Seafood
Panda Express Inspired Honey Walnut Shrimp
Crisp tempura-style shrimp coated in a creamy honey sauce and finished with glossy candied walnuts for a sweet-savory takeout favorite.
Inspired by Panda Express
Prep
30 min
Cook
20 min
Serves
4 servings
Difficulty
Medium
Cooking Tools
Pantry match
Uses the current servings and temporary recipe changes.
Missing 14 ingredients
- • 1/2 cup walnut halves
- • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- • 1/3 cup water
- • 1 1/4 pounds large shrimp, peeled, deveined, and tails removed
- • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- • 1/2 cup cornstarch
- • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- • 1 teaspoon baking powder
- • 3/4 cup ice-cold sparkling water
- • Neutral oil for frying
- • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- • 2 tablespoons honey
- • 1 tablespoon sweetened condensed milk
- • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
View ingredient-by-ingredient match
- 1/2 cup walnut halvesMissing
- 1/3 cup granulated sugarMissing
- 1/3 cup waterMissing
- 1 1/4 pounds large shrimp, peeled, deveined, and tails removedMissing
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher saltMissing
- 1/2 cup cornstarchMissing
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flourMissing
- 1 teaspoon baking powderMissing
- 3/4 cup ice-cold sparkling waterMissing
- Neutral oil for fryingMissing
- 1/3 cup mayonnaiseMissing
- 2 tablespoons honeyMissing
- 1 tablespoon sweetened condensed milkMissing
- 2 teaspoons lemon juiceMissing
Optional ingredients are not counted as required.
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Method
Recipe notes
Ice-cold sparkling water and minimal mixing keep the batter light. Sauce only the amount you plan to eat immediately; the creamy honey coating softens fried shrimp as it stands.
Planning, storage, and serving
Storage and reheating
Refrigerate cooked shrimp within 2 hours for up to 2 days and keep extra sauce and walnuts separate. Reheat unsauced shrimp in a 400 F oven or air fryer to 165 F; sauced shrimp will remain softer.
Make-ahead tips
Candy the walnuts and mix the sauce up to 3 days ahead. Peel the shrimp 1 day ahead and keep it very cold, but mix the batter and fry only when ready to serve.
What to serve with it
- - Steamed jasmine rice
- - Panda Express Inspired Chow Mein
- - Garlic green beans
Equipment needed
- - Heavy pot or Dutch oven
- - Deep-fry thermometer
- - Wire rack and sheet pan
Difficulty explained
The components are straightforward, but maintaining oil temperature and quickly coating the shrimp require attention for a crisp result.
Recipe calculator
Nutrition facts
Updating nutrition…
Alternatives
Apply a reviewed substitution to this temporary working copy. The published recipe stays unchanged.
Browse reviewed options
Plain Greek yogurt
Replace up to half the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt.
1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour
Use a commercial cup-for-cup blend that includes xanthan gum.
Light mayonnaise
Use light mayonnaise in the same amount for a lower-fat variation.
Type the ingredient you're missing — we'll find what you can use instead.
Pitfalls to Watch Out For
- Wet shrimp or warm, overmixed batter creates a heavy coating that slides off during frying.
- Crowding the pot drops the oil temperature and leaves the shrimp greasy instead of crisp.
- This dish contains shellfish, egg, dairy, wheat, and tree nuts; substitutions do not make it safe without checking every ingredient and cross-contact risk.
Nutrition Context
- Shrimp supplies lean protein, while frying, mayonnaise, honey, and candied walnuts make the finished dish energy-dense.
- A modest portion with steamed vegetables and rice preserves the sweet-crisp character while creating a more balanced meal.
FAQ
Why is my batter not crisp?
Keep the water ice-cold, mix only until combined, and let the oil recover to 350 F between batches.
Can I make this without condensed milk?
Yes. Add another teaspoon of honey and one teaspoon of milk or cream; the sauce will be slightly less rounded.
Can I make the walnuts ahead?
Yes. Cool them completely and store airtight at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Why did the sauce make the shrimp soggy?
The shrimp sat in sauce too long or was tossed while piping hot. Cool it for a minute and coat only at serving time.
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes. Thaw completely in the refrigerator, drain, and pat exceptionally dry before battering.
What sides pair best with this dish?
Good pairings include Steamed jasmine rice; Panda Express Inspired Chow Mein; Garlic green beans. Choose one or two based on how substantial you want the meal to be.