Woman's World

This Viral Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe Is All Over TikTok: Sweet, Crunchy and Ready in 30 Minutes

By Isabelle Paquette,

2024-07-28

Honey walnut shrimp—the name itself sounds fancy, right? But what if I told you this viral TikTok sensation is super easy to make, uses simple ingredients and tastes just like the Panda Express version? Seriously, the combination of sweet honey, crunchy walnuts and juicy shrimp is a flavor explosion you won't want to miss. Plus, it comes together in 30 minutes, perfect for a quick and impressive weeknight meal. I’ll share the tips you need for preparing and frying your shrimp. This is your guide to making honey walnut shrimp.

What is honey walnut shrimp?

Honey walnut shrimp is a popular dish often found in Chinese American cuisine, characterized by a combination of sweet, savory and crunchy elements. The dish typically features crispy shrimp coated in a light, tempura-like batter tossed in a rich, creamy sauce made from honey and mayonnaise. Candied walnuts provide a textural contrast and nutty sweetness. In the last few weeks, honey walnut shrimp has taken over my social media feeds—and for good reason. Watch this TikTok video below to see just how easy it is to cook it at home:

@stephvnietea
Replying to @Kimberly It’s a lot easier to make at home than you think it is. So give this recipe a try! ⬅️ Recipe: Honey Walnut Shrimp 🍤 Serves 3-4 1 lb shrimp, deveined and shelled 1/4 cup cornstarch 1/4 cup rice flour 1/3 cup water 1/4 tsp kosher salt 1/4 tsp baking soda 1/4 tsp ground white or black pepper Frying oil Optional: Steamed broccoli Candied walnuts— 1 cup walnuts, whole and unsalted 3 tbsp water 2 tbsp butter 2 tbsp sugar Sauce— 4 tbsp kewpie mayo 2 tbsp condensed milk 1/2 tbsp honey 1/2 tbsp lemon juice 1. In a nonstick pan, melt butter, sugar and water together. Continuously stir until sugar is dissolved and turns light golden brown. Add walnuts and mix well. Stir continuously for about 3-5 mins. Or until deep golden brown. Right away, pour candied walnuts onto parchment paper and spread evenly so they don’t stick together. Let cool and set aside. 2. Season shrimp with salt and pepper, cornstarch, rice flour, water and baking soda together. Mix well. 3. For the sauce, mix kewpie mayo, condensed milk and lemon juice and set aside. 4. In a wok, heat enough oil for a shallow fry. On med-high heat, fry shrimp for 2 mins on each side or until cooked through. Strain in a bowl lined with paper towels to dry out any excess oil. 5. In a bowl mix, mayo sauce, fried shrimp and candied walnuts together. Plate (with steamed broccoli, optional) and enjoy right away! #honeywalnutshrimp #chinesetakeout #chinesefood #easyrecipe #asianfood
♬ Closer Than This - Jimin

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Tips for the best honey walnut shrimp

As someone who prefers to order shrimp rather than make it, I was hesitant at first. But it turns out a few key tips help you create restaurant-quality perfection:

1. Use fresh, large shrimp

Opt for fresh, large shrimp to ensure a juicy and tender bite. Fresh shrimp have a natural sweetness that complements the honey sauce, making them ideal for this dish. And since this recipe used butterflied shrimp, watch this YouTube video to learn how to do it:

2. Achieve a crispy coating

For a light, crispy coating, use a mixture of cornstarch and flour. This combination helps create a batter that clings well to the shrimp and crisps up nice when fried. Additionally, fry the shrimp in small batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. This can lead to uneven cooking and soggy results.

3. Balance the sauce

The signature sauce combines honey and mayonnaise for a sweet and creamy finish. But to enhance the flavor, I suggest adding a touch of acidity, such as lemon juice or rice vinegar. This balances the sweetness and prevents the sauce from becoming too sweet.

4. Toast your walnuts

You shouldn’t skip candying your walnuts. They add both crunch and extra sweetness to the dish. Toast the walnuts lightly before candying them to bring out their natural flavor. This extra step deepens the nutty taste.

30-minute honey walnut shrimp recipe

The best part about this dish is how quickly it comes together. Follow this simple recipe from CJ Eats Recipes.

Ingredients:

Shrimp

1 lb. shrimp, peeled and deveined
¼ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. white pepper
½ Tbs. cornstarch
1 Tbs. neutral oil

Coating

½ cup cornstarch
¼ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. white pepper
Neutral oil, for frying

Candied walnuts

1 cup whole walnuts
⅓ cup brown sugar
2 Tbs. butter
½ cup water

Sauce

½ cup mayo
2 Tbs. honey
1 Tbs. condensed milk
1 Tbs. lemon juice, sub rice vinegar
Salt, to taste

Directions:

Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

Make a small cut down the back of each shrimp to butterfly them.
In a small bowl, marinate shrimp with salt, white pepper, baking soda, cornstarch and neutral oil.
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter then add brown sugar and stir until dissolved. Add water and bring to a simmer, then stir in your walnuts and cook for five to six minutes until thickened. Immediately transfer the candied walnuts to a plate to cool.
In a large mixing bowl, season cornstarch with salt and white pepper, then lightly coat your marinated shrimp.
Heat oil to 325°F and fry your shrimp in batches for two to three minutes. In a large bowl, combine mayo, honey, condensed milk, lemon juice and salt to taste. Stir in your fried shrimp and walnuts.

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