Description
Bang Bang Shrimp is a crispy, spicy, and tangy appetizer featuring battered and fried shrimp tossed in a creamy, sweet, and spicy sauce made from mayo, Thai sweet chili sauce, and sriracha. Perfect for sharing or serving as a flavorful starter, this dish combines crunchy textures with a punch of heat and sweet flavor.
Ingredients
For the Shrimp Marinade
- 1 pound large shrimp (peeled and deveined, tails removed)
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For Coating
- 3/4 cup corn starch
For Bang Bang Sauce
- 1/4 cup high-quality mayonnaise
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Thai sweet chili sauce
- 1-2 teaspoons Sriracha hot sauce (adjust to taste)
For Frying
- 1 1/2 inches vegetable oil (for deep frying)
Instructions
- Marinate the shrimp: In a medium bowl, combine the peeled and deveined shrimp with buttermilk, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Stir well to coat all the shrimp evenly. Let it marinate for 10 minutes to enhance flavor and tenderness.
- Prepare the coating: Pour the cornstarch into a shallow dish or bowl. Working one shrimp at a time, remove it from the marinade, shaking off excess buttermilk, then dredge thoroughly in the cornstarch to coat evenly.
- Heat the oil: Pour vegetable oil into a large pot to a depth of about 1 1/2 inches. Heat the oil to 350°F (175°C), ensuring it is hot enough for frying to achieve a crispy texture without absorbing excess oil.
- Fry the shrimp: Fry the coated shrimp in batches (about 3 batches) for approximately 2 minutes each or until the shrimp turn golden brown and crispy on the outside. Use a thermometer to verify the internal temperature reaches 145°F for safe consumption. Remove and transfer the shrimp to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Make the bang bang sauce: In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, and sriracha hot sauce. Stir until smooth and well blended.
- Coat the shrimp: Add the fried shrimp to the bowl with the sauce and gently toss to coat all pieces evenly with the spicy, creamy bang bang sauce.
- Serve immediately: Serve the bang bang shrimp hot as an appetizer or snack. Enjoy the crispy texture with the balance of spicy and sweet flavors.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of sriracha according to your spice tolerance.
- Ensure oil temperature remains consistent at around 350°F to prevent greasy shrimp.
- You can substitute buttermilk with regular milk mixed with 1 tablespoon lemon juice if buttermilk is unavailable.
- Use high-quality mayonnaise for a better flavor profile.
- This dish is best enjoyed fresh and crispy right after frying.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure the cornstarch and sauces used are certified gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
