The BEST Dynamite Shrimp - Crispy, fried shrimp (prawns) coated in a delicious sweet and spicy mayonnaise dressing! This starter is a popular restaurant menu item in many restaurants all over the world. It is ready to eat in 20 minutes. Inspired by the famous PF Chang appetiser, these mouth watering shrimp smothered in dynamite/bang bang sauce are a popular dinner party favourite. If you prefer to make it with Chicken, why not try this Dynamite Chicken Recipe?
THE BEST Dynamite Shrimp
In this recipe crispy fried shrimp (prawns) are drenched in some sweet, slightly spicy and savoury bang bang sauce.
This is a popular starter made up of battered shrimp dressed in a sriracha mayo sauce. Made famous by PF Chang, this popular menu item is now served in restaurants all over the world.
If like me, you love Dynamite Shrimp then you will love this recipe.
Ingredients and Substitutions for Dynamite Shrimp
Prawns - Peeled and deveined.
Egg White - Combined, with Cornflour gives body to the Shrimp
Soy Sauce - Adds flavour and umami
Salt and Pepper
Garlic Granules, Paprika, Onion Powder- Adds flavour to the Shrimp/Prawns.
Corn Flour- for crispy Shrimp/Prawns.
Mayonnaise - For a creamy dressing.
Sriracha Sauce - Any hot sauce will work but I would suggest using at least 1.5 tbsp.
Sweet Chilli Sauce - Add a little and taste the sauce as you go and adjust it according to your taste.
Vegetable Oil - To deep fry.
Toppings - Spring Onions, Chives and Sesame Seeds.
Salad - Lettuce or any other greens to serve.
How to make Dynamite Shrimp
PF Chang's use a tempura batter in their recipe. In this recipe:
Wash the Shrimp.
Whisk Egg, Salt and Pepper, Soy Sauce, Paprika in a bowl.
Whisk ingredients for flour in a bowl - Corn Flour, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Salt and Pepper.
Add Shrimp to Egg Batter then add to Flour.
Mix well until coated.
Deep fry the Shrimp a few at a time for 2-3 minutes until golden brown.
Transfer to a wire rack placed over a plate lined with tissue paper. Or you can drain on kitchen paper.
Meanwhile make a Sweet spicy Mayo using Mayo, Sriracha, Sweet Chilli and Soy Sauce.
Arrange a leafy salad.
Toss the shrimp with the sauce until evenly coated and serve on top of Salad.
FAQ's to make the BEST Dynamite Shrimp
What is the difference between Dynamite Shrimp and Bang Bang Shrimp?
There is very little difference between Bang Bang Shrimp and Dynamite shrimp.
Dynamite Shrimp just has more of a kick though.
Who created Dynamite Shrimp?
PF Chang's an American casual dining restaurant chain came up with the famous recipe. They serve Asian fusion cuisine.
PF Chang's say:
“Neither my mother or I had this on our menu. I went on a trip to Hong Kong and went to a restaurant with British influences – dishes used mayo, which isn’t seen in Chinese cooking. So we tried it and one of our chefs threw in some spices and created the dressing, not knowing it would be such a hit.”
How to make it in an Air Fryer
After the Shrimp are coated in batter place in the Air Fryer basket.
Air fry for 5 minutes 190 °C and then coat with the dynamite sauce.
Is Dynamite Shrimp healthy?
Because the Shrimp is deep fried and then coated in sauces, this is not a healthy recipe. To cut back on calories, you can air fry the Shrimp.
Is Dynamite Shrimp Keto Friendly?
No it is not. Dynamite Shrimp is coated in Plain Flour and Corn Flour and smothered in sauces as well as Honey.
How to reheat Dynamite Shrimp?
When you reheat Shrimp, it must be done quickly to avoid over cooking it. This results in rubbery dry prawns.
As the Shrimp is tossed in sauce after being deep fried, it is best to crisp them in an air fryer or oven.
In this case, I would recommend making more sauce
Can you freeze Dynamite Shrimp?
I would not recommend freezing Dynamite Shrimp.
It is best to make it fresh to avoid rubbery shrimp.
You can prep ahead by making all the various elements ahead of time and storing in air tight containers.
Then simply, dredge the shrimp in the flour, fry and top with the sauce.
Top Tips to make Dynamite Shrimp
Overcrowding - Do no overcrowd the oil when frying the shrimp. This lowers the temperature of the oil so you end up steaming the batter whoch then becomes soggy.
Leftover Sauce - Any sauce can be used as a dressing for salads.
Ketchup - I have an aversion to Ketchup but you can add a tablespoon to the dressing if you like.
Chicken - To make with Chicken, follow all the steps but you will need to deep fry for longer. 5 - 10 minutes.
Tongs - Use rubber tongs to handle the Shrimp so the batter doesn't come away.
Shrimp - Get peeled and deveined shrimp for ease. Costco also do Shrimp that is coated in Panko breadcrumb. You could try using that like I did here.
Frying - Shrimp overcooks quickly so 2 - 3 minutes is more then enough time for it to cook through.
Make Ahead - The sauce can be made ahead and it keeps well in the fridge for 3 days just mix it well before serving.
Can you make it in advance?
As mentioned above, the sauce can be made 3 days in advance.
The Shrimp however has to be fried and eaten immediately so is best made fresh.
They lose crunch if stored overnight.
You can prep ahead by making all the various elements ahead of time and storing in air tight containers.
Then simply, dredge the shrimp in the flour, fry and top with the sauce.
How to serve Dynamite Shrimp
Alongside the leafy salad, Dynamite Shrimp can be served with a number of Noodle or Rice Recipes such as Fried Rice or:
It can also be served on a bus of lettuce or as a topping to salads:
Vegetable and Herby Citrus Quinoa Salad
The sauce can be used as a dressing and in sandwiches.
TRY THE CHICKEN VERSION!
More Easy Starter Recipes:
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The BEST Dynamite Shrimp
Ingredients
Egg Soak
- 500 g Prawns Shelled and deveined
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Soy Sauce Optional
- 1 Egg White
Flour Dredge
- 250 g Cornflour
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Garlic granules
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
Frying
- Vegetable OIl To deep fry
Sauce
- 4 tablespoon Mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoon Sriracha
- 2 tablespoon Sweet Chilli Sauce
- ½ teaspoon Soy Sauce
Toppings and Salad
- Lettuce or other Greens
- Chives
- Spring Onions
- Sesame Seeds
Instructions
Egg Soak
- Wash the Shrimp.
- Whisk all the ingredients for the Egg Soak. Egg White, Salt, Paprika, Soy Sauce, Paprika. Add the shrimp and mix well until evenly coated.
Flour Dredge
- Whisk Corn Flour, Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder and Onion Powder. Mix together in a bowl. Dredge Shrimp in Seasoned Flour.
Fry
- Deep fry the Shrimp a few at a time for 2-3 minutes until golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack placed over a plate lined with tissue paper. Or you can drain on kitchen paper.
Make Sauce
- Meanwhile make a Sweet spicy Mayo by mixing Mayonnaise, Sriracha, Sweet Chilli and Soy Sauce together in a bowl.
Assemble
- Arrange a leafy salad in 2 stemmed glasses.
- Toss the shrimp with the sauce until evenly coated and serve on top of the Salad.
Ahj says
Hi, can I use the same recipe to make dynamite chicken? Unfortunately I have a mild allergy to some sea food so I try to avoid.
TIA!
Safira says
Hi Aisha,
Yes you can, you will just need to fry the Chicken for longer.
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