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Crispy Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe Best Panda Express Copycat Easy

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A copycat recipe of Panda Express’s honey walnut shrimp featuring crispy fried shrimp coated in a sticky honey glaze with candied walnuts. Easy to make, perfect for weeknights or entertaining.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • ½ cup (65g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (60g) cornstarch
  • 1 large egg
  • ⅓ cup (80ml) cold water
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Vegetable oil (canola oil recommended) for frying
  • ¼ cup (85g) honey
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • ¾ cup (90g) walnut halves
  • ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Candied Walnuts: In a small saucepan, combine ¼ cup sugar, 2 tablespoons water, and a pinch of salt. Heat over medium, stirring gently until sugar dissolves. Add walnuts and cook, stirring constantly, until syrup thickens and coats walnuts, about 3-4 minutes. Spread walnuts on parchment paper to cool and harden.
  2. Make the Batter: In a large bowl, whisk together egg and cold water until combined. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Gradually add dry mix to wet, stirring gently until smooth batter forms, thick enough to coat shrimp but not gloopy.
  3. Prepare the Shrimp: Pat shrimp dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Dip shrimp into batter one batch at a time, allowing excess to drip off.
  4. Fry the Shrimp: Heat oil in frying pan or wok to 350°F (175°C). Fry shrimp in batches for 2-3 minutes or until golden and crispy. Remove with slotted spoon and drain on wire rack or paper towels.
  5. Make the Honey Walnut Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together honey, mayonnaise, sweetened condensed milk, and lemon juice until smooth and creamy. Adjust sweetness or acidity if needed.
  6. Toss and Serve: Gently toss fried shrimp in honey walnut sauce until evenly coated. Plate shrimp and sprinkle candied walnuts on top.

Notes

Keep oil temperature steady at 350°F (175°C) to avoid greasy or burnt shrimp. Fry in small batches to maintain temperature. Use cold water in batter for crispiness. Dry shrimp thoroughly before battering. Candied walnuts are best made fresh and spread out to cool to prevent sticking. For gluten-free, substitute flour and cornstarch with gluten-free versions. For dairy-free, use vegan mayo and skip or substitute condensed milk.

Nutrition

Keywords: honey walnut shrimp, Panda Express copycat, crispy shrimp, honey glaze, candied walnuts, easy dinner, fried shrimp, Asian recipe

Find it online: https://cheerycrisp.com/crispy-honey-walnut-shrimp-recipe-best-panda-express-copycat-easy/