Description
Make the sweet, tangy, and creamy Honey Walnut Shrimp found at Panda Express at home, featuring ultra-crispy battered shrimp and perfectly glazed walnuts.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- 1 cup walnut halves
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 head iceberg lettuce, shredded (for serving)
- 2 tablespoons cooked, sweetened walnuts (for garnish)
Instructions
- Soak the shrimp in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
- Combine flour, cornstarch, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish.
- Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep pot or Dutch oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Remove shrimp from buttermilk, letting excess drip off. Dredge each shrimp thoroughly in the flour mixture, pressing to coat well.
- Fry the shrimp in batches for 3 to 4 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a wire rack.
- Make the candied walnuts: Combine sugar and water in a small skillet over medium heat. Stir until sugar dissolves and turns amber, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add walnuts and stir quickly to coat. Immediately spread walnuts onto parchment paper to cool completely.
- Make the sauce: Whisk together mayonnaise, honey, rice vinegar, and lemon juice in a small bowl until smooth.
- In a large bowl, gently toss the crispy shrimp with the creamy sauce until lightly coated. Do not overmix to keep the shrimp crisp.
- To serve, place shredded lettuce on a plate. Top with the sauced shrimp and sprinkle with the cooled candied walnuts.
Notes
- For extra crispy shrimp, double-fry them: Fry once until pale golden, drain, then fry again at a higher temperature (375°F) for 1 minute until deep golden brown.
- If the sauce seems too thick, add a teaspoon of water or milk to reach your desired consistency.
- Use only enough sauce to lightly coat the shrimp; too much sauce will make them soggy quickly.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 25
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 35
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Unsaturated Fat: 29
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 30
- Cholesterol: 210