Crispy Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos

Introduction

Get ready to make the most incredible Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos right in your own kitchen! This recipe takes that popular restaurant appetizer and transforms it into a healthier, weeknight-friendly meal. Enjoy perfectly crispy shrimp coated in a creamy, sweet, and spicy sauce, all nestled in warm tortillas with a fresh cabbage slaw. It is a vibrant dish that comes together quickly, delivering fantastic flavor with minimal fuss.

Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos

You will quickly fall for these delicious Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos for so many reasons:

• Healthier Restaurant Copycat: Enjoy all the flavor of your favorite Bang Bang Shrimp from Bonefish Grill, but made lighter at home.
• Perfectly Crispy Shrimp: The air fryer works magic, giving you shrimp with an irresistible golden crunch every time. Learn more about the science behind how air fryers make food crispy by rapidly circulating hot air to remove moisture.
• Rich, Sweet, and Spicy Sauce: The signature Bang Bang sauce perfectly balances sweet heat with a creamy texture.
• Complete Meal: These aren’t just a snack; with a fresh homemade slaw, they are a satisfying and well-rounded dinner.
• Ready in Under 30 Minutes: From prep to plate, this entire meal is incredibly quick, perfect for busy evenings.
• Dietary Friendly: This recipe is naturally dairy-free and simple to adapt for gluten-free diets.

Ingredients

Creating these delectable Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos starts with fresh, quality ingredients for the shrimp, sauce, and slaw. Gather everything first for a smooth cooking experience.

For the Air Fryer Shrimp:

• 1 lb large raw shrimp: peeled, deveined, and tail-off for easy eating.
• 2 large eggs: for dredging the shrimp.
• ½ cup tapioca flour: or arrowroot starch or cornstarch for coating.
• 1.5 cups panko breadcrumbs: preferably Japanese-style for ultimate crispiness.
• Seasonings: ½ tsp paprika, ½ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp onion powder, kosher salt & black pepper to taste.
• Cooking spray: for air frying.

For the Bang Bang Sauce:

• ½ cup mayonnaise: the creamy base for the sauce.
• ¼ cup Thai sweet chili sauce: adds a delightful sweet and spicy kick.
• 1 tsp sriracha: adjust this amount for your preferred level of heat.

For the Cabbage Slaw:

• 8 oz coleslaw mix: pre-packaged for maximum convenience.
• ¼ cup chopped cilantro: for a burst of fresh flavor.
• ¼ cup chopped green onion: adds a mild oniony bite.
• 2 tbsp mayonnaise: binds the slaw ingredients together.
• Juice from ½ lime: provides essential acidity and brightness.
• Squirt of sriracha: optional, if you desire an extra kick in your slaw.
• Kosher salt: to taste.

To Serve:

• 10 flour tortillas: soft taco shells are ideal for holding all the delicious fillings.
• Chopped green onion: for an attractive and flavorful garnish.

Notes & Substitutions

Tapioca flour works wonderfully for a light, crispy coating, but you can easily use arrowroot starch or cornstarch as an alternative. For the crispiest result, always opt for Japanese-style panko breadcrumbs if available. I

f you cannot find Thai sweet chili sauce, a mixture of equal parts sweet chili sauce and a touch of honey or brown sugar can work in a pinch. To make these shrimp tacos entirely gluten-free, simply ensure you use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs and certified gluten-free flour tortillas. Remember, the core recipe for the shrimp and sauce is already dairy-free.

Equipment

Making these crispy Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos is straightforward with standard kitchen tools. You will need paper towels for drying the shrimp thoroughly. Prepare three shallow bowls for your dredging station.

An air fryer is essential for achieving perfectly crisp shrimp. Have a cutting board and a sharp knife ready for prepping ingredients. A medium bowl and a whisk will be used for the creamy bang bang sauce. Finally, two large bowls are handy for dredging the shrimp and tossing the slaw, along with a pair of tongs for handling the cooked shrimp.

Instructions

Let’s get cooking! Follow these simple steps to create your mouthwatering Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos.

Prepare Shrimp Dredging Station:

• First, pat your shrimp very dry with paper towels; this is key for crispiness. Next, set up your dredging station using three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, combine the tapioca flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Add the panko breadcrumbs to the second bowl. In the third bowl, whisk the eggs with a splash of water until well combined.

Dredge and Air Fry Shrimp:

• Dip each dry shrimp into the tapioca flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Then, transfer it to the egg mixture, allowing excess to drip off. Finally, coat the shrimp thoroughly in the panko breadcrumbs, gently pressing to ensure good adhesion. Use one hand for wet ingredients and one for dry to keep things neat. Place the breaded shrimp in a single layer in your air fryer basket.

• You will likely need to cook the shrimp in two separate batches to avoid overcrowding. Generously spray the tops of the shrimp with cooking oil. Air fry the shrimp at 390°F (199°C) for 7 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time. After flipping, spray the other side with oil before returning them to the air fryer to finish.

Prepare Sauces and Slaw:

• While the shrimp cooks, prepare your sauces and slaw. In a medium bowl, combine all the bang bang sauce ingredients: mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, and sriracha. Whisk until the sauce is completely smooth and creamy.
• In a large separate bowl, add all the slaw ingredients: coleslaw mix, chopped cilantro, chopped green onion, mayonnaise, lime juice, an optional squirt of sriracha, and salt. Toss everything together until the slaw is well combined and coated.

