Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp

Bang bang shrimp made in the air fryer, tossed in that creamy-sweet-spicy chili sauce everyone knows, and ready faster than takeout. It’s easy, crunchy, and weeknight-friendly without the mess of frying.

Bang Bang Shrimp Air Fryer Recipe

When it comes to air fryer shrimp recipes, my bang bang version is definitely the one I make most. It gives me that crispy coating without dealing with oil splatter or heating up a big pot. The shrimp get just as golden and crunchy as the deep-fried kind, and they’re done in under 10 minutes.

I layer the shrimp with cornstarch, egg white, and panko before going in the air fryer. While they cook, I put the sauce together with just three ingredients—mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and Sriracha. Once they’re golden, everything gets tossed together.

You can call it bang bang, boom boom, or even firecracker shrimp—either way, it’s the same idea. Crispy shrimp in a creamy, spicy sauce. My version just happens to be easier with consistent results every time.

Why I Make This Version

I’ve tested a lot of coating methods in the air fryer, and the combo of cornstarch, egg white, and panko gives me the best outcome. It sticks to the shrimp, crisps up evenly, and doesn’t flake off when you toss it in the sauce. I also like that I don’t need to dredge in flour first or rely on buttermilk or dairy-heavy coatings. The texture comes out light but crisp, and the shrimp don’t end up greasy or overcooked.

Why This Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe Works

• Gets the shrimp super crispy without deep frying.
• Quick to prep and cook.
• The sauce has the right balance of sweet and spicy.
• Works as an app, taco filling, or rice bowl topper.

What You’ll Need to Make Bang Bang Shrimp in the Air Fryer

This is all you need for crispy shrimp and that signature sweet-spicy sauce.

• Raw shrimp – Medium size, peeled and deveined with tails off. I usually use 31–40 count.
• Cornstarch – Helps the coating stick and adds crunch after air frying.
• Egg white – Acts as the binder between the cornstarch and the panko.
• Panko breadcrumbs – Gives the shrimp that light, crisp texture.
• Cooking spray or olive oil – A quick spray on each side before air frying makes a big difference.
• Mayonnaise – Any kind works, but full-fat gives the richest texture for the sauce.
• Sweet chili sauce – The base of the bang bang flavor. Adds sweetness and a little tang.
• Sriracha – This is what gives your sauce the bang. Use more or less depending on how much heat you like.
• Green onion (optional) – For garnish, if you want a little color and fresh bite.

Step-by-Step Instructions: Making Your Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp

Follow these steps for perfectly crispy bang bang shrimp. Find the complete printable recipe with measurements in the recipe card at the BOTTOM OF THE POST.

• Step One (set up the bowls)
  Grab three shallow bowls—one for cornstarch, one for the egg white, and one for the panko. You’ll be moving the shrimp through all three.
• Step Two (coat the shrimp)
  Start by tossing each shrimp in cornstarch, then set them aside on a plate or piece of parchment. Next, dip them in the egg white, then press them into the panko so they’re coated all over.
• Step Three (air fry side one)
  Place the shrimp in your air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they’re not touching. Spray or brush the tops with oil, then air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 5 minutes.
• Step Four (flip and finish)
  Flip the shrimp over, give the other side a spray, and air fry for another 2 minutes until they’re crisp and golden.
• Step Five (make the sauce)
  While the shrimp cook, mix up the sauce in a big bowl—just mayo, sweet chili sauce, and Sriracha. That’s it.
• Step Six (toss and serve)
  When the shrimp are done, drop them straight into the sauce and toss gently to coat. Serve them up right away with sliced green onion if you want a little extra on top.

Tips for the Best Bang Bang Shrimp

Keep the coating on, the shrimp crispy, and the sauce where it belongs.

• Don’t overcrowd the basket. Air needs room to move—cook in batches if you have to.
• A large air fryer basket with enough room to keep the shrmip spaced out means better airflow and better crunch.
• Fully coat the shrimp in cornstarch before the egg white. That first layer matters.
• Press the panko on. A light press helps it stick so it doesn’t fall off mid-air fry.
• Spray both sides lightly with oil. You want golden, not greasy.
• Flip the shrimp halfway through. It’s the only way to get them evenly browned.
• Serve them right after saucing. Leftovers lose their crunch and overcook fast.
• Try chili-garlic sauce instead. It’s a shortcut with heat and flavor in one.

Serving Suggestions

This air fried bang bang shrimp works a bunch of different ways. Here’s how I’ve used it:

• As an appetizer – Serve hot with extra bang bang sauce for dipping.
• Bang bang shrimp tacos – Load them into warm tortillas with shredded cabbage, a drizzle of lime juice, and extra sauce. Same idea as my Cajun shrimp tacos, just a different flavor.
• Rice bowls – Serve over jasmine or brown rice with something simple on the side like steamed broccoli or edamame. You can also use the shrimp in place of the salmon in my spicy salmon sushi bowls with crispy rice.
• Salad topping – Toss them onto a fresh green salad for a quick meal or serve them with my cucumbers with mint vinaigrette on the side.

Storing & Reheating

These shrimp are best fresh, but here’s what to do if you have leftovers:

• Storage – Store cooked shrimp in an airtight container in the fridge for 2–3 days. Keep them separate from the sauce so they don’t get soggy.
• Reheating – Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3–5 minutes until warmed through and crisp again. Skip the microwave—they’ll turn rubbery.
• Freezing – I don’t recommend freezing these. The coating and texture just don’t hold up well after thawing.

