Copycat Bonefish Grill Bang Bang Shrimp

Craving that irresistible sweet, spicy, and crispy goodness of Bonefish Grill’s Bang Bang Shrimp? You’re in luck! This copycat recipe brings all the flavor and texture of the restaurant favorite right to your kitchen. We’ll walk you through creating perfectly fried shrimp coated in a creamy, zesty sauce that will have you hooked from the first bite. Get ready to impress your friends and family with this incredibly satisfying appetizer or light meal. It’s easier than you think, and the results are absolutely worth it!

What You’ll Need: The Ingredient Lineup

• 500 g (1.1 lb) large shrimp, peeled and deveined: We’re using large shrimp to ensure a substantial bite. Peeling and deveining is essential for a clean and enjoyable eating experience. Keeping them whole provides maximum crunch when fried.
• 120 g (1/2 cup) all-purpose flour: This forms the base of our light and crispy batter, providing structure and helping the coating adhere to the shrimp.
• 60 g (1/2 cup) cornstarch: Cornstarch is the secret to achieving that signature light and airy crispness. It creates a delicate coating that isn’t overly heavy.
• 1 tsp (5 g) baking powder: A touch of baking powder adds lift to the batter, resulting in a more tender and airy fried shrimp.
• 1/2 tsp (2.5 g) salt: Essential for seasoning the batter and enhancing the overall flavor profile of the shrimp.
• 1/4 tsp (1.2 g) black pepper: Adds a subtle warmth and complexity to the batter, complementing the other spices.
• 120 ml (1/2 cup) cold sparkling water: Using cold sparkling water is crucial! The carbonation creates tiny bubbles in the batter, making it incredibly light and crispy. Don’t substitute with still water.
• Vegetable oil, enough for 2.5 cm deep frying (≈2 L / 8 cups): We need a neutral-flavored, high-heat oil like vegetable oil for deep frying. This ensures the shrimp cook evenly and become beautifully golden brown.
• 120 g (1/2 cup) mayonnaise: The foundation of our creamy Bang Bang sauce. Full-fat mayonnaise provides the richest flavor and texture.
• 60 g (1/4 cup) sweet chili sauce: This brings the signature sweet and spicy flavor that defines Bang Bang Shrimp. Choose a brand you enjoy!
• 30 g (2 tbsp) sriracha: For a fiery kick! Adjust the amount of sriracha to your preferred level of heat.
• 30 ml (2 tbsp) honey: Adds a touch of natural sweetness that balances the spice and acidity in the sauce.
• 15 ml (1 tbsp) fresh lime juice: Brightens the sauce with a zesty acidity, cutting through the richness of the mayonnaise.
• 1 clove garlic, minced: Provides aromatic depth and savory flavor to the sauce.
• 1 tsp (5 g) grated fresh ginger: Adds a warm, zesty zing that complements the other flavors in the sauce.
• 1/2 tsp (2.5 g) smoked paprika: A subtle smoky note that adds complexity and depth to the sauce.
• Pinch of salt: Balances the flavors in the sauce and enhances the overall taste.
• 1 tbsp (8 g) toasted sesame seeds: Adds a nutty flavor and a delightful textural contrast to the finished dish.
• 2 tbsp (8 g) finely chopped cilantro: Provides a fresh, herbaceous garnish that brightens the flavors.
• 1 small green onion, thinly sliced: Offers a mild onion flavor and a pop of color.

Ingredient Substitutions

Don’t have everything on hand? Here are a few simple substitutions you can make:

• Sparkling Water: If you don’t have sparkling water, you can use club soda, but the batter won’t be quite as light.
• Sweet Chili Sauce: If you can’t find sweet chili sauce, you can make your own by combining chili garlic sauce with a little brown sugar and rice vinegar.
• Sriracha: Feel free to substitute with another hot sauce of your choice, adjusting the amount to your spice preference.

Optional (plan-ahead): If you’re shopping for the week, I put this into a 4-Week Meal Plan + Grocery Lists so dinner’s already decided before your day gets busy.

