Irresistible Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe At Home

Succulent shrimp dance with a golden honey walnut coating in this mouthwatering Panda Express honey walnut shrimp recipe that brings restaurant magic straight to your kitchen.

Crispy battered prawns glisten with a sweet and creamy sauce that will make your taste buds sing.

The delicate crunch of candied walnuts adds a spectacular texture to every single bite.

Each morsel promises a perfect balance of flavors that mirror the beloved takeout classic.

You can easily recreate this crowd-pleasing dish with simple ingredients and a few expert techniques.

No need to order takeout when you can whip up this restaurant-quality marvel in your own kitchen.

Prepare to be amazed by how closely this homemade version matches the beloved restaurant favorite.

Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp – Sweet and Crunchy Delight

• Boost Nutrition: Packed with lean protein from shrimp and healthy fats from avocado, this salad delivers a powerhouse of essential nutrients that support overall wellness.
• Crush Summer Cravings: Perfect light and refreshing dish that provides a cool, zesty flavor profile ideal for warm weather and outdoor dining experiences.
• Quick Kitchen Magic: Requires minimal cooking and preparation, making it an excellent option for busy individuals seeking a delicious meal without complex techniques or extensive time investment.
• Customize with Ease: Adaptable recipe allows simple ingredient swaps or additions to match personal taste preferences or dietary requirements, ensuring versatility for different palates.

Ingredients for This Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp

• Shrimp: Large, succulent seafood that serves as the protein base for this classic Panda Express dish.
• Egg Whites: Light and airy protein that helps create a crispy coating for the shrimp.
• Walnuts: Crunchy nuts that provide a sweet and candied texture to the dish.

• Cornstarch, Salt, Pepper: Seasonings that help create a light and crispy exterior for the shrimp.

• Mayonnaise, Honey, Sweetened Condensed Milk: Creamy and sweet components that combine to form a luscious sauce for coating the shrimp.

• Butter, Brown Sugar, Water: Essential for candying the walnuts and creating a glossy, sweet coating.
• Oil: Used for deep-frying the shrimp to achieve a golden and crispy texture.

• Scallions: Optional fresh herb that adds a light, oniony freshness to the dish.

Cooking Instructions for Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp

Step 1: Craft Candied Walnuts

Melt butter in a small pan over medium heat. Pour in water and sprinkle brown sugar, stirring until the sugar completely dissolves.

Add walnuts and cook for 2-3 minutes, ensuring they’re evenly coated and have a glossy shine. Spread the walnuts on parchment paper, allowing them to cool and crisp up.

Step 2: Create Crispy Batter

Whip egg whites until they become light and frothy. Gradually incorporate cornstarch, whisking carefully to develop a smooth, silky batter.

Season with a pinch of salt and a dash of pepper for enhanced flavor.

Step 3: Fry Golden Shrimp

Heat oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.

Dunk each shrimp into the prepared batter, ensuring complete and even coating. Fry the shrimp in batches, cooking until they turn a beautiful golden brown and become wonderfully crispy.

Transfer fried shrimp to paper towels to drain excess oil.

Step 4: Whip Up Creamy Sauce

• Mayonnaise
• Honey
• Sweetened condensed milk

Whisk until the mixture becomes smooth and luxuriously creamy.

Step 5: Assemble Delectable Dish

Gently toss the crispy fried shrimp in the honey sauce, making sure each piece is generously coated. Sprinkle the candied walnuts on top.

Optional: Garnish with thinly sliced scallions for an extra pop of color and freshness. Serve immediately while everything is hot and crispy.

Helpful Tips for Perfect Honey Walnut Shrimp Every Time

• Pat shrimp completely dry before battering to ensure a crisp, non-soggy coating that sticks perfectly.
• Keep oil consistently around 350°F for even, golden-brown frying without burning the delicate shrimp.
• Candy walnuts and make sauce in advance to streamline cooking and reduce last-minute kitchen stress.
• Adjust honey and condensed milk ratios to match your preferred level of sweetness in the sauce.
• Swap cornstarch with rice flour for a gluten-free batter that maintains the same light, crispy texture.

