Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe

Introduction

Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp is a delightful blend of crispy shrimp coated in a creamy, sweet sauce with candied walnuts. This copycat recipe brings the restaurant favorite right to your kitchen with simple ingredients and straightforward steps.

Ingredients

• 1 lb extra large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
• 2 large egg whites (whisked)
• 8 tbsp potato starch (or tapioca starch, or 4 tbsp whey protein isolate)
• ⅓ to ½ cup avocado oil
• ½ cup walnuts (unsalted whole or chopped)
• 1 bulb scallion (chopped)
• 4 tbsp mayo
• 1 tbsp honey (or keto honey)
• 2–2.5 tbsp evaporated milk (or sugar-free coconut condensed milk)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Butterfly the shrimp by making a shallow slit along the back “spine” to help them cook evenly and absorb the coating.
2. Step 2: Prepare your workspace with three areas: a bowl of whisked egg whites, a bowl of potato starch, and a large plate. Dip each shrimp first into the egg, then coat evenly with starch. Place coated shrimp on the plate as you work.
3. Step 3: Heat avocado oil in a high-walled stainless steel or cast iron pan over medium-high heat. Test the oil temperature by inserting a wooden chopstick—if bubbles form around it, the oil is ready (around 350°F/177°C).
4. Step 4: Fry the shrimp in batches for about 3 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Drain on a wire rack to keep them crisp and remove excess oil.
5. Step 5: In a bowl, combine mayo, honey, and evaporated milk. Stir thoroughly until smooth to create the sauce.
6. Step 6: Toss the walnuts with about 2 tablespoons of the sauce to coat them lightly and sweeten.
7. Step 7: Arrange the fried shrimp on a serving plate. Top with the sauced walnuts, drizzle with additional sauce, and garnish with chopped scallions. Serve immediately while hot.

Tips & Variations

• For a keto-friendly version, substitute honey with keto honey and use sugar-free coconut condensed milk instead of evaporated milk.
• Use a thermometer to maintain oil temperature for perfectly crispy shrimp without greasiness.
• Try lightly toasting the walnuts beforehand for extra crunch and flavor before mixing with the sauce.

Storage

Store leftover shrimp and walnuts separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat the shrimp quickly in a hot oven or air fryer to retain crispiness. Avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess. Sauce can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular flour instead of potato starch?

Potato starch helps achieve a light, crispy coating. Regular flour may work but can result in a denser, less crispy texture.

How do I keep the shrimp crispy after frying?

Drain shrimp on a wire rack instead of paper towels to prevent steam from making them soggy. Serve soon after frying for the best texture.

Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 97 reviews

This Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp recipe is a delightful homemade take on the popular restaurant dish, featuring crispy battered shrimp coated in a creamy, sweet honey sauce and topped with candied walnuts and fresh scallions. The shrimp are shallow-fried for a perfectly golden crunch, then tossed in a luscious sauce made with mayo, honey, and evaporated milk, delivering a satisfying balance of sweet and savory flavors in every bite.

• Author: Viktoria
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Stovetop
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American-Chinese

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Shrimp and Coating

• 1 lb extra large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
• 2 large egg whites (whisked)
• 8 tbsp potato starch (or tapioca starch, alternatively 4 tbsp whey protein isolate)
• ⅓ to ½ cup avocado oil (for frying)

Sauce and Toppings

• ½ cup walnuts (unsalted whole or chopped)
• 1 bulb scallion (chopped)
• 4 tbsp mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp honey (or keto honey)
• 2 to 2.5 tbsp evaporated milk (or sugar-free coconut condensed milk)

Instructions

1. Prepare: Butterfly the shrimp by making a shallow slit along the back “spine” of each shrimp to help them cook evenly and absorb the flavors better.
2. Coat: Set up your workspace with a bowl of whisked egg whites, a separate bowl of potato starch, and a large plate to place coated shrimp. Dip each shrimp first into the egg white, then coat evenly with the potato starch. Lay each coated shrimp onto the plate as you work through the batch.
3. Heat Oil: In a stainless steel or cast iron pan with high walls, heat ⅓ to ½ cup avocado oil over medium-high heat. After about 3 minutes, check if the oil is hot enough by dipping a wooden chopstick into the oil—if bubbles form around it, the oil is ready. The ideal temperature is around 350°F (177°C).
4. Fry: Fry the shrimp in batches, shallow frying for about 3 minutes per side or until they turn golden brown and crispy. Avoid overcrowding to maintain oil temperature. After frying, let the shrimp rest on a wire rack to drain excess oil and keep crisp.
5. Make Sauce: In a bowl, combine 4 tbsp mayonnaise, 1 tbsp honey, and 2 to 2.5 tbsp evaporated milk. Stir well until smooth and creamy.
6. Sweeten Walnuts: Toss the walnuts with 2 tbsp of the prepared honey walnut sauce, coating them thoroughly to add a sweet glaze.
7. Serve: Arrange the fried shrimp on a large serving plate, then top with the coated walnuts. Drizzle additional honey walnut sauce over the shrimp and garnish with chopped scallions. Serve immediately while hot for the best texture and flavor.

Notes

• Make sure oil is at the right temperature before frying to achieve a crispy coating without absorbing excess oil.
• Use avocado oil or another high smoke point oil for frying to ensure safety and flavor.
• Butterflying shrimp ensures they cook evenly and present nicely.
• This dish is best served hot immediately after preparation to retain crispness.
• For a keto variation, substitute honey with keto-friendly honey alternatives and use sugar-free condensed milk.
• Resting the fried shrimp on a wire rack prevents them from becoming soggy compared to paper towels.

Keywords: Panda Express, Honey Walnut Shrimp, crispy shrimp, sweet sauce, fried shrimp, honey walnut sauce, homemade Chinese recipe