Let’s Get Frying: A Step-by-Step Guide to Bang Bang Shrimp Perfection

1. Prepare the Shrimp: Begin by thoroughly patting the shrimp dry with paper towels. This is crucial! Excess moisture will prevent the batter from adhering properly and result in soggy shrimp. Arrange the dried shrimp on a tray, ensuring they aren’t overcrowded.
2. Whisk the Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and black pepper. Whisk vigorously until all ingredients are evenly distributed. This ensures a consistent coating and prevents clumps.
3. Create the Batter: Gradually add the cold sparkling water to the dry ingredients, whisking continuously. Start with a smaller amount and add more as needed. The batter should be smooth and thick enough to coat the back of a spoon – aim for a consistency similar to pancake batter. Don’t overmix, as this can develop the gluten in the flour and make the coating tough. About 180ml of sparkling water should be enough.
4. Heat the Oil: Pour enough vegetable oil into a deep pot or Dutch oven to reach a depth of approximately 2.5 cm (1 inch). Heat the oil over medium-high heat to 180°C (350°F). Use a deep-fry thermometer to monitor the temperature accurately. Maintaining the correct temperature is vital for crispy shrimp; too low, and they’ll be greasy, too high, and they’ll burn.
5. Fry the Shrimp: Working in batches (don’t overcrowd the pot!), dip each shrimp into the batter, ensuring it’s fully coated. Allow any excess batter to drip off before carefully lowering the shrimp into the hot oil. Fry for 2-3 minutes, turning once halfway through, until the coating is golden brown and the shrimp are opaque pink and cooked through.
6. Drain and Keep Warm: Remove the fried shrimp from the oil using a slotted spoon and place them on a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. To keep the shrimp warm and crispy while you finish frying the remaining batches, transfer them to a baking sheet and place them in a preheated oven at 100°C (210°F).
7. Make the Bang Bang Sauce: While the shrimp are frying, prepare the signature Bang Bang sauce. In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, lime juice, minced garlic, grated ginger, smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt. Whisk until the sauce is smooth, glossy, and all ingredients are well combined. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed – add more sriracha for extra heat or lime juice for more tang.
8. Coat and Marinate: Once all the shrimp are fried, add them to the bowl with the Bang Bang sauce. Gently toss to coat each shrimp evenly. Let the shrimp sit in the sauce for about 1 minute to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to adhere.
9. Plate and Garnish: Arrange the coated shrimp on a serving platter. A thin line of extra sauce across the center of the plate creates a beautiful base. Fan the shrimp over the sauce and sprinkle generously with toasted sesame seeds, chopped cilantro, and thinly sliced green onions. A final drizzle of sauce around the plate adds a touch of elegance.

The Secret to Extra-Crispy Shrimp: Sparkling Water!

The use of sparkling water in the batter isn’t just a trendy addition – it’s a key technique for achieving incredibly light and crispy fried shrimp. The carbonation creates tiny bubbles within the batter, which expand during frying, resulting in a delicate, airy coating. This is what sets this Copycat Bonefish Grill recipe apart!

Adjusting the Spice Level

The beauty of Bang Bang Shrimp is its customizable spice level. If you’re sensitive to heat, start with a smaller amount of sriracha (1 tablespoon) and taste the sauce before adding more. Conversely, if you love a fiery kick, feel free to increase the sriracha to 2-3 tablespoons or even add a pinch of cayenne pepper. Remember, you can always add more spice, but it’s harder to take it away!

Serving Suggestions & Perfect Pairings

While Bang Bang Shrimp is fantastic on its own, it also pairs beautifully with several side dishes. Consider serving it with:

• Steamed Rice: A classic accompaniment that soaks up the delicious sauce.
• Asian Slaw: A refreshing and crunchy slaw with a sesame-ginger dressing.
• Edamame: A simple and healthy side that adds a pop of color.
• Vegetable Stir-fry: A vibrant stir-fry with your favorite vegetables.

Why This Copycat Recipe Works

Replicating restaurant-quality Bang Bang Shrimp at home requires attention to detail. This recipe focuses on achieving the perfect balance of flavors and textures. The combination of sweet, spicy, and tangy elements in the sauce, coupled with the light and crispy shrimp, is what makes this dish so addictive. The use of high-quality ingredients and precise cooking techniques ensures a result that rivals the original.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Can I use frozen shrimp? Yes, but make sure to thaw them completely and pat them very dry before coating.
• Can I bake the shrimp instead of frying? While baking is possible, it won’t achieve the same crispy texture as frying.
• How long will leftovers keep? Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, but the shrimp will lose some of their crispness.

Enjoy this incredible Copycat Bonefish Grill Bang Bang Shrimp recipe! It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Don’t forget to save this recipe to Pinterest for easy access later!

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