Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos
Crispy, golden shrimp coated in a creamy, spicy bang bang sauce make these Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos an irresistible seafood dinner. Easy to make and packed with crunch and flavor, they’re sure to be a hit!
Ingredients
For the Shrimp:
- 1 lb shrimp peeled, deveined, and tails removed *I used frozen
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Oil for frying
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp sweet chili sauce
- 1 tbsp sriracha adjust to your spice preference
- 1 tsp honey or sugar optional for added sweetness
For the Tacos:
- 8 small flour tortillas
- 2 cups shredded cabbage green or purple The rotary grater with the slice blade works great to shred the cabbage.
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1 lime cut into wedges
- Optional toppings: diced avocado sliced jalapeños, or pickled onions
Instructions
- If using frozen shrimp, defrost first
- In a bowl, soak the shrimp in buttermilk for 10-15 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients.
- In a separate bowl, mix the cornstarch, panko breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.
- Remove the shrimp from the buttermilk, letting any excess drip off, then coat them in the breadcrumb mixture.
- Fry the shrimp in batches until golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and honey or sugar until smooth.
- Warm the tortillas by wrapping them in foil and placing them in a warm oven.
- Add a layer of shredded cabbage to each tortilla, followed by the crispy shrimp. Drizzle generously with bang bang sauce.
- Top with chopped cilantro, a squeeze of fresh lime, and any optional toppings you like. Serve immediately with extra lime wedges on the side.
Notes
Alternate cooking methods
1. Pan-Frying
- Heat a thin layer of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- After coating the shrimp in the breading mixture, cook them in the skillet, flipping once, for about 2-3 minutes per side until golden and crispy.
2. Air Frying
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
- Spray the breaded shrimp lightly with cooking spray and place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Cook for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through and spraying again, until crispy and cooked through.
3. Baking
- Preheat your oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the breaded shrimp on the sheet, spray them lightly with cooking spray, and bake for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crispy and golden.
4. Sautéing (No Breading)
- Skip the breading entirely and sauté the shrimp in a bit of olive oil with garlic, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, just until they’re opaque and cooked through.