Panda Express Firecracker Shrimp Recipe

Sizzling, spicy deliciousness, the Panda Express Firecracker Shrimp Recipe is something you won’t be able to resist! This copycat recipe brings restaurant-quality flavor and showcases every feature you love from Panda Express -perfectly cooked golden shrimp in a bold and tangy sauce complemented by a punch of heat and crunch from the bell peppers.

This firecracker shrimp is special enough for a weeknight dinner or a flavor-packed alternative when craving takeout – it’s bursting with personality! It’s quick, beautiful, and easy to prepare in 30 minutes or less!

With simple ingredients such as rice wine vinegar, sriracha, and honey, you’ll create a sauce that perfectly balances sweet, spicy, and savory! Pair with garlic noodles or fried rice, to make a complete experience -Panda Express style – with your family at the dinner table.

You may also enjoy similar recipes from Panda Express: panda express tofu and eggplant, panda express chicken and string beans, panda express green bean chicken recipe.

What Does Panda Express Firecracker Shrimp Taste Like?

Visualize the ideal symphony of taste: crispy shrimp with juicy insides, surrounded by a shiny sauce that tip-toes the line between sweet and spicy. The moment you take your first bite, you get that fire cracker mouth-burning heat from the red chilies and sriracha sauce along with a smooth honeyed background flavor that keeps you eating more.

The bell peppers and onions provide color, crunch, and freshness, adding that needed fresh component to offset the richness of the shrimp. With every forkful, it has layers of spicy, tangy, and aromatic, yet one of those rapidly familiar flavors you can get at the takeout restaurant.

This dish isn’t just good- it is festive. It is bold and zesty (yet slightly smoky) with familiar Panda Express flavors, but it showcases your take on a wok fried dish.

Ingredients Required for Panda Express Firecracker Shrimp Recipe

Here’s the list of Ingredients you’ll need to make this Panda Express Firecracker Shrimp

For the Shrimp:

• 1 lb shrimp, deveined and cleaned
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 egg whites, lightly beaten

For the Sauce:

• 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
• 1 tbsp sriracha
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp soy sauce

For the Paste:

• 2–3 green chilies
• 1-inch ginger piece
• 3 cloves garlic
• 2–3 dried red chilies

Vegetables:

• 1 red bell pepper, cubed
• 1 yellow bell pepper, cubed
• ½ white onion, sliced
• ½ cup green beans
• 2 tbsp chopped green onions

Other:

• 2 tbsp sesame oil (or peanut/vegetable oil)
• 1 tbsp all-purpose flour + 2 tbsp water (for slurry)

Kitchen Utensil You’ll Need

1. Wok or deep frying pan
2. Mixing bowls
3. Slotted spoon
4. Paper towels
5. Whisk and ladle

Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 12–15 minutes

How to Make Panda Express Firecracker Shrimp

Simply follow the steps given below to make your Panda Express Firecracker Shrimp at home

1. Preparing the Shrimp: Take the shrimp out to pat them dry, season generously with salt, pepper, and just a touch of flour, then do your best to “stick” the shrimp into a bowl with egg whites coating the outside without leaving any “bare” spots.

2. Frying the Shrimp: Heat your wok with oil. Once it is heated on medium-high, fry the shrimp one minute on each side, until the shrimp is just turning a light golden color. Let the shrimp drain on paper towels after you fry them.

3. Making the Paste: Place green chilies and a thumb-size piece of ginger and garlic into a blender with a few dried red chilies and blend on high until it has turned into a coarse paste.

4. Making the Sauce: In a bowl, quickly whisk rice wine vinegar, sriracha, honey, and soy sauce together. Set aside.

5. Cooking the Base: Heat some sesame oil in the wok. Then quickly add your dry red chilies, ginger-garlic-chili paste, and cook for about 2-3 minutes stirring frequently and until fragrant.

6. Adding the Vegetables: Add the white onions and bell peppers next stir until they start softening to take on the flavor (less than a minute). You still want to have a crisp texture to these vegetables when done.

