Honey Walnut Shrimp is a beloved Chinese-American dish featuring crispy battered shrimp coated in a sweet, creamy honey mayo sauce and topped with crunchy candied walnuts. This homemade version is just as indulgent as the restaurant favorite—crunchy, sweet, and savory with a satisfying texture in every bite. It’s easy to make at home in under 30 minutes, perfect for weeknight dinners or to impress guests with a takeout-style classic. Pair it with steamed rice or veggies for a complete meal that's rich in flavor and truly satisfying.

Ingredients

For the Candied Walnuts

• ½ cup raw walnut halves

• ¼ cup granulated sugar

• ½ cup water

For the Shrimp

• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined

• 1 egg white

• ⅓ cup cornstarch

• ¼ tsp salt

• ¼ tsp white pepper (optional)

• Neutral oil for frying (vegetable or canola)

For the Honey Mayo Sauce

• 3 tbsp mayonnaise

• 1½ tbsp honey

• 1½ tbsp sweetened condensed milk

• 1 tsp lemon juice (optional, for brightness)

Directions

1. Make the Candied Walnuts: In a small saucepan, bring sugar and water to a boil. Add walnuts and simmer for about 2–3 minutes. Drain and spread on parchment paper to dry. For extra crunch, toast in a dry pan or oven until golden (optional).

2. Prepare the Shrimp: In a bowl, whisk egg white until frothy. Add shrimp, salt, pepper, and cornstarch. Toss until well-coated and evenly battered.

3. Fry the Shrimp: Heat oil in a deep pan over medium-high heat. Fry shrimp in batches until golden and crispy, about 2–3 minutes per side. Drain on a paper towel–lined plate.

4. Make the Sauce: In a clean bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, honey, sweetened condensed milk, and lemon juice until smooth.

5. Assemble: Toss fried shrimp in the honey mayo sauce until evenly coated. Top with candied walnuts and serve immediately.

Nutrition (Estimated per serving, based on 4 servings)

• Calories: ~480

• Protein: 25g

• Carbohydrates: 32g

• Fat: 28g

• Fiber: 1g

• Sugar: 15g

• Sodium: ~580mg