Description
Recreate the iconic Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp at home with this easy and budget-friendly dupe. This crispy, sweet, and creamy shrimp recipe features golden-fried shrimp coated in a luscious honey sauce and topped with homemade candied walnuts. Perfect for a quick, restaurant-quality easy dinner recipe or a delightful high-protein meal that’s ready in just 30 minutes!
Ingredients
Scale
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For the Shrimp:
- 1/2 pound large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2/3 cup cornstarch
- 4 egg whites
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Vegetable oil for frying (about 1/2 cup for shallow frying)
For the Candied Walnuts:
- 1 cup walnut halves
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
For the Honey Walnut Sauce:
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
- Candy the Walnuts – In a small pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add water and brown sugar, stirring until sugar dissolves. Add walnuts and cook for 2-3 minutes until coated and glossy. Spread on parchment paper to cool.
- Prepare the Batter – Whisk egg whites until frothy. Slowly add cornstarch, whisking to form a smooth batter.
- Fry the Shrimp – Heat oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Dip each shrimp into the batter, coat evenly, and fry in batches until golden and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Make the Sauce – In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, honey, and sweetened condensed milk until smooth.
- Combine Everything – Toss the fried shrimp in the honey sauce until evenly coated. Top with candied walnuts and sliced scallions.
Notes
- For a healthier version, you can use an air fryer instead of frying the shrimp.
- Be careful not to overcook the shrimp as they can become tough.
- The candied walnuts can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container for up to a week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/3 of the recipe (approx. 5 shrimp with walnuts)
- Calories: 400-450 kcal
- Sugar: 23g
- Sodium: 300-350mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 85mg