Common Questions About Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp

• What’s the difference between Bang Bang, Boom Boom, and Firecracker Shrimp?
  The names vary, but they usually mean the same thing—crispy shrimp tossed in a creamy, sweet chili-Sriracha sauce. Bang Bang is the most recognizable thanks to Bonefish Grill, but Boom Boom and Firecracker get used interchangeably.
• Can I use frozen shrimp?
  Yes, just make sure it’s fully thawed and patted very dry before breading. Any extra moisture will keep the coating from getting crispy.
• Can I make this gluten-free?
  Yep. Just swap in gluten-free panko and double-check that your sweet chili sauce and Sriracha are labeled gluten-free.
• Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
  You can. Mix it up to 5 days in advance and keep it in an airtight container in the fridge.

More Air Fryer Seafood Recipes

If you’re into easy seafood dinners, here are a few more I make in the air fryer:

• Air Fryer Frozen Salmon – No thawing needed.
• Air Fryer Fish Nuggets – Crispy bites and better than fish sticks.
• Perfect Air Fryer Salmon – Ready in under 10 minutes.
• Air Fryer Maple Glazed Salmon – Sweet, savory, and delicious.
• Air Fryer Salmon Bites – Bowl-worthy with a lemon garlic butter sauce.
• Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon Bites – Another twist using salmon.

Your Go-To Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp

This air fryer bang bang shrimp recipe is the one. It’s crispy, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make at home. You’ll be adding this to your regular rotation.

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Print Recipe

4.91 from 10 votes

Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp

This crispy air fryer bang bang shrimp skips the deep frying and gets tossed in a creamy sweet chili-Sriracha sauce. Coated in panko and cornstarch, the shrimp turn out golden and crunchy—perfect as an appetizer, taco filling, or rice bowl topper.

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time7 minutes mins

Total Time22 minutes mins

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: air fried bang bang shrimp, Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp, air fryer boom boom shrimp, air fryer shrimp recipes, Bang Bang Shrimp Air Fryer, bang bang shrimp in air fryer, bang bang shrimp recipe air fryer, crispy air fryer shrimp cornstarch

Servings: 4 people

Calories: 385kcal

Author: Cathy Pollak

Equipment

• Air Fryer A large basket model helps avoid overcrowding.
• measuring cups and spoons For accuracy.
• tongs For flipping the shrimp.
• mixing bowls For dredging and making the sauce.

Ingredients

• ¼ cup (30 g) cornstarch
• 1 large egg white
• 1½ cups (90 g) panko bread crumbs
• 1 lb. (454 g) medium-sized raw shrimp deveined, tails off
• cooking spray or olive oil
• ½ cup (120 g) mayonnaise
• 2 tbsps. (30 g) sweet chili sauce
• 2 tsps. (10 g) Sriracha (less or more to taste)
• sliced green onion for garnish (optional)

Instructions

• Place the cornstarch, egg white, and panko into three separate shallow bowls.
  ¼ cup (30 g) cornstarch , 1 large egg white , 1½ cups (90 g) panko bread crumbs
• Coat each shrimp first in cornstarch and set aside on parchment paper or a plate.
  1 lb. (454 g) medium-sized raw shrimp
• Dip each shrimp into the egg white, then press into the panko, coating both sides evenly.
• Place the shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they don’t touch.
• Spray or brush the tops with cooking spray or olive oil.
  cooking spray
• Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 5 minutes.
• Flip the shrimp, spray or brush the other side, and air fry for another 2 minutes, until golden brown.
• While the shrimp are cooking, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and Sriracha in a large bowl.
  ½ cup (120 g) mayonnaise, 2 tbsps. (30 g) sweet chili sauce, 2 tsps. (10 g) Sriracha
• Toss the cooked shrimp in the sauce until coated.
• Serve immediately with green onion if using.
  sliced green onion for garnish (optional)

Notes

• If using frozen shrimp, make sure they’re fully thawed and very dry before coating. Extra moisture will keep the breading from crisping up.
• You can make the sauce up to 5 days ahead. Store it in the fridge in a sealed container.
• For a short cut, swap the sweet chili sauce and Sriracha for chili-garlic sauce—it adds heat and flavor in one step.
• This recipe works best in a larger air fryer basket to avoid crowding. If needed, cook in batches for better results.

 

For optimal outcomes when making this air fryer bang bang shrimp, I recommend referring to the details within the post. The recipe post commonly includes valuable notes, expert tips and frequently asked questions, that are not presented in the recipe card, often including how to make this recipe dairy-free, gluten free or vegan and ideas for healthy ingredient substitutions or variations.

 

 

 

The provided nutrition information is merely an approximation, as variations can arise depending on the specific ingredients/brands you select.

 

 

 

© noblepig.com. All content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing this recipe is encouraged and appreciated, but copying and/or pasting the full recipe to social media or other platforms is strictly prohibited.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp

Amount Per Serving (140 g)

Calories 385 Calories from Fat 216

% Daily Value*

Fat 24g37%

Saturated Fat 4g25%

Polyunsaturated Fat 10g

Monounsaturated Fat 7g

Cholesterol 215mg72%

Sodium 670mg29%

Potassium 190mg5%

Carbohydrates 18g6%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 3g3%

Protein 24g48%

Vitamin A 150IU3%

Vitamin C 2mg2%

Calcium 60mg6%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Have you made this Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp? I’d love to hear how it turned out — leave a comment below and let me know.

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.