These deliciously easy, Spicy Asian Popcorn Shrimp Bao Buns are PERFECT for busy weeknights. Crispy oven-baked popcorn shrimp, tossed in a spicy Asian sauce and then served with steamed Chinese bao buns (or slider buns) with crunchy carrots and spring onions!
Heaped ½ tbsp chili flakes/crushed red pepperadd another ½ tbsp if you like it spicier
4tbsp¼ cup soy sauce
2tbspbrown sugar
½tspcornstarchcornflour
¼ - ⅓cupwater
Instructions
Preheat oven to 450°F.
Prepare your steamer (only if you're using frozen bao buns) - place some water in a saucepan and bring it to a boil with the pot covered.
Place the shrimp on a baking tray in one layer and bake the shrimp in the preheated oven for 10 minutes or according to package instructions (turning them over once, halfway through).
Put frozen bao buns in your steamer in one layer and when the water is boiling, place the steamer over the boiling water and steam for about 7-10 minutes (or according to your package instructions).
While the shrimp is in the oven, add the oil to a nonstick pan, and mix in the garlic and ginger. Heat the pan over medium heat until the garlic and ginger start to sizzle for a few seconds.
Add the black pepper and chili flakes and saute for a further few seconds. Stir in the soy sauce and sugar and cook until the sugar is melted.
Dissolve the cornstarch in ¼ cup of water and add this to the sauce. Heat while stirring until the sauce has thickened - should take less than a minute. Remove from the heat.
Spicy Asian Popcorn Shrimp Bao
If using bao buns - once the bao buns have been steamed, keep them covered with a damp cloth.
Once the shrimps have been baked and are nice and crispy, remove the tray from the oven and transfer the shrimp into a large bowl using tongs.
Just before serving the popcorn shrimp, toss them in the spicy Asian sauce to coat them evenly. Serve immediately.
Let your family members or guests assemble their own bao with popcorn shrimp, kewpie mayonnaise, carrots, green onions and other fixins. Enjoy!