Bang Bang Shrimp is a dish that originated as a signature appetizer at Bonefish Grill, a U.S.-based seafood restaurant chain. The dish gained popularity for its perfect balance of creamy, sweet, and spicy flavors, and has since become a widely replicated recipe by home cooks and food bloggers alike. The name “Bang Bang” refers to the ‘bang’ of heat delivered by the chili sauces in the creamy coating.
Bang Bang Shrimp: A signature appetizer from Bonefish Grill known for its crispy shrimp tossed in a creamy, spicy sauce. Though rooted in American casual dining, Bang Bang Shrimp draws inspiration from Asian-fusion cuisine, particularly in its use of Thai-style sweet chili sauce and sriracha. The creamy-spicy flavor profile is common in modern fusion dishes that aim to balance richness with heat.
Full Recipe
Ingredients:
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1 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
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½ cup mayonnaise
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¼ cup Thai-style sweet chili sauce
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1–2 teaspoons sriracha hot chili sauce (adjust to taste)
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½ cup cornstarch, for coating shrimp
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Oil for frying (e.g., peanut oil)
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Lettuce leaves, for serving
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Chopped green onions, for garnish
Directions:
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Make the Sauce
In a bowl, mix together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha until smooth. Adjust the amount of sriracha depending on your preferred spice level. -
Prepare the Shrimp
Pat shrimp dry and coat evenly in cornstarch. -
Fry the Shrimp
Heat oil in a deep skillet or fryer to about 375°F (190°C). Fry shrimp in batches until golden brown and opaque in the center about 2–3 minutes per batch. Drain on paper towels. -
Sauce the Shrimp
While still warm, toss the fried shrimp in the spicy mayonnaise mixture until well coated. -
Serve
Arrange shrimp on top of lettuce leaves. Garnish with chopped green onions and serve immediately.
Serving Suggestions:
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On a bed of shredded lettuce or cabbage as a starter or main.
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Topped on tacos with slaw and lime crema.
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Over rice or noodles for a complete meal.
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As a party appetizer with toothpicks and dipping sauce on the side.
Copycat Bang Bang Shrimp: The Addictive Appetizer That Took Over American Kitchens
In the world of modern appetizers, few dishes have had the cultural impact and fanfare of Bang Bang Shrimp. With its perfectly crisped exterior and addictive creamy-spicy sauce, this restaurant-born favorite has made its way into home kitchens everywhere. If you’ve ever dined at Bonefish Grill, chances are you’ve encountered their signature Bang Bang Shrimp on the menu and perhaps even fallen in love with it. But thanks to copycat recipes and the DIY food movement, you no longer need a reservation to enjoy this bold and crave-worthy appetizer.
In this article, we’ll explore the origins of Bang Bang Shrimp, why it’s such a crowd-pleaser, how it has influenced home cooks, and what variations have popped up in recent years. Whether you’re a food blogger, an aspiring chef, or just someone who loves comfort food with a kick, the story of Bang Bang Shrimp is as flavorful as the dish itself.
A Restaurant Favorite Gone Viral
The origins of Bang Bang Shrimp can be traced back to Bonefish Grill, an American seafood restaurant chain known for offering upscale yet accessible dishes. It was introduced as a bold, exciting starter that mixed texture with spice crispy shrimp drenched in a creamy chili-infused sauce, usually served over a bed of lettuce. The name “Bang Bang” is more than catchy it reflects the “bang” of heat that the dish delivers.
Almost immediately, it became a cult favorite. Diners started raving about it on social media, food forums, and Yelp reviews. Before long, requests for a homemade version flooded online recipe sites, and food bloggers raced to recreate the addictive magic in their own kitchens.
Thus, the copycat Bang Bang Shrimp was born not just a recipe, but a phenomenon in home cooking.
Why It Works: The Appeal of Creamy + Crispy + Spicy
So, what makes Bang Bang Shrimp so universally loved? The answer lies in its perfect balance of textures and flavors.
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Crunch: The shrimp is coated in a light layer of cornstarch or similar starch, then deep-fried until golden brown. This gives it a satisfying crunch without being overly heavy like traditional breaded shrimp.
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Creamy-Spicy Sauce: The signature sauce is typically made with mayonnaise, Thai-style sweet chili sauce, and sriracha. It’s creamy, tangy, sweet, and spicy hitting every corner of the palate in one bite.