Assemble Tacos:

• Once the shrimp is cooked to golden perfection, transfer it to a large bowl. Pour the bang bang sauce over the shrimp, reserving a little extra for drizzling if you like. Gently toss or shake the bowl to ensure every piece of crispy shrimp is coated in the delicious sauce. Warm your tortillas – you can quickly do this over an open flame, in a dry pan, or briefly in the microwave.

• Finally, assemble your tacos: lay a warm tortilla, add a generous scoop of the fresh slaw, pile on the saucy bang bang shrimp, drizzle with any reserved sauce, and garnish with chopped green onion. Serve immediately and enjoy your homemade Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos!

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

For the ultimate crispiness, always ensure your shrimp is patted very dry before dredging. When air frying, avoid overcrowding the basket; cook in batches to allow for even air circulation and browning.

To get the best breading adherence, gently press the panko onto the shrimp. You can easily adjust the amount of sriracha in both the sauce and the slaw to perfectly match your preferred spice level. To prevent your delicious tacos from becoming soggy, assemble them right before serving. For even greater ease, consider using pre-shredded cabbage or a packaged coleslaw mix.

Serving, Storage, and Variations

These Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos are so versatile, perfect for any occasion!

Serving Suggestions:

Serve your tacos hot, right out of the air fryer, with extra lime wedges on the side for a zesty squeeze. Offer additional sriracha at the table for guests who love extra heat. For an even more vibrant presentation, garnish with fresh cilantro, a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds, or creamy avocado slices.

Storage Instructions:

These tacos are truly best enjoyed fresh to maintain the crispiness of the shrimp. If you have leftovers or are meal prepping, store the cooked shrimp, bang bang sauce, and cabbage slaw separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for 1-2 days. To reheat the shrimp, pop it back into the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes until warmed through and crisp again. The slaw and sauce can be enjoyed cold.

Variations:

Transform this recipe into a “Bang Bang Shrimp Bowl” by serving the crispy shrimp over a bed of fluffy rice or quinoa. Add some crunchy cucumber, shelled edamame, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for a complete meal.

You can also experiment with different proteins; try air-fried chicken or firm white fish in place of shrimp. Feel free to play with the shrimp seasonings, perhaps adding a pinch of chili powder or a dash of ginger for a different flavor profile.

Nutrition

Here’s an estimated nutritional breakdown for one serving of these tasty Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos. Please remember that these values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes used. This information is provided for general guidance only and should not replace advice from a qualified nutrition professional.

FAQ

Conclusion

You now have all the tools to create fantastic Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos at home. This recipe truly delivers on flavor, ease, and health, making it a perfect weeknight meal for beginners and busy parents alike.

Enjoy the satisfying crunch of air-fried shrimp, the creamy kick of the bang bang sauce, and the fresh slaw, all in one delightful bite. Give this crowd-pleasing recipe a try and share your experience; we would love to hear how much you enjoyed these vibrant tacos!

Crispy Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos

Enjoy crispy air-fried shrimp coated in a delicious bang bang sauce, served in warm tortillas with a fresh, zesty slaw. These tacos are quick to prepare and packed with flavor, perfect for a weeknight meal or entertaining.

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Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings 5 servings

Calories 650 kcal

Equipment

• shallow bowls
• air fryer basket
• Air fryer
• Medium bowl
• Large bowl
• pan, open flame or microwave

Ingredients

  

For the Air Fryer Shrimp

• 1 lb large raw shrimp peeled, deveined & tail-off
• 2 large eggs
• 1.5 cups panko breadcrumbs preferably Japanese-style breadcrumbs if you can find them
• 0.5 cup tapioca flour or arrowroot starch or cornstarch
• 0.5 tsp paprika
• 0.5 tsp garlic powder
• 0.25 tsp onion powder
• kosher salt & black pepper
• cooking spray

For the Bang Bang Sauce

• 0.5 cup mayonnaise
• 0.25 cup thai sweet chili sauce
• 1 tsp sriracha more if you like it spicier

For the Slaw

• 8 oz coleslaw mix
• 0.25 cup chopped cilantro
• 0.25 cup chopped green onion
• 2 tbsp mayonnaise
• lime juice from ½ lime
• sriracha squirt of
• kosher salt to taste

To Serve

• 10 flour tortillas
• chopped green onion

Instructions

 

• Pat the shrimp dry, then set up a dredging station with three shallow bowls: one for tapioca flour and seasonings, one for breadcrumbs, and one for whisked eggs with a splash of water.
• Dip each shrimp into the tapioca flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs, using separate hands for wet and dry ingredients to minimize mess. Place breaded shrimp onto the air fryer basket and spray the tops with oil, cooking in two batches if necessary.
• Air fry the shrimp at 390F for 7 minutes, flipping halfway through and spraying the other side with oil before returning to the air fryer.
• While the shrimp cooks, whisk all bang bang sauce ingredients in a medium bowl until smooth, then combine all slaw ingredients in a large bowl and toss to mix.
• Once the shrimp is done, transfer it to a large bowl, pour most of the bang bang sauce over it (reserving some for garnish), and gently toss or shake the bowl to coat.
• Warm tortillas over an open flame, on a pan, or in the microwave. Assemble tacos with tortillas, slaw, bang bang shrimp, any reserved sauce, and a garnish of chopped green onion.

Notes

For less mess, use one hand for wet ingredients and the other for dry when breading the shrimp. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook shrimp in batches for optimal crispiness. You can reserve a little bang bang sauce for drizzling over the assembled tacos.