The Ultimate Crispy Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe: Your Bonefish Grill Favorite at Home
Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with this incredible Bang Bang Shrimp recipe, a delightful copycat of the famed Bonefish Grill appetizer! Imagine perfectly crispy fried shrimp, delicately golden brown, enveloped in a creamy, sweet, and spicy sauce that leaves you craving more with every bite. This dish isn’t just an appetizer; it’s a flavor explosion that can elevate any meal, transforming a simple gathering into a memorable culinary experience. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a home cook looking to impress, this recipe offers a straightforward path to achieving restaurant-quality results right in your own kitchen.
Why This Homemade Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe Is a Must-Try
If you’ve ever savored the iconic Bang Bang Shrimp at Bonefish Grill, you know there’s something truly special about that dish. It’s a harmonious blend of creamy, sweet, spicy, and satisfyingly crunchy textures that makes it an absolute standout. This homemade version aims to replicate that magic, allowing you to enjoy your favorite restaurant appetizer whenever the craving strikes, without leaving your home. We’ve fine-tuned this copycat recipe to capture the essence of Bonefish Grill’s beloved creation, making it surprisingly accessible for home cooks.
Many home cooks shy away from deep frying, often due to concerns about the lingering smell or the perceived difficulty. However, some culinary delights are simply worth the effort, and this Bang Bang Shrimp is certainly one of them! The temporary aroma in your kitchen is a small price to pay for the incredible flavor and texture you’ll achieve. You’ll be amazed at how closely this homemade version matches the restaurant experience, providing that perfect balance of crispy exterior and tender, juicy shrimp within, all coated in an irresistibly zesty sauce. It’s a dish that guarantees smiles around the table and often becomes a requested favorite.
Beyond its delicious taste, this recipe is remarkably easier to prepare than you might imagine. With a few key ingredients and simple techniques, you’ll be serving up a dish that tastes gourmet. It’s perfect for entertaining, a fun family dinner, or even a special game-day snack. You can also explore other fantastic appetizer ideas that are equally enjoyable to make, such as our Oven Baked Sliders, Baked Chicken Wings, Firecracker Chicken Meatballs, and Ham and Swiss Sliders, which pair wonderfully with this spicy shrimp.
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Bang Bang Shrimp
Creating this delicious dish requires a thoughtful selection of ingredients, ensuring both the shrimp’s crispiness and the sauce’s signature flavor profile. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need:
- Shrimp: The star of the show! We recommend using medium-sized shrimp, peeled and deveined. Fresh shrimp will always yield the best results in terms of flavor and texture, but high-quality frozen shrimp (properly thawed) can also be used. Ensure they are completely dry before battering for maximum crispiness.
- Batter: Our batter keeps it simple yet effective, relying on just two components: buttermilk and cornstarch. Unlike many fried recipes that call for all-purpose flour or various breadcrumbs (like panko or plain breadcrumbs), using cornstarch creates a wonderfully light, delicate, and ultra-crispy coating that truly stands out. For those who don’t have buttermilk on hand, don’t worry! Check our tips section below for an easy homemade substitute.
Crafting the Signature Bang Bang Sauce
The magic of Bang Bang Shrimp truly lies in its incredible sauce – a harmonious blend of creamy, sweet, and spicy notes that coat each crispy shrimp. What’s even better is that this iconic sauce requires only a few pantry staples, making it incredibly easy to whip up. You might already have most of these ingredients at home, with the exception of the shrimp, perhaps!
- Mayonnaise or Miracle Whip: This forms the creamy base of the sauce. While the original recipe sometimes suggests “salad dressing” like Miracle Whip for its inherent sweetness, we often prefer regular mayonnaise for a less sweet, more balanced flavor profile, allowing the other ingredients to shine. If you enjoy a sweeter sauce, Miracle Whip is a good choice.
- Sweet Chili Sauce: This is a critical component, bringing the primary sweet and subtly tangy notes to the sauce. It’s readily available in most grocery stores in the international aisle.
