Honey walnut shrimp is the best recipe. The shrimp are breaded in egg and starch then quickly pan-fried until crispy. Then they're coated in a sweet and creamy honey sauce and tossed with candied walnuts. This healthier than Panda Express version is refined sugar-free and absolutely delicious!
Ingredients
The Candied Walnuts
2tablespoonshoney
2tablespoonswater
½cupwalnut halves
The Sweet Sauce
½cupmayonnaise, can be light mayo
3tablespoonshoney
2tablespoonsplain yogurt, thick yogurt works best
The Shrimp
½cuptapioca starch or cornstarch
½teaspoonEACH: salt and pepper
1largeegg + 1 tablespoon water, whisked
1lb.uncooked peeled shrimp (about 30)
Neutral-flavored oil, such as avocado or canola for pan-frying (see notes)
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
In a small-sized bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, honey, and yogurt.
½ cup mayonnaise, 3 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons plain yogurt
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk the egg and water. Add the shrimp and toss to coat.
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
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
Toss the shrimp with the candied walnuts and honey sauce and serve immediately.
Notes
We use a 10" frying pan and use ½ cup of oil. After the shrimp are cooked, there is ¼ cup of oil left in the pan.