Chili Sauce

Transform your kitchen into a gourmet seafood restaurant with this incredible air fryer Bang Bang shrimp that delivers all the crispy, saucy satisfaction of Bonefish Grill’s famous appetizer without the restaurant price tag or excessive oil. What makes this dish irresistible is the perfect harmony between the golden, crunchy coating and the creamy, sweet-spicy Bang Bang sauce that clings to every piece. Each bite delivers an explosion of flavors and textures that will make you wonder why you have ever ordered takeout.

overhead view of bang bang shrimp, sauce, and rice in a bowl

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What makes Bang Bang Shrimp so good?

Do you like the Bonefish Grill’s signature starter, Bang Bang Shrimp? Well, this Bang Bang Shrimp air fryer recipe gives you the same great taste as Bonefish Grill’s shrimp appetizer, but in a much more human-sized package with much less added fat.

The recipe below also upsizes those tiny popcorn shrimp that are, let’s face it, more coating than shrimp, into something that is entirely entree-worthy! And don’t worry, this version of the Bang Bang sauce is spot on as well.

So, what is stopping you from trying this fantastic air fryer shrimp recipe tonight or for your next game day gathering?

Ingredients

Here’s a list of what you need:

  • High-quality mayonnaise – Forms the creamy base for the signature sauce
  • Sriracha sauce – Provides gentle heat and tangy chili flavor
  • Asian sweet chili sauce – Adds essential sweetness and complexity
  • Jumbo shrimp – Provides substantial, meaty texture (cooked and peeled)
  • Buttermilk – Creates tangy flavor and helps breading adhere perfectly
  • Cornstarch – Forms the initial coating that creates crispiness
  • Fine breadcrumbs – Creates the golden, crunchy exterior coating Avocado oil – Provides healthy fat for air frying and browning
  • Fresh parsley – Adds color and fresh herbal notes as garnish
air fryer bang bang shrimp and sauce ingredients

How to Make Bang Bang Shrimp in an Air Fryer

  1. Place mayonnaise, sriracha, and sweet chili sauce in a small bowl.
bang bang shrimp sauce ingredients in a bowl
  1. Stir until well blended.
bang bang shrimp sauce in a bowl
  1. Coat shrimp in cornstarch. Shake off the excess.
  2. Dip shrimp in buttermilk.
  3. Roll shrimp in breadcrumbs until fully covered. Shake off the excess.
panko breaded shrimp on a wood board, raw shrimp, and breading ingredients in bowls
  1. Place breaded shrimp in the air fryer basket in a single layer and not touching.
panko breaded shrimp in an air fryer and on a board
  1. Cook at 400°F for 5 minutes on one side.
  2. Drizzle a light coat of avocado oil on the cooked side.
  3. Flip each shrimp and drizzle avocado oil on the uncooked side.
  4. Cook for an additional 5 minutes.
cooked Panko breaded shrimp in an air fryer
  1. Remove shrimp from the air fryer and set aside.
  2. Repeat until all shrimp are cooked.
cooked panko breaded shrimp on a plate and a bowl of creamy chili sauce
  1. Place air-fried shrimp in a medium mixing bowl.
  2. Pour bang bang sauce over the shrimp.
  3. Lightly toss until the shrimp are fully covered in sauce.
crispy breaded shrimp tossed with creamy chili sauce in a mixing bowl
  1. Top with parsley and serve immediately on their own or with rice.
air fryer bang bang shrimp with creamy chili sauce and rice in a bowl

Air fryer bang bang shrimp recipe notes

  • Looking for an extra kick? Try spicy sriracha sauce!
  • Use avocado or olive oil spray instead of drizzling avocado oil on the shrimp for air frying.
  • Substitute regular breadcrumbs with panko breadcrumbs for an extra crispy and crunchy crust.
  • Make it gluten-free by using gluten-free breadcrumbs, and make sure the rest of the ingredients are without gluten.
  • Gently toss the shrimp lightly in the bang bang sauce. Otherwise, the breading will begin to pull away from the shrimp.

