Crispy Bang Bang Shrimp Lettuce Cups
Crispy, saucy shrimp wrapped in cool lettuce leaves with a spicy, creamy bang bang sauce for a quick, flavorful, and refreshing meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450g) medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 head romaine lettuce, leaves separated and washed
- ½ cup (60g) all-purpose flour (can swap with almond flour for gluten-free)
- ¼ cup (30g) cornstarch
- 1 large egg, beaten
- About 1 cup (240ml) vegetable oil (canola or peanut oil preferred) for frying
- ½ cup (50g) panko bread crumbs (optional)
- ½ cup (120ml) mayonnaise
- ¼ cup (60ml) sweet chili sauce
- 1–2 tablespoons sriracha or hot sauce, adjusted to taste
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons sliced green onions
- A handful chopped cilantro (optional)
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
Instructions
- Rinse and pat dry the shrimp to remove moisture.
- In a bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, and garlic powder.
- In a separate bowl, beat the egg.
- Dip each shrimp first in the egg, then dredge in the flour mixture.
- For extra crunch, dip again in the egg and coat with panko breadcrumbs. Set aside.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry shrimp in batches for 2-3 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Avoid overcrowding.
- Drain shrimp on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha.
- Toss fried shrimp gently in the bang bang sauce until evenly coated but still crispy.
- Arrange romaine lettuce leaves on a serving platter.
- Spoon 3-4 coated shrimp into each lettuce leaf.
- Garnish with sliced green onions, chopped cilantro, and serve with lime wedges.
Notes
Pat shrimp dry before coating to ensure crispiness. Maintain oil temperature at 350°F (175°C) for best frying results. Toss shrimp in sauce just before serving to keep them crispy. For gluten-free, use almond flour and gluten-free panko or omit panko. For dairy-free, use vegan mayo and check chili sauce ingredients. Sauce can be served on the side to keep shrimp crunchy longer. Air fryer option: spray shrimp lightly with oil and air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 3-4 shrimp per
- Calories: 320
- Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 25
Keywords: shrimp, bang bang sauce, lettuce cups, crispy shrimp, spicy shrimp, quick dinner, appetizer, seafood