If you’re looking for a healthier take on bang bang shrimp, this recipe is one you’ll come back to again and again. These crispy, gluten-free air fryer shrimp are coated in a light double dredge for the perfect crunch, then served over a colorful bowl of white rice (totally optional!), fresh veggies, and a creamy dairy-free, mayo-free bang bang sauce that’s sweet, gently spicy, and packed with flavor.
I love that you can serve the shrimp as an easy appetizer with the sauce, toss them onto a salad for a quick lunch, or build these healthy shrimp bowls for a balanced, high-protein dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
Why You’ll Love This Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe
This healthy air fryer bang bang shrimp recipe delivers everything you love about the restaurant version with a lighter, ingredient-conscious twist.
Air frying creates crispy shrimp with less oil, while the homemade bang bang sauce gets its creamy texture from full-fat coconut yogurt instead of mayonnaise.
Shrimp are naturally high in protein, and when paired with fiber-rich veggies, avocado, and edamame, this meal is designed to help keep you satisfied while supporting steady energy throughout the day. It’s a simple recipe that feels fresh, flavorful, and filling.
A Versatile High-Protein Air Fryer Dinner
One of my favorite things about these crispy air fryer shrimp is how versatile they are. Build a shrimp rice bowl with all the toppings, pair the shrimp with a fresh salad, or serve them on their own with the homemade bang bang sauce for an easy appetizer everyone will love.
Whether you’re meal prepping lunches or making a quick weeknight dinner, this healthy shrimp recipe is one that’s easy to customize and always delivers plenty of crunch and flavor. Hope you love it!
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- Plain coconut yogurt — full‑fat, unsweetened – I used Cocojune and loved the consistency)
- Honey
- Sriracha
- Rice vinegar
- Garlic clove
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Lime juice
- Toasted sesame oil
- Water (only if needed)
For the Crispy Air‑Fryer Shrimp:
- Frozen wild‑caught shrimp
- Arrowroot
- Black pepper
- Gluten‑free panko breadcrumbs
- Smoked paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Eggs
- Neutral oil spray, or a light brush of avocado or olive oil
To Serve:
- Cooked white rice (optional)
- Avocado
- Mini cucumbers
- Shelled edamame
- Shredded red cabbage
- Carrot ribbons, or shredded carrots
- Green onions
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Lime
How To Make Healthy Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp
Looking for the full recipe?
Scroll down to the Recipe Card below for complete instructions & measurements.
These healthy air fryer bang bang shrimp come together with a simple homemade sauce, crispy gluten-free shrimp, and fresh veggies for an easy high-protein meal that’s perfect for lunch, dinner, or serving as an appetizer.
- Make the bang bang sauce. Whisk together all of the sauce ingredients until smooth, then adjust the sweetness or spice to your liking. Refrigerate while you prepare the shrimp.
- Prep the shrimp. Mix the seasoned panko, coat the shrimp with arrowroot and seasonings, then set up your egg wash.
- Bread the shrimp. Dip each shrimp into the egg before coating it well in the seasoned panko. Lightly spray with oil for the crispiest finish.
- Air fry until crispy. Arrange the shrimp in a single layer and cook until golden and crispy, working in batches if needed.
- Assemble the bowls. Add the rice (if using), fresh veggies, avocado, and crispy shrimp to each bowl. For extra-crisp carrot ribbons, soak them in ice-cold water for a few minutes before patting dry and adding them to the bowls.
- Finish and serve. Drizzle generously with the bang bang sauce, garnish with sesame seeds, green onions, and fresh lime, then enjoy while the shrimp are warm and crunchy.
- Store leftovers. Refrigerate the shrimp, sauce, and bowl ingredients separately, then reheat the shrimp in the air fryer to keep them crispy.
Recipe Substitutions & Questions
Use the substitutions below to easily customize this Healthy Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp recipe to fit your pantry and/or dietary preferences.
