Get ready for a flavor explosion! These Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos deliver restaurant-quality results right from your kitchen. We’re talking incredibly crispy shrimp, a creamy and spicy sauce, and fresh toppings all tucked into warm tortillas. This recipe is the perfect answer to your weeknight dinner dilemmas, coming together in under 30 minutes. Forget takeout—this is faster, fresher, and so much more satisfying.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos Recipe
If you’re looking for a recipe that’s big on flavor but low on effort, you’ve found it. The air fryer works its magic, crisping the shrimp to perfection without any deep-frying. The homemade bang bang sauce is the true star—perfectly balanced, creamy, spicy, and sweet. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for a reason!
- Incredibly Fast: From start to finish, you can have these tacos on the table in less than 30 minutes.
- Perfectly Crispy: The air fryer method gives you that satisfying crunch without the mess or oil of deep frying.
- Amazing Flavor: The homemade bang bang sauce is irresistibly delicious and easy to customize to your heat preference.
- Versatile: Serve them as tacos, in a bowl over rice, or as a standalone appetizer. Looking for a similar vibe? Try these Bang Bang Chicken Sliders.
What Is Bang Bang Sauce?
Bang Bang sauce is a creamy, sweet, and spicy sauce that gained massive popularity at the restaurant chain Bonefish Grill. Its signature flavor comes from a simple but brilliant combination of mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and a touch of Sriracha for heat. It’s the perfect coating for crispy shrimp, chicken, or even vegetables.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients. Let’s break down what you’ll need for each component.
For the Crispy Air Fryer Shrimp
- Shrimp: One pound of large shrimp, peeled and deveined with tails removed. Fresh or frozen (and thawed) works great.
- Cornstarch: This is the secret to a light, crispy coating that the sauce clings to beautifully.
- Panko Breadcrumbs: Adds that extra layer of crunch that makes these tacos irresistible.
- Seasoning: A simple mix of garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper provides a savory base for the shrimp.
- Egg: Helps the breadcrumbs adhere to the shrimp.
- Avocado Oil Spray: A light spray ensures the shrimp get golden brown and crispy in the air fryer.
For the Bang Bang Sauce
- Mayonnaise: The creamy base of our sauce. Use a good quality mayo for the best flavor.
- Sweet Chili Sauce: Adds a touch of sweetness and mild chili flavor.
- Sriracha: Brings the heat! You can adjust the amount to your personal preference.
- Lime Juice: A squeeze of fresh lime juice brightens everything up and cuts through the richness.
For Assembling the Tacos
- Tortillas: Small flour or corn tortillas work best. Warm them up before serving!
- Shredded Cabbage or Slaw Mix: Adds a refreshing crunch and balances the richness of the sauce.
- Cilantro: For a fresh, herbaceous note.
- Green Onions: Sliced thin for a mild oniony bite.
- Lime Wedges: For serving.
How to Make Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos
Follow these simple steps to taco perfection. It’s easier than you think!
- Prepare the Shrimp: Pat the peeled and deveined shrimp completely dry with paper towels. This is a critical step for maximum crispiness! In a bowl, toss the shrimp with cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Set Up Your Breading Station: You’ll need two shallow dishes. In the first, whisk the egg. In the second, place the panko breadcrumbs. Dip each piece of shrimp into the egg, letting any excess drip off, then press it firmly into the panko, ensuring it’s fully coated.
- Air Fry the Shrimp: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Place the breaded shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Be sure not to overcrowd it; cook in batches if needed. Lightly spray the shrimp with avocado oil spray. Air fry for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the shrimp is golden brown, crispy, and cooked through. For another easy air fryer meal, check out these perfectly fluffy air fryer baked potatoes.
- Make the Bang Bang Sauce: While the shrimp cooks, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and fresh lime juice in a large bowl. Taste and adjust the Sriracha for your desired level of heat.
