Shrimp, sweet & spicy bang bang sauce, cheese, and slaw all grilled between tortillas make these Bang Bang Shrimp Quesadillas the perfect meal or appetizer!
Bang Bang Sauce is a total staple at my house; it's easy and works well with so many dishes. Instant Pot Bang Bang Chicken was the most popular recipe on Domestic Superhero in 2018, everyone LOVES Bang Bang Shrimp Egg Rolls, Shrimp Tacos, Bang Bang Shrimp Rice Bowls, and Bang Bang Tofu is the most popular tofu recipe! Making Bang Bang Shrimp quesadillas is so easy and everyone will love them! These make the perfect lunch, dinner, or appetizer!
As I said, Bang Bang Sauce is a staple in our house. I suggest making a jar and just keeping it in your fridge at all times! Bonefish Grill’s Bang Bang Sauce is popular for a reason, it’s delicious! It’s also VERY easy to make yourself. I’ve used it for Bang Bang Tofu, Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos, Instant Pot Bang Bang Chicken, and Bang Bang Shrimp Egg Rolls, and they were all majorly tasty!
How to make Bang Bang Sauce:
**full directions and ingredient list below, scroll down**
- Take mayonnaise, Sriracha, rice vinegar, and sugar; whisk all of them together in a jar or bowl.
- Close the jar and let the sauce meld in the fridge.
- I like using a SAUCE BOTTLE for my Bang Bang sauce because then it's easy to squirt on whatever I want it on!
How to use FRIED, BOILED, OR FROZEN Shrimp for Bang Bang Shrimp Quesadillas:
You have a few options when it comes to the shrimp in this recipe. I have made them all ways, and can honestly say I don't have a preference. I don’t think it makes THAT big of a difference in the recipe, because you get a lot of crunch from the crispy tortillas, so leaving the shrimp boiled is okay in my opinion. However, you can also fry the shrimp before adding them. Alternatively, you can use pre-fried shrimp, and I would just cook them before you use them in the quesadillas so they aren't frozen.
- Frying the shrimp:
- use fresh or defrosted shrimp that are peeled, deveined, and patted dry.
- Dredge each shrimp in cornstarch, then add to a pan with hot oil. Fry a few minutes per side, until golden brown then set on a paper towel lined plate. Repeat for all, making sure not to crowd the skillet while cooking.
- Boiled shrimp:
- use fresh or defrosted shrimp that are peeled, deveined, and patted dry.
- Add shrimp to boiling water for 2 minutes, remove and set aside on a paper towel lined plate to dry.
- Frozen fried shrimp:
- Defrost/cook according to package instructions; set aside.
- Air fryer - follow these easy steps to make in the air fryer.
How to Make Bang Bang Shrimp Quesadillas:
**Scroll all the way down for full printable ingredient list and directions**
- Get all the ingredients together – it’s easiest to make these in a sort of assembly line.
- Take one tortilla, add cheese, shrimp, slaw, green onions, some sauce (not too much), more cheese, and then the top tortilla.
- Cook for a few minutes in a large skillet on each side over MEDIUM heat.
- Don't turn the heat too high because it will burn quicker than the cheese can melt.
- Remove from pan, cut into fourths, then top with bang bang sauce and green onions. EAT!
When to serve Bang Bang Shrimp Quesadillas:
- For dinner with a side of steamed or fried rice! Quinoa 'fried rice' is also a popular side dish at our house!
- For lunch; Using frozen shrimp can save you tons of time and effort when making these Bang Bang Shrimp Quesadillas. Serve with a little bowl of roasted red pepper soup or a southwestern salad!
- During GAME-DAY! These make the BEST appetizer and everyone will go crazy over them! Using most of the same ingredients you can also make BANG BANG SHRIMP EGG ROLLS to serve alongside these quesadillas!
Don't forget to checkout these other amazing appetizers:
- Spinach Artichoke Egg Rolls have your favorite Creamy Spinach Artichoke Dip stuffed into egg roll wrappers!
- Turkey Club Egg Rolls are filled with turkey, bacon, tomato, avocado, cheese, and a special sauce! Ready for a Turkey Club Sandwich taken to the next level- try these!
- Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball is the perfect party appetizer! It’s creamy with a little kick and crunch, and it’s majorly delicious and super easy to make!
- Jalapeno Popper Bombs are filled with spicy jalapeños, cream cheese, pepper jack cheese, and then baked to golden perfection. They’re the perfect appetizer!
- Stuffed Spinach & Artichoke Cheese Bread has one secret ingredient that adds tang and creaminess that cannot be matched! This bread is INSANE!
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Shrimp, sweet & spicy bang bang sauce, cheese, and slaw all grilled between tortillas make these Bang Bang Shrimp Quesadillas the perfect meal or appetizer!
- 8 medium flour tortillas
- 1 lb small/medium pre-cooked shrimp, shells and tails removed, deveined (can buy already like this), defrosted , or you can use frozen pre-cooked shrimp
- 1 ¼ cups shredded pepper jack cheese
- 6 stalks green onions, chopped
- 2 cups pre-shredded cabbage mix , purple/green cabbage
- 1 TBS sriracha
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 TBS rice vinegar
- 1 TBS sugar
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Add all ingredients into a jar/bowl and stir until combined. Cover and place into fridge until ready to use.
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If FRYING the shrimp:
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Pat defrosted shrimp dry. Toss in cornstarch until covered. Heat oil in a shallow skillet, until hot. Carefully cook shrimp in batches until done-do not overcrowd the skillet- place onto a paper towel lined plate. Cook all.
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Using a medium pot, fill about halfway with water, then bring to a boil. Carefully add shrimp and boil for about 2 minutes, stirring while cooking. Drain, set aside on a paper towel lined plate and pat dry.
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Cook shrimp according to package directions, set aside.
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Take one tortilla, add a few TBS of cheese, about ⅓ cup shrimp, ½ cup slaw, 1 TBS green onions, some sauce (not too much), more cheese, and then the top tortilla.
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Gently heat a large skillet over medium heat. Spray with nonstick spray or lightly coat with oil. Add quesadillas and cook 3-4 minutes on the first side, carefully flip then cook 1-2 minutes on the second side (will cook faster, watch not to burn). Remove from pan.
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Repeat for all quesadillas.
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Cut quesadillas into fourths, then top with bang bang sauce and green onions. EAT!
Recipe Video
Nutrition information calculated using boiled shrimp.
Demeter
These are definitely game day worthy! So amazing!
Rachael Yerkes
Oh man, I love the flavors of bang bang shrimp, so in quesadilla form! Perfection.
Jennifer
These are SOOO DELICIOUS!!! My family loved these quesadillas! We will be making these again, for sure!
Allyson
I am so happy you loved them as much as we did!
Jacque Hastert
Love that this is locked and loaded with flavor! All that cheese has me drooling.
Chrissie Baker
Mmmm they look very tasty. I do not know why I did not try it before. It sounds like a very tasty recipe.
Kristyn
What a fun ingredient to add to quesadillas! I bet it adds so much flavor & that sauce looks so tasty!
Steph
Our family is full of shrimp lovers! Can't wait to try it!
Melanie Bauer
OMG, looks insanely delicious! This will quickly disappear on our table and I love all the flavors going on, need to make this!
Catalina
This cheese! These quesadillas look absolutely amazing! Yummy!
Taylor
I am DROOLING! What a great idea...looks amazing!
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert
This sounds amazing! I want to dive into my screen!
Denise
Do you cut the shrimp into smaller pieces before putting on the quesadilla?
Allyson
I don't because they are already pretty small shrimp! You can if you want though!
Patricia @ Grab a Plate
I'll be making your sauce first thing tomorrow to have on hand! I'm sure I'll add it to everything! This is such a great idea! Mmm!
charlotte rogers
love-love-love!!!!! i've made these many times and everyone loves them! i've even made them with crab meat and also have made them with both mixed together. i'll be making this especially for my sister this christmas. thanks for an awesome recipe!!!!!!!
Allyson
Oh that sounds so yummy!
Sue
Can you use the precooked, pink cocktail shrimp? Do you just thaw it and use it or would you warm it up somehow?
Allyson
Yes you can definitely use that! Make sure it's thawed out completely and dry!