- Sriracha: For that signature “bang!” This hot sauce provides the essential spicy kick. You can adjust the amount of Sriracha to perfectly suit your preferred level of heat, from a mild tingle to a fiery zest.
- Rice Wine Vinegar: A touch of rice wine vinegar adds a subtle acidity that brightens the sauce and cuts through the richness of the mayonnaise, ensuring a well-rounded and complex flavor.
- Salt: A pinch of salt enhances all the other flavors, bringing them together harmoniously.
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Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Bonefish Grill-Style Bang Bang Shrimp
Recreating the magic of Bonefish Grill’s Bang Bang Shrimp at home is simpler than you might think. Follow these detailed steps to achieve perfectly crispy shrimp and a deliciously balanced sauce:
- Prepare Your Frying Oil: Begin by heating 2-3 inches of canola oil (or another neutral high-smoke point oil like vegetable or peanut oil) in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven. Use a deep-fry thermometer to monitor the temperature, aiming for a steady 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Maintaining the correct oil temperature is crucial for crispy, non-greasy shrimp.
- Whip Up the Signature Sauce: While the oil heats, prepare your delectable Bang Bang sauce. In a large mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise (or Miracle Whip if you prefer a sweeter profile), sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, rice wine vinegar, and salt. Stir all ingredients thoroughly until they are well blended and smooth. Taste the sauce and adjust the Sriracha to achieve your desired level of spice. Remember, Sriracha can be quite potent, so start with a smaller amount and add more as needed. Set the prepared sauce aside.
- Set Up Your Battering Station: For the shrimp batter, you’ll need two separate small bowls. Pour about half of the cornstarch into one bowl and the buttermilk into the other. This two-step process ensures a light, even coating.
- Prepare the Shrimp: Ensure your shrimp are completely thawed (if frozen), peeled, and deveined. Pat them thoroughly dry with paper towels. Excess moisture is the enemy of crispiness, so this step is vital.
- Batter the Shrimp in Batches: Working in small batches to avoid overcrowding, first dip the shrimp into the buttermilk, ensuring it’s fully moistened. Then, dredge each buttermilk-coated shrimp in the cornstarch, making sure it’s completely covered. Shake off any excess cornstarch. Add more cornstarch to the bowl as needed to keep a fresh supply.
- Fry to Golden Perfection: Carefully place the battered shrimp into the preheated oil. Fry the shrimp in small batches for about 2-3 minutes, or until they turn a beautiful deep golden brown and are cooked through. Do not overcrowd the pot, as this will drop the oil temperature and lead to soggy shrimp. Use your deep-fry thermometer to keep the oil at 375°F. Once fried, use a slotted spoon or spider to remove the shrimp and place them on a paper towel-lined baking sheet or plate to drain any excess oil.
- Coat and Serve Immediately: Once all the shrimp are fried and drained, transfer them to the large bowl containing the prepared Bang Bang sauce. Toss gently to ensure every piece of crispy shrimp is evenly coated in the creamy, spicy, sweet sauce. Serve immediately, garnished generously with fresh green onions (both white and green parts, sliced on a bias) for an added pop of color and fresh flavor.
You truly won’t regret the temporary “fried food” aroma in your house for the day or two it lingers, once you taste this crispy, sweet, and spicy Bang Bang Shrimp! It’s an unforgettable culinary experience, I promise!
Creative Serving Suggestions for Bang Bang Shrimp
While Bang Bang Shrimp is absolutely perfect on its own as a show-stopping appetizer, its versatility allows for many creative serving options that can transform it into a light lunch or even a satisfying main course. Here are some delicious ideas:
- Classic Appetizer: Serve it simply in a bowl, perhaps with some extra green onions sprinkled on top, alongside small forks or toothpicks for easy grabbing. It’s an instant crowd-pleaser for parties, game nights, or casual get-togethers.
