Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp (Bonefish Grill Copycat)

Air fryer bang bang shrimp gives you the crispy, sweet and spicy appetizer from Bonefish Grill at home, without a pot of hot oil. The shrimp soak in buttermilk, get a light flour and cornstarch coating, and air fry in 8 minutes. Then they’re tossed in a creamy sauce of mayo, sweet chili sauce and sriracha. If you love this, try my Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken next.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Party-friendly: serve it in a bowl with toothpicks, in tacos or over rice.

Restaurant flavor at home: it’s modeled on the Bonefish Grill appetizer everyone orders.

No deep frying: a cornstarch coating and a light oil spray get crisp in the air fryer.

Fast: 8 minutes in the air fryer after a 15-minute buttermilk soak.

What Is Bang Bang Shrimp?

Bang bang shrimp is crispy fried shrimp tossed in a creamy, sweet and spicy sauce. Bonefish Grill made it famous as an appetizer served over shredded lettuce. This copycat keeps the flavor and swaps the deep fryer for the air fryer.

Ingredients for Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp

You’ll find exact amounts in the printable recipe card below.

For the shrimp

• Large shrimp: peeled and deveined, tails off so they’re easy to eat. Thaw frozen shrimp first.
• Buttermilk: a short soak keeps the shrimp tender and helps the coating stick.
• All-purpose flour and cornstarch: cornstarch is the secret to a light, crackly crust.
• Seasonings: garlic powder, paprika, kosher salt and black pepper.

For the bang bang sauce

• Mayonnaise: the creamy base.
• Sweet chili sauce: brings the sweetness and gentle heat.
• Sriracha: adds the kick. Use more or less to taste.
• Honey, rice vinegar and garlic powder: these round out the Bonefish-style flavor. For a quicker 3-ingredient version, use my Easy Bang Bang Sauce.
• Green onions and sesame seeds: for garnish.

How to Make Bang Bang Shrimp in the Air Fryer

Step 1: Soak the shrimp. Place the shrimp in a bowl, cover with buttermilk and refrigerate for 15 minutes.

Step 2: Mix the coating. In a shallow bowl, whisk the flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper.

Step 3: Coat the shrimp. Lift the shrimp from the buttermilk and let the excess drip off. Toss them in the flour mixture, shake off the extra and set them on a plate.

Step 4: Preheat the air fryer. Heat it to 400°F for 3 to 5 minutes.

Step 5: Air fry. Spray the basket, add the shrimp in a single layer and spray the tops until no dry flour shows. Cook 4 minutes, flip, spray any dry spots and cook 3 to 4 minutes more, until golden and opaque inside. Work in batches if needed.

Step 6: Make the sauce. Whisk the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, rice vinegar, garlic powder and salt until smooth.

Step 7: Toss and serve. Toss the hot shrimp in the sauce, sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds, and serve right away.

Tips for Crispy Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp

• Spray every dry spot. Flour that isn’t coated in oil stays white and powdery. Check after flipping.
• Don’t crowd the basket. Shrimp need space for air to circulate, so cook in batches.
• Watch the time. Large shrimp cook fast. They’re done when they turn opaque and curl into a C shape; a tight O means they’re overcooked.
• Sauce at the last minute. Toss right before serving, or serve the sauce on the side for dipping.

Easy Variations

• Bang bang chicken: use the same method with chicken in my Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken.
• Vegetarian: try Air Fryer Bang Bang Cauliflower.
• Boom boom shrimp: toss the shrimp in Ken’s Boom Boom Sauce (Culver’s Copycat) instead.
• Panko crunch: for a thicker crust, coat the shrimp in panko like my Crispy Panko Fried Shrimp.
• Bang bang shrimp tacos: pile the shrimp into warm tortillas with shredded cabbage.

What to Serve With Bang Bang Shrimp

• Shredded iceberg lettuce, the way Bonefish Grill serves it.
• Air Fryer Fried Rice for a full takeout-style meal.
• Steamed jasmine rice and sliced cucumbers for an easy rice bowl.

How to Store and Reheat

• Fridge: store the shrimp and sauce separately in airtight containers for up to 2 days.
• Reheat: air fry at 350°F for 3 to 4 minutes until hot and crisp, then toss in sauce. Avoid the microwave, which turns the coating soggy.

More Air Fryer Shrimp Recipes

• Panko Shrimp Air Fryer
• Air Fryer Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi
• Outback Coconut Shrimp (Air Fryer Copycat)
• Quick and Easy Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp
• Air Fryer Beer Battered Shrimp

Bang Bang Shrimp FAQs

How long do you cook bang bang shrimp in the air fryer? Air fry large shrimp at 400°F for 7 to 8 minutes, flipping after 4 minutes, until golden outside and opaque inside.

What’s the difference between bang bang and boom boom shrimp? Bang bang sauce is mayo, sweet chili sauce and sriracha. Boom boom sauce usually adds ketchup and garlic powder for a tangier flavor. Try my Ken’s Boom Boom Sauce on these shrimp.

Can I use frozen shrimp? Yes, but thaw them first so the coating sticks and they cook evenly. For plain frozen shrimp with no coating, see my Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp.

Can I make the sauce ahead of time? Yes. Store it covered in the fridge for up to 5 days and stir before using.

Can I make bang bang shrimp gluten-free? Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Cornstarch is naturally gluten-free, and most sweet chili and sriracha sauces are too, but check the labels.

Can I use chicken instead of shrimp? Yes. Follow my Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken, which uses the same sauce idea with chicken tenderloins.

Is bang bang shrimp spicy? It’s mildly spicy, balanced by the sweet chili sauce and honey. Add more sriracha for extra heat, or less for kids.

Can I make a big batch for a party? Yes. Cook in batches and keep finished shrimp warm on a wire rack in a 200°F oven. Toss in the sauce right before serving.