Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe - Chisel & Fork (2024)

This honey walnut shrimp recipe is made with crispy fried shrimp coated in a creamy and sweet sauce, then topped with candied walnuts. It is better than any take-out version out there.

While I love Chinese food, I prefer to make it myself instead of ordering take-out - from Chinese orange chicken to chicken fried rice.

But one ingredient I've been trying to use more lately is shrimp. So when craving some good Chinese food, the first recipe that popped into my head was honey walnut shrimp.

If you've never had it, you fry the shrimp in a tempura-like batter and then toss in a sauce made with mayonnaise, condensed milk and honey. Oh and of course the walnuts. It is a very simple dish which comes together quickly but is loaded with flavor.

Panda Express has probably made it most famous. But don't worry, this honey walnut shrimp recipe is much better! And cheaper to boot!

Ingredient Notes

• Shrimp - use wild shrimp and whatever size you like. Just keep in mind the cooking time will vary.
• Walnuts - add crunch and flavor.
• Mayonnaise - the base for the sauce.
• Honey - where a lot of the flavor and sweetness comes from.
• Condensed milk - one of the traditional ingredients in the honey walnut sauce. Helps add more sweetness and thickens the sauce.
• Cornstarch - coats the shrimp to get it crispy when fried.

Ingredient Swaps

As with any recipe, you can mix up some of the ingredients. Some variations include:

• While I use vegetable oil for frying, you can use any oil from canola to coconut oil.
• Honey is in the title because it is a main ingredient, but maple syrup would work too.
• Cornstarch is more traditional with frying in Chinese food, but you can use flour as well.

Step-by-Step Photos

Boil walnuts with water and sugar for 2 minutes before transferring to baking sheet to dry. Then make the sauce by whisking together the mayonnaise, honey, condensed milk and red pepper flakes.

Whisk together the egg whites and cornstarch with a mixer until soft peaks form then dip the shrimp in the batter.

Heat oil in deep skillet over medium-high heat and fry shrimp for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown. Then toss in the sauce and top with candied walnuts.

FAQs

Pro Tips/Recipe Notes

• Usewild shrimpwhen possible. It ishealthierfor you and justtastes better. Frozen shrimpworks fine too but just make sure they're thawed before cooking.
• Add another pinch of crushed red pepper flakes if you want more heat.
• Cornstarch batter stays light in color but will be crisp.
• If you want extra crunchy walnuts throw on pan in oven at 350°F for 5 minutes.

Other Shrimp Recipes

If you’ve tried this honey walnut shrimp recipe or any other recipe on Chisel & Fork, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also follow meonFacebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube to see more tasty meals and anything else I'm up to.

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