Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe

Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup water
  • cup white sugar
  • cup walnuts
  • 4 large egg whites
  • cup mochiko (glutinous rice flour)
  • 1 cup vegetable oil for frying
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon canned sweetened condensed milk

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients and ensure you have everything ready for the cooking process.
  2. In a small saucepan, combine the water and sugar. Stir the mixture over high heat until it comes to a boil. Once boiling, add the walnuts and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Drain the walnuts and transfer them to a cookie sheet to dry.
  3. In a medium bowl, whip the egg whites until they become foamy. Then, add the mochiko and stir until the mixture achieves a pasty consistency.
  4. Heat the vegetable oil in a deep, heavy skillet over medium-high heat.
  5. Dip each shrimp into the mochiko batter, ensuring its coated evenly, and fry them in batches in the hot oil. Fry for about 5 minutes, or until the shrimp turn golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to remove the shrimp and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil.
  6. In a medium serving bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, honey, and sweetened condensed milk until smooth.
  7. Add the fried shrimp to the bowl and toss them gently to coat with the sauce.
  8. Sprinkle the candied walnuts on top of the shrimp, then serve and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

  • Calories: 605
  • Total Fat: 26g (34% Daily Value)
  • Saturated Fat: 4g (19% Daily Value)
  • Cholesterol: 179mg (60% Daily Value)
  • Sodium: 340mg (15% Daily Value)
  • Total Carbohydrates: 68g (25% Daily Value)
  • Dietary Fiber: 2g (5% Daily Value)
  • Total Sugars: 45g
  • Protein: 26g (52% Daily Value)
  • Vitamin C: 2mg (3% Daily Value)
  • Calcium: 69mg (5% Daily Value)
  • Iron: 3mg (18% Daily Value)
  • Potassium: 317mg (7% Daily Value)

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may vary depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information may not be available for all ingredients. The values provided are based on available data.

Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe

Honey Walnut Shrimp is a beloved dish that combines crispy shrimp, a creamy, sweet honey-mayonnaise sauce, and crunchy, caramelized walnuts. This dish is a favorite in Chinese-American cuisine, often found on the menu at many Chinese restaurants, especially those serving Cantonese-style food.

Origin and History

The origins of Honey Walnut Shrimp are widely attributed to Chinese-American cuisine, though it is not typically found in traditional Chinese cooking. It gained popularity in the United States, particularly in Chinese restaurants that cater to Western tastes. The dish was likely created in the late 20th century, blending elements of traditional Chinese fried shrimp with the rich, sweet flavors that appeal to Western palates. The use of walnuts and a sweet sauce is a nod to the influence of American flavors in Chinese-American fusion cooking.

Regional Variations

While Honey Walnut Shrimp is predominantly seen in Chinese-American restaurants across the United States, it has several variations depending on the region. In some versions, the shrimp are coated with a light batter and fried, while others may include a heavier batter for extra crunch. Some variations also use different types of nutssuch as cashews or pecansinstead of walnuts. Additionally, the sauce may vary in sweetness or creaminess based on regional preferences, with some chefs opting for a more mayo-heavy base while others lean towards a lighter, honey-forward mixture.

How It Differs from Similar Dishes

Honey Walnut Shrimp stands out from similar dishes, such as Shrimp with Lobster Sauce or General Tso's Shrimp, because of its distinctive sweet and creamy sauce combined with the added crunch of candied walnuts. The dish is unique in its use of walnuts, a less common nut in traditional Chinese recipes. This sets it apart from other fried shrimp dishes that may focus more on savory or spicy flavors. Additionally, Honey Walnut Shrimps sauce, often a mix of mayonnaise, honey, and condensed milk, is notably sweeter and creamier compared to the savory or slightly tangy sauces used in other shrimp dishes.

Where Is It Usually Served?

Honey Walnut Shrimp is most commonly found in Chinese-American restaurants, particularly those offering Cantonese-style dishes. It is often served as an appetizer or a main dish, usually paired with steamed rice or fried rice. The dishs combination of flavors makes it a popular choice for special occasions or family-style dining, where guests can enjoy the rich, indulgent flavors together. The dish is also a frequent feature at upscale Chinese restaurants, catering to those looking for a fusion of traditional and contemporary flavors.

