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Honey Walnut Shrimp

Crispy battered shrimp tossed with a silky honey glaze and crunchy candied walnuts for a restaurant-style dish ready in under 30 minutes.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Calories: 485

Ingredients
  

For the Shrimp
  • 1 pound large shrimp peeled and deveined
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
  • 1/2 cup water
  • Oil for frying vegetable or peanut
For the Candied Walnuts
  • 1 cup walnut halves
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • Pinch of salt
For the Honey Sauce
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons condensed milk
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 tablespoon mayo

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Medium mixing bowl
  • Small saucepan
  • Large skillet or wok
  • Slotted spoon or spider strainer
  • Paper towels
  • Whisk
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Shallow dish for coating

Method
 

  1. Pat the shrimp completely dry with paper towels and set aside.
  2. In a shallow dish, whisk together cornstarch, flour, salt, and white pepper. Stir in 1/2 cup water until a smooth, pancake-like batter forms.
  3. Place a large skillet over medium heat. Add walnut halves and toast dry for 2–3 minutes, stirring constantly.
  4. Reduce heat to medium-low; add 2 tablespoons butter, 3 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon sugar, and a pinch of salt. Stir until walnuts are caramelized, 3–4 minutes. Transfer to parchment paper to cool.
  5. Pour 2 inches of oil into a large skillet or wok and heat to 350°F (175°C).
  6. Working in batches, dip each shrimp into the batter, letting excess drip off, then carefully fry 1–2 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
  7. While shrimp cook, combine 1/3 cup honey, condensed milk, 1 tablespoon butter, and mayo in a small saucepan over low heat. Whisk until butter melts and sauce is glossy, about 2–3 minutes.
  8. Place fried shrimp in a large mixing bowl, pour warm honey sauce over top, and gently fold to coat.
  9. Add candied walnuts, toss lightly, and serve immediately while hot and crispy.

Notes

For extra crunch, keep the candied walnuts separate until just before serving. If the dish tastes too sweet, finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.