Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe
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.
- 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
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
- 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.
- Sweeten Walnuts: Toss the walnuts with 2 tbsp of the prepared honey walnut sauce, coating them thoroughly to add a sweet glaze.
- 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