7. Mixing the Sauce and Starch Slurry: Next, you will return the sauce mix along with your starch slurry back into the wok and quickly stir until the sauce thickens.

8. Bringing Everything Together: At this point you will want to toss the shrimp and finely sliced green onions into the wok. Stir quickly, until everything is sizzling hot and coated in sauce.

Some Tasty Ways To Customize and Serve This Panda Express Firecracker Shrimp

1. With Garlic Noodles
We’ve tried this combo countless times, and it never fails. The garlicky, buttery noodles soak up the spicy-sweet sauce perfectly, creating a comforting, restaurant-style meal that’s easy to make at home.

2. Over Jasmine Rice
If you want that true Panda Express experience, serve your Firecracker Shrimp over a bed of warm jasmine rice. The light fragrance balances the bold chili flavors beautifully, and the sauce clings to every grain.

3. With Fried Rice
Nothing beats a plate of classic fried rice paired with Firecracker Shrimp. The mix of scrambled eggs, peas, and carrots complements the heat of the shrimp while adding a familiar takeout comfort.

4. Tossed With Stir-Fried Noodles
We once tossed our leftover Firecracker Shrimp with stir-fried lo mein noodles and a dash of sesame oil – total game changer. It turns the dish into a one-pan dinner bursting with texture and spice.

5. Served in Lettuce Wraps
For a lighter twist, spoon the shrimp and veggies into crisp lettuce cups. It’s crunchy, juicy, and feels like something straight off a restaurant appetizer menu.

6. Paired With Roasted Vegetables
If you’re looking for balance, roasted veggies are your best friend. Try broccoli, zucchini, or mushrooms – their earthy flavors complement the bold shrimp perfectly.

7. Over Quinoa or Brown Rice
We often swap rice for quinoa or brown rice when we want something heartier. The nutty texture works surprisingly well with the sweet-heat profile of the sauce.

8. With a Drizzle of Angry Crab Trifecta Sauce
For seafood lovers who crave extra richness, try drizzling a little Angry Crab Trifecta Sauce over the shrimp. It deepens the flavor, adding buttery heat that pairs beautifully with the crisp shrimp coating.

9. Next to a Side of Taco Bell Lava Sauce Fries
We once experimented by pairing the shrimp with crispy fries and a side of Taco Bell Lava Sauce – trust us, it’s an unexpectedly fiery combo that works! The creamy, spicy sauce complements the shrimp’s glaze in the best way.

10. As a Shrimp Bowl with Fresh Toppings
Layer it in a bowl with steamed rice, shredded cabbage, sliced avocado, and pickled carrots. The freshness of the toppings cuts through the spice, making every bite exciting.

Some Tips on This Panda Express Firecracker Shrimp Recipe

1. Clean your shrimp well!
Take off the shell and the black line on the back. Clean shrimp taste fresh and cook better.

2. Dry the shrimp before cooking.
Use a paper towel to pat them dry. This helps them get nice and crispy when fried.

3. Don’t overcook the shrimp.
Shrimp cook super fast – just about one minute on each side. If you cook them too long, they get chewy.

4. Use fresh veggies.
Bright bell peppers and onions make your dish colorful and crunchy. Fresh ones always taste best!

5. Mix your sauce before cooking.
Combine your honey, vinegar, and sriracha in a bowl first. It makes cooking faster and easier.

6. Cook the paste slowly.
When you cook the ginger, garlic, and chili paste, stir it gently. It brings out yummy smells and deep flavor.

7. Don’t skip the slurry!
The flour and water mix makes your sauce thick and shiny – just like at Panda Express!

8. Use a hot pan.
When the oil is hot, everything cooks fast and gets that perfect stir-fry taste.

9. Add green onions last.
Sprinkle them at the end for a fresh pop of color and taste.

10. Eat it right away!
Firecracker shrimp tastes best when it’s hot and crispy. Serve it with rice or noodles and enjoy every bite.

