Irresistible Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe: Crispy, Sweet, Spicy & Simply Delicious
This Bang Bang Shrimp recipe has been a long time coming, inspired by a truly unforgettable culinary experience! If you’ve been following along, you might recall our trip to Houston back in April for my son’s Lego Robotics team World’s competition. While the team performed incredibly, securing an impressive 8th place out of 108 international teams, the journey also led us to some extraordinary food. Among the many delicious dishes we sampled, one stood out: the enigmatic yet utterly addictive Firecracker Shrimp, also known as Bang Bang Shrimp or Dynamite Shrimp. These names might vary by restaurant, but the core essence—crispy shrimp coated in a vibrant, flavorful sauce—remains universally amazing!
Our discovery of Dynamite Shrimp happened at Mama Fu’s Asian House, where they generously hosted our team for dinner one evening. The spread they laid out for us was phenomenal, featuring everything from fresh Lettuce Wraps to zesty Lemon Sriracha Stir Fry, comforting Lo Mein, and perfectly seasoned fried rice. Every dish was prepared with remarkable freshness and taste. But it was their Dynamite Shrimp that truly captivated me, leaving a lasting impression that sparked an immediate desire to recreate it at home. This dish has been living rent-free in my head ever since!
To top off that memorable meal at Mama Fu’s, we indulged in their Citrus Cheesecake Wontons – an absolute marvel! Imagine a delicate lemon basil cheesecake filling encased in a crispy fried wonton, drizzled with sweet honey. They were so spectacularly good that I’m convinced the boys consumed more in that single sitting than they typically would in a week! I’m immensely grateful to Mama Fu’s for their hospitality and for inspiring not one, but two future recipes. Those wontons are definitely next on my list to recreate!
The version of Dynamite Shrimp served at Mama Fu’s came on a refreshing bed of Asian coleslaw, a serving style I’ve adopted for today’s recipe. This pairing adds a delightful textural contrast and a hint of freshness that perfectly complements the rich shrimp. If you’re looking to transform this incredible appetizer into a satisfying main course, I’ve previously shared a fantastic Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta recipe that is a definite crowd-pleaser. Honestly, I’ll take any excuse to dive into these shrimp; the sauce is simply divine and incredibly straightforward to prepare.
What is Bang Bang Shrimp?
Bang Bang Shrimp is a wildly popular dish renowned for its incredible blend of textures and flavors. At its heart are succulent shrimp, typically breaded and fried to a golden, crispy perfection. What truly sets it apart, however, is the signature “Bang Bang” sauce. This magical sauce, which we’ll delve into shortly, coats every piece of shrimp, creating an explosion of sweet, spicy, and tangy notes with every bite. It’s a dish that tantalizes the taste buds and leaves you craving more, making it a staple on appetizer menus across many Asian-inspired restaurants. Whether served as a standalone starter, alongside a fresh salad, or as part of a larger meal, Bang Bang Shrimp is guaranteed to be a hit.
The Irresistible Bang Bang Sauce
The real star of this dish, and what gives Bang Bang Shrimp its iconic flavor, is undoubtedly the sauce. It’s a deceptively simple concoction that delivers a complex flavor profile that is sweet, subtly spicy, and wonderfully creamy. The base of the sauce consists of three main ingredients: creamy mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and a touch of fiery sriracha. The mayonnaise provides a rich, smooth texture and helps to mellow the other flavors, while the sweet chili sauce brings a delightful balance of sweetness and mild tang. Sriracha then adds that signature kick, allowing you to customize the heat level to your preference.
One of the best aspects of this sauce is how incredibly easy it is to make. You simply combine all the ingredients in a bowl while your shrimp are cooking. There’s no complex whisking or cooking involved – just a quick stir and it’s ready to transform your crispy shrimp into a culinary masterpiece. This simplicity means you can whip up this restaurant-quality dish in your own kitchen with minimal effort, making it perfect for last-minute gatherings or a quick weeknight treat.
Mastering the Shrimp: Preparation Methods
When it comes to preparing the shrimp for this recipe, you have a couple of excellent options, depending on how much time and effort you wish to invest. For the ultimate homemade experience, you can certainly bread and fry the shrimp yourself. This method yields an incredibly fresh and crisp texture that is hard to beat. Typically, this involves dredging fresh shrimp in seasoned flour, then dipping them in an egg wash, and finally coating them in panko breadcrumbs for that extra crunch, before frying them until golden brown. While this might take a little more time, the results are undeniably worth it for those special occasions.
