Spicy shrimp and lettuce cups

We tried this as an appetizer for Christmas this year, a copy cat version of Bang Bang shrimp.  We had a request for it again last week with one change.  One girl prefers chicken over shrimp and I made some for her with boneless skinless chicken thighs.  We made a mistake and got shrimp that were too big this time.  Something in the 20 per pound cooks quicker and is easier as a one bite appetizer.  We served over shredded lettuce or in lettuce cups.  Shredded cabbage would be good too.

Adapted from Feeding Big

1/2 cup mayo

chile garlic sauce to taste, we used about 1 tsp, we could have added more

1 tsp honey

salt to taste

(alternate version, mayo, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, touch of rice wine vinegar)

Mix in a large bowl and set aside

1 1/2 pounds peeled and deveined shrimp or boneless skinless chicken thighs

3 large eggs, beaten

3/4 cup flour

1/2 cup corn starch 

Boston lettuce, shredded

2 scallions, sliced

vegetable oil for cooking

Combine the flour and corn starch in a wide shallow pan

Beat eggs in a similar shaped pan

In a large heavy bottom pot, heat 2 inches of oil over medium to medium high heat

Dip the shrimp into the corn starch mixture, then into the egg and back into the corn starch before cooking in the pot

The shrimp should only take a few minutes per side

Remove and drain on a paper towel lined sheet pan

When all the shrimp are cooked, carefully toss them in the spicy mayo mixture

Add to a plate with your shredded lettuce or to lettuce cups

Sprinkle scallions over top

2/2022 update-

For an air fryer version 

Bake at 400 for 5 minutes and then flip and cook for 2-3 more

Spray the rack before you put them down and then before you put them in the oven so both sides have a little oil on them

3/2022 version (first, we made this twice in two months?)

1 lbs of peeled and deveined shrimp

3 tbs cornstarch

3/4 c AP flour

3 eggs beaten

salt and pepper

1 1/2 tsp garlic powder

1 1/2 tsp sweet paprika

Panko

Cooking spray

This is the three pan version.  

Mix the flour, corn starch, salt, and pepper in one pan

Combine the eggs in another pan

Combine the panko, garlic powder, and paprika in another pan

Move the shrimp from the flour, to the egg, and then to the breadcrumb mixture to coat all the shrimp

Place on a greased rack over a cookie sheet

Spray the tops before air frying at 400 for 7 minutes

Turn the shrimp over and spray again, cooking until done, another 7 or more minutes depending on the size of your shrimp

And changes for next time-

Make the sauce with Thai sweet chili sauce    see above, this was very good too

And do a three pan method with corn starch, then egg, then seasoned Panko   also see above