The BEST Dynamite Shrimp (Crispy Dynamite Prawns)

These Dynamite Shrimp are crispy, golden prawns tossed in a creamy, sweet and spicy mayo sauce. Inspired by the popular restaurant appetiser, they're easy to make at home and ready in just 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 secret is the contrast between the crunchy cornflour coating and the smooth, punchy sauce made with mayonnaise, sriracha and sweet chilli sauce. Finish with spring onions, chives and sesame seeds, then serve over crisp lettuce.

They're a brilliant starter for sharing, but there's nothing stopping you from making a batch for yourself. Just don't leave them sitting around for too long. The sauce is delicious, but the prawns are at their crispiest when freshly fried.

Jump to:

• Recipe Snapshot
• Why You'll Love This Recipe
• What Is Dynamite Shrimp?
• Ingredients and Substitutions
• How to make them
• Tips for the Best Dynamite Shrimp
• Can You Make Dynamite Shrimp Ahead of Time?
• How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
• What to Serve with Dynamite Shrimp
• Frequently Asked Questions
• 📖 Recipe

Recipe Snapshot

• Prep time: 5 minutes
• Cook time: 15 minutes
• Total time: 20 minutes
• Servings: 4
• Difficulty: Easy
• Course: Starter, appetiser
• Cooking method: Deep-fried
• Flavour: Sweet, spicy, creamy and savoury
• Texture: Crispy prawns with a smooth, creamy sauce
• Best served: Freshly fried, tossed in the sauce just before serving

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Crispy prawns - A seasoned cornflour coating gives the prawns a golden, crunchy exterior.
• A sweet and spicy sauce - Mayonnaise, sriracha and sweet chilli sauce make a creamy dressing with a lovely balance of heat and sweetness.
• Ready in 20 minutes - This is a quick starter that feels like something you'd order at a restaurant.
• Easy ingredients - Everything is straightforward to find in most UK supermarkets.
• Great for sharing - Serve these as a starter, add them to a spread or enjoy them as part of a fakeaway meal.

What Is Dynamite Shrimp?

Dynamite Shrimp is a popular restaurant appetiser made with crispy battered prawns coated in a sweet and spicy mayonnaise sauce. The dish is particularly associated with PF Chang's, where it became a well-known menu favourite.

You'll also come across similar recipes called Bang Bang Shrimp. The names and sauces can vary, but the idea is much the same: crunchy prawns, a creamy chilli dressing and plenty of flavour.

My version uses a seasoned cornflour coating rather than a tempura batter. The prawns are fried until golden before being tossed in a sauce made with mayonnaise, sriracha, sweet chilli sauce and soy sauce.

The result is a simple, restaurant-inspired starter that doesn't require complicated preparation.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Egg Soak

• Prawns (500g) - Use peeled and deveined prawns to make preparation easier.
• Salt (½ teaspoon) - Seasons the prawns.
• Paprika (1 teaspoon) - Adds colour and a gentle warmth.
• Soy sauce (1 teaspoon, optional) - Adds savoury depth and umami.
• Egg white (1) - Helps the seasoned cornflour adhere to the prawns.

Flour Dredge

• Cornflour (250g) - Creates the crisp coating. This is the main ingredient in the dredge, so don't substitute it with plain flour without expecting a different texture.
• Salt (½ teaspoon) - Seasons the coating.
• Black pepper (½ teaspoon) - Adds a little warmth.
• Garlic granules (1 teaspoon) - Give the coating a savoury garlic flavour.
• Onion powder (1 teaspoon) - Adds another layer of savoury flavour.

For Frying

• Vegetable oil - Enough to deep-fry the prawns. Use an oil suitable for high-temperature cooking.

Dynamite Sauce

• Mayonnaise (4 tablespoons) - Forms the creamy base of the sauce.
• Sriracha (3 tablespoons) - Adds chilli heat and a tangy flavour.
• Sweet chilli sauce (2 tablespoons) - Brings sweetness and a gentle chilli kick.
• Soy sauce (½ teaspoon) - Adds savoury depth and balances the sweetness.

Toppings and Salad

• Lettuce or other greens - Provides a fresh, crisp base for the prawns.
• Chives - Add a mild onion flavour.
• Spring onions - Bring freshness and a little bite.
• Sesame seeds - Add a delicate nutty finish.

How to make them

1. Prepare the prawns

Wash the prawns and prepare them if they haven't already been peeled and deveined.