- Sauce the Shrimp: Once all the shrimp is cooked, add it to the bowl with the bang bang sauce. Gently toss until every piece is gloriously coated.
- Assemble the Tacos: Warm your tortillas. Fill each tortilla with a bed of shredded cabbage, top with a few pieces of the saucy bang bang shrimp, and garnish with fresh cilantro and sliced green onions. Serve immediately with extra lime wedges.
Expert Tips for the Crispiest Shrimp
Want to guarantee that ultra-crispy texture? Follow these pro tips.
- Don’t Skip the Cornstarch: It creates a dry surface for the breading to cling to and results in a lighter, crispier coating.
- Dry Your Shrimp Thoroughly: Moisture is the enemy of crispy. Pat your shrimp as dry as possible before breading.
- Preheat Your Air Fryer: Starting with a hot air fryer helps the shrimp’s exterior crisp up immediately.
- Don’t Crowd the Basket: Arrange the shrimp in a single layer with space between each piece. This allows the hot air to circulate and crisp up all sides. Work in batches if necessary.
- Flip Halfway: A quick flip ensures even cooking and browning on both sides.
Variations and Serving Suggestions
While the classic taco is hard to beat, these shrimp are incredibly versatile. They pair wonderfully with a simple side like our refreshing chickpea cucumber salad.
- Make it a Bowl: Serve the bang bang shrimp over a bed of cilantro-lime rice with your favorite toppings like avocado, corn salsa, and pickled red onions.
- Lettuce Wraps: For a low-carb option, use crisp butter or iceberg lettuce cups instead of tortillas.
- Change the Protein: This sauce and method work great with chicken bites or even cauliflower florets for a vegetarian version.
- Adjust the Spice: Add more Sriracha for a fiery kick or reduce it for a milder sauce. A dash of honey can also amplify the sweet notes.
Storage and Reheating
These tacos are best enjoyed fresh to experience the ultimate crispy texture. However, if you have leftovers, store the sauced shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The slaw and tortillas should be stored separately. To reheat, place the shrimp back in the air fryer at 375°F for 2-3 minutes until warmed through and re-crisped.
Frequently Asked Questions
The spice level is easily customizable. The heat comes from the Sriracha in the sauce. Our recipe calls for a moderate amount, but you can add more for a spicier kick or reduce it for a milder version.
For the best texture, bang bang shrimp should be cooked and sauced just before serving. The crispy coating will soften over time. However, you can make the bang bang sauce up to 3 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
The key to crispy air fryer shrimp is a three-step process: pat the shrimp completely dry, coat them in cornstarch, and then use a panko breadcrumb coating. Don’t overcrowd the basket and preheat your air fryer to ensure the hot air circulates and crisps all sides.
Bang bang sauce is a simple but flavorful mixture of three main ingredients: mayonnaise for a creamy base, sweet chili sauce for sweetness and a mild kick, and Sriracha for adjustable heat. A splash of fresh lime juice is often added to brighten the flavor.
These tacos are a great meal on their own, but they also pair well with light and fresh sides like cilantro-lime rice, black bean and corn salsa, a simple avocado salad, or Mexican street corn (elote).
Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos Recipe
Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos (The BEST Crispy Recipe!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Pat the shrimp completely dry. In a bowl, toss the shrimp with cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Set up a breading station with a shallow dish for the whisked egg and another for the panko. Dip each shrimp in the egg, then press firmly into the panko to coat.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Arrange shrimp in a single layer in the basket and spray lightly with oil. Air fry for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crispy.
- While the shrimp cooks, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and lime juice in a large bowl to create the bang bang sauce.
- Add the hot, crispy shrimp to the sauce and toss gently to coat completely.
- Assemble the tacos by filling warm tortillas with shredded cabbage, adding the bang bang shrimp, and garnishing with cilantro and green onions. Serve immediately.
Notes
Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if necessary for even cooking.
Adjust the amount of Sriracha in the sauce to suit your personal spice preference.
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