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–+ servings
Honey walnut shrimp on a serving plate.

Honey Walnut Shrimp (Panda Express Copycat)

Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 6 minutes
Total Time: 26 minutes
This honey walnut shrimp features crispy pan-fried shrimp tossed in a creamy honey sauce and topped with crunchy candied walnuts. Ready in under 30 minutes, it's an easy homemade version of the takeout favorite that doesn't require a deep fryer or complicated batter.

Ingredients

The Candied Walnuts

  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • ½ cup walnut halves

The Sweet Sauce

  • ½ cup mayonnaise, can be light mayo
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons plain yogurt, thick yogurt works best

The Shrimp

  • ½ cup tapioca starch or cornstarch
  • ½ teaspoon EACH: salt and pepper
  • 1 large egg + 1 tablespoon water, whisked
  • 1 lb uncooked peeled shrimp (about 30)
  • Neutral-flavored oil, such as avocado or canola for pan-frying

Instructions 

  • Heat the honey and water in a small pan over medium-high heat. Once it starts to boil, add the walnuts and stir. Keep stirring until the liquid is mostly gone. Immediately spoon the walnuts onto a piece of parchment paper in a single layer.
    2 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons water, ½ cup walnut halves
    A person stirs walnuts coated in caramelized sugar in a small saucepan on a stovetop, preparing the sweet, crunchy nuts often used as a topping for honey walnut shrimp.
  • In a small-sized bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, honey, and yogurt.
    ½ cup mayonnaise, 3 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons plain yogurt
    A hand uses a wire whisk to mix a thick, creamy batter in a white bowl, perfect for coating honey walnut shrimp.
  • In a medium-sized bowl, whisk the egg and water. Add the shrimp and toss to coat.
    1 large egg + 1 tablespoon water, 1 lb uncooked peeled shrimp (about 30)
    A person stirs peeled, raw shrimp in a clear glass bowl with a white spatula on a marble countertop, preparing ingredients for honey walnut shrimp.
  • Whisk the starch with the salt and pepper in another bowl. Add the shrimp to the bowl - do not pour them from the egg bowl as you don't want the extra egg. Toss to coat the shrimp in the starch.
    ½ cup tapioca starch or cornstarch, ½ teaspoon EACH: salt and pepper
    A person prepares honey walnut shrimp by mixing raw shrimp with a white powder, likely cornstarch or flour, in a clear glass bowl on a marble countertop.
  • Heat ½ inch of oil over medium-high heat. When it is hot, add half of the shrimp. Cook for 1-2 minutes on each side. Place the cooked shrimp in a bowl then repeat with the remaining shrimp.
    Neutral-flavored oil
    A glass bowl containing cooked, seasoned honey walnut shrimp on a white marble surface.
  • Toss the shrimp with the candied walnuts and honey sauce and serve immediately.
    A bowl of honey walnut shrimp with garlic sauce, steamed broccoli, and white rice, held by two hands on a marble surface.
Serving: 7-8 shrimp with sauce and walnuts, Calories: 517kcal, Carbohydrates: 41g, Protein: 20g, Fat: 32g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g, Monounsaturated Fat: 13g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 195mg, Sodium: 1165mg, Potassium: 251mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 23g, Vitamin A: 304IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 98mg, Iron: 1mg