Craving a quick weeknight dinner solution? Try our easy homemade Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos with crispy fried avocado, a family favorite that’s ready in no time, Save for later

Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos with Fried Avocado

Introduction

Imagine the perfect blend of spicy, tangy, and crunchy, all wrapped up in a delicious taco. Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos with Fried Avocado are a creative twist on traditional seafood tacos, combining succulent shrimp, crispy fried avocado, and a zesty Bang Bang sauce, all nestled in a soft taco shell. This dish is not only incredibly flavorful, but it’s also surprisingly easy to make using everyday ingredients, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner or a weekend gathering with friends. With its unique fusion of textures and tastes, this recipe is sure to become a favorite, and the best part is, it’s accessible to cooks of all skill levels.

Why This Works

Flavor balance and ingredient accessibility: The combination of spicy shrimp, creamy avocado, and tangy Bang Bang sauce creates a perfectly balanced flavor profile that’s both exciting and approachable. The ingredients are also readily available in most supermarkets, making this dish easy to prepare anywhere.
Ease of preparation: Despite its impressive presentation, this recipe is relatively simple to prepare. The steps are straightforward, and each component can be prepared ahead of time, making it a great option for busy home cooks.
Impressive results with minimal effort: The key to this dish is the combination of textures and flavors, which creates a sophisticated and restaurant-quality meal with minimal fuss. The fried avocado adds a luxurious touch that’s sure to impress dinner guests, without requiring extensive culinary experience.

Key Ingredients

The main ingredients in this recipe include large shrimp, ripe avocados, taco-sized tortillas, Bang Bang sauce (or its components like mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha), olive oil, salt, and pepper. For added flavor, you can also include diced onions, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice. Practical substitutions can be made for the Bang Bang sauce by mixing mayonnaise with sriracha and honey for a similar sweet and spicy flavor. Additionally, for those looking for a lighter option, the fried avocado can be replaced with a simpler avocado slice or a grilled version for a smoky flavor.

Instructions

Step 1: Begin by preparing your ingredients. Peel and de-vein the shrimp, slice the avocados into wedges, chop any additional toppings like onions or cilantro, and have your taco shells ready. This prep work is crucial for a smooth cooking process.
Step 2: Cook the shrimp. Season the shrimp with salt, pepper, and any desired additional spices. Heat a skillet with a small amount of olive oil over medium-high heat and sauté the shrimp until they’re pink and fully cooked. Set the shrimp aside to focus on the other components.
Step 3: Prepare the Bang Bang sauce if you’re not using store-bought. Mix mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha in a bowl until well combined. Taste and adjust the sauce as needed for your desired level of spiciness and sweetness. This sauce is the glue that holds the dish together, adding a creamy and spicy kick to each bite.
Step 4: Fry the avocado. Dredge the avocado wedges in a light coating of flour, shaking off excess, then dip them in beaten eggs, and finally coat them in panko breadcrumbs. Fry the coated avocado slices in hot oil until they’re golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil. This step adds a satisfying crunch to the dish.
Step 5: Assemble the tacos. Place a few pieces of the cooked shrimp onto a taco shell, followed by a slice of the fried avocado, a dollop of Bang Bang sauce, and any desired toppings like diced onions, cilantro, or a squeeze of lime juice. Serve immediately and enjoy the combination of flavors and textures.

Handy Tips

For the best results, use ripe but firm avocados for frying. Overripe avocados will be too soft and may fall apart during the frying process.
Don’t overcook the shrimp. They should be cooked until just pink and still moist. Overcooking will make them tough and rubbery.
Experiment with the level of spiciness in your Bang Bang sauce to suit your taste. You can always add more sriracha but it’s harder to take it away once it’s added.

Heat Control

When frying the avocado, it’s crucial to maintain the right oil temperature. The ideal temperature for frying is between 350°F and 375°F. If the oil is too hot, the outside will burn before the inside is fully cooked. If it’s too cool, the avocado will absorb too much oil and be greasy. Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature, and never leave frying food unattended.