- Over Rice or Grains: For a more substantial meal, serve your Bang Bang Shrimp over a bed of fluffy white rice, nutritious brown rice, or even quinoa. The grains beautifully soak up the delicious sauce, creating a balanced and filling dish. Cooked pasta or noodles can also serve as an excellent base.
- Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos: Transform this appetizer into vibrant and flavorful tacos! Spoon the crispy shrimp into warm flour tortillas (corn tortillas work too!), then top with shredded cabbage or coleslaw for crunch, a squeeze of fresh lime, and perhaps a sprinkle of cilantro. A drizzle of extra Bang Bang sauce makes these irresistible.
- Healthy Lettuce Wraps: For a lighter, lower-carb option, serve the shrimp in crisp lettuce cups, such as butter lettuce or romaine hearts. This provides a refreshing contrast to the rich sauce and crunchy shrimp, making for a fresh and satisfying meal.
- Salad Topper: Add a generous serving of Bang Bang Shrimp to a fresh green salad. The warm, spicy shrimp and cool, crisp greens create a delightful temperature and texture contrast.
No matter how you choose to enjoy it, this crispy, sweet, and spicy Bang Bang Shrimp is guaranteed to be a hit!
Expert Tips for the Best Bang Bang Shrimp
- Proper Shrimp Thawing: If using frozen shrimp, thaw them thoroughly in the refrigerator overnight or under cold running water. Crucially, once thawed, lay them out on several layers of paper towels and pat them absolutely dry. Continuously change the paper towels until no more water is absorbed. This extra step removes excess moisture, which is key to achieving that perfectly crispy texture when fried and ensures fresher tasting shrimp.
- Maintain Oil Temperature: Frying at the correct temperature is paramount. Always use a deep-fry thermometer to ensure your oil stays at a consistent 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). If the oil is too cold, the shrimp will absorb too much oil and become greasy; if too hot, the exterior will burn before the interior cooks.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pot: Fry the shrimp in small batches. Overcrowding significantly drops the oil’s temperature, leading to soggy, poorly cooked shrimp. Give each batch ample space to fry evenly and crisp up beautifully.
- Customize Your Sauce: We’ve found that using regular mayonnaise instead of Miracle Whip (or similar sweet salad dressings) results in a less sweet and more balanced sauce, allowing the spicy and tangy notes to shine. However, if you prefer the sweeter profile, stick with Miracle Whip. You can also substitute Greek yogurt for the mayonnaise for a healthier, tangier twist. Don’t be afraid to adjust the Sriracha to your exact spice preference!
- Pre-Season the Shrimp: For an extra layer of flavor, lightly season your patted-dry shrimp with a pinch of salt and pepper before dipping them in the buttermilk and cornstarch. This small step can make a big difference.
- Use the Right Oil: Choose a neutral-flavored oil with a high smoke point, such as canola, vegetable, or peanut oil. These oils can withstand the high temperatures required for deep frying without imparting unwanted flavors.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bang Bang Shrimp
For the best results, we recommend making the sauce ahead of time, which can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. However, the fried shrimp should always be made fresh just before serving. Fried shrimp tends to lose its crispiness quickly and does not hold up well when made in advance, especially once coated in the sauce.
While frying in oil will undoubtedly give you the crispiest batter and the most authentic texture, you can bake the shrimp if you prefer a lighter alternative. To bake, arrange the battered shrimp in a single layer on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated oven at 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) for 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. Be sure to watch them closely to prevent overcooking, which can make the shrimp tough.
Soggy fried shrimp is usually a result of two common mistakes: overcrowding the pan or incorrect oil temperature. Always fry shrimp in small batches to maintain a consistent oil temperature of 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). When too many shrimp are added at once, the oil temperature drops, causing the batter to absorb oil instead of crisping up. Additionally, ensure the shrimp are drained in a single layer on paper towels after frying, not stacked, to allow steam to escape and prevent condensation that can lead to sogginess.