Interesting Facts About Honey Walnut Shrimp

  • Although it is a staple in Chinese-American restaurants, Honey Walnut Shrimp is not commonly found in traditional Chinese cooking. Its creation is largely credited to chefs adapting Chinese recipes for the American market.
  • Some chefs use alternative nuts like cashews or macadamia nuts, but walnuts remain the most popular choice due to their texture and flavor.
  • The dish became especially famous after being featured on the menu of major Chinese chain restaurants like Panda Express, where it quickly became one of their signature items.
  • Honey Walnut Shrimp is often made with shrimp that are lightly battered and deep-fried to achieve the perfect balance of crunch and tenderness, making it a comfort food favorite for many.
  • Though the dish is widely loved in the U.S., it has also been embraced by other countries with large Chinese diaspora communities, adapting slightly to local tastes.

Whether you're a fan of sweet, crispy shrimp or looking to try something new, Honey Walnut Shrimp is a dish that offers a unique blend of textures and flavors that will leave your taste buds craving more. Whether enjoyed as a standalone dish or as part of a larger meal, its sure to be a crowd-pleaser at any table.

FAQ about Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe

Yes, you can substitute walnuts with other nuts like pecans or almonds. Keep in mind that the texture and flavor may differ slightly depending on the nut used.

Leftover honey walnut shrimp should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It is best eaten within 1-2 days for optimal freshness, as the shrimp may lose their crispness over time.

Freezing is not recommended for honey walnut shrimp, as the texture of the shrimp and sauce may deteriorate upon thawing. However, you can freeze the fried shrimp separately and then reheat them in the oven for a crispy texture before adding the sauce.

Yes, the sauce can be prepared in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When ready to use, stir well and toss with freshly fried shrimp.

Mochiko is recommended for its unique texture, which helps give the shrimp a crispy coating. If you don't have mochiko, you can substitute it with cornstarch or all-purpose flour, although the texture might vary slightly.

Honey walnut shrimp pairs well with steamed rice, fried rice, or a light vegetable side like sautéed broccoli or a fresh salad. You can also serve it with some pickled vegetables for a balance of flavors.

Yes, you can use pre-cooked shrimp, but make sure to avoid overcooking them during frying. The goal is to crisp up the batter without making the shrimp rubbery.

To make the shrimp extra crispy, ensure that the oil is hot enough before frying (about 350°F or 175°C). Fry the shrimp in small batches to avoid overcrowding, and make sure to drain them on paper towels to remove excess oil.

It's best to use a creamy, full-fat mayonnaise for the sauce to achieve the right consistency. Some people use Japanese Kewpie mayonnaise for its sweeter flavor, but any standard mayonnaise will work.

While frying the shrimp is part of the recipe's texture, you could pan-sear or bake the shrimp as an alternative to reduce the oil content. Keep in mind that this will change the texture of the dish.

Comments

[the clueless cook]

10/06/2025 01:52:54 PM

Oh my gosh! I *absolutely love* honey walnut shrimp, but I didn't think that the recipe would be as simple as this. Like my display name says, I'm clueless when it comes to cooking. The only part that took me a while to get down was separating the egg whites, but other than that, if you're craving for some honey walnut shrimp, THIS is the recipe to use! Also, don't forget about the cabbage! Just shred some cabbage and spread it on the bottom of your container. After you coat the shrimp with the sauce, the cabbage can catch the extra sauce, and you've got yourself a delicious salad!

bakedbyjen

11/27/2006 09:56:01 AM

yum! i used cornstarch instead of the flour it called for and it worked just as well. instead of boiling the pecans in sugar water, try toasting them in a sauce pan with 2 tbsp of butter and then 2-3 tbsp of brown sugar.

mychiquitin

11/09/2023 12:02:39 AM

It was delicious. My kids love Panda’s Honey Walnut shrimp and they devoured these shrimp. The only changes I made was to lightly salt the shrimp before dipping them in the batter. Also, I didn’t have glutinous rice flour so I used regular rice flour and two tablespoons of corn starch. My batter was a little thick so I also added a couple tablespoons of water.

Miranda Schmidt

07/19/2023 03:37:40 AM

I didn’t have condensed milk so I used coconut water with the mayo and honey, also added about 1 TBSP of sugar. Didn’t have walnuts so used pecans. Didn’t have rice flour so used tempura batter with the egg whites. Overall it came out the same as I have had in restaurants! I was impressed with myself.