Tips for making and serving bang bang shrimp

  • Use the wet-hand/dry-hand breading method. When coating the shrimp in breadcrumbs, use one hand for all the tasks involving liquids while using the other hand for all the dry ingredients. This keeps your hands from getting too sticky.
  • Work in batches. Don’t prepare all of the shrimp at once. Since most air fryers are not big enough to cook all the shrimp at once, only bread the ones you can cook immediately.
  • Mix up your Bang Bang sauce in a large bowl. Use the same bowl to dip the cooked shrimp individually in the sauce to coat. Avoid tossing the cooked shrimp to prevent them from losing the breading.
  • Bang Bang Shrimp goes with more than just Asian food. Serve with white or fried rice if you want, but the shrimp is also great with a side of french fries or even wrapped up in warm tortillas! Use them to make Bang Bang Shrimp tacos.

How to store and reheat leftovers

Place the leftover shrimp cooled to room temperature in an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Freezing is not recommended.

Reheating the shrimp covered with the sauce is best done in the microwave. Place it on a microwave-safe plate or dish and microwave in 20-second increments. Note the shrimp will not be as crispy as it was when freshly made.

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bang bang shrimp being held by chopsticks
air fryer bang bang shrimp tossed with sauce over rice in a bowl

Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp – Crispy with Creamy Sauce

Crispy air fryer Bang Bang shrimp with homemade creamy chili sauce! Better than Bonefish Grill's version. Perfect appetizer or dinner in 15 minutes.
5 from 4 votes
Print Pin Rate Add to Collection
Course: Seafood
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 744kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 teaspoon sriracha
  • 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
  • 1 pound jumbo shrimp peeled
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 3/4 cup corn starch
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs
  • avocado oil for brushing during air frying
  • parsley for garnish

Instructions

  • In a small mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, sriracha and sweet chili sauce until well blended. This will become your bang bang sauce. Set aside.
  • Working in batches of 6-8 at a time, coat your shrimp in cornstarch until fully covered. Then coat fully in buttermilk and lastly roll in breadcrumbs until fully covered. Place each coated shrimp in the airfryer. Make sure they do not touch.
  • Cook in airfryer on 400 degrees for 5 minutes on one side. When cooking time is complete, drizzle a light coat of avocado oil on the cooked side. Flip each shrimp and drizzle an additional layer of avocado oil on the uncooked side. Return to airfryer and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
  • When cooking time is complete, remove shrimp from airfryer and set aside. Repeat until all shrimp are cooked.
  • In a medium mixing bowl, cover all of the shrimp with the bang bang sauce. Lightly toss until the shrimp are fully covered in sauce.
  • Top with parsley (optional) and serve immediately on top of a bed of rice or on their own!

Notes

  • Looking for an extra kick? Trying spicy sriracha sauce! 
  • Be sure to toss your shrimp lightly in bang bang sauce, otherwise breading begins to pull away from the shrimp. 
  • Pairs great with vegetable & chicken fried rice!

Equipment

Nutrition

Calories: 744kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 46g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 313mg | Sodium: 1641mg | Potassium: 195mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 86IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 253mg | Iron: 4mg

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About Stephanie Manley

Stephanie Manley is the creator of CopyKat.com. She has been recreating copycat recipes since 1995. Learn more about Stephanie Manley.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. MarieK

    Regarding the copycat Bonefish Grill Bang Bang shrimp, how would it be possible to make this recipe for those of us who don’t own an air fryer?

  2. Cathy

    7-3-22
    I had to make my own buttermilk and I had heavy cream, but next time I’ll get real buttermilk. My sauce needed a lot of tweaking, all I had was Hellmans. I added some garlic powder, vinegar, and a lot of Sambal Olek again, that’s what I had on hand. Wondering if I could add coconut in the breadcrumbs. Might try that next time. Overall not a bad dish

  3. Rich

    Bang Bang sauce has:
    Mayo
    Lemon juice
    Vinegar
    Sweet Thai chili sauce
    Garlic chili paste
    (Used to work there)

5 from 4 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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