Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp

Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp is such a fun and tasty way to enjoy that popular dish you often see at restaurants like Bonefish Grill. The shrimp gets a crispy, golden coating from the air fryer, then is tossed in a creamy bang bang sauce that’s perfectly sweet and spicy. Even better? It clocks in under 300 calories per serving, so it’s a little lighter without skimping on flavor!

Bang bang shrimp is one of those dishes that just hits all the right notes — sweet, spicy, creamy, and crunchy. To keep things simple (and less oily), we air fry the shrimp instead of deep frying, but you still get that amazing crispy crunch. Then we toss the shrimp in a zippy bang bang sauce that’s creamy with a nice kick. This recipe is a definite crowd-pleaser that your family will happily request again and again.

The speed of this recipe is a total game changer. The shrimp air fries in about 10 minutes while you whip up the bang bang sauce — which couldn’t be easier to mix together. Once everything’s ready, toss and serve! It works unbelievably well as a party appetizer or game day snack. You can also make it a full meal by pairing the shrimp with rice, roasted veggies, or a big salad.

Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp is a quick, lighter spin on the classic dish made popular by Bonefish Grill. The shrimp end up perfectly crunchy and tender thanks to the air fryer, not to mention they’re tossed in a creamy, sweet-and-spicy bang bang sauce that balances so well with the crispy coating—all ready in just 10 to 15 minutes. Plus, it’s under 300 calories per serving, which makes it a win for a tasty but guilt-free treat.

This recipe keeps things super simple with ingredients you likely already have on hand—shrimp, a basic breading mix, mayo, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha. I break down the air fryer steps so you feel confident from start to finish. Plus, I share tips for ingredient swaps, serving up different ideas, and reheating leftovers. It’s the perfect recipe for busy weeknights, casual get-togethers, or tailgating.

Big Flavor with Less Oil

Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp brings the crave-worthy flavors of the restaurant classic right to your kitchen, with way less oil and way less fuss. The air fryer makes the shrimp perfectly crispy and light, the sauce comes together in a snap, and your whole dish is ready in about 15 minutes. It’s a total lifesaver for fast meals, crowd-pleasing snacks, or fun parties. Planning a snack spread? Add Air Fryer Crispy Mini Blooming Onions for an easy, guilt-free side.

• Crispy but lighter: Thanks to the air fryer and cornstarch (if you choose), you get a satisfyingly crunchy bite without the deep-fry mess or heaviness.
• Fast and easy: Shrimp cooks quickly in about 10 minutes, and the bang bang sauce is just mayo, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha whisked together.
• Simple pantry ingredients: No fancy or hard-to-find items here—just shrimp, flour or cornstarch, an egg, mayo, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha.
• Customizable and kid-friendly: Tweak the spice level to your liking, swap mayo for low-fat or Greek yogurt, or grab pre-prepped shrimp to speed things up.
• Versatile crowd-pleaser: Perfect as an appetizer, main dish over rice or salad, or even tossed in tacos—and it keeps the calories in check. Craving a quick taco-night alternative? Try Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas.

Ingredients and Key Swaps

• Jumbo shrimp, peeled, deveined, tails off
• Flour or cornstarch
• Salt & pepper
• Egg
• Olive oil spray
• Mayonnaise
• Sweet Thai chili sauce
• Sriracha

How to Air Fry the Shrimp

1. If using frozen shrimp, thaw completely and ensure shrimp are peeled, deveined, and tails removed.
2. Pat shrimp dry with paper towels.
3. In a bowl, mix flour or cornstarch with a pinch of salt and pepper.

4. Beat the egg in a separate bowl.

   

5. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray.
6. Dip each shrimp into the beaten egg, then coat evenly with the flour mixture.
7. Place shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket without crowding; lightly spray the shrimp with olive oil spray.

8. Air fry at 400ºF for 10–12 minutes, or until shrimp are golden and cooked through.

   

9. While shrimp cooks, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet Thai chili sauce, and sriracha until smooth.

10. Toss the cooked shrimp gently in the bang bang sauce until evenly coated.

    

Time-Saving Tips and Swaps

• Prep tip: You can save a bunch of time by buying shrimp that’s already peeled and deveined with the tails removed.
• Frozen shrimp: Frozen shrimp works fine here too, just thaw completely before breading and cooking.
• Low-fat mayo: Want to lighten it up a bit? Swap regular mayo for a low-fat version for fewer calories without losing creaminess.
• Mayo alternative: If mayo isn’t your thing, plain Greek yogurt or sour cream make yummy substitutions and keep the sauce nice and creamy—for example, see this street corn salad with Greek yogurt to get a feel for the texture and tang.

Ways to Serve and Adapt

Bang bang shrimp is a classic appetizer, but there are so many fun ways to enjoy it that go way beyond just finger food. Here are a few ideas for you to try:

• Main dish: Pair these crispy shrimp with flavorful sides like garlic butter mushrooms, roasted seasonal vegetables, a fresh Greek kale salad, or a bright Strawberry Romaine Feta Salad for a comforting meal.
• Appetizer: Serve these shrimp alongside other favorites like buffalo chicken dip, whipped feta dip, or mini curried chicken sliders for a party spread everyone will love.
• In a salad: Add a protein boost to any fresh green salad—try tossing them over this crunchy, creamy Cucumber Ranch Crack Salad—and finish with your favorite dressing for an easy dinner or lunch.
• Grain bowl: Make a hearty bowl by layering these shrimp over rice or quinoa along with plenty of crisp veggies and a drizzle of sauce.
• Shrimp tacos: Wrap the shrimp in warm tortillas with slaw and extra bang bang sauce (try my shrimp tacos recipe for the perfect combo!) for a fun taco night twist.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

While bang bang shrimp is best enjoyed fresh and crispy, leftovers store well and make a quick, tasty lunch or snack the next day. For a hearty make-ahead main to round out your week, consider High Protein Creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta (65g protein meal prep).

• Refrigerate properly: Let the shrimp cool fully before placing in an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. If you can, keep the bang bang sauce in a separate container—it will stay good for up to a week refrigerated.
• Reheat carefully: To warm leftovers, reheat the shrimp in your air fryer at 320ºF for about 5 minutes. Gently warm the sauce in the microwave, then toss the shrimp in it just before serving to keep that creamy, saucy goodness. This same method helps keep other breaded proteins, like air fryer Parmesan-crusted chicken, crispy.

Common Questions Answered

How long to cook shrimp in the air fryer?

For jumbo shrimp, air frying at 350ºF usually takes about 10 minutes. If your shrimp are smaller, they’ll cook a bit faster, so keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.

Should I flip shrimp in the air fryer?

You don’t need to flip the shrimp while air frying. The air fryer’s hot circulating air cooks things evenly, so you can forget the flip and focus on more important things!

Is bang bang shrimp spicy?

Bang bang shrimp has a gentle kick of heat that’s perfectly balanced by the creamy mayo and sweet chili sauce. If you’re sensitive to spice, just dial back the sriracha to suit your taste, or pair it with a refreshing Cucumber Strawberry Salad.