Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe
Introduction
Honey Walnut Shrimp is a delightful combination of crispy fried shrimp coated in a creamy, sweet sauce, paired with candied walnuts for extra crunch. This dish is a perfect balance of textures and flavors that will impress your family and guests alike.

Ingredients
- 1 lb shrimp, shell removed and deveined
- Minced green onions (optional)
- Sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1.5 tbsp condensed milk
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1/4 lemon (about 1 tbsp juice)
- Sugar Walnuts:
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup walnuts
- Batter:
- 1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 egg whites
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the sugar walnuts by combining water, sugar, and walnuts in a pan over medium-high heat. Stir and bring to a simmer, then continue stirring occasionally until the liquid thickens and reduces, about 2 to 4 minutes. Remove walnuts and let cool on parchment paper.
- Step 2: Make the sauce by mixing mayonnaise, condensed milk, honey, and lemon juice in a bowl. Set aside.
- Step 3: Rinse the shrimp, pat dry, and season with salt and pepper.
- Step 4: To make the batter, whisk the egg whites until foamy. Add the cornstarch and stir until well combined. Coat the shrimp thoroughly with the batter.
- Step 5: Heat oil in a pot over medium heat. Once hot, add the shrimp one by one, frying in batches without overcrowding. Cook each batch for 3 to 4 minutes or until fully cooked.
- Step 6: For extra crispiness, double fry all the cooked shrimp together for another 3 to 4 minutes.
- Step 7: Let the shrimp cool on a cooling rack for at least 5 minutes. Toss the shrimp with the sauce and half of the sugar walnuts. Garnish with the remaining walnuts and minced green onions if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Tips & Variations
- Use cold oil for frying and maintain medium heat to ensure shrimp cooks evenly and stays crispy.
- Try substituting walnuts with pecans or almonds for a different nutty flavor.
- For a lighter version, try baking the shrimp after battering instead of frying, though the texture will differ.
- Adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the batter can give a subtle spicy kick.
Storage
Store leftover honey walnut shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat to maintain crispiness. Avoid microwaving to prevent the batter from becoming soggy.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen shrimp, but be sure to thaw them completely and pat dry before seasoning and frying to avoid excess moisture.
How do I make sure the shrimp are crispy and not soggy?
Double frying the shrimp and allowing them to cool on a rack before tossing in the sauce helps maintain crispiness. Also, avoid overcrowding the fryer to keep the oil temperature steady.
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Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Honey Walnut Shrimp is a delightful Chinese-American dish featuring crispy battered shrimp coated in a creamy, sweet honey-mayonnaise sauce and topped with candied walnuts for an irresistible crunch and flavor contrast.
Ingredients
Shrimp
- 1 lb shrimp, shell removed and deveined
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Minced green onions, optional, for garnish
Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1.5 tbsp sweetened condensed milk
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1/4 lemon (about 1 tbsp juice)
Sugar Walnuts
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup walnuts
Batter
- 1/2 cup cornstarch plus 2 tbsp cornstarch (total 10 tbsp)
- 2 egg whites
Instructions
- Prepare Sugar Walnuts: Heat a pan over medium-high heat and add water, sugar, and walnuts. Stir and bring to a gentle simmer. Continue to stir occasionally as the liquid thickens and reduces, which should take about 2-4 minutes. Remove walnuts once candied and lay them out on parchment paper to cool and harden.
- Make the Sauce: In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, sweetened condensed milk, honey, and lemon juice. Mix well until smooth and set aside for later use.
- Prepare Shrimp: Rinse the shrimp under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper to taste.
- Make the Batter: In a bowl, whisk the egg whites until foamy. Gradually add the cornstarch (all 10 tbsp) while stirring to form a smooth batter that coats the shrimp well.
- Batter the Shrimp: Add the shrimp into the batter and mix until each piece is thoroughly coated.
- Deep Fry the Shrimp: Heat a pot of oil over medium heat until hot enough for frying (approximately 350°F or 175°C). Add the shrimp one by one into the hot oil, ensuring they are evenly coated and do not overcrowd the pot. Fry for 3-4 minutes or until fully cooked and lightly golden.
- Double Fry for Crispiness: Remove all cooked shrimp with a slotted spoon and drain on a cooling rack. Once all shrimp are cooked, fry them again together for another 3-4 minutes until extra crispy.
- Combine and Serve: Let the shrimp cool for at least 5 minutes. Gently toss the crispy shrimp with the prepared sauce and half of the candied walnuts. Garnish with the remaining walnuts and optional minced green onions. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- The batter consistency should be thick enough to coat the shrimp well without dripping off too much.
- Double frying improves the crispiness of the shrimp significantly.
- If desired, you can adjust the honey and lemon juice in the sauce to balance sweetness and tartness to your taste.
- Be careful not to overcrowd the frying pot to ensure even cooking and maintain oil temperature.
- Use parchment paper for cooling sugar walnuts to prevent sticking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Seafood
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese-American
Keywords: Honey Walnut Shrimp, crispy shrimp, candied walnuts, fried shrimp, Chinese-American seafood, sweet shrimp sauce

