Zesty Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos Recipe: Flavorful Fiesta in Minutes

Crispy, zesty bang bang shrimp tacos bring a flavor explosion to your dinner table.

These mouthwatering tacos combine spicy, creamy sauce with perfectly crunchy shrimp.

Every bite delivers a delightful mix of textures and bold tastes.

The tangy sauce drizzled over golden-fried shrimp creates an irresistible combination.

Soft tortillas cradle the crispy seafood, making each taco a handheld delight.

Simple ingredients transform into a restaurant-worthy meal you can whip up in minutes.

Prepare to wow your taste buds with this crowd-pleasing recipe that turns an ordinary evening into a culinary celebration.

Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos Flavor Adventure

• Dive into a texture paradise with perfectly breaded shrimp that delivers a satisfying crunch in every bite, making these tacos a delightful sensory experience.
• Whip up a restaurant-quality meal in minutes using simple ingredients and an air fryer, transforming ordinary cooking into an exciting culinary moment.
• Combine spicy bang bang sauce, zesty slaw, and perfectly seasoned shrimp for a taste sensation that will make your taste buds dance with excitement.
• Perfect for casual dinner nights, game day gatherings, or spontaneous get-togethers where everyone craves something deliciously different and memorable.

Shrimp Tacos All the Ingredients

Main Ingredients:

• Shrimp: Fresh, large shrimp that create the protein foundation for these delicious tacos.

• Tapioca Flour, Eggs, Water, Breadcrumbs: These ingredients provide a crispy, golden exterior for the shrimp.

• Mayonnaise, Sweet Chili Sauce, Sriracha: These ingredients combine to create the signature bang bang sauce with creamy, sweet, and spicy flavors.

• Coleslaw, Cilantro, Green Onion, Lime Juice: These ingredients offer a fresh, tangy crunch to complement the crispy shrimp.

• Tortillas: Soft tortillas that serve as the base for building the tacos.

• Salt, Oil: Essential for enhancing flavor and achieving a crispy texture.

Equipment Checklist for Bang Bang Tacos

• Air Fryer: Essential for crispy, oil-efficient shrimp cooking.
• Large Mixing Bowls (3): Needed for breading station and sauce preparation.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending sauces smoothly.
• Cutting Board: For chopping green onions and cilantro.
• Sharp Knife: To finely chop herbs and prepare ingredients.
• Tongs: Helpful for flipping shrimp in air fryer and handling tortillas.
• Measuring Cups/Spoons: For accurate sauce and seasoning measurements.

Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos Made at Home

Step 1: Prepare Shrimp

Pat the shrimp completely dry using paper towels.

• Seasoned tapioca flour
• Beaten eggs mixed with water
• Breadcrumbs

Step 2: Coat Shrimp

• First roll in seasoned flour
• Next dunk in egg mixture
• Finally cover with breadcrumbs

Arrange breaded shrimp in air fryer basket and lightly spray with cooking oil.

Cook in batches if necessary.

Step 3: Crisp Shrimp

Air fry shrimp at 390°F for 7 minutes.

Halfway through cooking, flip shrimp and spray additional oil on the other side to ensure even crispiness.

Step 4: Create Zesty Sauce

• Mayonnaise
• Sweet chili sauce
• Sriracha

Blend until smooth and well combined.

Step 5: Craft Tangy Slaw

• Coleslaw mix
• Fresh cilantro
• Chopped green onions
• Mayonnaise
• Lime juice
• Sriracha
• Salt

Mix thoroughly until ingredients are evenly distributed.

Step 6: Glaze Shrimp

Toss cooked shrimp in bang bang sauce, ensuring each piece is generously coated.

Set aside some sauce for additional drizzling.

Step 7: Build Tacos

• Prepared slaw
• Sauced shrimp
• Extra bang bang sauce
• Sprinkle of green onions for garnish

Pro Pointers for Crispy Shrimp Tacos

• Use paper towels to remove excess moisture, ensuring crispy breading that sticks perfectly.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to maintain even cooking and maximum crispiness.
• Adjust sriracha and sweet chili sauce ratios to match your preferred spice level without overwhelming flavors.
• Briefly heat tortillas on a skillet or directly on gas flame for authentic softness and slight char.
• Prepare coleslaw just before serving to maintain crisp texture and vibrant flavor profile.

Creative Takes on Bang Bang Tacos

• Gluten-Free Variation: Replace tapioca flour with rice flour or cornstarch, use gluten-free breadcrumbs, and ensure all sauce ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Vegan Seafood Swap: Substitute shrimp with crispy tofu or hearts of palm, using plant-based mayo and egg alternatives for breading.
• Low-Carb Option: Skip tortillas and serve shrimp over cauliflower rice or wrapped in lettuce leaves for a lighter meal.
• Spicy Lover's Version: Increase sriracha in both sauce and slaw, add diced jalapeños, and use a habanero-based chili sauce for extra heat.

Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos Plating Ideas

• Flavor Explosion Plating: Arrange tacos on a vibrant wooden board with lime wedges scattered around for a fresh, inviting presentation that screams summer cookout.
• Spice Level Customization: Set out extra sriracha and sweet chili sauce on the side, letting each person dial up their heat preference and create a personalized taco experience.
• Refreshing Drink Pairing: Serve with ice-cold Mexican beer or a zesty lime margarita to complement the tangy, spicy bang bang shrimp and balance the dish's rich flavors.
• Quick Family-Style Feast: Prep components separately and let everyone build their own tacos at the table, creating a fun, interactive meal that encourages conversation and sharing.

Storing Leftover Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos

• Store leftover shrimp and slaw separately in airtight containers for up to 2 days. Keep sauce in a sealed jar in the refrigerator.
• Wrap cooled shrimp and tortillas separately in freezer-safe bags. Freeze for maximum 1 month. Sauce does not freeze well.
• Use air fryer at 350F for 3-4 minutes to restore crispiness. Microwave as last resort, which may soften breading.
• Warm tortillas briefly on skillet or microwave. Add fresh slaw and drizzle new sauce to revive flavors and texture.

FAQs

• What is tapioca flour, and why use it for breading?

Tapioca flour is a gluten-free starch made from cassava root that creates a crispy, light coating on shrimp. It helps the breading stick better and gives a crunchier texture compared to regular wheat flour.

• Can I make these tacos without an air fryer?

Yes, you can deep fry or bake the shrimp. For deep frying, heat oil to 375F and cook 2-3 minutes. For baking, place breaded shrimp on a lined baking sheet and bake at 400F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway.

• How spicy are these tacos?

The heat level depends on the amount of sriracha you add. The recipe provides a mild to medium spice level.

Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos Recipe

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4.9 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 22 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sizzling bang bang shrimp tacos bring coastal California flavors to your dinner table. Crispy breaded shrimp, tangy sauce, and fresh toppings create a quick, zesty meal that delights hungry diners.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein Ingredients:

• 1 pound large raw shrimp, peeled, deveined & tail-off
• 2 large eggs

Breading and Seasoning:

• 1.5 cups panko breadcrumbs
• 0.5 cup tapioca flour (or arrowroot starch or cornstarch)
• 0.5 teaspoon paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
• 0.25 teaspoon onion powder
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper

Sauce and Taco Components:

• 0.5 cup mayonnaise
• 0.25 cup thai sweet chili sauce
• 1 teaspoon sriracha
• 8 ounces coleslaw mix
• 0.25 cup chopped cilantro
• 0.25 cup chopped green onion
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• Juice from 0.5 lime
• Sriracha
• 10 flour tortillas
• Chopped green onion for garnish
• Cooking spray

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Instructions

1. Ensure shrimp are thoroughly patted dry to promote optimal breading adherence and crispy texture.
2. Create three distinct coating stations: seasoned tapioca flour, whisked egg mixture, and crisp breadcrumbs for comprehensive shrimp preparation.
3. Meticulously coat each shrimp by first dredging in flour, then dipping in egg wash, and finally rolling in breadcrumbs for complete coverage.
4. Arrange breaded shrimp in air fryer basket, maintaining spacing between pieces and lightly misting with cooking spray to enhance crispiness.
5. Air fry shrimp at 390°F for precisely 7 minutes, rotating midway to guarantee even golden-brown coloration and thorough cooking.
6. Simultaneously prepare bang bang sauce by blending mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha until smooth and well-integrated.
7. Craft tangy slaw by combining shredded cabbage, fresh cilantro, sliced green onions, mayonnaise, lime juice, sriracha, and salt for vibrant flavor profile.
8. Gently toss freshly cooked shrimp in bang bang sauce, ensuring complete and even coating while reserving extra sauce for drizzling.
9. Warm tortillas briefly to enhance flexibility and prevent cracking during taco assembly.
10. Construct tacos by layering slaw as foundation, topping with sauced shrimp, and garnishing with additional bang bang sauce and chopped green onions.

Notes

• Moisture Matters: Pat shrimp completely dry before breading to ensure crispy, golden coating that adheres perfectly without excess moisture.
• Batch Cooking: Cook shrimp in small batches in air fryer to maintain high temperature and prevent overcrowding, which can lead to soggy results.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap regular breadcrumbs for gluten-free panko or almond flour to make recipe celiac-friendly without compromising crunch.
• Spice Control: Adjust sriracha amount in sauce and slaw to customize heat level, making it mild for kids or extra spicy for heat lovers.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 7 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Air Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 500
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 220 mg