Flavor Variations to Try With Honey Walnut Shrimp

• Gluten-Free Honey Walnut Shrimp: Replace cornstarch with rice flour or gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version. Use tamari instead of traditional soy sauce.
• Coconut Shrimp Variation: Swap walnuts with toasted coconut flakes. Add a splash of coconut milk to the sauce for extra tropical flavor.
• Air Fryer Light Option: Skip deep frying and use an air fryer at 400°F for 8-10 minutes. Lightly spray shrimp with cooking oil for crispy texture.
• Vegetarian Alternative: Substitute shrimp with crispy tofu or cauliflower florets. Marinate protein in same batter and follow original cooking method for a plant-based adaptation.

Pairing Suggestions to Accompany Honey Walnut Shrimp

• Crisp White Wine Pairing: Complement the sweet and crispy shrimp with a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, cutting through the richness and enhancing the delicate seafood flavors.
• Refreshing Citrus Mocktail: Create a zesty non-alcoholic drink with fresh lemon, lime, sparkling water, and a touch of honey to mirror the dish's sweet profile and cleanse the palate.
• Asian-Inspired Beer Match: Select a light Asian lager like Tsingtao or Sapporo, which provides a crisp, clean counterpoint to the honey walnut shrimp's sweet and crunchy texture.

Storage Recommendations for Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp

• Store leftover honey walnut shrimp in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Keep the candied walnuts separate to maintain their crunch.
• Not recommended due to the battered shrimp's texture becoming soggy and losing crispiness when thawed.
• Preheat to 350°F, place shrimp on a baking sheet, and warm for 5-7 minutes to restore some crispiness. Sprinkle fresh candied walnuts on top after reheating.
• Heat in 30-second intervals, checking to prevent overcooking. Add fresh walnuts just before serving to maintain their crunch and texture.

FAQs

• How do I prevent the batter from falling off the shrimp during frying?

Pat the shrimp dry before dipping in the batter. Make sure the oil is hot enough (around 350°F) and don’t overcrowd the pan when frying.

• Can I use a different type of nut instead of walnuts?

Yes, you can substitute with pecans or almonds. The candying process remains the same, giving a similar sweet and crunchy texture.

• Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?

Use gluten-free cornstarch for the batter and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free certified. This will help maintain the original recipe’s texture and taste.

Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe

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4.7 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Craving Panda Express honey walnut shrimp? Crispy golden prawns glazed with sweet honey sauce deliver restaurant-quality comfort right from your kitchen. Home cooks will love this simple yet elegant Asian-inspired seafood classic that brings delicious takeout magic to dinner.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1/2 pound (226 grams) large raw shrimp (peeled and deveined)
• 4 egg whites
• 2/3 cup (83 grams) cornstarch

Seasoning:

• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

Cooking:

• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) vegetable oil for shallow frying

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Instructions

1. Create candied walnuts by melting butter in a small pan over medium heat, then incorporate water and brown sugar, stirring until sugar fully dissolves.
2. Add walnuts to the sugary mixture, cooking for 2-3 minutes until they become glossy and thoroughly coated.
3. Transfer walnuts onto parchment paper, allowing them to cool and develop a crisp sugary shell.
4. Prepare the batter by whisking egg whites until they become light and frothy.
5. Gradually incorporate cornstarch into the egg whites, whisking consistently to create a smooth, even mixture.
6. Season the batter with salt and pepper to enhance the flavor profile.
7. Heat oil in a large pan to medium-high temperature, ensuring it’s hot enough for crispy frying.
8. Dip each shrimp into the prepared batter, ensuring complete and uniform coating.
9. Carefully lower battered shrimp into hot oil, frying in small batches until they turn golden brown and crisp.
10. Remove fried shrimp and drain excess oil on paper towels to maintain crunchiness.
11. Create the signature sauce by combining mayonnaise, honey, and sweetened condensed milk in a bowl.
12. Whisk sauce ingredients until they blend into a smooth, creamy consistency.
13. Gently toss fried shrimp in the honey sauce, ensuring each piece is evenly and generously coated.
14. Sprinkle cooled candied walnuts over the sauced shrimp for added texture and sweetness.
15. Optional: Garnish with thinly sliced scallions for a fresh, aromatic finish.
16. Serve immediately while shrimp remain crisp and warm.

Notes

• Candying walnuts ahead of time prevents them from getting soggy and maintains their delightful crunch when added to the final dish.
• Use cold egg whites for a lighter, crispier batter that ensures the shrimp have an airy, delicate coating.
• Pat shrimp completely dry before battering to achieve maximum crispiness and prevent oil splatter during frying.
• Adjust honey sauce sweetness by gradually adding sweetened condensed milk, allowing you to customize the flavor profile to your preference.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 470 kcal
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 700 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg