Bang Bang Shrimp

A go-to appetizer for many, bang bang shrimp is irresistibly delicious. The pairing of crunchy shrimp and the signature creamy, spicy-sweet sauce is a combo made in appetizer heaven. No matter how many times we make it—as a snack, party appetizer, or weeknight dinner—it never gets old. Read on for all our tips and tricks to make your shrimp the best they can be:

Can I use regular bread crumbs instead of panko?
If the bread crumbs are homemade, then absolutely! Nothing beats fresh bread crumbs in our book. If we're talking store-bought, stick to panko. Normal bread crumbs are too fine and don't crisp up nearly as nicely as panko, so if you can, skip the stuff in the blue canister.

What kind of shrimp should I buy?
While the size of the shrimp is totally up to you, we'd recommend getting peeled and deveined shrimp to cut down on prep time. If you can get the tails removed too, that's great! If not, you can simply cut them or lightly pull them off.

Substitutions.
Not a mayo fan? If you'd like, you can substitute Greek yogurt for the mayo. Want to kick up the heat? Up the sriracha, or switch it out for one of your favorite hot sauces, like Cholula, Crystal, or Tapatio. 

Serving ideas.
To make this into more of a filling meal, serve alongside steamed rice, pan-fried noodles, or our best-ever fried rice. If you’re serving this as an appetizer, pair with other fan-favorite apps like air fryer egg rolls, Kung Pao Brussels sprouts, or homemade crab rangoon. 

Editor's note: This recipe was updated on May 30, 2023, and reflects changes to ingredient quantities.