Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp (Printer-Friendly)

Juicy shrimp coated in crunchy panko and spicy-sweet sauce, made easily in the air fryer or stovetop.

# What You'll Need:

→ Shrimp Preparation

01 - 1 pound fresh large shrimp, peeled and deveined
02 - 1 cup buttermilk, divided
03 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
04 - 1 cup panko bread crumbs
05 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

→ Bang Bang Sauce

06 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
07 - 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
08 - 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce, or to taste

→ Optional Garnish

09 - Fresh cilantro, chopped

→ For Frying (Alternative Preparation)

10 - 2 cups canola oil

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Place shrimp in a bowl and cover with 1/2 cup buttermilk. Refrigerate and marinate for at least 4 hours.
02 - Arrange three shallow bowls: one with all-purpose flour and black pepper mixed, one with remaining 1/2 cup buttermilk, and one with panko bread crumbs.
03 - Remove shrimp from marinating buttermilk, dredge each piece in the flour mixture, dip in buttermilk, then coat with panko bread crumbs, ensuring even coverage.
04 - Generously spray air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray. Arrange breaded shrimp in a single layer in the basket and spray tops with additional cooking spray. Cook at 390°F for 5 minutes, flip shrimp, spray again, and cook for 5 minutes or until golden and crisp.
05 - Heat 2 inches of canola oil in a heavy-bottomed saucepan to 350°F. Fry shrimp in batches for about 3 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
06 - In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha until smooth.
07 - Gently toss cooked shrimp in the prepared sauce until evenly coated. Serve immediately, garnished with chopped fresh cilantro if desired.

# Extra Suggestions:

01 - Adjust sriracha quantity for a milder or spicier sauce. For best flavor, use high-quality shrimp and bread right before cooking to maintain a crisp texture.