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How to make honey walnut shrimp is one of those restaurant-style dishes that feels fancy but is surprisingly easy to pull off at home.
The key is nailing three things: crispy shrimp, a creamy honey mayo sauce, and candied walnuts that bring crunch and sweetness in every bite.
If you’ve ever ordered honey walnut shrimp at a Chinese restaurant and wondered how to make honey walnut shrimp taste that good, you’re in the right place.
In this post, we’ll walk through how to make honey walnut shrimp step by step, from prepping the shrimp to candying the walnuts and tossing everything in that signature sauce.
Let’s dive in.
Why You’ll Love Making Honey Walnut Shrimp at Home
Learning how to make honey walnut shrimp at home means you control the quality of every ingredient.
You can skip the heavy batter some restaurants use and get a lighter, crispier coating instead.
Plus, honey walnut shrimp comes together in about 30 minutes once you’ve got your ingredients ready.
It’s the kind of dish that looks impressive for guests but is simple enough for a weeknight dinner.
And honestly, when you know how to make honey walnut shrimp yourself, you’ll never want to pay premium takeout prices again.
The Three Components of Honey Walnut Shrimp
Every great honey walnut shrimp recipe has three parts working together.
The first is the shrimp, which gets coated and fried until golden and crispy.
The second is the candied walnuts, which add sweetness and a satisfying crunch.
The third is the creamy honey sauce, usually made with mayonnaise, honey, and a little condensed milk.
When these three come together, you get the perfect balance of textures and flavors that makes honey walnut shrimp so addictive.
Ingredients for Honey Walnut Shrimp
Before you learn how to make honey walnut shrimp, gather everything so the process goes smoothly.
For the shrimp, you’ll need one pound of large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined.
You’ll also need an egg white, cornstarch, and a pinch of salt and white pepper for the coating.
For the candied walnuts, grab one cup of walnut halves, half a cup of sugar, and a cup of water.
You might also add a tablespoon of honey for extra gloss on the walnuts.
For the sauce, you’ll need half a cup of mayonnaise, three tablespoons of honey, one tablespoon of condensed milk, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
Oil for frying rounds out the list, so make sure you have enough on hand.
How to Make Honey Walnut Shrimp Step by Step
Now let’s get into the actual process of how to make honey walnut shrimp from start to finish.
Follow these steps and you’ll have a restaurant-quality dish on your table in no time.
1. Candy the Walnuts First
Start by bringing your sugar, water, and honey to a boil in a small saucepan.
Add the walnut halves and let them simmer for about two minutes.
Drain them well and spread them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Let them cool completely, and they’ll develop that glossy, crunchy coating you love in honey walnut shrimp.
2. Prep and Coat the Shrimp
Pat your shrimp dry with paper towels so the coating sticks properly.
Whisk the egg white with a pinch of salt and white pepper in one bowl.
Put cornstarch in another bowl.
Dip each shrimp into the egg white, then toss it in cornstarch until fully coated.
This light coating is what gives honey walnut shrimp its signature crispy texture without being too heavy.
3. Fry the Shrimp Until Golden
Heat about two inches of oil in a deep pan to around 350°F.
Fry the shrimp in batches for about two minutes per side until they’re golden and crisp.
Don’t overcrowd the pan, or the shrimp will steam instead of fry.
Drain them on a wire rack or paper towels, then set aside while you make the sauce.
4. Whisk Together the Creamy Honey Sauce
In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, honey, condensed milk, and lemon juice.
Whisk until the sauce is smooth and glossy.
Taste it and adjust the sweetness or tanginess to your liking.
This sauce is the heart of any honey walnut shrimp recipe, so don’t rush this step.
5. Toss Everything Together and Serve
Add the fried shrimp to the bowl with the sauce and gently toss until each piece is coated.
Fold in the candied walnuts, saving a few to scatter on top for presentation.
Serve your honey walnut shrimp immediately over steamed white rice or lettuce cups.
And that’s how to make honey walnut shrimp that tastes just like your favorite takeout spot.
Tips for the Best Honey Walnut Shrimp
Use fresh, large shrimp for the best texture and flavor in your honey walnut shrimp.
Don’t skip the candied walnuts, since they’re what makes honey walnut shrimp stand out from other shrimp dishes.
If you want a lighter version, you can air-fry the shrimp instead of deep-frying them.
Just spray them with a little oil and cook at 400°F for about eight minutes, flipping halfway through.
You can also make the sauce ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to three days.
When you’re ready to serve, just fry the shrimp, warm the sauce slightly, and toss everything together.
Knowing how to make honey walnut shrimp means you can tweak the sweetness, crunch, and creaminess to suit your taste.
So, How to Make Honey Walnut Shrimp?
Learning how to make honey walnut shrimp comes down to crispy shrimp, candied walnuts, and a creamy honey mayo sauce.
Candy the walnuts, coat and fry the shrimp, whisk the sauce, then toss everything together.
With these simple steps, you can enjoy honey walnut shrimp at home anytime the craving hits.
Have fun cooking, and enjoy every crispy, sweet, creamy bite.