These Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos are a lighter take on a restaurant favorite, made with crispy shrimp, creamy sauce, and fresh slaw. They’re quick, flavorful, and perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings. Plus, everything comes together in under 30 minutes.
Quick Info:
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 7 minutes
Total Time: 22 minutes
Servings: 10 tacos
Diet: Dairy-Free
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- A healthier version of a popular restaurant favorite
- Perfectly crispy shrimp made in the air fryer
- Creamy, sweet, and spicy bang bang sauce
- Includes a fresh homemade slaw for balance
- Ready in under 30 minutes
- Dairy-free and easy to make gluten-free
Ingredients Needed
For the Air Fryer Shrimp:
- 1 lb large raw shrimp, peeled, deveined & tail-off
- 2 large eggs
- 1.5 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup tapioca flour
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- Kosher salt & black pepper
- Cooking spray
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup Thai sweet chili sauce
- 1 tsp sriracha
For the Slaw:
- 8 oz coleslaw mix
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/4 cup chopped green onion
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- Juice from 1/2 lime
- Squirt of sriracha
- Kosher salt to taste
To Serve:
- 10 flour tortillas
- Chopped green onion
Ingredient Substitutions
- Tapioca flour can be replaced with arrowroot starch, cornstarch, or all-purpose flour
- Japanese breadcrumbs can be swapped with regular panko
- Adjust sriracha amount based on spice preference
Equipment / Tools
- Paper towels
- 3 shallow bowls
- Air fryer
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Medium bowl
- 2 large bowls
- Whisk
- Tongs
How to Make It
Step 1: Prepare the Shrimp and Dredging Stations
Pat 1 lb shrimp dry with paper towels.
Set up 3 shallow bowls: one with 1/2 cup tapioca flour + seasonings, one with 2 eggs + splash of water (whisked), and one with 1.5 cups breadcrumbs.
Step 2: Bread the Shrimp
Dip each shrimp into the flour mixture, then the egg, then the breadcrumbs.
Place onto the air fryer basket and spray lightly with cooking spray.
Step 3: Air Fry the Shrimp
Air fry at 390°F for 7 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Spray the other side with oil after flipping.
Step 4: Make the Bang Bang Sauce
In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup Thai sweet chili sauce, and 1 tsp sriracha until smooth.
Step 5: Prepare the Slaw
In a large bowl, combine coleslaw mix, cilantro, green onion, mayonnaise, lime juice, sriracha, and salt. Toss to combine.
Step 6: Toss Shrimp in Sauce
Add cooked shrimp to a large bowl and pour the sauce over top.
Gently toss to coat, reserving some sauce for garnish if desired.
Step 7: Warm the Tortillas
Warm 10 flour tortillas over a flame, in a pan, or in the microwave.
Step 8: Assemble the Tacos
Layer tortillas with slaw, shrimp, extra sauce, and chopped green onion. Serve immediately.
Pro Tips for Perfect Results
- Use one hand for wet and one for dry ingredients when breading
- Cook shrimp in batches for best crispiness
- Spray shrimp with oil before and during cooking
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket
- Adjust spice level with sriracha to taste
- Serve immediately for best texture
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overcrowding the air fryer
- Skipping the oil spray (reduces crispiness)
- Overcooking shrimp (they become rubbery)
- Not drying shrimp before breading
Why This Recipe Works
- Air frying creates crispy shrimp with less oil
- The sauce balances sweet, spicy, and creamy flavors
- Slaw adds freshness and crunch
- Quick cooking keeps shrimp tender and juicy
Serving Suggestions + Easy Variations
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with lime wedges
- Pair with rice or a light salad
- Add extra sauce on top
Easy Variations
- Make gluten-free using GF breadcrumbs and flour
- Add more sriracha for extra heat
- Swap tortillas if preferred
Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating
- Best served fresh for crispiness
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 2–3 days
- Reheat in the air fryer for best texture
- Keep components separate for best results
Common Questions
Can I make this without an air fryer?
This recipe is designed for the air fryer, but you can bake or pan-fry if needed.
Is this recipe spicy?
It has a mild kick, but you can adjust the sriracha to taste.
Can I make it gluten-free?
Yes, use gluten-free breadcrumbs and flour alternatives.
Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos (Crispy + Easy 30-Minute Dinner)
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 10 tacos
Description
Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos made with crispy shrimp, creamy sweet and spicy sauce, and fresh slaw—all wrapped in warm tortillas for a quick and flavorful meal.
Ingredients
1 lb large raw shrimp peeled, deveined & tail-off
2 large eggs
1.5 cups panko breadcrumbs
1/2 cup tapioca flour (or arrowroot starch or cornstarch)
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
kosher salt & black pepper
cooking spray
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup Thai sweet chili sauce
1 tsp sriracha
8 oz coleslaw mix
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1/4 cup chopped green onion
2 tbsp mayonnaise
juice from 1/2 lime
squirt of sriracha
kosher salt to taste
10 flour tortillas
chopped green onion
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare dredging stations
Pat 1 lb shrimp dry. Set up 3 bowls: one with 1/2 cup tapioca flour and seasonings, one with 2 eggs and a splash of water whisked, and one with 1.5 cups breadcrumbs.
Step 2: Bread the shrimp
Dip each shrimp into the flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs. Place into air fryer basket and spray lightly with cooking spray.
Step 3: Air fry the shrimp
Cook at 390°F for 7 minutes, flipping halfway through and spraying the other side with oil.
Step 4: Make the bang bang sauce
In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup Thai sweet chili sauce, and 1 tsp sriracha until smooth.
Step 5: Prepare the slaw
In a large bowl, combine coleslaw mix, cilantro, green onion, 2 tbsp mayonnaise, lime juice, sriracha, and salt. Toss well.
Step 6: Coat the shrimp
Add cooked shrimp to a bowl and toss with the sauce, reserving some for garnish if desired.
Step 7: Warm tortillas
Warm 10 flour tortillas over a flame, in a pan, or microwave.
Step 8: Assemble tacos
Add slaw, shrimp, extra sauce, and chopped green onion to each tortilla and serve immediately.
Conclusion
These Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos are crispy, creamy, and packed with flavor—perfect for a quick dinner that feels fun and restaurant-worthy. Try them once and they’ll be on repeat!