Description
Honey Walnut Shrimp features lightly battered shrimp fried to a golden crisp and coated in a creamy, sweet honey glaze, topped with crunchy candied walnuts. This dish offers a delightful balance of sweet, crunchy, and tender textures with simple ingredients, perfect for both weeknight dinners and special occasions.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Shrimp and Batter
- 12 oz medium-sized fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- Pinch of salt
- 1 egg white
- 1/3 cup cold water (adjust as needed for batter consistency)
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
Candied Walnuts
- 1/2 cup walnuts
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
Sauce
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Candy the Walnuts: Melt the sugar in a pan over medium heat until it turns golden brown, then quickly add the walnuts, stirring constantly to coat and caramelize evenly. Transfer the candied walnuts to parchment paper to cool and harden.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a bowl, mix together mayonnaise, honey, sweetened condensed milk, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to form a creamy, sweet dressing.
- Make the Batter: Combine all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and salt in a bowl. Whisk in the egg white and cold water gradually, forming a smooth but thick batter ideal for coating shrimp.
- Coat and Fry the Shrimp: Dip each shrimp into the batter, letting excess drip off. Fry in heated vegetable oil at about 350°F until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Toss and Serve: Gently toss the fried shrimp in the prepared sauce until evenly coated. Top with candied walnuts just before serving for an irresistible crunchy-sweet finish.
Notes
- Use fresh, high-quality shrimp for the best texture and flavor.
- Fry shrimp in small batches to prevent overcrowding and maintain oil temperature.
- Maintain frying oil temperature around 350°F for golden, non-greasy results.
- A slightly thicker batter helps the shrimp get evenly coated and crispy.
- Prepare the sauce ahead of time and keep chilled for quicker assembly.
- If desired, add a spicy kick with sriracha or chili flakes in the sauce.
- For gluten-free, substitute flours with gluten-free batter mix.
- Vegan options can be made with plant-based shrimp alternatives and vegan mayonnaise.
- Swap walnuts for candied pecans or almonds for a different nutty flavor.
- Serve with steamed jasmine rice or fried rice and stir-fried vegetables.
- Reheat gently in an oven or air fryer to keep crispiness, avoiding the microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 4-5 shrimp with sauce and walnuts)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1.5g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 130mg