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Honey Walnut Shrimp

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Honey Walnut Shrimp features crispy shrimp in a finger-licking-good sauce. This takeout favorite couldn't be easier to make at home. Serve with fried rice or crab rangoon for a complete meal.

a close up of one shrimp in honey sauce being held by two chopsticks.

I love cooking with shrimp when I made fried rice or seafood pastas. I also love ordering it when I eat out like bang bang shrimp at Bonefish Grill. We also love getting Honey Walnut Shrimp at Panda Express. It is creamy, crunchy, and way easier than you might think to make at home! We love this deep fried shrimp that is tossed in a simple sweet sauce. Can you believe it comes together in 25 minutes? Serve with salad or rice for a complete meal.

Why I Love This Recipe

  1. Crispy: Using cornstarch makes the shrimp super crunchy.
  2. Affordable: Restaurants charge so much for shrimp dishes. Make them at home for half the cost.
  3. Perfect Sauce: Many recipes I've tried are just too sweet for a main dish. With just a tad of honey and sweetened condensed milk, this sauce is perfectly balanced.
  4. Quick: Get dinner on the table in less than 25 minutes. I bet you can't make it to the drive through and back in that time. Go ahead I'll wait here with my timer!

Ingredient Notes and Shopping Tips

  1. Shrimp: Fresh or frozen shrimp would fine in this recipe. I used frozen because my small town grocery store doesn't carry fresh. To thaw frozen shrimp place in a bowl of cold water. Thoroughly pat dry before frying.
  2. Walnuts: For the most crunch use walnut halves, not pieces. If you don't have them on hand pecans would be a good substitute.
  3. Honey: Use good quality local honey if possible. Pick it up at your local farmers' market.  Another liquid sweetener like pure maple syrup could also be substituted.
  4. Cornstarch: Cornstarch leads to light yet crispy batter. If you don't regularly cook or bake with it, flour can be used instead.

Tips and Tricks

  1. Dry Shrimp: Pat your shrimp as dry as possible. This will help the coating stick and for it to fry up nice and crispy.
  2. Use 2 Hands: Use one hand to dip your shrimp into the egg, and another into the cornstarch. This will prevent you from battering your hands themselves.
  3. Fry Carefully: Always add the shrimp into the pan away from you to avoid splattering. Cook only a few at a time to avoid lowering the oil temperature. This can lead to a soggy or greasy end product.
  4. Reheat: Reheat in the oven on a baking sheet at 350 degrees for 4-6 minutes.

a white plate piled high with shrimp in a creamy sauce and garnished with green onions.

More Copycat Recipes To Try

Copycat Pf Chang's Lettuce Wraps

Applebee's Fiesta Lime Chicken

Copycat Taco Bell Mexican Pizza

📖 Recipe

Honey Walnut Shrimp

Honey Walnut Shrimp

Crispy honey walnut shrimp in a finger licking good sauce. This takeout favorite couldn't be easier to make at home.
4.88 from 8 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 18 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Calories: 636kcal

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Ingredients

  • ½ Cup Water
  • ½ Cup White Sugar
  • ½ Cup Walnuts
  • Vegetable Oil For Frying
  • 1 Egg
  • ½ Cup Cornstarch
  • 1 Pound Shrimp Peeled and Deveined
  • ½ Cup Mayonnaise
  • 3 Tablespoons Honey
  • 1 Tablespoon Sweetened Condensed Milk
  • Green Onions Thinly Sliced For Garnish If Desired
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Instructions

  • In a small saucepan,combine water and sugar. Bring to a boil. Pour in walnuts, and cook for 2 minutes. Drain and pat dry.
  • In a large dutch oven, heat oil over medium high heat.
  • Set up a dredging station with egg and cornstarch. Dip shrimp in egg, and then cornstarch.
  • Fry for 5-7 minutes or until pink. Drain on paper towels. Fry walnuts for 1-2 minutes.
  • In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, honey, and sweetened condensed milk. Toss with shrimp until evenly coated.
  • Serve with walnuts and sliced green onions.

Notes

Ingredient Notes and Shopping Tips
  1. Shrimp: Fresh or frozen shrimp would fine in this recipe. I used frozen because my small town grocery store doesn't carry fresh. To thaw frozen shrimp place in a bowl of cold water. Thoroughly pat dry before frying.
  2. Walnuts: For the most crunch use walnut halves, not pieces. If you don't have them on hand pecans would be a good substitute.
  3. Honey: Use good quality local honey if possible. Pick it up at your local farmers' market.  Another liquid sweetener like pure maple syrup could also be substituted.
Tips and Tricks
  1. Dry Shrimp: Pat your shrimp as dry as possible. This will help the coating strick and for it to fry up nice and crispy.
  2. Use 2 Hands: Use one hand to dip your shrimp into the egg, and another into the cornstarch. This will prevent you from battering your hands themselves.
  3. Fry Carefully: Always add the shrimp into the pan away from you to avoid splattering. Cook only a few at a time to avoid lowering the oil temperature. This can lead to a soggy or greasy end product.
  4. Reheat: Reheat in the oven on a baking sheet at 350 degrees for 4-6 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 636kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 340mg | Sodium: 1085mg | Potassium: 188mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 41g | Vitamin A: 90IU | Vitamin C: 4.6mg | Calcium: 199mg | Iron: 3.2mg
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4.88 from 8 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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13 Comments

  1. Glenn Hixson says:

    5 stars
    Excellent and easy to make, definitely in my dinner rotations

  2. 4 stars
    It was good. Double the cornstarch and use 2 eggs and shake in a ziplock. 350 degrees 4 minutes max. No need to fry walnuts

    1. Krystle Smith says:

      Thanks for sharing your tips and tricks with us Ron!

  3. Whole egg or just the white? TY

    1. Krystle Smith says:

      Hi Cindy,

      I use the whole egg.

  4. 5 stars
    One of our favorites! Can't wait to make it again!

  5. 5 stars
    This was so tasty and full of flavor! I love shrimp and this is my new favorite way to make shrimp! So excited to make this again!

  6. Valentina says:

    5 stars
    This honey walnut shrimp recipe is loaded with flavors and so easy to make! LOVE this recipe!

  7. Karen @ The Food Charlatan says:

    Why have I never tried this at Panda Express?? It sounds and looks amazing! I will just have to try it out at home!

    1. Because it's on the special list and they charge extra for it.

  8. Kendra - The Kreative Life says:

    This looks really good! I've never tried it at Panda Express, but I'll have to give your recipe a try because I love shrimp!

  9. Ksenia @ At the Immigrant's Table says:

    I've never had honey walnut shrimp, but it sounds fantastic. Do you think instead of frying, the shrimp could be just sauteed? Just thinking about the health factor (plus fryers terrify me... I'm a wuss, I know). Loving your blog!

    1. Krystle Smith says:

      Haha I am scared of frying too (every time!). I don't think the coating would work well sautéed, but you could probably bake it instead. Air fryer might work too!