Description

Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos offer a bold and flavorful meal featuring crispy, lightly fried shrimp coated in a creamy, spicy bang bang sauce. Tucked inside warm tortillas with fresh cabbage slaw and optional garnishes like avocado and cilantro, these tacos deliver a satisfying balance of heat, crunch, and zest. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or festive taco nights, this recipe is easily customizable to suit various dietary needs and spice preferences.

Ingredients

Scale

Shrimp and Coating

1 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour for GF option)
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs (or gluten-free breadcrumbs)
Salt and pepper, to taste
Oil for frying (vegetable or canola oil)

Bang Bang Sauce

1/4 cup mayonnaise (use dairy-free mayo for dairy-free option)
2 tbsp sriracha sauce (adjust to taste)
1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp fresh lime juice

Taco Assembly

1 1/2 cups shredded cabbage or cabbage slaw mix
6 to 8 corn or flour tortillas, warmed
Optional garnishes: chopped cilantro, sliced avocado, chopped green onions, cotija cheese

Instructions

Prepare the Shrimp: Rinse and pat dry the shrimp thoroughly. Season lightly with salt and pepper to enhance natural flavors.
Create the Batter and Coating: In one bowl, mix the all-purpose flour with a pinch of salt and pepper. In another bowl, place the panko breadcrumbs. Coat each shrimp first in the flour mixture, then dip into the panko breadcrumbs to ensure a light, crispy coating.
Fry the Shrimp: Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Fry the shrimp for about 2 minutes on each side until golden and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels to keep them crisp.
Make the Bang Bang Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sriracha, honey, and fresh lime juice until smooth. Adjust the heat and sweetness according to your preference.
Toss Shrimp in Sauce: Gently toss the crispy shrimp in the bang bang sauce, coating each piece evenly while maintaining their crunch.
Assemble the Tacos: Warm the tortillas. Layer each tortilla with shredded cabbage slaw, then top with the bang bang shrimp. Add optional garnishes such as chopped cilantro, avocado slices, green onions, or cotija cheese as desired.

Notes

Use fresh or properly thawed shrimp for the best texture and flavor.
Maintain medium-high heat when frying to avoid greasy shrimp.
Lightly coat shrimp to keep coating crunchy, avoid overcoating.
Warm tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave for flexibility and flavor.
Toss shrimp in sauce just before serving to prevent sogginess.
For gluten-free option, substitute flour and breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives.
For dairy-free, use vegan mayonnaise.
Can bake shrimp at high temperature for a less oily finish, though frying gives best crunch.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Appetizers
Method: Frying
Cuisine: Mexican Fusion

Nutrition

Serving Size: 2 tacos
Calories: 350 kcal
Sugar: 5 g
Sodium: 450 mg
Fat: 18 g
Saturated Fat: 3 g
Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 30 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 20 g
Cholesterol: 145 mg

Keywords: Bang bang shrimp tacos, spicy shrimp tacos, crispy shrimp tacos, quick shrimp recipe, easy tacos, seafood tacos, gluten-free tacos, dairy-free bang bang sauce