Zesty Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos Recipe for Taco Lovers

Crispy, zesty air fryer bang bang shrimp tacos burst with flavor that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Spicy crunch meets creamy sauce in this lightning-fast meal.

Weeknight dinners just got way more exciting with these mouthwatering bites.

My family goes crazy whenever these tacos hit the table.

Fresh ingredients combine to create a simple yet spectacular dish that feels like a restaurant-quality treat.

Seafood lovers and taco enthusiasts will absolutely adore this quick and delicious recipe.

Prepare to impress everyone with these irresistible, crowd-pleasing tacos that come together in minutes.

Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos That Deliver Bold Flavor Fast

• Rapid Preparation Magic: Whip up these mouthwatering tacos in just 20 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners or spontaneous meal cravings.
• Quick-Crisp Air Fryer Technique: Achieve restaurant-quality crispy shrimp without excessive oil, creating a healthier alternative that doesn't compromise on crunch or flavor.
• Flavor Explosion Guaranteed: The bang bang sauce delivers a tantalizing blend of sweet, spicy, and creamy notes that transform ordinary shrimp into an extraordinary taco experience.
• Customizable Crowd-Pleaser: Easily adapt the recipe by adjusting spice levels, swapping protein, or adding extra toppings to suit different taste preferences and dietary needs.

Shrimp Taco Components for Air Fryer Perfection

• Shrimp: Fresh seafood that forms the star of the taco, best when large and deveined.
• Eggs: Binding agent for breading, helps breadcrumbs stick to shrimp.

• Flour, Panko Breadcrumbs: Creates crispy exterior for shrimp, flour provides base coating and breadcrumbs add crunch.

• Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder, Paprika: Enhances shrimp's natural flavor, adds depth and subtle spiciness.

• Mayonnaise, Sweet Chili Sauce, Sriracha, Honey: Creates signature bang bang sauce with creamy, sweet, and spicy balance.

• Tortillas: Soft wrapper for holding ingredients, corn or flour options work well.
• Shredded Cabbage: Provides fresh crunch and textural contrast.
• Cilantro: Adds bright, herbaceous flavor.
• Lime: Offers acidic freshness and balances rich flavors.

• Avocado, Jalapeños: Extra toppings for personalized heat and creaminess.

Shrimp Tacos Air Fryer Bang Bang Prep

Step 1: Prepare Succulent Shrimp

Clean the shrimp thoroughly and pat completely dry using paper towels.

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Paprika

Step 2: Create Crispy Coating

Set up a breading station with three separate shallow dishes:

First dish: All-purpose flour

Second dish: Whisked eggs

Third dish: Panko breadcrumbs

Carefully coat each shrimp by dipping first in flour, then egg, and finally rolling in panko.

Press gently to ensure the breading sticks perfectly.

Step 3: Crisp in Air Fryer

Heat air fryer to 375°F.

Arrange breaded shrimp in a single layer without overcrowding.

Lightly mist with cooking spray.

Cook for 6-8 minutes, turning halfway through until the exterior turns golden brown and develops a delightful crunch.

Step 4: Whip Up Zesty Sauce

• Mayonnaise
• Sweet chili sauce
• Sriracha
• Honey

Whisk until smooth and well blended.

Toss cooked shrimp in the sauce, ensuring complete coverage.

Step 5: Build Mouthwatering Tacos

Warm tortillas briefly in a skillet or microwave.

• Shredded cabbage
• Saucy bang bang shrimp
• Fresh cilantro

Squeeze fresh lime juice over the top for an extra burst of flavor.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Plate tacos immediately.

Offer additional lime wedges on the side.

Optional garnishes like diced avocado or sliced jalapeños can add extra excitement to the dish.

Taco Assembly Tips for Bang Bang Shrimp

• Pat shrimp completely dry before breading to ensure a super crispy exterior that locks in moisture and prevents sogginess.
• Adjust bang bang sauce heat by reducing or increasing sriracha amount, allowing customization for different spice tolerances.
• Press panko crumbs gently onto shrimp, creating an even, thick coating that guarantees maximum crunchiness in the air fryer.
• Arrange shrimp in a single layer during air frying to promote even cooking and achieve golden, crisp results without steaming.
• Warm tortillas briefly on a hot skillet or microwave to enhance flexibility and prevent cracking when assembling tacos.

Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos Storage

• Store leftover shrimp tacos in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Separate sauce and tortillas to prevent sogginess.
• Warm crispy shrimp in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes to restore crunchiness. Avoid microwave to maintain texture.
• Quickly warm tortillas in a skillet or wrap in damp paper towel and microwave for 15-20 seconds to prevent drying out.
• Keep extra bang bang sauce in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, perfect for future dipping or drizzling.

