What is Bang Bang Shrimp Made Of? A Complete Guide to This Tasty Appetizer

Bang bang shrimp has become a hugely popular appetizer in recent years. Its sweet, spicy and crispy flavors have made it a crowd-pleasing addition to many restaurant menus. But what exactly is in this dish that gives it that signature “bang bang” kick?

In this article, we’ll break down the key ingredients that go into bang bang shrimp, and provide some tips on how you can easily recreate this dish at home.

A Quick Overview of Bang Bang Shrimp

Bang bang shrimp is made up of a few simple components:

• Shrimp – The star of the show. Medium or large shrimp work best.

• Breading – Usually cornstarch or panko breadcrumbs. This gives the shrimp a light, crispy coating.

• Bang bang sauce – A creamy, sweet and spicy sauce tossed with the fried shrimp. It’s typically made with mayo, Thai sweet chili sauce, and sriracha.

• Garnishes – Green onions and lettuce are commonly used to finish off the dish.

The shrimp are breaded and fried until golden and crispy. Then they get tossed in the signature bang bang sauce, sprinkled with green onions, and served over a bed of lettuce.

So simple, yet so delicious! Now let’s look at each component in more detail.

The Shrimp

Bang bang shrimp can be made with any size shrimp, but medium or large shrimp are recommended. Smaller shrimp may overcook too quickly and won’t hold up as well when fried.

When buying shrimp, it’s best to purchase them peeled and deveined to cut down on prep time. You’ll also want to make sure they are raw and uncooked.

For the breading to adhere properly, the shrimp should be patted dry before dredging in cornstarch or breadcrumbs. Some recipes also recommend soaking the shrimp in buttermilk for a minute or two beforehand for extra moisture and flavor.

The Breading

The breaded coating is key for achieving that light crispiness. Traditional bang bang shrimp uses cornstarch in the breading, which fries up into a delicate, crunchy outer shell.

However, some recipes call for using panko breadcrumbs instead. Panko will give you a thicker, heartier crunch. It really comes down to personal preference on the texture you like best.

No matter which one you choose, the breading should fully coat each shrimp for the best coverage and crunch factor. Make sure to shake off any excess before frying.

The Bang Bang Sauce

Here is where this appetizer gets its signature flavor. The bang bang sauce recipes can vary, but it typically contains:

• Mayonnaise – A creamy base that also helps the sauce cling to the shrimp.

• Thai sweet chili sauce – Provides a sweet, tangy and slightly spicy flavor.

• Sriracha – Adds a boost of heat and that iconic rooster sauce flavor.

Some recipes also include additions like:

• Lemon juice – Brightens up the sauce with some zesty citrus.

• Garlic – Extra flavor and aroma.

• Red pepper flakes – For an extra dose of heat if you like it really spicy.

The mayo and sweet chili sauce should be the dominant flavors, with the sriracha adding just enough heat to give it some “bang.” The sauce ingredients are simply whisked together until smooth and thoroughly combined.

Frying the Shrimp

To get that crispy texture, the breaded shrimp need to be fried in hot oil until golden brown. Peanut, vegetable or canola oil all work well. The oil should be heated to around 350-375°F.

Be sure not to overcrowd the pan when frying. Cook the shrimp in batches to ensure even cooking. They’ll only need 2-3 minutes per batch to turn golden brown and cook through.

Let the cooked shrimp drain on paper towels before tossing them in the bang bang sauce.

Plating and Garnish

The traditional way to serve bang bang shrimp is over a bed of crisp lettuce leaves. Not only does this provide a nice fresh contrast to the fried shrimp, but it also helps absorb any excess sauce.

Fresh chopped green onions make a popular garnish, adding a pop of color and oniony flavor. Cilantro, chives, sesame seeds or lime wedges also work nicely.

The sauced shrimp can be placed directly on the lettuce, or displayed more neatly in lettuce cups.

Tips for Making Bang Bang Shrimp at Home

Here are some helpful tips to ensure your homemade bang bang shrimp turns out perfectly crispy and full of flavor:

• Use fresh, raw shrimp for best texture and flavor. Avoid pre-cooked shrimp.

• Pat shrimp very dry before breading. Extra moisture will make the breading soggy.

• Allow oil to come fully up to temp before adding shrimp. This prevents greasy coating.

• Work in small batches for even frying. Don’t overcrowd the pan.

• Let shrimp drain well on paper towels before saucing.

• The sauce ingredients should be well blended with no lumps.

• Toss the shrimp gently to evenly coat with sauce, not break the breading.

• Use lots of sauce! The shrimp should be thoroughly coated.

• Serve immediately for hottest and crispiest results.

Bang Bang Shrimp Variations

One of the great things about this dish is how easily it can be tweaked and customized to suit different tastes and diets.

For example:

• Try coconut shrimp by using coconut flakes in the breading.

• For gluten-free, use cornstarch or chickpea flour instead of panko.

• Bake instead of fry for a lighter version.

• Substitute Greek yogurt for the mayo to make it lower fat.

• Use mango or pineapple chili sauce for a tropical twist.

• Add cayenne and black pepper to give the sauce extra punch.

• Serve over cauliflower rice instead of lettuce for low carb.

So don’t be afraid to experiment and make this signature appetizer your own! The basic formula of crispy breaded shrimp bathed in a sweet, spicy and creamy sauce is so addicting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of shrimp is best for bang bang shrimp?

Medium or large shrimp work best, as smaller shrimp can overcook too quickly when fried. Fresh raw shrimp will have the best flavor and texture.

Can I use frozen shrimp?

You can use thawed, peeled frozen shrimp. Just make sure they are very dry before breading, as extra moisture will make the coating soggy.

Do I need buttermilk for bang bang shrimp?

Buttermilk is optional, but it helps tenderize and add moisture to the shrimp before breading. Even just soaking for 1 minute makes a difference.

What goes in bang bang sauce?

The typical sauce contains mayo, Thai sweet chili sauce and sriracha as the core ingredients. Lemon juice, garlic, red pepper flakes are also popular additions.

What’s the best oil for frying bang bang shrimp?

Good neutral oils like canola, vegetable or peanut work well. The key is heating the oil to the proper frying temperature of 350-375°F.

How do you keep bang bang shrimp crispy?

Frying in very hot oil and draining well on paper towels ensures a crispy coating. Eat them immediately after tossing in sauce to preserve the crunch.

Can you bake bang bang shrimp?

Yes, you can bake the shrimp instead of frying. The coating won’t be quite as crispy, but they’ll still taste delicious sauced and baked at 400°F for 10 minutes.

An Appetizer Worth the Hype

From its fun name to its flavorful punch, it’s easy to see why bang bang shrimp has become such a hit on menus everywhere. The crispy, breaded shrimp smothered in sweet and spicy sauce is an irresistible appetizer.

Though it may seem indulgent, the dish is actually pretty simple to make at home. With a few easy-to-find ingredients, you can recreate that signature bang bang flavor in your own kitchen. Adjust the spice level and garnishes to make it your own.

Serve these crunchy sauced shrimp at your next dinner party or game day get-together and be prepared for requests for the recipe! Just save a few for yourself, because they go fast.