- Coconut yogurt: I love full-fat, unsweetened coconut yogurt for a creamy, dairy-free sauce, but plain Greek yogurt will also work if you don’t need the recipe to be dairy-free.
- Honey: Adjust the amount to your preferred sweetness, or substitute maple syrup for a vegan-friendly option.
- Sriracha: Use more or less depending on your spice preference, or swap with your favorite hot sauce for a slightly different flavor.
- Shrimp: Large shrimp create the best bite-sized pieces, but medium or jumbo shrimp work just as well—just adjust the cook time as needed.
- Arrowroot: Cornstarch can be substituted for the arrowroot to help create a light, crispy coating.
- Gluten-free panko: Regular panko breadcrumbs work perfectly if you don’t need the recipe to be gluten-free.
- White rice: Serve over brown rice, cauliflower rice, quinoa, or even a bed of greens for an easy way to customize your bowl.
- Vegetables: Feel free to mix and match your favorite crunchy vegetables, like shredded lettuce, bell peppers, snap peas, or radishes, depending on what you have on hand.
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FAQs
What is bang bang shrimp made of?
Bang bang shrimp is typically made with crispy fried or air-fried shrimp coated in a creamy, sweet, and spicy sauce. In this healthier version, the sauce is made with coconut yogurt instead of mayonnaise, then mixed with honey, sriracha, and lime for a dairy-free, lighter twist. It’s usually served over rice or as part of a shrimp bowl with fresh vegetables.
Is this healthy air fryer bang bang shrimp recipe actually healthy?
Yes, this version is a lighter take on traditional bang bang shrimp. Air frying instead of deep frying helps reduce added oil, while the sauce is made with coconut yogurt for a dairy-free base instead of mayo. Shrimp also adds high-quality protein, and when paired with vegetables, avocado, and edamame, it creates a balanced meal with protein, fiber, and healthy fats.
Can I make bang bang shrimp without mayonnaise?
Definitely. This recipe is naturally mayo-free. Instead of mayonnaise, the sauce uses full-fat coconut yogurt to create a creamy texture with a slightly tangy flavor. It still delivers that classic sweet-and-spicy bang bang flavor, just in a lighter, dairy-free way.
How do you keep air fryer shrimp crispy?
The key is drying the shrimp very well before breading, using a light coating of arrowroot or cornstarch, and spraying them lightly with oil before air frying. Also make sure to cook them in a single layer so they crisp evenly instead of steaming. If you’re reheating leftovers, the air fryer will help bring back that crispy texture better than a microwave.
Can I meal prep bang bang shrimp bowls?
Yes, but it’s best to store everything separately for the best texture. Keep the shrimp, sauce, rice, and vegetables in individual airtight containers in the fridge. When ready to eat, reheat the shrimp in the air fryer so they stay crispy, then assemble your bowls fresh and drizzle with sauce right before serving.
What can I serve with bang bang shrimp?
Bang bang shrimp works well over white rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice, or served as a shrimp rice bowl with fresh vegetables like cucumber, cabbage, carrots, and avocado. You can also serve it over a simple salad for a lighter meal or as an appetizer with the sauce on the side for dipping.
