Crispy Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos
These crispy Bang Bang shrimp tacos feature perfectly fried shrimp coated in a crunchy batter and topped with a spicy creamy sauce, making for a quick, flavorful, and satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 tacos (about 4 servings) 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined (wild-caught if possible)
- ½ cup all-purpose flour (or almond flour for gluten-free)
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 tsp paprika (smoked paprika preferred)
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 large egg, beaten (room temperature)
- Vegetable oil for frying (avocado oil recommended)
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp sweet chili sauce
- 1 tbsp sriracha
- 1 tsp lime juice (freshly squeezed)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 8 small corn tortillas (or flour tortillas)
- 1 cup shredded green cabbage
- ½ cup chopped cilantro
- Lime wedges for serving
Instructions
- Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- In a large bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- In a separate bowl, beat the egg until smooth.
- Dip each shrimp into the beaten egg, letting excess drip off, then dredge thoroughly in the flour mixture. Place coated shrimp on a plate and repeat until all are coated.
- Pour about 2 inches of vegetable oil into a skillet and heat over medium-high until it reaches 350°F (175°C).
- Fry shrimp in batches for about 2 minutes per side or until golden brown and crispy. Remove with tongs or slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Keep warm in a low oven (200°F / 90°C) while frying the rest.
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, lime juice, and garlic powder until smooth. Adjust spice or lime to taste.
- Heat tortillas on a dry skillet or griddle over medium heat for about 30 seconds per side until pliable and slightly charred.
- Spread a spoonful of spicy creamy sauce on each tortilla, add shredded cabbage, then top with 3-4 crispy shrimp. Garnish with chopped cilantro and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
- Serve immediately while shrimp are crispy and sauce is cool and creamy.
Notes
Pat shrimp dry to ensure crispiness. Maintain oil temperature at 350°F for best frying results. Fry shrimp in small batches to avoid overcrowding. Sauce tastes better if made 30 minutes ahead. Warm tortillas on skillet, not microwave, for best texture. Baking shrimp is a healthier alternative but less crispy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tacos
- Calories: 350400
- Fat: 15
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 28
Keywords: shrimp tacos, Bang Bang shrimp, crispy shrimp, spicy creamy sauce, easy tacos, seafood tacos, gluten-free tacos