Honey Walnut Shrimp

Crispy fried shrimp blanketed in a sweet and creamy sauce with crunchy candied walnuts for extra texture and flavor, this honey walnut shrimp is the best at-home version of your favorite takeout.

Why this recipe works

Honey walnut shrimp is quick and easy to make at home in as little as 20 minutes. This crispy shrimp is coated in a sweet mayo-based sauce and sprinkled with candied walnuts. You get a little bit of nutty crunch in between bites of tender-crisp shrimp and creamy, sweet sauce. Need I say more?

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

SHRIMP – We are using 1 pound of large uncooked shrimp that have been deveined, peeled, and have had the tails removed. However, you can use any size shrimp you’d like for this recipe, just keep in mind that the size will matter for how long you will need to cook them. Shrimp is done cooking when it begins turning opaque/white in color with bright pink hues. It can be difficult to tell when the shrimp is done cooking if it’s been dredged, so follow the 2-3 minute rule on each side to avoid overcooking the shrimp.

OIL – You can use olive oil, canola oil, vegetable oil, or peanut oil to fry the shrimp.

HONEY – As one of the main stars of this shrimp dish, I would highly recommend keeping it in the recipe. After all, it’s honey walnut shrimp! However, you can use maple syrup if you are in a pinch and don’t have honey.

How to Make Honey Walnut Shrimp

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

1. First, combine the water and sugar in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, add walnuts.
2. Stir then allow to boil for 2 minutes. Drain walnuts and pat dry with paper towels. Set aside.
3. Next, in a medium bowl, whisk together egg and flour for dipping shrimp.
4. Heat oil in skillet over medium-high heat.
5. Dip shrimp in batter and place in skillet, being careful not to crowd them. Fry for 2 minutes on each side. Drain on paper towels. Set aside.
6. Meanwhile, to make the sauce, in a medium bowl, mix mayonnaise, honey, red pepper flakes, and sweetened condensed milk.
7. In a large bowl, combine walnuts, shrimp, and sauce. Using gloved hands, gently coat the shrimp and walnuts with the sauce.
   
   EXPERT TIP – We suggest using gloved hands instead of stirring with a spoon so you don’t knock all the cooked batter off the shrimp.
   
   

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

Honey walnut shrimp is best served right away, however, if you happen to have leftovers, you can store them in an air-tight container kept in the refrigerator for a day or so. Fried shrimp doused in sauce likely won’t crisp back up well when reheated, but I would recommend using an air fryer for best results.

Serving Suggestions

Serve over regular or fried rice with optional mix-ins like broccoli, snap peas, or bell peppers.

More Shrimp Recipes

• Crispy Shrimp
• Shrimp Pasta
• Shrimp Kabobs
• Shrimp Fajitas
• Air Fryer Shrimp
• Blackened Shrimp

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