Copycat Bonefish Grill Bang Bang Shrimp

Bang Bang Shrimp is crispy fried shrimp tossed in a creamy sweet and spicy sauce. Usually served as a popular appetizer.

Why You’ll Love This

We have only been to Bonefish Grill a few times, but this is our favorite dish on the menu.  So I decided to give the copycat Bang Bang Shrimp from Bonefish a try.

I don’t usually deep fry at home.  Not because I don’t like to eat fried foods but because I don’t like the smell in my house. 

This recipe was well worth the stench for a few days!  Very close to Bonefish Grill.

Homemade Bang Bang Shrimp is easier to make than you might think.

The bang bang shrimp at Bonefish Grill tastes creamy, sweet, spicy, and crunchy fried shrimp! How can you go wrong?

Check out some of the other appetizers we enjoy making, such as Oven Sliders, baked chicken wings, firecracker chicken meatballs, and ham and swiss sliders.

Key Ingredients

  • Shrimp – We use medium shrimp peeled and deveined.
  • Batter – Buttermilk and cornstarch. See the Tips below for how to make homemade buttermilk. This recipe does not use all-purpose flour, panko breadcrumbs, or plain breadcrumbs.

What is Bang Bang Sauce Made of?

Very few ingredients are required.  I bet you already have these staples at home. (maybe not the shrimp)

  • Mayonaisse or “salad dressing” such as Miracle Whip (sweet mayonnaise).
  • Sweet chili sauce, sriracha, rice wine vinegar, and salt.
Ingredients for the bang bang sauce.

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How to Make Bang Bang Shrimp Like Bonefish Grill

Start heating 2-3 inches of oil in a large heavy pot to 375 degrees F.

In a large bowl, combine the mayo, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, rice wine vinegar, and salt. Taste and adjust the Sriracha to your spice level. It is very spicy. Set aside.

I did find the Miracle Whip a bit too sweet, so next time, I will use regular mayonnaise.

In two small bowls, put ½ the cornstarch in one and the buttermilk in the other.

Working in small batches, let the shrimp moisten in the buttermilk. Dredge in the cornstarch. Add cornstarch to the bowl as needed.

Fry the shrimp in the hot oil and cook until deep golden brown, about 3 minutes. (careful not to overcook the shrimp) You will probably need to do this in batches. Don’t overcrowd the pot.

Place on a paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain excess oil.

Toss the cooked shrimp in the bowl with the spicy sauce mixture to coat and serve immediately with green onions sprinkled on top.

What to Serve with Bang Bang Shrimp

  • Served on its own as a shrimp appetizer.
  • Rice – Serve over a bed of cooked white rice, brown rice, quinoa, or pasta.
  • This Bang Bang Shrimp recipe would be perfect to make Bang Bang Shrimp tacos. Serve the shrimp in flour tortillas and top them with shredded cabbage.
  • Lettuce wraps for a lower carb version.
Bang Bang Shrimp in a bowl garnished with green onions.

You will not regret stinking up your house for a day or two for this crispy, sweet, and spicy Bang Bang Shrimp! I promise!

Tips

  • Thaw frozen shrimp on paper towels. Continuously change the paper towels each time they become soaked with water. This will give you fresher tasting shrimp!
  • When frying the shrimp, use a deep fry thermometer to be sure you are keeping the oil at 375 degrees F.
  • Don’t overcrowd the pot. Fry the shrimp in batches.
  • I find the Miracle Whip too sweet so we now use mayonnaise. You can also substitute Greek yogurt for the mayonnaise.

FAQs

Can this be Made Ahead of Time?

The only thing I recommend making ahead of time is the sauce. Fried shrimp does not keep well. It should always be made fresh.

Can I bake these in the oven?

You will get a much crispier batter by frying in oil. But you can bake them if you prefer. Place them on a wire rack over a baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees F for 10-15 minutes. Watch them closely; you don’t want to overcook the shrimp.

Why is my Fried Shrimp Soggy?

Do not overcrowd the pan when frying the shrimp. Fry in batches. Overcrowding the pan makes the oil temperature drop and will result in undercooked, soggy shrimp. When draining, make sure the shrimp are in one layer—not stacked on top of each other.

Can I use Milk instead of Buttermilk?

No. If you don’t have buttermilk, add 1 1/2 teaspoons of vinegar or lemon juice to a measuring cup, then fill the cup to 1/2 cup with milk. Stir together and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes.

