Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp (2024)

Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp is shrimp that is cooked to a crispy, golden brown in an air fryer and topped with homemade bang bang sauce. Try my Air Fryer Shrimp for another flavorful shrimp recipe cooked in an air fryer. (Don’t want to make it in an Air Fryer? Here is the original recipe for Bang Bang Shrimp!)

Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp

This recipe will give you all the flavors of fried bang bang shrimp but in a healthier way. The shrimp is still coated, but instead of being fried in oil, it is cooked to a golden brown in an air fryer. Then, the shrimp is topped with the sweet and spicy bang bang sauce.

Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp Ingredients

Shrimp: For this bang bang shrimp recipe, I used uncooked shrimp that was peeled, deveined, and had the tail removed. If buying fresh shrimp, it is up to you if you decide to devein the shrimp. Deveining is actually based on looks, not any other reason. To peel the shrimp, start underneath. Remove the tail for this recipe.

To devein, make a slit (not too deep) along the back of the shrimp, pulling out the black vein with the tip of a knife. It’s really not as intimidating as it would seem. If already peeled and deveined shrimp are not an option for you, don’t skip on the recipe–try the fresh stuff!

Sweet Chili Sauce:The sweetness really comes out in each bite, followed by the heat from the Sriracha.

Sriracha:We used half a teaspoon of Sriracha in this recipe, but you could definitely go up to a full teaspoon (or even more), depending on how much heat you can handle!

Buttermilk:Use full-fat buttermilk to coat the shrimp after dredging in the flour. If you don’t have any on hand, here is a recipe to make your own buttermilk.

How to Make the Sauce

It’s all about the sweet and spicy bang bang sauce in this recipe. To make the sauce, simply mix together the mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey. (Remember, you can always add more Sriracha to give the sauce a little more of a kick.) I love this sauce so much that I even used it for my Bang Bang Chicken Skewers you will want to try! Set the sauce aside as you air fry the shrimp. If you are not preparing the shrimp right away, store the sauce in the refrigerator for up to a week.

How to Make Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp

With the sauce made, it’s time to air fry the shrimp. The shrimp may not have quite the crispiness of frying it in oil, but it’s a tradeoff for a healthier version of the popular appetizer. First, preheat the air fryer to 380°F and spray the basket of the air fryer with nonstick cooking spray. Next, prepare the shrimp.

To prepare the shrimp to cook in the air fryer, set out three bowls. Fill one bowl with flour, a second bowl with buttermilk, and the third bowl with panko. First, dredge shrimp in the flour. Next, dip the shrimp in the buttermilk, and finally, coat with panko. You may have to gently press down on the breadcrumbs to set the coat.

Place the coated shrimp into the basket of the air fryer. Spray the tops of the shrimp with nonstick cooking spray and cook for 6 minutes. Then, using tongs, flip the shrimp over and cook for another 6 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove the shrimp from the air fryer and coat with the bang bang sauce. Serve immediately.

What is the Best Air Fryer?

I have tested 3 brands in my home and I recommend the Ninja Air Fryer. (affiliate link) You can go up a size if needed, but it is superior in achieving consistent results and also ease of use. I’ve been very happy with this Air Fryer!