If you’ve ever ordered Bang Bang Shrimp at a restaurant and immediately wondered why you didn’t just order three more plates…..same.

This homemade bang bang shrimp brings that crispy shrimp appetizer experience straight to your kitchen. It’s a perfect copycat Bang Bang shrimp that rivals popular restaurant versions while still being simple enough for a weeknight. Whether you’re making it as a main dish or sharing it as an appetizer, it hits all the right notes.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Raw shrimp ready for bang bang shrimp, with bowls of flour, spices, sauces, oil, and milk sitting on a light surface.

Step One: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients for the sauce. Whisk until smooth.

Top-down shot: pan with oil, seasoned flour, bang bang shrimp spice, buttermilk-soaked chicken, and a liquid bowl on a light counter.

Step Two: In another mixing bowl, add the buttermilk and place the shrimp inside. Allow the shrimp to soak while you preheat the oil.

Step Three: In a heavy-bottom deep-fry pan, add 4 cups of canola oil. Place on the stove over high heat. Allow the oil to reach 375 degrees. Use a thermometer to check the oil.

Three bowls with flour, a cup of seasoned liquid, and chicken pieces soaking in buttermilk for bang bang shrimp.

Step Four: On a large plate, mix together flour, sea salt, onion, and garlic powder.

Step Five: Once the oil is at temperature, turn the heat down to medium-high.

Step Six: Remove the shrimp from the buttermilk and cover them with the flour mixture.

Step Seven: Working in batches, add the shrimp to the hot oil and fry for 1 minute on each side.

Step Eight: Toss the fried shrimp in the sauce and serve hot.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this over steamed jasmine rice or my fluffy coconut rice for a full meal, or pile it onto my crunchy coleslaw for a sweet-and-savory contrast. It’s also amazing tucked into tortillas or my homemade pita bread, so it can be served as delicious finger food. For a full spread, pair it with fried rice, lo mein, or even my light crispy garden salad to balance the richness. Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions for that restaurant-style finish, and don’t forget an extra drizzle of bang bang sauce on top. For drinks, go with something refreshing like my delicious cucumber lemonade or my sparkling coconut pineapple spritzer.

The Chemistry of Bang Bang Shrimp

The magic of Bang Bang Shrimp is all about contrast- crispy shrimp meets creamy spicy sauce. The buttermilk soak helps tenderize the shrimp while giving the flour coating something to cling to. When the shrimp hit hot oil (around 375°F), the moisture rapidly evaporates, creating that crisp exterior. If the oil temperature drops, the shrimp absorb oil rather than crisp, which results in greasy food. The sauce works because it balances Thai sweet chili sauce, mayo, and Sriracha’s heat into a creamy, slightly tangy coating that clings perfectly to the crispy shrimp without overwhelming them.

Recipe Troubleshooting

Soggy shrimp? This usually means the oil wasn’t hot enough or they sat in the sauce too long.

Breading isn’t as crunchy? This often comes down to the oil and coating techniques.

Too greasy or heavy? This happens when the shrimp aren’t drained properly on a paper-towel-lined plate.

What temperature should the oil be? 375°F is the sweet spot for perfectly crispy shrimp.

Can I air-fry or bake them? Yes, but you won’t get the same restaurant-style crunch.

Breading keeps falling off? Try letting the coated shrimp sit for a minute before frying to help them adhere.

Can I use frozen shrimp? Yes, just thaw it under cold water and pat dry.

How long do I fry them for? Just a minute on each side is all it takes.

What if I don’t have buttermilk? A mix of milk and a little vinegar can be used as a substitute.

Seasonal Serving Suggestions

This recipe fits perfectly into easy Friday night dinner ideas and is always a hit for holiday party finger foods. It also works great for casual gatherings or anytime you want something bold and fun without a ton of prep. It’s one of those dishes that feels like a treat, but comes together fast enough for real life.

Cooking Tips

This crispy, saucy, slightly spicy shrimp is one of those dishes that disappears in approximately 2.3 minutes. The good news? You can absolutely make this Bang Bang shrimp at home- and honestly. It might be even better. We’re talking golden-brown, crispy shrimp tossed in a creamy, sweet-and-spicy sauce that hits every single craving at once. Whether you’re making this for an easy Friday night dinner or as a crowd-pleasing appetizer, this is one of those recipes that instantly levels your home kitchen game.

A bowl with fluffy white rice, crispy bang bang shrimp, and fresh cucumber salad tossed with herbs.

Storage Tips

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Keep the shrimp and sauce separate if possible to preserve crispiness.

Freezer- Freezing is not ideal once cooked, as the crispy texture won’t hold up. If needed, freeze uncooked coated shrimp and fry fresh for best results.

Make Ahead- You can prepare the sauce ahead of time and store it in the fridge. Shrimp can also be peeled and deveined in advance to save time when cooking.

Bang Bang Shrimp with Creamy Sriracha Sauce

This Bang Bang Shrimp is crispy, saucy, and completely addictive- the kind of recipe you make once and immediately add to your regular rotation. It’s fast, flavorful, and guaranteed to impress whether you’re cooking for yourself or a crowd. And once you nail that crispy coating and that creamy sauce combo, you’ll never look at takeout the same way again.

A bowl of rice topped with crispy bang bang shrimp, chili sauce, cucumber slices, and the text "Crispy Bang Bang Shrimp.

Easy Bang Bang Shrimp (Better Than Bonefish!)

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Author: Madison Reid
Total Time: 30 minutes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 6
Crispy buttermilk fried shrimp tossed in a creamy, sweet, and spicy bang bang sauce made with sweet chili, Sriracha, and honey. This easy copycat recipe is the perfect appetizer or dinner!

Ingredients 

  • 1.5 lbs peeled & deveined shrimp
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • canola oil for frying
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp fine sea salt
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder

Sauce

  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/3 cup sweet chili sauce
  • 1 tbsp Sriracha sauce
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper

Instructions

  • In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients for the sauce. Whisk until smooth.
  • In another mixing bowl, add the buttermilk and place the shrimp inside. Allow the shrimp to soak while you preheat the oil.
  • In a heavy-bottom deep-fry pan, add 4 cups of canola oil. Place on the stove over high heat. Allow the oil to reach 375 degrees. Use a thermometer to check the oil.
  • On a large plate, mix together flour, sea salt, onion, and garlic powder.
  • Once the oil is at temperature, turn the heat down to medium-high.
  • Remove the shrimp from the buttermilk and cover them with the flour mixture.
  • Working in batches, add the shrimp to the hot oil and fry for 1 minute on each side.
  • Toss the fried shrimp in the sauce and serve hot.

Nutrition

Calories: 400kcal Carbohydrates: 44g Protein: 29g Fat: 12g Saturated Fat: 2g Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g Monounsaturated Fat: 3g Trans Fat: 0.03g Cholesterol: 192mg Sodium: 1038mg Potassium: 415mg Fiber: 1g Sugar: 12g Vitamin A: 85IU Vitamin C: 2mg Calcium: 128mg Iron: 3mg

Have you tried this recipe?

I’d love to see it! Follow @_mrs.madi_ on Instagram and tag your photos with #mrsmadi.