Description

A crispy, creamy, and spicy shrimp appetizer made in the air fryer. This recipe captures the nostalgic crunch of deep-fried shrimp with less oil and mess, featuring a sweet, spicy, and tangy Bang Bang sauce.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/2 cup (60g) all-purpose flour
1/4 cup (30g) cornstarch
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 large egg, beaten with 1 tbsp water
1 cup (40g) Panko breadcrumbs
1/2 cup (120g) mayonnaise
3–4 tbsp (45-60ml) Sriracha
2 tbsp (30g) sweetened condensed milk
1 tbsp (15ml) fresh lemon juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
Cooking oil spray

Instructions

Thaw and dry shrimp thoroughly with paper towels to ensure crispiness.
In a shallow bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, salt, and pepper.
Set up a breading station with three bowls: flour mixture, egg wash, and Panko breadcrumbs.
Dredge each shrimp in the flour mixture, dip in egg wash, and press into Panko breadcrumbs.
Place breaded shrimp on a rack and let rest for 5 minutes to help coating set.
In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Sriracha, sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice, and garlic until smooth.
Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
Lightly spray shrimp with oil and place in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
Cook for 4 minutes, flip, spray other side with oil, and cook for another 4-6 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
Transfer cooked shrimp to a large bowl, pour sauce over, and toss gently to coat.
Serve immediately with lemon wedges and fresh parsley.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure proper air circulation and crispiness. Let the breaded shrimp rest for 5 minutes before cooking to prevent the coating from falling off. Serve immediately as the crunch fades after 10 minutes. For a gluten-free option, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and certified gluten-free Panko. For a vegan version, use aquafaba instead of egg, vegan mayo, and maple syrup.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Cuisine: American-Asian Fusion

Nutrition

Serving Size: Approximately 6 shri
Calories: 280
Sugar: 12
Sodium: 450
Fat: 14
Saturated Fat: 2
Carbohydrates: 18
Fiber: 1
Protein: 22

Keywords: air fryer shrimp, bang bang shrimp, crispy shrimp, seafood appetizer, spicy shrimp, easy dinner, family friendly recipe