Honey Walnut Shrimp

Honey Walnut Shrimp is a popular Chinese-American dish known for its delicate balance of textures and flavors. This recipe captures that same restaurant-style magic with crispy battered shrimp coated in a luscious honey-mayo sauce and finished with sweet, candied walnuts. Served over jasmine rice, it makes a satisfying, indulgent meal that’s perfect for weeknights or impressing guests.

The contrast of crunchy shrimp with creamy, slightly tangy sauce, and the nutty sweetness of the walnuts creates a perfect harmony of flavor. With just a few pantry staples, this dish transforms your dinner into a gourmet takeout experience at home. It’s easy to prepare, rich in flavor, and guaranteed to be a new family favorite.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined

• 1/2 cup walnuts

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

• 1/2 cup water

• 2 egg whites

• 1/2 cup cornstarch

• 1/4 cup mayonnaise

• 1 tablespoon honey

• 1 tablespoon condensed milk

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1/4 teaspoon white pepper

• Oil for deep frying

• Cooked jasmine rice, for serving

• Sliced green onions, for garnish (optional)

Directions:

1. In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water over medium-high heat. Stir until sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil and then add walnuts. Cook for 2 minutes, then remove walnuts and place them on a wire rack or parchment to cool and harden.

2. In a mixing bowl, beat egg whites until frothy. Add cornstarch and stir until a batter forms.

3. Toss shrimp in the batter until evenly coated.

4. Heat oil in a deep pan over medium-high heat. Fry shrimp in batches until golden brown and crispy, about 3–4 minutes per batch. Drain on a paper towel.

5. In another bowl, combine mayonnaise, honey, condensed milk, lemon juice, salt, and white pepper. Mix well to form the creamy sauce.

6. Toss fried shrimp gently in the sauce until evenly coated.

7. Plate the shrimp over jasmine rice. Top with candied walnuts and garnish with green onions if desired. Serve immediately.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 35 minutes
Kcal: 480 kcal | Servings: 4 servings

The Irresistible Charm of Honey Walnut Shrimp: A Takeout Favorite You Can Make at Home

If you’ve ever dined at a Chinese-American restaurant, especially at places like Panda Express or a classic Hong Kong-style eatery, chances are you’ve come across Honey Walnut Shrimp. This iconic dish is a beautiful marriage of contrasts, crispy, golden shrimp coated in a creamy, sweet sauce, finished with glossy candied walnuts. It’s a dish that dazzles both visually and on the palate.

With its signature richness and crunch, Honey Walnut Shrimp may appear intimidating to make at home, but it’s surprisingly achievable and well worth the effort. Whether you’re cooking for a special date night, a family dinner, or just want to treat yourself with something better than takeout, this recipe delivers gourmet flavors with minimal fuss.

The Origins of Honey Walnut Shrimp

While it’s become a staple in Chinese-American cuisine, Honey Walnut Shrimp actually originates from Hong Kong. The dish first gained popularity in upscale Cantonese restaurants before being adapted by Chinese-American chefs in the West. Over time, it evolved into the creamy, sweet-forward version beloved in North America today.

What sets this dish apart is its unmistakable texture and flavor layers, crunchy shrimp, the richness of mayonnaise-based sauce, the subtle sweetness of honey and condensed milk, and the nutty contrast of candied walnuts. It’s this dynamic interplay that keeps people coming back for more.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Crispy Perfection: Each shrimp is coated in a light egg white and cornstarch batter that fries up crispy, holding up well to the sauce without getting soggy.

• Rich & Creamy Sauce: A unique blend of mayo, honey, and sweetened condensed milk makes the sauce creamy yet not overpowering.

• Candied Walnuts: These aren’t just a garnish, they add a sweet, caramelized crunch that balances out the savory and creamy elements.

• Quick and Easy: This is a 30-minute meal, making it ideal for weeknights or last-minute dinner parties.

