Creamy Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe – Cozy, Crispy Comfort in 20 Minutes

Introduction

The kitchen fills with a sweet-spicy scent and the pan sings with a steady sizzle. Right away I think of warm plates passed around the table. Creamy Bang Bang Shrimp hits that exact spot—crispy, saucy, and a little sticky in the best way. This always takes me back to Sunday dinners.

If you want a heartier seafood night, try my Creamy Shrimp and Cod Skillet for a similar cozy feel.

Why You’ll Love This

• Ready in about 20 minutes, so weeknights feel relaxed.
• Crispy shrimp with a creamy, slightly sweet sauce.
• Uses pantry staples; budget-friendly and simple.
• Kid-approved when you dial back the sriracha.

Quick Recipe Snapshot

• Servings: 3–4
• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 8–10 minutes
• Total time: 20 minutes
• Skill level: Easy
• Taste: Sweet + spicy + creamy

Warm and confident — you’ll get golden shrimp and a silky sauce every time.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• ½ cup cornstarch
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• Oil for frying (vegetable or canola)
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• ¼ cup sweet chili sauce
• 1–2 tablespoons sriracha, to taste
• 1 tablespoon honey or sugar
• 1 teaspoon rice vinegar or lime juice
• Chopped parsley or green onions (optional garnish)
• Red pepper flakes (optional garnish)

Chef notes:

• Use room-temp mayo for easy mixing.
• Sweet chili sauce adds texture and tang.
• Adjust sriracha slowly for kids.

How to Make It

1. First, pat shrimp dry. Then toss with cornstarch, salt, and pepper in a bowl until lightly dusted.
2. Next, heat ¼–½ inch oil in a heavy pan over medium. Test with a drop of water; it should sizzle.
3. Meanwhile, mix sauce: combine mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and rice vinegar. Stir until smooth and slightly glossy.
4. When oil shimmers, add shrimp in a single layer. Fry 2–3 minutes per side. Look for golden edges and a firm curl.
5. Remove shrimp to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. The exterior should be crisp; the interior opaque and just firm.
6. Finally, toss warm shrimp with the sauce until every piece shines. Serve immediately with parsley or green onions and a pinch of red pepper flakes.

If you want a different format, try shaping patties like in Crab and Shrimp Cakes.

Kitchen Tips (From My Kitchen)

1. Time-saver: Use a shallow pan so all shrimp cook at once; no crowding.
2. Common mistake + fix: Oily, soggy shrimp mean low heat; raise temperature slightly and watch the first batch.
3. Variation: Swap honey for maple syrup and add a splash of soy for depth, or stir in chopped cilantro.

Also, if you love brothy sides, I sometimes pair this with my Crab and Shrimp Bisque for special nights.

Serving Ideas

• Weeknight dinner: Serve over steamed rice and a crunchy slaw.
• Casual party: Offer with toothpicks and lime wedges for easy grabbing.
• Brunch twist: Toss into an avocado toast for a spicy-sweet kick.
• Holiday starter: Plate on lettuce cups with a sprinkle of chives.
  For a casserole-style comfort, try pairing flavors with a Crab and Shrimp Casserole.

Storing & Leftovers

• Fridge: Store shrimp in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
• Freezer: Not recommended — shrimp loses crispness when frozen.
• Reheat: Warm briefly in a hot skillet to revive crunch; avoid the microwave.

Leftover idea: Toss chilled shrimp into a grain bowl with avocado and cucumber.

FAQs

Q: Can I make this ahead?
A: You can mix the sauce up to a day ahead. Fry shrimp right before serving for best texture.

Q: Any good substitutions?
A: Use panko instead of cornstarch for extra crunch, or swap mayo for Greek yogurt for a tangier sauce.

Q: How do I know shrimp are done?
A: They turn opaque and curl into a loose “C.” Overcooked shrimp curl tight and get rubbery.

Q: Can I freeze it?
A: I don’t recommend freezing fried shrimp; the texture changes and you lose crispness.

Final Thoughts

I love how fast this comes together and how it brightens an ordinary night. Tweak the heat or sweetness and make it your own. Give it a try and tell me what changes you made—I’ll be testing new twists too. Give it a try and let me know how your Creamy Bang Bang Shrimp turns out.

Conclusion

For a few other takes on bang-bang sauce and technique, check out Quick & Easy Bang Bang Shrimp – Christie at Home and Bang Bang Shrimp – Spend With Pennies.

Creamy Bang Bang Shrimp

Creamy Bang Bang Shrimp hits that exact spot—crispy, saucy, and a little sticky in the best way, making it a perfect dish for cozy dinners.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Seafood

Calories: 300

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the shrimp

• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined Use large shrimp for best texture
• ½ cup cornstarch Can substitute with panko for extra crunch
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• Oil for frying (vegetable or canola) Use enough for shallow frying

For the sauce

• ½ cup mayonnaise Use room temperature for easy mixing
• ¼ cup sweet chili sauce Adds texture and tang
• 1–2 tablespoons sriracha Adjust slowly for kids
• 1 tablespoon honey or sugar
• 1 teaspoon rice vinegar or lime juice

For garnish

• Chopped parsley or green onions Optional garnish
• Red pepper flakes Optional garnish for heat

Method

 

Preparation

1. Pat shrimp dry. Toss with cornstarch, salt, and pepper in a bowl until lightly dusted.
2. Heat ¼–½ inch oil in a heavy pan over medium. Test with a drop of water; it should sizzle.
3. Meanwhile, prepare the sauce by combining mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and rice vinegar, stirring until smooth and slightly glossy.

Cooking

1. When oil shimmers, add shrimp in a single layer. Fry for 2–3 minutes per side until golden.
2. Remove shrimp to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. The exterior should be crisp; the interior opaque and just firm.

Serving

1. Toss warm shrimp with the sauce until every piece shines. Serve immediately with garnishes.

Notes

For best results, fry shrimp just before serving to maintain crispness. This dish pairs beautifully over steamed rice or as a casual party appetizer.