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Crispy Honey Walnut Shrimp Copycat Recipe with Creamy Panda Express Sauce

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A quick and easy copycat recipe that replicates the crispy honey walnut shrimp with a creamy, tangy Panda Express-style sauce. Perfectly crispy shrimp and candied walnuts coated in a luscious sauce, ideal for a crowd-pleasing meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tail-on for extra crunch if you like)
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup cornstarch
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Vegetable oil, for frying (canola or peanut oil preferred)
  • ¾ cup walnut halves
  • 2 tablespoons honey (for candied walnuts)
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • Pinch of salt (for walnuts)
  • ⅓ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons honey (for sauce)
  • 1 tablespoon sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
  • 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
  • Pinch of salt (for sauce)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the walnuts: In a small skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the walnuts and toast for 2-3 minutes, stirring often until fragrant. Drizzle in honey and add a pinch of salt. Stir continuously for 1-2 minutes until walnuts are glazed and sticky. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet to cool and harden. Set aside.
  2. Make the creamy sauce: In a mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, honey, sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice, rice vinegar, and salt until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust sweetness or tang as preferred. Cover and chill in the fridge while prepping shrimp.
  3. Prepare the shrimp batter: In a large bowl, mix all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Add beaten egg and stir until combined. Batter should be thick enough to coat shrimp evenly but not too runny. Add a little water if needed to thin.
  4. Heat the oil: Pour vegetable oil into a deep frying pan about 2 inches deep. Heat over medium-high until it reaches around 350°F (175°C). Test oil by dropping a small bit of batter; it should bubble vigorously but not smoke.
  5. Fry the shrimp: Working in batches, dip each shrimp into the batter, letting excess drip off. Carefully place in hot oil without overcrowding. Fry for 2-3 minutes per batch, turning occasionally, until golden and crispy. Remove with slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
  6. Combine and serve: In a large bowl, toss fried shrimp with creamy sauce until evenly coated. Add candied walnuts and gently toss again. Serve immediately over steamed rice or greens.

Notes

Serve immediately after tossing shrimp in sauce to maintain crispiness. Keep fried shrimp warm in a low oven (200°F/90°C) on a wire rack if needed. Do not overcrowd the pan when frying to keep oil temperature steady. Toast walnuts before glazing for best flavor. Adjust sauce sweetness and tang to taste. For gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with almond or rice flour and use gluten-free mayonnaise. For dairy-free, use vegan mayo and coconut cream instead of condensed milk.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://yumyep.com/crispy-honey-walnut-shrimp-copycat-recipe-with-creamy-panda-express-sauce-easy-and-delicious/