• Crowd-Pleaser: This dish looks and tastes like it came from a high-end Chinese restaurant, making it perfect for impressing guests.

Ingredient Spotlight

Shrimp: Use large, fresh or thawed shrimp (tail-off, peeled, and deveined). Avoid small shrimp as they tend to overcook and can get lost in the sauce.

Egg Whites + Cornstarch Batter: This combo creates a light coating that crisps beautifully when fried. Unlike heavy flour-based batters, this one keeps the shrimp airy and crisp.

Candied Walnuts: These are made by briefly boiling walnut halves in sugar syrup, which coats them with a thin, sweet shell. Once they dry and harden, they become glossy and crunchy.

Honey-Mayo Sauce: This is the heart of the dish. Mayonnaise adds creaminess, honey offers natural sweetness, condensed milk deepens the flavor, and a touch of lemon juice adds balance and brightness.

Helpful Cooking Tips

• Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: When frying the shrimp, work in batches to avoid temperature drops that can make your batter soggy.

• Use Neutral Oil: Vegetable, canola, or peanut oil works best for frying due to their high smoke points.

• Dry Shrimp Before Battering: Pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel to help the batter stick better and ensure a crisper finish.

• Cool Walnuts Properly: Once candied, spread the walnuts on a lined baking sheet to cool and harden completely. This helps retain their crunch.

• Sauce at the Last Minute: Only toss the shrimp in the sauce just before serving to maintain maximum crispiness.

Pairing Suggestions

Honey Walnut Shrimp is typically served over a bed of white jasmine rice, but you can elevate the meal with sides like:

• Garlic Fried Rice

• Steamed Broccoli or Snow Peas

• Egg Drop Soup or Hot and Sour Soup

• Chilled Cucumber Salad for freshness

For drinks, pair it with a cold jasmine tea, a crisp riesling, or sparkling water with lime for a refreshing contrast to the dish’s richness.

Variations and Customizations

• Make it Spicy: Add a touch of sriracha or red pepper flakes to the sauce for a spicy-sweet twist.

• Dairy-Free Option: Replace condensed milk with a splash of coconut milk and a bit more honey.

• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Ensure the cornstarch and condiments are gluten-free certified.

• Air Fryer Method: Lightly spray battered shrimp and air fry at 400°F for 8–10 minutes for a lighter option.

• Nuts-Free Alternative: If you have a nut allergy, consider using crispy rice noodles or toasted sesame seeds as a garnish instead of walnuts.

Storing & Reheating

This dish is best served fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days in the refrigerator. The sauce may cause the shrimp to lose some crispiness, but the flavors will still shine.

To reheat:

• Use a toaster oven or air fryer at 350°F for 5–7 minutes to revive some of the crisp texture.

• Avoid microwaving, as it will soften the coating and make the shrimp rubbery.

Nutritional Insights

Although Honey Walnut Shrimp is undeniably indulgent, it also offers a decent amount of protein and essential fats from shrimp and walnuts. If you’re concerned about calories or sugar, you can reduce the sauce amount and use low-fat mayo or yogurt as a base.

On average, a serving of this dish provides around 480–500 kcal, depending on the amount of sauce and oil absorbed during frying.

Conclusion

Honey Walnut Shrimp is more than just a takeout staple; it’s a celebration of contrasting flavors and textures that come together in perfect harmony. From the crispy golden shrimp to the luscious, creamy sauce and the sweet candied crunch of walnuts, every bite is a sensory experience.

Whether you’re cooking it for a weeknight treat or a special gathering, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality taste right from your kitchen. With a few tips and some simple ingredients, you can recreate this classic dish at home, impress your loved ones, and maybe even surpass your favorite takeout place.

Once you’ve tried making Honey Walnut Shrimp from scratch, you’ll realize how satisfying and straightforward it is to bring gourmet flavors to your dinner table. It’s not just a dish—it’s an experience that’s sure to become a regular in your home-cooked repertoire.