Storing

These bang bang shrimp are best eaten fresh. If you have leftovers, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to 1 day. You can reheat them in a 350 degree oven on a greased baking sheet until warmed through. But be aware that reheating the shrimp can overcook them and make them tough and chewy.

More Delicious Shrimp Recipes

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Bang Bang Shrimp - Great appetizers, party, dinner or game day snacks! Easier to make than you think.

Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe

Bang Bang Shrimp is a great appetizers, party, dinner or game day snacks! Easier to make than you think.
5 from 6 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Asian
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 329kcal
Author: Leigh Harris

Ingredients
 

Sauce

  • ½ Cup Miracle Whip or similar
  • 1/3 Cup Sweet Chili Sauce
  • ½ tsp Sriracha (I used 1 tsp)
  • 1 tsp Rice Wine Vinegar
  • ½ tsp Salt

For the Shrimp:

  • 1 lb. Shrimp peeled and deveined
  • 1 Cup Cornstarch (maybe more)
  • ½ Cup Buttermilk
  • 4 Green Onions (both white and green parts)sliced on a bias
  • Canola oil for frying

Instructions

  • Start heating 2-3 inches of oil in a large heavy pot to 375˚.
    Canola oil for frying
  • In a large bowl combine the Miracle Whip, Sweet Chili Sauce, ½ tsp Sriracha, 1 tsp Rice Wine Vinegar, and Salt. Taste and adjust the Sriracha to taste, it is spicy. Set aside.
    ½ Cup Miracle Whip or similar, 1/3 Cup Sweet Chili Sauce, ½ tsp Sriracha, 1 tsp Rice Wine Vinegar, ½ tsp Salt
  • In two small bowls put ½ the Corn Starch in one and the buttermilk in the other.
    1 Cup Cornstarch, ½ Cup Buttermilk
  • Drain and pat the shrimp dry.
    1 lb. Shrimp
  • Working in small batches, let the shrimp moisten in the buttermilk. Dredge in the cornstarch. Add cornstarch to bowl as needed.
  • Place in hot oil and cook until deep golden brown. (careful not to overcook the shrimp)
  • Place on paper towel lined plate to drain excess oil.
  • Repeat with remaining Shrimp.
  • Toss Shrimp in the bowl with sauce to coat and serve immediately with green onions sprinkled on top.
    4 Green Onions

Notes

When frying the shrimp use a deep fry thermometer to be sure you are keeping the oil at 375 degrees F.
Don’t overcrowd the pot, fry the shrimp in batches.
Storing Leftovers -These are best eaten fresh. If you have leftovers, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to 1 day. You can reheat them in a 350 degree oven on a greased baking sheet until warmed through. But be aware that reheating the shrimp can overcook them and make them tough and chewy.

Nutrition

Calories: 329kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 292mg | Sodium: 1688mg | Potassium: 180mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 191IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 208mg | Iron: 3mg

Adapted from cleverlysimple

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25 Comments

  1. This was the most viewed post from last week’s Try a New Recipe Tuesday. Congratulations! Be sure to stop by and grab an “I’ve been featured” button from my sidebar for your blog. Your feature will go live shortly. I hope you can link up with us again this week. 🙂

  2. Oh this sounds different. But the flavors sound like they all would go nicely together. Yum. Thank you ever so much for linking up to Share With Me #sharewithme5 stars

  3. I’ve never made Bang Bang Shrimp from scratch – your recipe sounds delicious. Thank you for sharing it with us at the Hearth and Soul Hop.5 stars

  4. I love spicy shrimp dishes, this looks so good, I can’t wait to give it a try! This is one of my favorites from What’d You Do This Weekend? and will be one of my features at tomorrow’s party 🙂5 stars

  5. Sounds yummy. Pinned & shared. Thanks for joining the Inspiration Spotlight party. See you again soon.

  6. I love bang bang chicken, so I’m sure I’d love the prawn version. This looks saucier than ones I tried at restaurants though. They tend to be dried spices. But either way is fine by me, as long as it tastes good. I don’t like frying because of the smell either, but if you say it’s worth it, who am I to argue?

    Sally @ Life Loving
    #LifeLovingLinkie

  7. oh my! This looks so heavenly! And a cool name to boot too – bang bang! I haven;t heard of that before! Thanks for the inspiration! 🙂 #thisishowweroll

  8. This looks and sounds great. I love shrimp! What plugin did you use for your recipe? Yours looks a lot better than the one I’m using. I found you over at #TastyTuesdays

  9. I love shrimp ANYTHING especially Bang Bang Shrimp! Will pin this for future dinner ideas! Thank you for sharing!! 🙂

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