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Presentation: Served on a bed of lettuce or cabbage and topped with green onions, it looks as good as it tastes. It’s upscale enough for a dinner party but easy enough for a weeknight dinner.
This sensory harmony is what gives the dish its staying power. It doesn’t just taste good it feels good to eat.
The Cultural Fusion Behind the Flavor
Though it’s an American restaurant invention, Bang Bang Shrimp owes much of its appeal to Asian culinary influences, particularly Thai and Korean.
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Sweet Chili Sauce is a staple in Thai cuisine, providing sweetness with a subtle kick.
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Sriracha, with its garlic-chili-vinegar profile, is a Vietnamese-American creation that has become a pantry staple.
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Cornstarch-fried proteins are a nod to East Asian frying techniques, which favor crisp, delicate coatings over the bread-heavy batters used in Western cuisine.
These cultural crossovers give Bang Bang Shrimp a global flavor profile that resonates with today’s fusion-loving foodies. It’s a dish that feels familiar and exotic all at once comfort food with a cosmopolitan twist.
Bang Bang Beyond Shrimp: Creative Variations
One of the reasons this dish has endured is its incredible versatility. Home cooks and chefs alike have spun the basic formula into endless variations. Here are some of the most popular ones:
🔸 Bang Bang Chicken
Perfect for those with seafood allergies or preferences. Bite-sized chicken pieces are cooked just like the original shrimp and tossed in the same iconic sauce.
🔸 Bang Bang Cauliflower
A vegetarian favorite. Cauliflower florets are battered and fried (or air-fried) for a plant-based alternative that’s just as satisfying.
🔸 Bang Bang Tacos
A trendy twist where the shrimp is tucked into soft taco shells with cabbage slaw and avocado. The creamy sauce doubles as a drizzle.
🔸 Bang Bang Bowls
Served over jasmine rice or noodles, these bowls add veggies like cucumbers, carrots, and edamame for a colorful, balanced meal.
🔸 Air Fryer or Oven-Baked Options
For health-conscious cooks, air-fried or oven-baked versions maintain the crispness without the need for deep frying.
Each variation keeps the soul of the dish intact while adjusting to different dietary needs, ingredients on hand, or cultural spins. This adaptability has helped the recipe thrive well beyond its original concept.
What the Community Says: Reviews and Tips
If you dive into user comments and reviews on popular food websites like you’ll find glowing feedback and helpful tips from the home-cooking community.
Some highlights include:
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“My family requests this once a week!” A frequent refrain among reviewers, especially parents whose kids love the sauce.
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“We use it as a dip instead of tossing the shrimp.” A practical suggestion that keeps the shrimp crispy longer, especially for serving at gatherings.
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“Try it on salad or rice.” Many users adapt the recipe for quick lunches or protein-packed dinners.
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“Add lemon or lime juice to brighten it up.” An extra citrus twist brings balance to the rich sauce.
There’s a strong sense of shared experimentation and excitement around this dish. It’s not just a recipe it’s a canvas for creativity.
Serving Suggestions That Impress
Because of its striking presentation and bold flavors, Bang Bang Shrimp can easily be elevated into something elegant or simplified for a casual meal. Here are a few tried-and-true serving ideas:
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As a starter or appetizer for dinner parties, served on small lettuce cups or in shot glasses for a modern look.
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As part of a main course with steamed rice and sautéed greens.
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Stuffed in bao buns or sliders with pickled onions for a trendy fusion sandwich.
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Over Asian noodles with sesame seeds and fresh herbs like cilantro or Thai basil.
Add a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds or a drizzle of soy sauce to amplify umami notes, or pair with a crisp white wine or craft beer to complement the spice.
Conclusion:
Bang Bang Shrimp may have started as a restaurant appetizer, but it has become much more than that. It’s a modern comfort food icon a perfect example of how global flavors and fast-casual creativity can come together in a dish that’s easy, elegant, and utterly addictive.
Its rise from a menu item to a viral home-cooking staple reflects the evolution of today’s food culture: adventurous, flavor-forward, and always seeking the next great bite. Whether you’re making it as a weekend treat, a date-night dish, or a party appetizer, Copycat Bang Bang Shrimp delivers every single time.
As you explore different ways to serve or adapt it, you’ll find that this is one recipe that never stops giving. It’s crispy, creamy, spicy, and endlessly customizable what more could you want from a dish?