Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp (Printer-Friendly)

Juicy shrimp, crispy panko, and a tangy, spicy sauce come together for a flavorful air-fried dish.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Shrimp Preparation

01 - 0.5 cup buttermilk, divided
02 - 1 pound fresh large shrimp, peeled and deveined
03 - 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
04 - 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
05 - 1 cup panko bread crumbs

→ Bang Bang Sauce

06 - 0.25 cup mayonnaise
07 - 0.25 cup sweet chili sauce
08 - 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce, adjust to taste

→ For Frying (Optional)

09 - Canola oil, for frying (if using stovetop method)
10 - Non-stick cooking spray (for air fryer method)

→ Garnish

11 - Fresh cilantro, chopped

# Steps to Make This:

01 - Place the peeled and deveined shrimp in a shallow bowl with 0.5 cup of buttermilk and refrigerate for at least 4 hours to tenderize.
02 - Set up three bowls: one with flour and black pepper, one with remaining buttermilk, and one with panko bread crumbs.
03 - Remove shrimp from marinade, dredge in flour mixture, dip in buttermilk, then coat thoroughly with panko bread crumbs.
04 - Spray air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray. Arrange breaded shrimp in a single layer. Lightly spray shrimp with cooking spray. Cook at 390°F for 5 minutes, flip, spray again, and cook for another 5 minutes until golden and crisp.
05 - Pour canola oil to reach a depth of 2 inches in a saucepan and heat to 350°F. Fry breaded shrimp in batches for 3 minutes per side until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
06 - In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha to create the bang bang sauce.
07 - Gently toss hot shrimp in bang bang sauce until evenly coated. Plate on a bed of lettuce if desired and garnish with chopped cilantro.

# Additional Notes:

01 - Adjust sriracha in the sauce according to your preferred heat level; start with less and add more if desired.
02 - For extra crispiness, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket; cook in batches as necessary.
03 - Use a thermometer to ensure oil reaches the correct temperature for frying on the stovetop.

Go Back