Crunch Factor

The crunch in this dish comes from the fried avocado and the crispy taco shells. To achieve the perfect crunch, make sure the oil is at the right temperature when frying the avocado, and don’t overcrowd the frying basket or skillet, as this can lower the oil temperature and result in a less crispy exterior. For the taco shells, you can lightly toast them on a dry skillet or in the oven for a few minutes to enhance their crunch.

Pro Kitchen Tricks

Use a deep frying thermometer to ensure the oil reaches the perfect frying temperature. This tool is indispensable for achieving professional-quality fried foods.
Don’t skip the step of dredging the avocado in flour before the egg and breadcrumb coating. The flour helps the egg adhere, and the egg helps the breadcrumbs stick, creating a crunchy exterior that stays put.
For an extra crispy coating on the avocado, you can chill the coated avocado slices in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before frying. This helps the coating set and adhere better to the avocado.

Storage Tips

Leftover shrimp can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Fried avocado is best consumed immediately, but if you must store it, place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a day. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for a few minutes to crisp it up again.
Bang Bang sauce can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. Give it a good stir before using.

Gift Packaging Ideas

If you’re considering gifting this dish, perhaps as part of a meal kit or a gourmet food basket, consider packaging the components separately to maintain freshness and texture. The Bang Bang sauce can be jarred and labeled, the taco shells can be placed in a paper bag, and the cooked shrimp and fried avocado can be packaged in airtight containers. Add some fresh cilantro, lime wedges, and a recipe card for a complete and thoughtful gift.

Flavor Variations

🌟 Different spices: Add some cumin or smoked paprika to the shrimp for a smoky flavor, or use chili powder for an extra kick.
🌟 Creative toppings: Consider adding diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, pickled onions, or sliced radishes to your tacos for extra flavor and texture.
🌟 Ingredient swaps: For a vegetarian version, swap the shrimp with roasted or grilled portobello mushrooms, and for a vegan version, use a vegan mayo in the Bang Bang sauce and skip the egg in the avocado coating, opting for a flax egg instead.

Troubleshooting

Texture problems: If your fried avocado is too greasy, it might be because the oil wasn’t hot enough. Try increasing the oil temperature. If the avocado is too soft, it might be overripe; try using firmer avocados next time.
Ingredient replacements: If you can’t find sweet chili sauce, you can mix a bit of honey with sriracha to get a similar sweet and spicy flavor.
Over/undercooking signs: Shrimp are done when they’re pink and firm to the touch. If they’re undercooked, they’ll be translucent and soft. Fried avocado is done when it’s golden and crispy; if it’s undercooked, it will be pale and soft.

FAQs

Can I freeze it? While you can freeze cooked shrimp and the Bang Bang sauce, it’s not recommended to freeze fried avocado as it will lose its crispy texture. However, you can prepare the avocado coating and freeze the coated, unfried avocado slices for up to a month. Fry them fresh when you’re ready.
Is it gluten-free? This recipe is gluten-free as long as you use gluten-free ingredients for the Bang Bang sauce and the taco shells. Always check the labels of your store-bought ingredients to ensure they meet your dietary needs.
Can I double the recipe? Yes, you can easily double or triple this recipe for larger gatherings. Just be sure to fry the avocado in batches to avoid overcrowding the skillet, which can lower the oil temperature and affect the quality of the fried avocado.

Conclusion

Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos with Fried Avocado are a game-changer for anyone looking to elevate their taco Tuesday or any meal, really. With its unique blend of spicy, tangy, and crunchy elements, this dish is sure to please even the pickiest eaters. Don’t be intimidated by the frying step; with a little practice, you’ll be a pro at making crispy, delicious fried avocado. Share this recipe with friends and family, and enjoy the process of experimenting with different toppings and flavor variations to make it your own. Happy cooking, and remember, the key to a great dish is not just the ingredients, but the love and care you put into preparing it.

Crispy Bang Bang Shrimp Fried Tacos