Lindsay Schumaker

11/07/2021 03:59:56 PM

Thank you Celia for a very very good recipe. I learned a lot and got to eat a dish I have no way of ordering near me and had been craving. Thank you!! I liked this recipe a lot. I decided to make the recipe as is with no suggestions/changes from other reviewers. Here are my notes/lessons learned. I am an average home cook but have never fried meat before and this took about 1.5 hrs start to serving. That time included making a side of rice, chopping a couple heads of broccoli then steaming, and also deveining shrimp that were tail/shell free. Step one notes: I followed the recipe exactly and even with doing this first my nuts were wet and not very sweet by serving time. I will look at other reviews to alter the recipe (maybe less water or making a sugary paste..) Also I put them on a cookie sheet but all this did was make another big dish to clean from sugary water. 1/2 cup of walnuts is not much so I’ll put them on a dinner plate that is easier to throw in the dishwasher at the end. This meal makes a lot of clean up dishes as is. (One other thought… I now wonder if the recipe is supposed to have another Atr and the baking sheet is to put the walnuts into the over to dry out and bake?) Step two notes: I could not find mochiko at my small town local grocery or Walmart but I did get the mochiko flour from Amazon. I’ll use the left over flour to make this again and to attempt to make mocchi from scratch. The batter using the flour was awesome but using the full amount of

Shannon

03/10/2021 07:59:52 PM

Delicious! Better than the restaurant version I enjoyed before COVID closed down the restaurant I went to. I did make some mild observations and had to make one substitution. Observations: 1. When using nonstick cookware, instead of a plastic slotted spoon you may benefit from tongs or chopsticks as the spoon WILL warp. 2. I had to add about 2 tablespoons of water to the mochiko and egg mixture in order to thin it out enough it would stick to the shrimp. I also had to toss to coat instead of being able to just dip it in. 3. I used pre-cooked shrimp so this wasn’t an issue, but at medium high the batter became golden and in one batch a little burned in under a minute. You may need to play around with your stove to find out if it’s an over achiever like mine is! 4. The oil wasn’t quite deep enough in the skillet I used, so I will be adding more to avoid having to turn the shrimp over half way through again. My substitution was miracle whip instead of proper mayonnaise, both because we were out of mayo and because my mine went to kewpie mayo which is sweeter and miracle whip was as close as I could get to it on short notice. All in all an easy, fast recipe! (Don’t be me and forget to wear long sleeves!)

abs

04/26/2020 09:32:21 PM

My family really enjoyed this. I actually used chicken instead of shrimp. I cut the chicken into bite sized pieces and they cooked fine (( checked the internal temperature to make sure). I warmed the sauce a bit because I didn't want to cool down the food. Because of this, I had to add a bit of milk to the sauce to loosen it back up. I definitely needed a lot more oil than the recipe called for but that was okay. It sounds like I changed a lot of things but not really. This recipe is good as it is, these were just my preferences.

Utterly Designed

11/04/2024 02:30:54 AM

Great recipe. I used the tempura batter. Roasted the walnuts in the oven with butter and brown sugar. Served it with fried rice. The recipe was perfect.

loriaprn

04/08/2020 06:08:31 AM

My family loved this recipe! My kids don't eat shrimp, so I cut some chicken breasts in to cubes and then followed the recipe. I didn't have rice flour so I substituted with 2 tablespoons of corn starch to every cup of all purpose flour. Recipe turned out perfect! Can't wait to share this with others! Thank you!

JoyfulDonut6356

09/25/2023 05:07:45 PM

Soo... the only honey that I had was the Langnese Acacia honey.. and OMG... I absolutely LOVE it and can't get out of it.. Thank you so so much for this recipe, I can't wait to have my family try this too. :")

Diana Lambert

05/04/2020 03:07:58 PM

Very involved and a lot of work I thought but the outcome was delicious. Next time I’m not going to do all it asks for the walnuts. I’m just going to put them in the sauce. Because it was a lot of work but also because the walnuts didn’t seem all that great for the effort. The shrimp and the sauce was so yummy. I used cornstarch instead of the very elusive and impossible to find glutinous rice flour.

Theresa Madore Griffith

05/26/2025 06:06:34 PM

Very good.

KevinJD

01/14/2025 10:43:34 PM

Made this for my wife, only change I made was used Corn Starch instead of mochiko (glutinous rice flour), due to availability. She loved it!

Cindicindi

10/09/2024 10:01:18 PM

It never ceases to amaze me how people always seem to change a recipe greatly, then make either positive or negative comment. Their recipe is not the recipe given! Just saying!

Dennis Robinson

08/14/2024 07:57:23 PM

Even my dad said it was impressive.

Joyce Allen

07/18/2024 11:15:40 PM

Perfect for busy weeknights.

Benjamin Nguyen

06/17/2024 07:08:13 AM

Made it last night — everyone raved.

SwiftFeta8865

05/31/2024 08:39:27 PM

Walnut shrimp is one of my all-time favorites and this recipe was right on.

Charles Williams

05/29/2024 04:12:17 AM

I can’t imagine why anyone wouldn’t like this.

Catherine Clark

05/15/2024 08:29:10 PM

Totally exceeded my expectations.