Description
A healthier, crispy copycat version of the popular restaurant appetizer made in an air fryer. This recipe features tender shrimp coated in a seasoned flour mixture and tossed in a creamy, sweet, and spicy Bang Bang sauce, ready in just 15 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 pound large shrimp (21–25 count), peeled and deveined
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sweet chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons sriracha
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Cooking oil spray
Instructions
- Thaw frozen shrimp if using, then peel, devein, and pat completely dry with paper towels.
- Place shrimp in a bowl and soak in buttermilk for at least 5 minutes.
- In a shallow bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Remove shrimp from buttermilk, letting excess drip off, then coat thoroughly in the dry mixture. Press coating gently to adhere.
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, lime juice, and minced garlic to make the sauce.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Arrange coated shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Lightly spray tops with oil.
- Cook for 5 minutes, then flip shrimp and spray other side with oil.
- Cook for another 5-7 minutes until shrimp are pink, opaque, and coating is golden brown and crispy.
- Transfer hot shrimp to a large bowl and toss with about half the sauce. Serve immediately with remaining sauce on top.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro and sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
Ensure shrimp are completely dry before coating to prevent soggy breading. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if necessary. Preheat the air fryer for best crispiness. Toss shrimp in sauce while still hot to help it adhere. For a gluten-free version, swap all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. For a dairy-free version, use dairy-free milk for the buttermilk soak and vegan mayo for the sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Chinese-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6-8 shrimp with sauc
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 22
Keywords: air fryer shrimp, bang bang shrimp, copycat recipe, crispy shrimp, spicy shrimp, quick appetizer, seafood recipe, air fryer appetizer