Bang bang shrimp is a mouthwatering fusion of crispy, golden-fried shrimp coated in a creamy, spicy, and slightly sweet sauce that’s impossible to resist. Inspired by the popular appetizer from Bonefish Grill, this copycat version is just as addictive—but even better because it’s homemade in under 30 minutes! Whether you’re making it for a dinner party, game day, or an elevated weeknight meal, this dish brings restaurant-quality flavor right to your kitchen. Trust us—one bite and you’ll be hooked.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe

- Crispy and crunchy: Lightly coated in cornstarch and perfectly fried.
- Saucy perfection: The iconic bang bang sauce is creamy, spicy, and just sweet enough.
- Quick to make: From prep to plate in just 20 minutes.
- Versatile: Serve as an appetizer, taco filling, or on a rice bowl.
- Crowd-pleaser: Everyone asks for seconds—guaranteed!
Ingredients
- 1 lb small shrimp (31-40 count), peeled and deveined
- ½ to ¾ cup cornstarch (for coating)
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup Thai sweet chili sauce
- 3–5 drops hot chili sauce (like Sriracha), or to taste
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
- Chopped scallions (for garnish)
- Lettuce leaves or shredded cabbage (for serving)
Instructions
- Make the bang bang sauce
In a bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and Sriracha. Set aside. - Prepare the shrimp
Pat shrimp dry using paper towels—dry shrimp = crispy shrimp! - Coat in cornstarch
Toss the shrimp in cornstarch until fully coated. Shake off any excess. - Heat oil
In a deep skillet or heavy-bottomed pan, heat 1–2 inches of oil to 350°F (175°C). - Fry the shrimp
Working in batches, fry shrimp for 2–3 minutes until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels or a wire rack. - Toss in sauce
While shrimp are still hot, toss them in the bang bang sauce until fully coated. - Serve
Plate the shrimp over a bed of lettuce or shredded cabbage. Sprinkle with scallions and serve immediately.
Recipe Details

- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Servings: 4
Nutrition Facts (Approx. per serving)
- Calories: 320
- Protein: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fat: 20g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Cholesterol: 165mg
Tips & Variations
- Baked version: Skip frying and bake at 425°F for 12–15 mins, flipping halfway. Spray shrimp with oil before baking.
- Spice it up: Add more Sriracha or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Swap proteins: Try it with chicken or tofu for a delicious variation.
- Bang Bang Tacos: Add shrimp to tortillas with slaw and avocado for a killer taco night.
- Rice bowl version: Serve over jasmine rice with cucumbers and carrots for a full meal.

Crispy Bang Bang Shrimp
Equipment
- – Mixing bowl
- – Skillet or deep fryer
- – Slotted spoon or tongs
- – Paper towels or wire rack
- – Thermometer (optional)
Ingredients
- – 1 lb small shrimp peeled and deveined
- – ½ to ¾ cup cornstarch
- – ½ cup mayonnaise
- – ¼ cup Thai sweet chili sauce
- – 3–5 drops Sriracha
- – Vegetable oil for frying
- – Chopped scallions for garnish
- – Lettuce leaves or shredded cabbage for serving
Instructions
- Whisk together mayo, sweet chili sauce, and Sriracha to make the sauce.
- Pat shrimp dry and toss in cornstarch until evenly coated.
- Heat oil in a skillet to 350°F.
- Fry shrimp in batches for 2–3 minutes until golden and crispy.
- Drain on paper towels or wire rack.
- Toss hot shrimp with sauce until fully coated.
- Serve over lettuce and garnish with scallions.
Notes
– Sauce can be made ahead.
– Add more chili sauce if you love heat.
FAQs
Can I make this ahead of time?
You can prep the sauce and coat the shrimp ahead, but for best results, fry and toss in sauce just before serving.
Why is my shrimp not crispy?
Make sure your shrimp are thoroughly dried and the oil is hot enough (350°F). Avoid overcrowding the pan.
Is this gluten-free?
Yes, just make sure your sauces are certified gluten-free.
What can I substitute for Thai sweet chili sauce?
Mix apricot jam with rice vinegar and red pepper flakes for a quick DIY version.
Conclusion
This bang bang shrimp recipe brings restaurant-level indulgence to your home kitchen with minimal effort. It’s crispy, saucy, spicy, and totally irresistible. Whether you serve it as an appetizer, main dish, or part of a creative bowl or taco, it’s bound to become a repeat request. Try it once, and you’ll be hooked for life.

