2. Make the egg soak

Whisk the egg white, salt, paprika and optional soy sauce together in a bowl. Add the prawns and mix until evenly coated.

3. Prepare the seasoned cornflour

In a separate bowl, whisk together the cornflour, salt, black pepper, garlic granules and onion powder.

Add the egg-coated prawns to the seasoned cornflour and dredge until evenly covered.

4. Deep-fry the prawns

Heat the vegetable oil in a suitable deep pan.

Fry the prawns in small batches for 2-3 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through. Avoid overcrowding the pan, as this can lower the oil temperature and affect the crispness.

Transfer the cooked prawns to a wire rack placed over a plate lined with kitchen paper, or drain them on kitchen paper.

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.

5. Make the dynamite sauce

Meanwhile, mix the mayonnaise, sriracha, sweet chilli sauce and soy sauce together in a bowl until smooth.

6. Assemble and serve

Arrange the lettuce or other greens on a serving plate or in two stemmed glasses.

Toss the crispy prawns with the sauce until evenly coated, then arrange them over the salad. Finish with spring onions, chives and sesame seeds.

Serve immediately.

Tips for the Best Dynamite Shrimp

Fry in small batches - Adding too many prawns at once can lower the oil temperature, leaving you with a less crispy coating.

Don't overcook the prawns - Prawns cook quickly. Fry for 2-3 minutes, checking that they are cooked through before removing them from the oil.

Use a wire rack - Draining the prawns on a wire rack over kitchen paper helps excess oil drain away while keeping the coating crisp.

Mix the sauce separately - Combine the sauce ingredients in a bowl before tossing them with the prawns. This ensures the mayonnaise, chilli sauces and soy sauce are evenly mixed.

Toss just before serving - The sauce gradually softens the crispy coating, so combine the two when you're ready to eat.

Prepare the sauce ahead - You can mix the sauce in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Give it a good stir before using.

Can You Make Dynamite Shrimp Ahead of Time?

You can prepare the sauce ahead of time, but I recommend frying the prawns just before serving.

The prawns are at their best when freshly fried, and tossing them in the sauce too early will soften the coating. If you're entertaining, prepare the sauce and measure out the dredge ingredients in advance to make cooking quicker.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

Storage - Store leftover cooked prawns in an airtight container in the fridge and eat within 1-2 days. Keep any unused sauce separate where possible.

Reheating - Reheat the prawns in an oven or air fryer until hot throughout. They may not be quite as crisp as when freshly fried.

Freezing - I wouldn't recommend freezing the finished dish, as the coating and sauce can lose their texture.

What to Serve with Dynamite Shrimp

These prawns make a lovely starter, but you can also serve them as part of a larger meal.

• Hakka Noodles - A great option for a takeaway-inspired dinner.
• Peri Peri Rice - Adds a little extra spice alongside the creamy dynamite sauce.
• Fried Rice - A simple accompaniment that makes the dish more substantial.
• Fresh Salad - Crisp lettuce and other fresh vegetables balance the rich sauce.

You can also serve the prawns in lettuce cups or alongside other starters for a sharing spread.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Dynamite Shrimp and Bang Bang Shrimp?

They're very similar dishes. Both generally feature crispy prawns coated in a creamy, sweet and spicy sauce. The names and exact sauce ingredients vary between restaurants and recipes.

Can I use frozen prawns?

Yes. Thaw the prawns completely according to the packet instructions, then drain and prepare them before coating. Removing excess moisture helps the coating stick.

How do I keep the prawns crispy?

Fry the prawns in small batches and drain them on a wire rack. For the best texture, toss them in the sauce immediately before serving.

Can I make the sauce less spicy?

You can adjust the amount of sriracha to suit your taste. Keep in mind that changing the quantity will alter the flavour balance of the sauce.

Can I use the sauce for other dishes?

Yes. The sweet and spicy mayonnaise also works as a dip for chips, a dressing for salads or a sauce for sandwiches and wraps.

Is Dynamite Shrimp gluten-free?

Not necessarily. Cornflour is naturally gluten-free, but soy sauce can contain wheat, and other ingredients may vary by brand. Check the labels and avoid cross-contamination if cooking for someone with coeliac disease.

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."

More Easy Starter Recipes:

Chicken Pakora

Okra Fries

Pil Pil

Indian Chicken Kebabs

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