More High-Protein Seafood Recipes You’ll Love
- Air Fryer Salmon Bites with Snap Pea Slaw
- Sesame Salmon Rice Bowls
- Easy Shrimp & Vegetable Stir Fry
- BBQ Salmon Bowls
- Miso-Ginger Glazed Salmon with Coconut Rice
- Baked Sheet Pan Salmon and Asparagus
Healthy Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- 1 cup plain coconut yogurt — full fat, unsweetened, (I used Cocojune and loved the consistency)
- 2-3 tablespoons honey, depending on sweetness preference
- 3 –4 tablespoons sriracha, depending on spice preference
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 small garlic clove, finely grated or minced
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1-2 tablespoons water, (only if needed)
For the Crispy Air Fryer Shrimp:
- 16 oz. frozen wild-caught shrimp, peeled and deveined, thawed and patted very dry (large shrimp work best for bite-sized pieces, but any size will work—just adjust the cook time as needed)
- 2/3 cup arrowroot, (sufficient for 16 oz. large shrimp)
- ¾ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 ¼ cups gluten-free panko breadcrumbs
- 2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- Neutral oil spray, or a light brush of avocado or olive oil
To Serve:
- 4 cups cooked white rice, (optional)
- 1 large avocado, sliced into wedges
- 1 cup mini cucumbers, sliced on a bias
- 1 cup shelled edamame
- 2 cups shredded red cabbage
- 1 cup carrot ribbons (see Recipe Tips below), (or shredded carrots)
- ½ cup sliced green onions
- 2 –3 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
Instructions
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- In a bowl, whisk together the coconut yogurt, honey, sriracha, rice vinegar, garlic, garlic powder, salt, lime juice, and sesame oil.
- Taste and adjust: for a traditional style sweetness, keep honey at 3 tablespoons and sriracha at 3–4 tablespoons; add 1–2 tablespoons water if needed to loosen for drizzling. Set aside in the fridge while you work.
For the Crispy Air-Fryer Shrimp:
- In a shallow bowl, mix the GF panko with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, toss the thawed, patted dry shrimp with arrowroot, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper until evenly coated.
- In a second shallow bowl, place the beaten egg.
- Working in batches, pick up a shrimp coated in arrowroot, dip it into the egg, letting excess drip off, then press it into the seasoned panko so the crumbs stick well. Place on a plate or tray. Make sure to continually mix the panko and spices throughout so that they remain evenly distributed among the shrimp.
- Lightly spray or brush the breaded shrimp with a tiny bit of oil so the panko will crisp and brown in the air fryer.
- Preheat the air fryer to 390°F. Arrange shrimp in a single layer in the basket (work in batches if needed). Air fry for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway and spraying once more with oil. Shrimp should be perfectly golden and crispy, but add an additional 1–2 minutes more if you want extra crunch.
To Assemble & Serve:
- While the shrimp air fry, start assembling your bowls.
- Divide the rice among four bowls. Add the shredded red cabbage, carrot ribbons, edamame, cucumber slices, and avocado wedges.
- Nestle the crispy shrimp on top of each bowl, and then drizzle the bang bang sauce generously over the bowls.
- Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and green onions, and top with a squeeze of lime juice if desired.
- Serve immediately, while the shrimp are still warm and crunchy. Enjoy!
To Store & To Reheat:
- Store leftover shrimp, sauce, rice, and vegetables separately whenever possible in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keeping the sauce separate helps the shrimp stay crisp.
- To reheat, warm the shrimp in the air fryer at 375°F for 3–5 minutes, or until heated through and crispy again. Avoid microwaving, if possible, as it softens the breading.
- The bang bang sauce may thicken slightly after chilling—just stir well and add a splash of water if needed before serving.
Notes
- Coconut yogurt: Plain Greek yogurt works if you don’t need the recipe to be dairy-free.
- Honey: Adjust to taste or substitute maple syrup for a vegan-friendly option.
- Sriracha: Increase or decrease to your preferred spice level, or use your favorite hot sauce.
- Shrimp: Medium, large, or jumbo shrimp all work—adjust cook time as needed.
- Arrowroot: Cornstarch can be substituted 1:1.
- Gluten-free panko: Regular panko works if you don’t need the recipe to be gluten-free.
- Rice: White rice is optional. Brown rice, cauliflower rice, quinoa, or greens are all great alternatives.
- Vegetables: Swap in your favorite fresh veggies, like bell peppers, snap peas, shredded lettuce, or radishes.
- Large shrimp create the perfect bite-sized pieces, but medium or jumbo shrimp work just as well—just adjust the cook time as needed.
- If making carrot ribbons, soak them in ice-cold water for a few minutes, then pat dry before serving. This helps them curl slightly and stay crisp.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
