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Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 112 reviews

Honey Walnut Shrimp is a popular Chinese-American dish featuring crispy, golden-fried shrimp coated in a sweet and creamy honey mayo sauce, paired with crunchy candied walnuts. This recipe offers a delightful balance of textures and flavors, combining the lightness of shrimp with the rich sweetness of the sauce and the crunchy candied nuts, making it a perfect appetizer or main course that’s both indulgent and satisfying.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Shrimp:

  • 1 lb jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 4 egg whites
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ⅔ cup cornstarch (or substitute with potato starch, tapioca starch, or sweet rice flour)
  • 1 cup vegetable oil (or any neutral oil for frying)

Sauce:

  • ¼ cup Japanese mayo (Kewpie mayo) or substitute with normal mayo
  • 3 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk (or condensed coconut milk for dairy-free version)
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed

For the Candied Walnuts:

  • ½ cup walnut halves
  • 3 tablespoons white granulated sugar (or substitute with brown sugar)
  • 1 tablespoon cold water

Optional Garnish:

  • 1 green onion, finely chopped

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the Japanese mayo, sweetened condensed milk, honey, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Whisk together until smooth and set aside.
  2. Candy the Walnuts: Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat. Add the sugar followed immediately by the cold water, stirring constantly. Bring to a simmer, ensuring the sugar dissolves fully. Continue stirring until the syrup thickens enough to coat the back of your spatula.
  3. Coat Walnuts: Quickly add the walnut halves to the thickened syrup in the pan and stir to coat them evenly. Once each walnut is coated in a glossy crust, remove the pan from heat immediately.
  4. Cool Walnuts: Using tongs, transfer the candied walnuts one by one onto parchment paper, spreading them apart to cool and harden without sticking.
  5. Season the Shrimp: In a large bowl, add the peeled and deveined shrimp. Season with salt and black pepper, tossing to distribute the seasoning evenly.
  6. Prepare Batter: In another large bowl, whisk the egg whites until just foamy, not stiff. Add the cornstarch and mix thoroughly to form a thin, runny batter.
  7. Coat the Shrimp: Add the seasoned shrimp into the batter and mix with tongs or chopsticks until each shrimp is well coated in the batter.
  8. Heat Oil for Frying: Pour the vegetable oil into a large pan and heat over medium-high until it reaches about 350-375°F (177-190°C), suitable for deep frying.
  9. Fry Shrimp: Fry the battered shrimp in small batches, 2-3 minutes each, until they turn crispy and golden brown. Avoid overcrowding to maintain oil temperature and crispiness.
  10. Drain Shrimp: Remove the fried shrimp from the oil using a slotted spoon or tongs and place on a wire rack or paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain off excess oil.
  11. Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the crispy fried shrimp, candied walnuts, and the prepared sauce. Toss gently to coat everything evenly with the sauce.
  12. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle finely chopped green onions over the top for a fresh garnish. Serve immediately to enjoy the perfect balance of crispy, sweet, and creamy flavors.

Notes

  • For a dairy-free version, use condensed coconut milk instead of sweetened condensed milk.
  • You can substitute cornstarch with potato starch, tapioca starch, or sweet rice flour in the batter for a gluten-free alternative.
  • Ensure the oil temperature is maintained between 350-375°F for optimal frying results to achieve crispiness without greasiness.
  • If you don’t have Japanese mayo (Kewpie), normal mayonnaise works well as a substitute with no significant flavor loss.
  • Do not overcrowd the pan during frying; fry shrimp in batches to keep the oil temperature consistent.
  • Serve the dish immediately after mixing for best texture and taste; shrimp may become soggy if left too long.

Keywords: Honey Walnut Shrimp, crispy shrimp, candied walnuts, fried shrimp, honey mayo sauce, Chinese-American recipe, seafood appetizer

Find it online: https://bakedbylisa.com/honey-walnut-shrimp-recipe/