If you're a seafood lover, chances are you've heard of or tried Bang Bang shrimp. This popular dish, made with crispy fried shrimp coated in a creamy, spicy sauce, is a crowd-pleaser and can be enjoyed as an appetizer or main dish.
How To Make:
To make Bang Bang shrimp, you'll need to start by preparing the shrimp. You can use fresh or frozen shrimp, but make sure to devein and remove the shells before cooking. Once the shrimp are cleaned, you can season them with salt, pepper, and a pinch of cayenne for extra heat.
Next, you'll need to coat the shrimp in a mixture of flour, cornstarch, and breadcrumbs to create a crispy outer layer. You can also add some seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, and onion powder to the coating for added flavor.
To fry the shrimp, heat up a deep fryer or a pot of oil on the stove until it reaches about 375°F. Carefully drop the coated shrimp into the hot oil and cook until they turn golden brown and crispy, usually about 2-3 minutes. After being cooked, take the shrimp out of the oil and place them on a dish lined with paper towels to drain.
Make the Bang Bang sauce at this point. This creamy, spicy sauce is made with a combination of mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey. You can adjust the amount of Sriracha to your preferred level of spiciness. Mix all of the sauce ingredients together until smooth and creamy.
Once the shrimp has cooled slightly, you can toss it in the Bang Bang sauce until fully coated. Serve the shrimp hot, garnished with sliced green onions and sesame seeds for added flavor and crunch.
Tips and Variations:
Tips:.
Use fresh shrimp: Fresh shrimp will have the best texture and flavor. Look for shrimp that are firm, with a slightly translucent color.
Avoid overcooking the shrimp: Because shrimp cook so quickly, exercises caution. Cook until they are pink and just opaque.
Make the sauce ahead of time: The sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Use cornstarch: Coating the shrimp in cornstarch before frying will help them stay crispy.
Variations:
Bang Bang Tofu: For a vegetarian option, you can replace the shrimp with cubes of firm tofu. Press the tofu to remove excess moisture, then coat in cornstarch and fry until crispy. Toss in the Bang Bang sauce.
Bang Bang Chicken: You can also use chicken instead of shrimp. Cut chicken into small pieces, coat in cornstarch, and fry until golden brown. Toss in the Bang Bang sauce.
Bang Bang Cauliflower: Another vegetarian option is to use cauliflower florets. Coat in cornstarch and fry until crispy, then toss in the Bang Bang sauce.
Spicy Bang Bang Shrimp: If you like it extra spicy, you can add more chili garlic sauce or red pepper flakes to the sauce.
Creamy Bang Bang Shrimp: For a creamier version of the sauce, add some mayonnaise or Greek yogurt.
Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos: Serve the shrimp in taco shells with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and avocado slices.
Bang Bang Shrimp Salad: Serve the shrimp over a bed of greens with sliced cucumbers, red onion, and a drizzle of the Bang Bang sauce.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions:
In a bowl, combine the cornstarch, salt, black pepper, and paprika.
Coat the shrimp in the cornstarch mixture, shaking off any excess.
In a big skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the shrimp in a single layer and cook for 2-3 minutes per side or until golden brown and crispy.
The shrimp should be taken out of the skillet and put on a plate covered with paper towels to drain any extra oil.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, honey, chili garlic sauce, rice vinegar, garlic powder, and onion powder until smooth.
Cooked shrimp should be coated in sauce after being tossed.
Serve the Bang Bang Shrimp immediately, garnished with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired.