Copycat Restaurant Favorite

Featured in Appetizing Starters.

A homemade version of Bonefish Grill's famous appetizer featuring crispy breaded shrimp in a spicy-sweet sauce.
Casey
Updated on Mon, 20 Jan 2025 20:10:24 GMT
A close-up of a bowl filled with crispy shrimp garnished with green onions and served with a fork. Pin it
A close-up of a bowl filled with crispy shrimp garnished with green onions and served with a fork. | cookingwithcasey.com

Crispy Shrimp in Creamy Spicy Sauce

This Bang Bang Shrimp recipe has become my go to party dish. I perfected it after countless attempts to match my favorite restaurant version. The crispy coating and that addictive sauce keep everyone coming back for more.

So Much to Love

What I adore about this dish is how versatile it is. Sometimes I serve it as appetizers other times I turn it into tacos. The sauce hits all the right notes creamy sweet and just enough heat to make it interesting.

What You Need

Grab a pound of shrimp make sure they're peeled and deveined. The secret's in the sauce mayo Thai sweet chili sauce and chili garlic sauce. For the coating I mix flour panko breadcrumbs and my favorite spices. Don't forget egg and buttermilk for dipping and oil for frying.

Let's Cook

Start with the sauce mix mayo sweet chili sauce and that spicy garlic kick. Set up your coating station flour mixture in one bowl egg wash in another. Double dip those shrimp then here's my trick chill them before frying. When the oil hits 350 they'll fry up perfectly golden. Toss in that amazing sauce and watch them disappear.

A bowl of fried shrimp garnished with green onions on a wooden table. Pin it
A bowl of fried shrimp garnished with green onions on a wooden table. | cookingwithcasey.com

Ways to Serve

I love setting these out as appetizers with extra sauce for dipping. Sometimes I pile them on rice or wrap them in lettuce leaves. They're amazing on salads too the sauce works like a spicy dressing.

My Kitchen Secrets

Don't skip chilling the coated shrimp it makes such a difference in how the breading sticks. I always use panko for that extra crunch. And keeping an eye on your oil temperature is crucial for that perfect golden color.

Keep Them Fresh

These shrimp stay good in the fridge for 3 days. I reheat them in my air fryer to bring back the crunch. If you're freezing them keep the sauce separate it works better that way.

Mix It Up

Some nights I turn these into the most amazing tacos with fresh slaw. They're fantastic over pasta too. That sauce is so good I use it on everything from chicken wings to veggie dips.

A close-up of a bowl filled with crispy, golden brown dumplings topped with a creamy sauce and garnish, with a fork lifting one dumpling. Pin it
A close-up of a bowl filled with crispy, golden brown dumplings topped with a creamy sauce and garnish, with a fork lifting one dumpling. | cookingwithcasey.com

Why You Need This Recipe

Trust me this dish hits all the right spots. The crispy coating that perfect sauce and tender shrimp inside. It's become my most requested recipe when friends come over.

Perfect Side Dishes

I love serving these with steamed rice or over cauliflower rice when I'm keeping things light. Asian inspired veggies on the side make it a complete meal.

Save That Sauce

Never throw out extra sauce it's like liquid gold in my kitchen. I keep it in the fridge and use it on everything from roasted veggies to dipping sauce for a week.

Special Occasion Ready

Whether it's game day or date night these shrimp never disappoint. They look fancy enough for company but are simple enough for weeknight cooking. The combination of flavors and textures makes every bite special.

A bowl of crispy shrimp coated in a golden breading, garnished with green onions. Pin it
A bowl of crispy shrimp coated in a golden breading, garnished with green onions. | cookingwithcasey.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why chill the breaded shrimp?

Chilling helps the breading adhere better during frying for a crispier coating.

→ Can I make these ahead?

Best served fresh, but can be stored for 3 days in fridge or frozen. Reheat in oven for best crispiness.

→ Can I air fry instead?

Yes, air fry at 400°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through.

→ Why double-dip in flour?

Double breading creates a thicker, crunchier coating that stays crispy even when sauced.

Conclusion

A popular restaurant-style appetizer that you can easily recreate at home. This dish features perfectly crispy shrimp coated in a creamy, sweet, and spicy sauce that will have everyone coming back for more.

Bang Bang Shrimp

Crispy fried shrimp tossed in a creamy sweet and spicy sauce. A copycat version of the popular restaurant appetizer.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes
By: Casey

Category: Tasty Snacks

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Asian-American

Yield: 4 Servings (4 servings)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined.
02 1/2 cup mayonnaise.
03 1/4 cup Thai Sweet Chili Sauce.
04 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce.
05 1 egg, beaten.
06 1 cup buttermilk.
07 1/2 cup all-purpose flour.
08 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs.
09 Seasonings (salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika).
10 Vegetable oil for frying.

Instructions

Step 01

Mix mayonnaise, chili sauces until combined.

Step 02

Mix egg with buttermilk; combine flour, panko and seasonings separately.

Step 03

Dip in flour, then egg, then flour mixture again.

Step 04

Refrigerate breaded shrimp 20-30 minutes.

Step 05

Cook in 350°F oil for 3 minutes until golden.

Step 06

Toss with 1/4 cup sauce, serve with remaining sauce.

Notes

  1. Can be frozen.
  2. Lasts 3 days refrigerated.
  3. Best reheated in oven.

Tools You'll Need

  • Deep skillet.
  • Mixing bowls.
  • Thermometer.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Shellfish (shrimp).
  • Eggs.
  • Wheat (flour, panko).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 371
  • Total Fat: 25 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 30 g
  • Protein: 6 g