Description
Honey Walnut Shrimp is a crispy and creamy seafood dish made with golden fried shrimp, sweet candied walnuts, and a smooth honey based sauce. The combination of crunchy texture and rich sweetness creates a balanced and satisfying meal that pairs perfectly with steamed white rice. This recipe delivers restaurant style flavor using simple ingredients and straightforward techniques, making it ideal for home cooking while still feeling special and indulgent.
Ingredients
Large shrimp peeled and deveined
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Large eggs
Cornstarch
Vegetable oil for frying
Water
Granulated sugar
Raw walnut halves
Full fat mayonnaise
Honey
Heavy cream
Cooked white rice
Thinly sliced green onions
Instructions
1. Combine water and granulated sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat and stir until the sugar fully dissolves and begins to boil
2. Add the walnuts and allow them to cook briefly until coated in syrup then remove and spread them out to cool until crisp
3. Pat the shrimp completely dry and season lightly with salt and black pepper on all sides
4. Place the beaten eggs in one bowl and the cornstarch in another bowl to prepare a coating station
5. Dip each shrimp into the egg mixture then coat thoroughly in cornstarch pressing gently so it adheres well
6. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet until hot and shimmering but not smoking
7. Fry the shrimp in small batches until golden and crisp on both sides then transfer to paper towels to drain
8. Whisk together the mayonnaise honey and heavy cream in a bowl until smooth and creamy
9. Add the warm shrimp to the sauce and toss gently until evenly coated
10. Fold in the cooled candied walnuts and mix carefully to keep them crunchy
11. Serve immediately over warm white rice and garnish with sliced green onions
Notes
Drying the shrimp well before coating is essential for achieving a crisp texture
Cornstarch creates a lighter crunch than flour and helps the sauce cling without becoming heavy
Keep the oil temperature steady to avoid greasy shrimp or uneven browning
The sauce should be gently sweet and creamy rather than overly thick
Candied walnuts can be prepared ahead and stored in an airtight container at room temperature
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American Asian-Inspired