Fresh Complements for Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos

• Spice Up the Pairing: Match the zesty bang bang shrimp tacos with crisp, refreshing beverages that complement the bold flavors.
• Craft Beer Companion: Choose a hoppy IPA or light wheat beer to cut through the creamy sauce and balance the spicy kick of the shrimp.
• Tropical Cocktail Twist: Sip on a citrusy margarita or pineapple mojito that echoes the bright lime and sriracha notes in the dish.
• Cooling Sidekick: Serve with a crisp cucumber-mint agua fresca to provide a refreshing counterpoint to the rich, spicy shrimp tacos.

Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos’ Other Versions

• Gluten-Free Crispy Shrimp Tacos: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs. Use corn tortillas to ensure the entire dish remains gluten-free while maintaining the crispy texture.
• Vegan Cauliflower Taco Alternative: Swap shrimp with breaded cauliflower florets. Use vegan mayonnaise and plant-based sweet chili sauce to recreate the bang bang flavor profile with plant-based ingredients.
• Low-Carb Lettuce Wrap Version: Skip tortillas and use large lettuce leaves as wraps. Replace panko with crushed pork rinds for a crispy coating that keeps the carbohydrate count low.
• Spicy Protein-Packed Version: Add extra sriracha for heat. Use Greek yogurt in the bang bang sauce to increase protein content while maintaining a creamy texture. Optional: Incorporate diced jalapeños for additional spiciness.

FAQs

• What type of shrimp works best for this recipe?

Medium to large-sized raw shrimp with the tail removed work perfectly. Frozen shrimp can be used if completely thawed and patted dry before breading.

• Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, substitute regular flour with gluten-free flour and use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs. Ensure all sauce ingredients are also gluten-free.

• How spicy is the bang bang sauce?

The sauce has a mild to medium heat level. You can adjust the spiciness by reducing or increasing the amount of sriracha sauce. For less heat, use just a small drizzle; for more kick, add extra sriracha.

• Is an air fryer necessary for this recipe?

While an air fryer provides the crispiest result, you can alternatively bake the shrimp in a preheated oven at 400°F for 8-10 minutes or shallow fry in a skillet with oil until golden brown.

Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos Recipe

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4.5 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crispy bang bang shrimp tacos bring zesty coastal flavors straight to your kitchen. Crunchy air-fried shrimp nestled in warm tortillas create an irresistible meal packed with tangy spice and satisfying texture you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 lb (450g) raw shrimp, peeled and deveined

Breading and Seasoning:

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• Cooking spray

Bang Bang Sauce Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
• 1 tablespoon sriracha
• 1 teaspoon honey

Taco Assembly:

• 6 small tortillas (corn or flour)
• 1 cup shredded cabbage or coleslaw mix
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 lime, cut into wedges

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly blot shrimp with paper towels, ensuring maximum dryness. Infuse with a robust seasoning blend of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoky paprika for deep flavor complexity.
2. Create an efficient breading assembly line featuring three distinct vessels: a flour station for initial coating, whisked eggs for adhesion, and panko breadcrumbs for ultimate crispiness. Meticulously envelop each shrimp, pressing breadcrumbs firmly to guarantee complete coverage.
3. Calibrate air fryer to 375°F, preparing a pristine cooking surface. Arrange breaded shrimp in a strategic single layer, avoiding overcrowding. Enhance exterior crispness with a delicate mist of cooking spray.
4. Craft a vibrant bang bang sauce by harmonizing mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, fiery sriracha, and golden honey. Gently tumble crisp shrimp within the zesty mixture, ensuring uniform sauce distribution.
5. Activate tortillas through gentle warming, creating a supple foundation. Layer with crisp cabbage ribbons, crown with sauced shrimp, and embellish with fresh cilantro sprigs. Finish with a bright citrus squeeze.
6. Present immediately, accompanied by additional lime wedges. Optional garnishes like creamy avocado cubes or spicy jalapeño slices invite personalization.

Notes

• Pat shrimp completely dry to ensure maximum crispiness and prevent soggy breading when air frying.
• Use fresh, high-quality shrimp for the best flavor and texture in your tacos.
• Experiment with gluten-free alternatives by substituting regular flour with almond or rice flour for a celiac-friendly version.
• Adjust spice levels in bang bang sauce by increasing or decreasing sriracha to suit personal heat preferences.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Air Frying
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 440
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 20g
• Cholesterol: 150mg