Ingredients
Shrimp and Batter
- 1 pound shrimp (large or jumbo, cleaned and deveined)
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 1 egg
- ½ tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ tablespoon hot sauce
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- Oil (for frying)
Sauce
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce (I used Frank’s)
- ½ tablespoon hot sauce (I used Frank’s hot sauce)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a bowl, mix together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, hot sauce, honey, salt, and pepper until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to serve to let the flavors meld.
- Make the Batter: In a medium bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Add the hot sauce, egg, and buttermilk, then whisk everything thoroughly into a smooth batter.
- Coat the Shrimp: Add the cleaned shrimp to the batter and toss well to ensure each shrimp is fully coated. Set aside to allow the batter to adhere.
- Prepare the Breadcrumbs: Place Panko breadcrumbs in a separate bowl for coating.
- Bread the Shrimp: Remove each shrimp from the batter, shaking off excess, then coat thoroughly with the Panko breadcrumbs. Add more breadcrumbs as necessary to get an even coating.
- Fry the Shrimp: Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Fry shrimp for about 2 minutes per side or until light golden brown and crispy. Work in batches to avoid overcrowding and maintain oil temperature. Transfer cooked shrimp to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Serve: Drizzle the fried shrimp generously with the prepared bang bang sauce or toss them in the sauce before plating. Serve immediately to enjoy the crispy texture and bold flavors.
Notes
- Use fresh or thawed shrimp for best results and ensure they are thoroughly dried before coating to help the batter stick better.
- You can adjust the heat level by varying the amount of hot sauce in both the batter and sauce.
- For a lighter version, consider baking instead of frying, but the authentic crispy texture comes from frying.
- Serve as an appetizer or over rice or salad for a main dish.
- Keep cooked shrimp warm in a low oven if frying in batches to serve all at once.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
