Get ready for a flavor explosion! These Bang Bang Shrimp Lettuce Wraps are crispy, juicy, and coated in a creamy, spicy sauce that’s downright addictive. Wrapped in cool, crisp lettuce, they’re the perfect light yet satisfying meal. Whether you’re looking for a quick dinner, an easy appetizer, or a healthy twist on takeout, this recipe delivers big on flavor with minimal effort!
Why You’ll Love Bang Bang Shrimp Lettuce Wraps
Crispy & Crunchy: The shrimp are fried to golden perfection for the ultimate bite.
Bold, Spicy Flavor: The famous Bang Bang sauce is sweet, creamy, and just the right amount of spicy.
Light & Fresh: Served in crisp lettuce cups for a refreshing, low-carb option.
Quick & Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy nights.
Crowd-Pleaser: A fun, hands-on meal that everyone will love.
Ingredients in Bang Bang Shrimp Lettuce Wraps
Shrimp: Large, peeled, and deveined for easy eating.
Cornstarch: Gives the shrimp that ultra-light, crispy coating.
Egg & Buttermilk: Helps the coating stick and adds extra crispiness.
Panko Breadcrumbs: For an airy, crunchy texture.
Oil for Frying: Use vegetable or canola oil for a crispy finish.
Butter Lettuce or Romaine: The perfect fresh, crisp wrap.
Green Onions & Cilantro: For a bright, herby garnish.
Bang Bang Sauce:
- Mayonnaise: Creamy and rich base.
- Sweet Chili Sauce: Adds sweetness and mild heat.
- Sriracha: For a spicy kick.
- Honey: Balances the heat with a touch of sweetness.
- Lime Juice: A little acidity to brighten the flavors.
Instructions
Prepare the Shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry and season lightly with salt and pepper.
Coat the Shrimp: Dip each shrimp in a buttermilk-egg mixture, then toss in cornstarch and panko until fully coated.
Fry to Perfection: Heat oil in a pan and fry shrimp until golden and crispy. Drain on a paper towel.
Make the Bang Bang Sauce: In a bowl, mix together mayo, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and lime juice.
Toss the Shrimp: Coat the crispy shrimp in the Bang Bang sauce, making sure each piece is fully covered.
Assemble the Wraps: Place shrimp in lettuce cups, top with green onions and cilantro, and serve immediately.
How to Serve Bang Bang Shrimp Lettuce Wraps
With Extra Sauce: Drizzle more Bang Bang sauce on top for extra flavor.
With a Side of Rice: Serve alongside jasmine or cauliflower rice for a heartier meal.
With Pickled Veggies: Adds a tangy crunch to balance the flavors.
With a Light Slaw: A simple cabbage slaw with lime dressing pairs perfectly.
Additional Tips
Make it Healthier: Bake or air-fry the shrimp instead of frying.
Adjust the Spice Level: Add more or less sriracha depending on your heat preference.
Use Different Proteins: Swap shrimp for crispy chicken, tofu, or even salmon.
Double the Sauce: It’s so good, you’ll want extra for dipping!
FAQ
Q1: Can I use frozen shrimp?
A1: Yes! Just thaw completely and pat dry before coating.
Q2: Can I make this dish ahead of time?
A2: The shrimp are best served fresh, but you can prep the sauce and lettuce cups in advance.
Q3: How do I store leftovers?
A3: Store shrimp separately from the lettuce in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat in an air fryer or oven.
Q4: Can I use Greek yogurt instead of mayo?
A4: Yes! It makes the sauce lighter but still creamy and delicious.
Q5: What’s the best lettuce to use?
A5: Butter lettuce is soft and flexible, while romaine adds more crunch.
Q6: Can I air-fry the shrimp?
A6: Yes! Air-fry at 375°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Q7: What’s a good side dish for this?
A7: A fresh cucumber salad or roasted sweet potatoes pair wonderfully.
Q8: How do I make this gluten-free?
A8: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed rice crackers for the coating.
Q9: Can I make this sauce ahead of time?
A9: Absolutely! Store it in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Q10: Can I grill the shrimp instead?
A10: Yes! Toss shrimp in a little olive oil and grill until pink and slightly charred.
Final Thoughts
These Bang Bang Shrimp Lettuce Wraps are the perfect balance of crispy, spicy, and refreshing. Whether you’re making them for a light dinner, party appetizer, or fun family meal, they’re sure to be a huge hit.
Print
Bang Bang Shrimp Lettuce Wraps
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
Description
These Bang Bang Shrimp Lettuce Wraps are a perfect balance of crispy, creamy, and fresh! Juicy shrimp are air-fried to golden perfection, then tossed in a sweet and spicy bang bang sauce. Served in crisp lettuce cups, they make a delicious, healthy dinner or appetizer.
Ingredients
For the Shrimp:
- 2 lbs shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3/4 cup flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 3 large eggs
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp rice wine vinegar
- 1 tsp ketchup (optional)
For Serving:
- 1 head butter lettuce or romaine lettuce
Instructions
- Prepare the Shrimp: Cut the shrimp into thirds.
- Coat the Shrimp: In a bowl, mix flour, panko breadcrumbs, and cornstarch. In another bowl, beat the eggs. Dip shrimp pieces into the egg mixture, then into the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
- Air-Fry the Shrimp: Arrange shrimp in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not touch. Spray generously with cooking oil and cook at 400°F (200°C) for 6 minutes.
- Shake & Continue Cooking: After 6 minutes, shake the basket for even frying. Spray again with cooking oil and air-fry for another 6 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Make the Bang Bang Sauce: While the shrimp is cooking, combine mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, and ketchup in a bowl. Mix well.
- Toss the Shrimp: Pour the bang bang sauce over the cooked shrimp and toss until evenly coated.
- Assemble the Lettuce Wraps: Place a few shrimp in each lettuce cup, drizzle with extra sauce, and serve immediately.
Notes
- For extra crunch, add chopped peanuts or crispy fried shallots as a topping.
- Adjust the heat level by adding Sriracha or red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- If you don’t have an air fryer, deep-fry or bake the shrimp instead.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 920mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 190mg