Crispy Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp with Spicy Mayo

How to make Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp.

Bang Bang Shrimp is a beloved appetizer featuring breaded shrimp finished with a creamy, sweet-spicy sauce. It’s commonly found on restaurant menus under that name or something similar, and for good reason: it’s addictive and always seems to disappear the moment it hits the table.

Rather than wait until my next restaurant visit, I experimented in my own kitchen. I chose to cook the shrimp in an air fryer instead of deep-frying, which yields a lighter result with less oil—perfect when you want the same satisfying crunch without the guilt.

This method keeps the shrimp crisp and flavorful while letting the sauce shine. The recipe below uses cooked, peeled shrimp to make sure everything cooks evenly in the air fryer and to shorten total hands-on time.

Using pre-cooked shrimp ensures the centers are tender and the breading crisps quickly. You can leave the tails on for presentation or remove them for easier eating. Just make sure the shrimp are fully thawed and dry before you begin breading.

Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp

To prepare the shrimp, set up a simple dredging station: a bag with flour, a bowl for the egg wash, and a shallow tray with the breadcrumb mixture. Toss the thawed shrimp in flour first, dip in the egg wash, then press into the Panko-based coating. Panko breadcrumbs give the light, airy crunch characteristic of restaurant-style Bang Bang Shrimp.

If you like heat, add a pinch of cayenne or hot pepper powder to the breadcrumb mix. I sometimes add a little extra spice for family dinners but leave it milder when serving guests who prefer less heat.

When your shrimp are breaded, preheat the air fryer and place the shrimp in a single layer, giving each piece a little space so the air can circulate. Lightly spray the tops with olive oil spray before cooking and again after flipping to encourage a golden, crispy finish.

Cooking times vary by air fryer model, but a good guideline is to air fry at 400°F: 5 minutes on the first side, then flip and cook an additional 3 minutes. Work in batches so you don’t overcrowd the basket — overcrowding prevents crisping and lengthens cook time.

Bang Bang Sauce

The sauce is the signature of this dish: creamy, slightly sweet, and with a kick. While store-bought versions exist, it’s quick and simple to whisk together your own. I usually mix the sauce while the shrimp are thawing so the flavors can meld.

Drizzle the sauce over the cooked shrimp just before serving or offer it on the side for dipping. A final sprinkle of chopped green onions or cilantro brightens the plate and adds fresh flavor and color.

This air fryer approach recreates the texture and taste of restaurant Bang Bang Shrimp while keeping the process approachable at home. It’s a great appetizer for gatherings or a fun weeknight treat when you want something a little special without the extra oil of deep frying.

To receive weekly recipe updates, sign up for the site’s email list or follow the recipe publisher on social media. This article contains recipe suggestions and tips to make Bang Bang Shrimp at home, using common pantry ingredients and an air fryer for a lighter, crisp finish.

Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe

A classic appetizer of breaded shrimp cooked in the air fryer and served with a creamy, sweet-spicy Bang Bang Sauce.

Ingredients

• 1 pound large cooked shrimp peeled, deveined, and tails removed
• olive oil spray

Breading

• 1/4 cup flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 2 medium eggs
• 1 TBS water

Bang Bang Sauce

• 1/3 cup Greek yogurt
• 2 TBSP light mayonnaise
• 2 TBSP sriracha sauce
• 2 TBSP sugar
• 1 TBSP rice vinegar

Suggested Garnish

• chopped green onions
• chopped cilantro

Instructions

Shrimp

1. Place flour into a large resealable bag and set aside.
2. Whisk eggs and water in a small bowl to create an egg wash; set aside.
3. Combine cornstarch, Panko, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika in a shallow dish.
4. Add the shrimp to the bag with flour and toss to coat, then shake off excess.
5. Dip the floured shrimp into the egg wash, then press into the breadcrumb mixture so the coating adheres.
6. Repeat until all shrimp are coated.
7. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (approx. 200°C) for a few minutes.
8. Place shrimp in a single layer in the basket, leaving space between pieces. Spray lightly with olive oil spray.
9. Cook at 400°F for about 5 minutes, flip the shrimp, spray again, and cook for another 3 minutes or until golden and crisp. Work in batches as needed.

Bang Bang Sauce

1. Whisk together Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, sugar, sriracha, and rice vinegar. Chill until ready to use so the flavors meld.

Serving

1. Arrange the cooked shrimp on a platter. Drizzle with sauce just before serving or serve it on the side for dipping. Garnish with chopped green onions and cilantro if desired.

Notes

Recipe provided by Make Your Meals. Adjust spice levels and cooking time based on your air fryer model and personal preference.

Nutrition Information:

Serving Size:

1 grams

Amount Per Serving:
Unsaturated Fat: 0g