Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp

If you love shrimp like I do, you will LOVE this recipe!

Some of my favorite recipes on the blog are shrimp recipes. My faves include this Cajun Shrimp Pasta recipe and this Ninja Foodi Shrimp Scampi Linguine recipe.

But this new shrimp recipe is definitely in my top three FAVORITE shrimp recipes. I could make and eat Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp every other night. I love it SO much!

Making bang bang shrimp in the air fryer is super easy and the shrimp turn out amazingly delicious. Trust me: once you make this, you will want to make it again and again. It's addictive!

Air fryer shrimp recipe

I love bang bang shrimp, AND I absolutely adore my air fryer.

We use our Ninja Foodi air fryer at least once every single day (see all of my air fryer recipes here). So I decided to try to make this delectable dish by air frying. It was a winning recipe from my first try! And now, I can't stop making it. Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp is soooooo delicious!

The air fryer makes this recipe super easy and fast to make at home. The shrimp comes out tender and juicy, with a crunchy saucy coating.

And, clean up using the air fryer is a breeze, which is always a bonus when cooking!

Kitchen tools and equipment

For this recipe, you just need a few basic kitchen tools:

You can use any standard size air fryer to make this recipe. I use my Ninja Foodi 10-quart Dual Zone Air Fryer, which I LOVE because it's so easy to clean and air fries quickly. But you can use any 6-quart or 8-quart basket-style air fryer or tray-style air fryer.

Mixing bowls - You will also need mixing bowls to mix together the bang bang sauce, and to coat the shrimp.

Tongs - Use a sturdy set of kitchen tongs to coat the shrimp, and to turn the shrimp over in the air fryer.

Ingredients to make bang bang shrimp in the air fryer

Cooking spray - Use a non-aerosol cooking spray to coat the air fryer basket or trays. I usually use this avocado oil spray. But you can also use grapeseed oil spray or even olive oil spray in air fryers up to 400°F.

Shrimp - Use large raw shrimp and be sure to peel and devein the shrimp if needed. If your shrimp is frozen, be sure to thaw it completely before cooking.

Sweet Chili Sauce - You can use my homemade sweet chili sauce recipe to make your own from scratch. Or, use your favorite sweet chili sauce.

Mayonnaise - I use vegan mayo since I'm dairy-free, but you can use any classic, non-flavored mayonnaise here.

Sriracha- The amount of sriracha called for in the recipe makes a MILD sauce, with just a little kick and a lot of flavor. But you can always add more sriracha if you want more heat!

Breadcrumbs - Use panko breadcrumbs, which give the shrimp a nice extra crunch to each bite. If you have regular breadcrumbs, you can use that instead.

Coconut milk - Using coconut milk makes this bang bang shrimp extra luxurious, and it keeps it as a dairy-free shrimp recipe. But you can use regular milk or whatever your favorite non-dairy alternative milk is, if you prefer.

Step-by-step instructions: how to make bang bang shrimp in the air fryer

Spray your air fryer with cooking spray then preheat at 400°F for 2 minutes.

Make sure your large shrimp are peeled and deveined.

Make the sauce

In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha. Set aside.

Make the bang bang shrimp

Season the shrimp with salt and pepper.

Place the cornstarch and salt, whisked, in one shallow bowl. Pour the coconut milk into a second shallow bowl. Then place the panko breadcrumbs in a third shallow bowl.

Dredge shrimp into the cornstarch salt mixture bowl first, and shake off excess.

Then dip into the coconut milk.

Finally, dredge and coat completely with panko breadcrumbs.

Set aside on a large plate and repeat with the remaining shrimp until all shrimp are coated.

Arrange shrimp in a single layer in your air fryer basket or trays. You may need to work in batches. Coat tops lightly with a bit of cooking spray. Air fry at 400°F for 5 minutes.

After 5 minutes, remove the shrimp from the air fryer and lightly dip into the sauce, then return to the air fryer.

Air fry for 5 more minutes.

Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature of the shrimp. Shrimp are fully cooked when a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a shrimp reads 120°F.

Plate shrimp and sprinkle with sliced scallions for garnish. Serve immediately.

Air Fryer Shrimp Recipe FAQs

What food goes with bang bang shrimp?

You could serve these shrimp as an appetizer, or as the main course.

If enjoying this shrimp as an entree, consider serving them with Instant Pot Garlic Rice and a side of Air Fryer Broccoli.

They're also great with some Easy Homemade Ramen or over Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes.

Best wine pairings for bang bang shrimp?

Pair air fryer bang bang shrimp with a dry Riesling or an Albariño white wine, similar to white wines you would pair with the Cajun Shrimp Pasta pictured above. These wines tend to pair well with most Thai food.

More Air Fryer Recipes to Try

• Air Fryer Crab Rangoon -- another Better Than Takeout recipe!
• Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp
• Air Fryer Toasted Ravioli
• Teriyaki Salmon in the Air Fryer
• Air Fryer Paprika Chicken -- one of my family's all-time favorite air fryer meals!!

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