Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe
Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp is a crispy, sweet, and savory dish featuring perfectly fried shrimp coated in a creamy honey walnut sauce, topped with candied walnuts and fresh scallions. This delightful recipe combines a light, crunchy texture with a rich, flavorful glaze that replicates the popular Chinese-American takeout favorite in a simple and delicious way at home.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese-American
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp and Coating
- 1 lb extra large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 large egg whites, whisked
- 8 tbsp potato starch or tapioca starch, or 4 tbsp whey protein isolate
- ⅓ to ½ cup avocado oil (for frying)
- ½ cup unsalted walnuts, whole or chopped
- 1 bulb scallion, chopped
Honey Walnut Shrimp Sauce
- 4 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp honey (or keto-friendly honey)
- 2 to 2.5 tbsp evaporated milk or sugar-free coconut condensed milk
Instructions
- Prepare the shrimp: Butterfly the shrimp by making a shallow slit along the back ‘spine’ to open them up slightly. This helps them cook evenly and absorb more coating.
- Coat the shrimp: Set up your workspace with separate bowls for the whisked egg whites and the potato starch (or alternative). Dip each shrimp first into the egg white, then coat evenly with the starch, and place on a large plate. Repeat for the entire batch.
- Heat the oil: Pour avocado oil into a high-walled stainless steel or cast iron pan and heat over medium-high heat. Test if the oil is ready by dipping a wooden chopstick—if bubbles form around it, the oil has reached approximately 350°F (177°C).
- Fry the shrimp: Fry the shrimp in batches to avoid overcrowding. Shallow fry each side for about 3 minutes until they turn golden brown and crispy. Remove the shrimp and rest them on a wire rack to drain excess oil and maintain crispness.
- Prepare the sauce: In a bowl, mix the mayonnaise, honey, and evaporated milk (or coconut condensed milk) thoroughly to create a smooth honey walnut sauce.
- Candy the walnuts: Toss the walnuts with 2 tablespoons of the prepared sauce to coat them evenly and sweeten them slightly.
- Assemble and serve: Arrange the fried shrimp on a large serving plate. Scatter the candied walnuts on top, drizzle additional sauce over the shrimp, and garnish with chopped scallions. Serve immediately while hot and crispy.
Notes
- For a keto-friendly version, use keto honey and sugar-free coconut condensed milk.
- Whey protein isolate can be used as a low-carb coating alternative to starches.
- Use avocado oil or another high smoke point oil for frying to ensure crispiness and safety.
- Resting shrimp on a wire rack after frying helps keep them crispy by draining excess oil.
- You can chop walnuts if preferred, but whole walnuts provide a nice texture contrast.
- Make sure oil temperature is consistent to avoid greasy or undercooked shrimp.
Keywords: Honey Walnut Shrimp, Panda Express Copycat, Crispy Shrimp, Sweet and Savory Seafood, Chinese-American Recipe, Fried Shrimp with Sauce