No, regular milk will not yield the same results. Buttermilk’s acidity helps tenderize the shrimp and allows the cornstarch coating to adhere better, creating a much crispier texture. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can easily make a homemade substitute: add 1 1/2 teaspoons of white vinegar or lemon juice to a liquid measuring cup, then fill the cup to the 1/2-cup line with regular milk. Stir it gently and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until it slightly curdles. This “soured milk” will act as a suitable replacement.
Bang Bang Shrimp is truly at its best when enjoyed fresh, hot, and crispy. If you happen to have leftovers, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for no more than 1 day. To reheat, spread the shrimp in a single layer on a greased baking sheet and warm them in a 350-degree F (175 degrees C) oven until heated through. Be cautious not to overcook them during reheating, as this can make the shrimp tough and chewy.
More Delicious Shrimp Recipes You’ll Love
If you’re a fan of shrimp, there are countless ways to enjoy this versatile seafood. Once you master this Bang Bang Shrimp recipe, you might want to try some other fantastic shrimp dishes that are equally flavorful and satisfying. Here are a few recommendations to expand your culinary repertoire:
Shrimp Salad Recipe
Cilantro Lime Slaw Shrimp Tacos
Shrimp Po’Boy
Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe
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Ingredients
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- ½ Cup Mayonnaise or Miracle Whip
- 1/3 Cup Sweet Chili Sauce
- ½ tsp Sriracha (adjust to your spice preference, 1 tsp for extra kick)
- 1 tsp Rice Wine Vinegar
- ½ tsp Salt
For the Crispy Shrimp:
- 1 lb. Medium Shrimp peeled, deveined, and patted very dry
- 1 Cup Cornstarch (you may need slightly more depending on coating)
- ½ Cup Buttermilk (see tips for homemade substitute)
- 4 Green Onions (both white and green parts) sliced on a bias, for garnish
- Canola oil for deep frying (or other high-smoke point neutral oil)
Instructions
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In a large, heavy pot, heat 2-3 inches of canola oil to 375˚F (190˚C). Use a deep-fry thermometer to monitor the temperature accurately.Canola oil for deep frying
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In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise (or Miracle Whip), sweet chili sauce, Sriracha (start with ½ tsp and adjust), rice wine vinegar, and salt. Stir until smooth. Taste and adjust the Sriracha to your preferred spice level. Set aside.½ Cup Mayonnaise or Miracle Whip, 1/3 Cup Sweet Chili Sauce, ½ tsp Sriracha, 1 tsp Rice Wine Vinegar, ½ tsp Salt
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Prepare your battering station: in one small bowl, place about ½ cup of the cornstarch. In a second small bowl, pour the ½ cup of buttermilk.1 Cup Cornstarch, ½ Cup Buttermilk
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Thoroughly drain and pat the shrimp very dry with paper towels to ensure maximum crispiness.1 lb. Medium Shrimp
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Working in small batches (do not overcrowd), dip the shrimp into the buttermilk, then dredge completely in the cornstarch. Shake off any excess. Replenish cornstarch as needed.
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Carefully place the battered shrimp into the hot oil. Fry for about 2-3 minutes, until they are deep golden brown and cooked through. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp, as they can become rubbery.
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Using a slotted spoon, transfer the fried shrimp to a paper towel-lined plate or baking sheet to drain excess oil. Ensure they are in a single layer to prevent sogginess.
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Repeat the frying process with the remaining shrimp batches until all shrimp are cooked.
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Immediately after frying, toss the warm, crispy shrimp in the bowl with the prepared Bang Bang sauce until thoroughly coated. Serve without delay, garnished with sliced green onions.4 Green Onions
Notes
Do not overcrowd the pot. Fry the shrimp in small batches to maintain optimal oil temperature and prevent soggy results.
Storing Leftovers – These Bang Bang Shrimp are best enjoyed fresh to preserve their crispy texture. If you have any leftovers, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 day. You can reheat them in a 350-degree F (175 degrees C) oven on a greased baking sheet until warmed through. However, be aware that reheating can sometimes overcook the shrimp, potentially making them tough and chewy.
Nutrition
Adapted from cleverlysimple