How To Cook Walnut Shrimp

To cook walnut shrimp, you coat plump shrimp in a light, crispy batter, fry them until golden, then toss them in a creamy, sweet, and tangy honey mayonnaise sauce and finish with candied walnuts.
 
It’s a classic dish you’ll find at many Chinese restaurants and banquets, and it’s surprisingly easy to recreate in your own kitchen.
 
The magic of how to cook walnut shrimp lies in the balance between the crunchy, sweet coating on the shrimp and the rich, creamy sauce that ties everything together.
 
If you’ve ever wondered how to cook walnut shrimp that tastes just like the restaurant version, you’re in the right place.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through how to cook walnut shrimp step by step, from prepping the shrimp and candying the walnuts to whipping up that signature creamy sauce.
 
Let’s dive in.
 

Why You’ll Love Learning How to Cook Walnut Shrimp

When you learn how to cook walnut shrimp at home, you gain full control over the quality of the ingredients and the flavor balance.
 
This dish is a favorite because it hits every note: sweet, savory, creamy, and crunchy all in one bite.
 
Knowing how to cook walnut shrimp also means you can adjust the sweetness to your liking and skip any mystery additives.
 
Plus, once you master how to cook walnut shrimp, you’ll have an impressive dish to serve at parties, holidays, or a cozy weeknight dinner.
 

1. It’s a Restaurant Classic Made Simple

Many people assume that knowing how to cook walnut shrimp requires professional chef skills.
 
The truth is, it’s just a matter of following a few straightforward steps.
 
The main techniques are battering, frying, and stirring a sauce, all of which are beginner-friendly.
 

2. You Control the Sweetness

When you learn how to cook walnut shrimp, you decide how much honey or condensed milk goes into the sauce.
 
Restaurant versions can be overly sweet, so making it yourself lets you dial it back or go all in.
 
This is a big reason so many home cooks love learning how to cook walnut shrimp.
 

3. It Uses Simple, Accessible Ingredients

To cook walnut shrimp, you only need shrimp, walnuts, a few pantry staples, and some basic produce.
 
Nothing here is hard to find at a regular grocery store.
 
That accessibility is part of why so many people are eager to learn how to cook walnut shrimp.
 

Ingredients You’ll Need to Cook Walnut Shrimp

Before we get into how to cook walnut shrimp, let’s gather everything so the process flows smoothly.
 
For the shrimp, you’ll need about a pound of large peeled and deveined shrimp.
 
For the batter, grab an egg, cornstarch, and a pinch of salt.
 
For the candied walnuts, you’ll need walnut halves, sugar, and water.
 
For the creamy sauce, have mayonnaise, honey, condensed milk, and a little lemon juice on hand.
 
A bit of oil for frying, plus some toasted sesame seeds or chopped green onions for garnish, rounds things out.
 

1. Choosing the Right Shrimp

The best shrimp for how to cook walnut shrimp are large or jumbo size, since they hold up well during frying.
 
Fresh or frozen both work fine, as long as they’re fully thawed and patted dry.
 

2. Picking Good Walnuts

Fresh walnut halves give the best crunch and flavor.
 
Avoid stale or bitter nuts, because they can ruin the whole dish.
 

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Cook Walnut Shrimp

Now for the fun part: the actual process of how to cook walnut shrimp from start to finish.
 

1. Candy the Walnuts

Start by boiling the walnuts for a couple of minutes to remove any bitterness.
 
Then simmer them in a sugar and water syrup until the liquid thickens and coats each nut.
 
Spread them on a baking sheet to cool and crisp up.
 

2. Batter and Fry the Shrimp

Pat the shrimp dry, then dip each one into a beaten egg.
 
Coat it thoroughly in cornstarch and a bit of salt.
 
Heat oil to around 350°F and fry the shrimp in small batches until golden and crispy.
 
Drain them on paper towels.
 

3. Make the Creamy Sauce

Whisk together mayonnaise, honey, condensed milk, and a squeeze of lemon juice.
 
Taste and adjust the sweetness or tanginess to your preference.
 
This sauce is the heart of how to cook walnut shrimp, so don’t rush it.
 

4. Combine Everything

Gently toss the fried shrimp in the sauce until every piece is coated.
 
Fold in the candied walnuts, or scatter them on top for extra crunch.
 
Garnish with sesame seeds or green onions and serve immediately.
 

Tips for Perfecting How to Cook Walnut Shrimp

A few small tweaks make a big difference when you cook walnut shrimp at home.
 

1. Keep the Oil at the Right Temperature

If the oil is too cool, the shrimp get greasy; too hot, and they burn before cooking through.
 
A stable 350°F is your best friend for how to cook walnut shrimp perfectly.
 

2. Don’t Overcrowd the Pan

Frying in small batches keeps the oil temperature steady and gives each shrimp a crisp coating.
 

3. Sauce the Shrimp Right Before Serving

If you sauce them too early, the coating gets soggy.
 
Toss and serve right away so every bite stays crunchy.
 

4. Balance the Sweetness

Condensed milk and honey make the sauce rich.
 
A little lemon juice or rice vinegar balances it out so it’s not cloying.
 

5. Toast the Walnuts for Extra Flavor

A quick toast deepens the nutty taste.
 
Just keep an eye on them so they don’t burn.
 

So, How to Cook Walnut Shrimp?

To cook walnut shrimp, you candy the walnuts, batter and fry the shrimp until golden, then toss everything in a creamy honey mayonnaise sauce.
 
It’s a dish that looks and tastes impressive but comes together with simple steps and everyday ingredients.
 
Now that you know how to cook walnut shrimp, you can enjoy this restaurant favorite any night of the week.
 
Give this recipe a try and see just how easy and rewarding it is to cook walnut shrimp at home.