If you’ve ever ordered the irresistible Boom Boom Shrimp appetizer at your favorite restaurant, you know how delicious crispy fried shrimp can be when tossed in a sweet and spicy boom boom sauce The good news is, this restaurant-worthy dish can easily be made right in your own kitchen with just a few simple ingredients, including Whole Foods’ ready-to-cook Boom Boom Popcorn Shrimp Keep reading for my foolproof method for making this flavorful appetizer or meal at home.
Boom boom shrimp is a popular Americanized Chinese appetizer consisting of crispy fried shrimp coated in a creamy, sweet and spicy sauce made with mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and other flavorful ingredients. The name comes from the flavor explosion or “boom” you experience with each bite. This moreish dish has become a staple menu item at many restaurants and is fun to recreate at home.
While you can make it from scratch, Whole Foods makes the process even easier by selling ready-to-cook Boom Boom Popcorn Shrimp. This ready-to-go product takes the guesswork out of preparing the shrimp, letting you focus on making the flavorful sauce. I’ll walk you through the simple steps for preparing this appetizer using Whole Foods’ high-quality pre-breaded shrimp.
Whole Foods Boom Boom Popcorn Shrimp Ingredients
The main ingredient in this appetizer is obviously shrimp Whole Foods uses farm-raised shrimp for their Boom Boom Popcorn Shrimp product Farm-raised shrimp are a sustainable option, plus they tend to be larger and more uniform in size compared to wild-caught.
According to the product details on the Whole Foods website, the boom boom shrimp contains just a few additional ingredients
- Potato starch
- Egg white
- Soybean oil
- Salt
- Water
- Baking soda
As you can see, there aren’t a ton of mystery ingredients here. The potato starch and batter help give the shrimp an ultra-crispy coating when fried.
How to Cook Boom Boom Popcorn Shrimp from Whole Foods
Cooking up these crispy spicy shrimp from Whole Foods is surprisingly easy. Here are the simple steps:
Prep the sauce:
First, make your boom boom sauce so it’s ready when the shrimp are cooked. In a small bowl, whisk together:
- 1⁄2 cup mayonnaise
- 3 Tbsp Thai sweet chili sauce
- 1 Tbsp Sriracha sauce
- 1 Tbsp ketchup
- 1⁄4 tsp garlic powder
- 1⁄2 tsp kosher salt
- Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional for extra heat)
Mix well and set the sauce aside until needed.
Heat the oil:
Pour 1-2 inches of a neutral oil with a high smoke point, like canola or peanut oil, into a large pot or Dutch oven. Heat to 375°F. Use a deep fry thermometer to monitor the temperature.
Fry the shrimp:
Once the oil is hot, carefully add the desired amount of Whole Foods boom boom shrimp to the oil in small batches. Fry for 2-3 minutes until the shrimp are golden brown and crispy, flipping halfway through.
Remove the fried shrimp to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Repeat with remaining shrimp.
Toss in sauce:
Add the crispy fried shrimp to a large bowl. Drizzledesired amount of the prepared boom boom sauce over the shrimp. Gently toss to coat evenly.
Serve and enjoy!
Transfer the sauced boom boom shrimp to a platter and dig in! For a complete meal, serve alongside steamed rice or crispy fried rice and a veggie side like stir-fried bok choy.
Some other tasty dipping sauce options include ranch, Sriracha mayo, honey mustard or sweet and sour sauce. Garnish with chopped scallions, sesame seeds or cilantro.
Tips for the Best Boom Boom Shrimp
Here are some of my tips for unlocking the full flavor potential of this appetizer:
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Use fresh, raw shrimp if possible for maximum juiciness and flavor. Thaw frozen shrimp overnight in the fridge if substituting.
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Allow the oil to fully come up to temperature before frying. This helps ensure the shrimp gets crispy.
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Fry the shrimp in small batches. Crowding the pan brings down the oil temp.
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Let the fried shrimp drain briefly on paper towels before tossing in sauce. This prevents sogginess.
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Make the boom boom sauce a little spicier if you like extra heat. Add an extra pinch of cayenne or Sriracha.
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Toss the shrimp gently to prevent breaking the crispy coating.
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Serve immediately for the best texture. The crispiness won’t hold for long.
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Accompany with steamed white rice to offset the richness of the fried shrimp.
By following my method using Whole Foods’ quality pre-breaded shrimp, you’ll be enjoying restaurant-worthy boom boom shrimp in no time. The crispy, sticky shrimp coated in the slightly spicy, creamy sauce is an epic flavor combination the whole family will love. This fun dish is sure to be a hit at your next party or game day get-together. Now get ready to experience those sweet and spicy boom boom flavors in your own kitchen!
Frequently Asked Questions About Boom Boom Shrimp
What is boom boom shrimp?
Boom boom shrimp is a popular American Chinese-style appetizer or main dish featuring crispy fried shrimp tossed in a sweet, savory, and spicy sauce. The flavorful sauce is a mixture of mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, sriracha, ketchup, garlic, and other ingredients.
What makes the shrimp “boom boom”?
The name comes from the flavor explosion or “boom” you get with each bite thanks to the contrast of the crispy shrimp and the creamy, spicy sauce.
How spicy is boom boom shrimp?
The spiciness level depends on the amount of sriracha and other hot sauces used in the recipe. Most recipes result in a medium spice level, but you can adjust higher or lower based on personal taste. More cayenne or sriracha equals more heat.
What is the boom boom sauce made of?
A typical boom boom sauce contains mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, sriracha, ketchup, garlic powder, salt, and sometimes a pinch of cayenne pepper to amp up the heat. The specific ingredients and ratios vary slightly among recipes.
Can you make it gluten free?
Yes, you can make gluten-free boom boom shrimp by using gluten-free mayonnaise, Sriracha, sweet chili sauce, and shrimp that is breaded with gluten-free panko breadcrumbs or cornmeal instead of regular panko.
Do you deep fry or pan fry the shrimp?
You can cook boom boom shrimp either way. Deep frying yields ultracrispy shrimp since they are submerged in hot oil. Pan frying in just 1-2 inches of oil reduces fat but still crisps up the exterior nicely.
How long does it take to make?
One of the appeals of boom boom shrimp is that it comes together quickly. From start to finish, you can have the dish ready to eat in about 30 minutes. The hands-on cooking time is only 10-15 minutes.
What is a good side dish with it?
Boom boom shrimp pairs well with steamed white rice, fried rice, vegetable stir fries, crispy wontons, or egg rolls. A fresh greens salad also balances the richness nicely.