How to Store and Reheat Panda Express Firecracker Shrimp

For leftover Firecracker Shrimp, keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When ready to reheat, use a skillet over medium heat; for better flavor and texture, add a splash of water to help rehydrate the sauce without making the shrimp soggy. Please do not microwave as you will lose the crispy edge.

Common Queries on This Panda Express Firecracker Shrimp Recipe

Here, we’ve got you covered with some common questions about the Panda Express Firecracker Shrimp that people often ask.

1. Can I use frozen shrimp instead of fresh?

Yes – we’ve done it multiple times. Just thaw them fully in cold water, pat them very dry (moisture ruins the crisp), then proceed with the seasoning, flour, and egg-white coating. The texture may be slightly softer than fresh, but still delicious.

2. How spicy is this recipe? Can I adjust the heat?

From our trials, the dish has a moderate to bold spicy kick due to the chili paste and sriracha. If you prefer gentler heat, reduce the amount of dried red chilies or green chilies, or use half the sriracha. You can always serve extra sriracha or chili sauce on the side for those who want more.

3. What can I substitute for all-purpose flour in the slurry or coating?

We’ve swapped in cornstarch (or potato starch) in place of all-purpose flour. It tends to give an even crisper coating and works well for the slurry too – just mix cornstarch with cold water and use similarly. The sauce thickens just as nicely.

4. Why is my sauce not thickening properly?

In our experience, this usually happens if the slurry (flour + water) is too thin or added when the sauce is not hot enough. Make sure your sauce is simmering, and whisk in the slurry gradually while stirring -you should see immediate thickening. Also ensure the sauce ratio (vinegar, sriracha, honey) is balanced so it doesn’t remain watery.

5. Can this dish be made ahead of time?

Yes – we sometimes prep parts ahead (vegetables chopped, sauce mixed). But don’t fry the shrimp or combine with sauce until just before serving. If fully combined and refrigerated, the shrimp loses its crispness. So we reheat gently just before eating.

6. What oil should I use for frying the shrimp?

We’ve had the best results using high-smoke point oils like peanut, vegetable, or canola oil. Sesame oil is nice for flavor but not ideal for deep frying (better reserved for finishing touches). The key is that the oil should be hot enough (around 350–375°F / 175–190 °C) before you add shrimp.

7. How do I keep the vegetables crisp and not soggy?

From experience, we stir-fry vegetables quickly at medium-high heat and avoid overcrowding the pan. We also add them near the end of cooking so they retain crunch. Don’t overcook -you want the snap in bell peppers and green beans.

8. Is there a vegetarian version of this recipe?

Yes -we’ve substituted shrimp with tofu or even cauliflower florets (lightly battered and fried). Use the same sauce, vegetables, and technique. The flavors still shine, though texture will differ from shrimp.

9. Can I omit the dried red chilies or whole chilis in the sauce?

You can, though you’d lose a layer of heat and smokiness. We sometimes skip whole dried chilies if they’re too intense or unavailable, and instead increase only the green chili/ginger paste a bit. The sauce will still be flavorful, just milder.

10. What side dishes pair best with Firecracker Shrimp?

In our kitchen, we serve it over garlic noodles or steamed/fried rice. You can also pair with stir-fried greens or simple fried rice to balance the heat. Garnishing with fresh green onions or cilantro adds freshness.

With the flavors that you know and love from Panda Express, you can make this uncomplicated recipe for Panda Express Firecracker shrimp in no time! Full of vibrant colors, tender shrimp, and a little zip from the Firecracker sauce, this dish is a definite crowd-pleaser all while being quick and satisfying.

If you really enjoyed this recipe, you will definitely want to check out more Panda Express dishes like Panda Express tofu and eggplant recipe, Panda Express chicken and string beans recipe, or Panda Express chicke bean recipe. Find the restaurant experience in your own kitchen one sizzling stir-fry recipe at a time!

Feel free to share your experience with this recipe by trying it out. Don’t forget to drop a comment and provide your feedback on the blog for us to read.