Description
Crispy and flavorful Bang Bang Shrimp made with a creamy, sweet, and spicy sauce. Perfect as an appetizer, in tacos, or served over rice bowls for a delicious meal.
Ingredients
Shrimp and Coating
- 1 pound medium-sized shrimp – raw, shelled, deveined, and rinsed
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- ¾ cup cornstarch
- 1 cup avocado oil (for frying)
Sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup Thai sweet chili sauce
- ¼ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon Sriracha
Garnish
- 3 tablespoons green onion, chopped
Instructions
- Marinate Shrimp: Combine the raw, shelled, deveined shrimp with ¾ cup buttermilk in a medium-sized bowl. Toss them well to ensure each shrimp is coated evenly. This helps tenderize and prepare the shrimp for frying.
- Prepare Coating: Pour ¾ cup cornstarch into a large bowl. Using a fork, lift each shrimp from the buttermilk, allowing excess buttermilk to drip off, then gently toss the shrimp in the cornstarch until fully coated. This creates the crispy exterior when fried.
- Heat Oil: Pour 1 cup avocado oil into a large Dutch oven or a heavy, deep pot. Heat the oil over medium heat until it reaches 375°F. Use a thermometer to maintain the correct frying temperature for optimal crispiness.
- Fry Shrimp: Carefully place the coated shrimp one at a time into the hot oil, ensuring they have space to avoid sticking together. Fry the shrimp for 1-2 minutes on each side, until golden and crispy.
- Drain Shrimp: Use a slotted spoon to remove the shrimp from the oil and place them on a drying rack to drain excess oil. Repeat until all shrimp have been fried.
- Make Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together ½ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup Thai sweet chili sauce, ¼ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning, and ¼ teaspoon Sriracha until smooth and creamy. This creates the classic Bang Bang sauce with a balance of sweet and spicy flavors.
- Toss Shrimp in Sauce: Immediately transfer the fried shrimp into a mixing bowl. Add ¾ of the prepared sauce to the shrimp and toss gently but thoroughly to coat all pieces evenly.
- Serve: Place the coated shrimp on a serving dish, drizzle the remaining sauce over them, and garnish with 3 tablespoons chopped green onion. Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Ensure the oil is at the correct temperature (375°F) to get crispy shrimp without absorbing too much oil.
- Leaving enough space between shrimp while frying prevents them from sticking and ensures even cooking.
- Use a drying rack after frying to keep shrimp crispy rather than placing directly on paper towels.
- Adjust the amount of Sriracha in the sauce to control the heat level to your preference.
- This dish can be served as an appetizer, in tacos, or over rice bowls for a main course.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Appetizer, Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
