Honey Walnut Shrimp – This dish known for its irresistible combination of crispy shrimp, sweet honey glaze, and crunchy caramelized walnuts. A classic in Chinese-American cuisine, this dish often graces the menus of popular restaurants like Panda Express and P.F. Chang’s.
What is Honey Walnut Shrimp?
It is a popular dish found in American-Chinese restaurants. While it has roots in Cantonese cuisine, the version we know today is a Western interpretation. It features succulent shrimp coated in a light batter, then fried until golden brown.
The star of the show is the sweet and creamy sauce, typically made with mayonnaise, honey, and sweetened condensed milk. Candied walnuts add a delightful textural contrast and a touch of caramel richness.
Why You’ll Love Honey Walnut Shrimp
This dish is a perfect balance of flavors and textures:
- Crunchy: Crispy fried shrimp paired with candied walnuts.
- Sweet and Savory: A honey-mayo glaze gives it a luscious, creamy sweetness that complements the shrimp’s natural umami.
- Restaurant-Quality at Home: With the right techniques, you can achieve that professional taste and texture.
Tips and Tricks for Perfect Honey Walnut Shrimp
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Fry shrimp in small batches to maintain the oil’s temperature and achieve an even crisp.
Choose the Right Shrimp: Opt for large, peeled, and deveined shrimp. Tail-on shrimp add a restaurant-style flair.
Cornstarch for Crispiness: Dredging the shrimp in cornstarch before frying ensures a light, crispy coating.
Candied Walnuts Made Easy: Boil walnuts in sugar water, then toast them for a crunchy, caramelized coating.
The Secret to the Glaze: Mix honey, sweetened condensed milk, and mayonnaise for a velvety, slightly tangy glaze.
Variations of Honey Walnut Shrimp
Honey Walnut Shrimp is versatile, and you can tweak it to suit your taste preferences or dietary needs:
- Healthier Option: Skip the frying and bake or air-fry the shrimp. You can also use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise in the glaze.
- Spicy Twist: Add a drizzle of Sriracha or sprinkle chili flakes into the glaze for a spicy kick.
- Vegetarian Alternative: Replace shrimp with crispy tofu or tempura-style cauliflower.
- Nut-Free Version: Swap out walnuts for sesame seeds or omit the nuts altogether.
Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp – Variations
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or Sriracha to the sauce for a touch of heat.
- For a tropical twist, add some chopped pineapple chunks to the sauce.
- Substitute chopped almonds for the walnuts and add a drizzle of melted chocolate over the finished dish for a decadent treat.
How to Serve Honey Walnut Shrimp
This dish is incredibly versatile and pairs well with a variety of sides:
Appetizer: Serve on a platter as bite-sized portions for parties or gatherings.
Rice: Serve over steamed jasmine rice or fried rice for a complete meal.
Noodles: Pair with lo mein or rice noodles tossed in soy sauce.
Vegetables: Balance the richness with stir-fried broccoli, snap peas, or bok choy.
Honey Walnut Shrimp (Panda Express)
Honey Walnut Shrimp - This dish known for its irresistible combination of crispy shrimp, sweet honey glaze, and crunchy caramelized walnuts. A classic in Chinese-American cuisine, this dish often graces the menus of popular restaurants like Panda Express and P.F. Chang’s.
Ingredients
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 teaspoon salt
Walnuts
- 1 cup walnuts halved
- 6 tablespoons water
- 1/4 cup honey
For the sauce
- 2 tablespoons plain yogurt
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup honey
Instructions
- Heat a small saucepan over medium heat. Add honey and water and mix well until thickened. Add the walnut and stir to coat with the honey. Transfer on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and let cool.
- For the sauce: In a medium bowl, add honey, mayonnaise, and yogurt. Mix well until smooth. Set aside.
- In a shallow dish, add cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- In another dish, whisk egg and water. Take one shrimp at a time and dip in the cornstarch mixture, then to the egg mixture, and then again to the cornstarch mixture.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil, once hot. Add the coated shrimps and brown for about 2-3 minutes on each side. Transfer to a wire rack. Fry in batches and fry the remaining shrimps.
- Drizzle with the sauce, add the walnuts, and serve immediately with steamed rice.
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Nutrition Information
Yield
6Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 470Total Fat 27gSaturated Fat 4gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 22gCholesterol 198mgSodium 1203mgCarbohydrates 37gFiber 1gSugar 24gProtein 21g
Easy Shrimp Recipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
How to Store and Reheat Honey Walnut Shrimp
If you have leftovers (which might be rare because it’s so delicious!), here’s how to keep them fresh:
- Storage: Place leftover Honey Walnut Shrimp in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in a skillet over medium heat to retain some crispiness, or use an air fryer for a quick refresh. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the shrimp soggy.
Recipe FAQs
Is this Healthy?
Traditionally, honey walnut shrimp is a fried dish. However, you can lighten it up by using healthier cooking methods like pan-frying or baking the shrimp. You can also use low-fat mayonnaise and skip the candied walnuts for a lower-calorie version.
What Kind of Shrimp to Use?
Large or jumbo shrimp (deveined and peeled) work best for this recipe. You can find them fresh or frozen in most grocery stores.
Can I Use a Pre-Made Batter?
Absolutely! To save time, feel free to use a store-bought tempura batter mix. Just follow the package instructions for mixing and dipping.
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