However, I’ll readily admit that sometimes convenience is key, and I’m a fan of smart shortcuts that don’t compromise on flavor. For a quicker and easier approach, I often turn to frozen popcorn shrimp. These pre-breaded shrimp are a fantastic time-saver, requiring only to be cooked according to the package directions, whether baked in the oven or air-fried until hot and crispy. Once they’re perfectly cooked, all that’s left to do is toss them with the irresistible Bang Bang sauce. This simple trick dramatically cuts down on prep time and cleanup, making this a perfect weeknight meal solution without sacrificing that amazing taste and texture. Plus, opting for baking or air frying over deep frying can make it a slightly lighter option!
If you’ve ever had Bang Bang Shrimp at your favorite restaurant, you already know just how incredibly good it is. Now, imagine bringing that same fantastic flavor right into your own home! Your family is going to absolutely adore this dish. It’s an instant crowd-pleaser that delivers big on taste with surprisingly little effort. Don’t hesitate to give it a try – you’ll be amazed at how easily you can recreate this restaurant favorite.
Beyond the Plate: Serving Ideas & Variations
While Bang Bang Shrimp is phenomenal on its own, its versatility allows for many creative serving options. As mentioned, serving it over a crisp bed of Asian Napa Cabbage Slaw (or any fresh Asian-inspired coleslaw) provides a wonderful counterpoint to the rich sauce. The coolness and crunch of the slaw perfectly complement the warm, crispy shrimp. Another popular way to enjoy these flavorful shrimp is by wrapping them in fresh lettuce cups, transforming them into a light and refreshing appetizer or a full meal. For a more substantial dinner, Bang Bang Shrimp is incredible served alongside steamed jasmine rice or even incorporated into a stir-fry.
Beyond these classic pairings, don’t be afraid to get creative! The sauce itself is so good that it can elevate almost anything. Consider using it for Bang Bang Chicken, as a dressing for a vibrant salad, or even as a flavorful topping for fish tacos. A sprinkle of fresh green onions or toasted sesame seeds makes for a beautiful and flavorful garnish. There’s no wrong way to enjoy this dish – just dive in and savor every bite. No judgment here, just deliciousness!
Tips for Bang Bang Perfection
- Don’t Overcrowd Your Pan: If you’re frying your shrimp from scratch, ensure you cook them in batches. Overcrowding the pan can lower the oil temperature, leading to soggy rather than crispy shrimp.
- Serve Immediately: Bang Bang Shrimp is best enjoyed right after it’s tossed in the sauce. The crispiness of the shrimp is at its peak when fresh.
- Adjust Spice Level: The amount of sriracha is completely adjustable. For less heat, reduce the sriracha. For more fiery flavor, feel free to add a little extra.
- Quality Ingredients: Using good quality mayonnaise and sweet chili sauce will make a noticeable difference in the final taste of your sauce.
- Garnish for Flair: A sprinkle of chopped green onions or a dash of sesame seeds not only adds visual appeal but also a burst of fresh flavor.
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Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe
Erin Sellin
10 minutes
10 minutes
4
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Ingredients
-
1 pound popcorn shrimp, cooked according to the directions -
1/2 cup mayo -
1/4 cup Thai sweet chili sauce -
1/2 tsp Sriracha sauce
Instructions
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In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, and Sriracha sauce until well combined and smooth. This is your delicious Bang Bang sauce!
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Once your popcorn shrimp are hot and crispy (cooked according to package directions, whether fried, baked, or air-fried), immediately add them to the bowl with the prepared sauce. Gently toss to ensure every piece of shrimp is fully coated in the luscious sauce.
-
Serve your Bang Bang Shrimp immediately while they are warm and at their crispiest. Garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds for an extra touch of flavor and visual appeal. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Serving:
1
g
|
Calories:
593
kcal
|
Carbohydrates:
8
g
|
Protein:
23
g
|
Saturated Fat:
3
g
|
Cholesterol:
297
mg
|
Sodium:
1234
mg
|
Sugar:
8
g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Erin Sellin
10 minutes
10 minutes
Appetizer Recipes
American
4
593
bang bang shrimp
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