Honey Walnut Shrimp is a beloved Chinese-American dish that’s equal parts crunchy, creamy, and sweet. Crispy, tempura-battered shrimp are tossed in a luscious honey-mayo sauce and topped with candied walnuts that add the perfect nutty crunch. It’s the kind of dish that feels like a special treat—yet it’s surprisingly simple to make at home.
With a few key techniques (double-coating the shrimp for extra crispiness and candying the walnuts to perfection), you can recreate this restaurant favorite in under 30 minutes. Serve it over steamed rice for a complete meal.
Instructions
Make the Candied Walnuts
In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
Add the walnuts and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the syrup thickens and coats the nuts. Spread the walnuts on parchment paper to cool and harden.
Prepare the Shrimp
Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. In a bowl, combine the shrimp, salt, white pepper, egg white, and cornstarch. Mix well and let marinate for 10 minutes.
Make the Tempura Batter
In a bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. Add the ice-cold water and whisk until just combined—a few lumps are fine.
The batter should be thick enough to coat the shrimp. Keep the batter cold by placing the bowl over an ice bath if possible.
Heat the Oil
In a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat 2 to 3 inches of oil to 350°F (175°C).
Coat and Fry the Shrimp
Dip each shrimp into the tempura batter, allowing excess to drip off. Carefully place in the hot oil. Fry in batches for 2 to 3 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Drain on a wire rack or paper towels.
Make the Honey Sauce
In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, honey, sweetened condensed milk, and lemon juice until smooth.
Toss and Serve
Add the fried shrimp to the bowl with the sauce and toss gently to coat. Transfer to a serving platter. Top with candied walnuts, green onions, and sesame seeds. Serve immediately.
This Honey Walnut Shrimp is a restaurant-quality dish that’s surprisingly easy to make at home—crispy, creamy, sweet, and utterly addictive.
