Description
Honey Walnut Shrimp is a delightful combination of crispy fried shrimp coated in a sweet and creamy sauce, topped with crunchy candied walnuts. This popular appetizer or main dish offers a perfect balance of textures and flavors, making it a crowd-pleaser at any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp and Coating
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon water
Candied Walnuts
- 1/4 cup honey
- 6 tablespoons water
- 1 cup walnuts, halved
Sweet Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons honey
Instructions
- Prepare Candied Walnuts: In a small saucepan, combine the honey and water over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens slightly to a syrupy consistency. Add the walnut halves and stir well to coat evenly. Spread the coated walnuts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and allow them to cool and harden while you prepare the rest of the dish.
- Make Sweet Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, honey, and plain yogurt until smooth and well combined. Set this sauce aside to be used later for drizzling over the shrimp.
- Prepare Shrimp for Frying: In a shallow dish, mix together cornstarch, salt, and black pepper. In a separate shallow dish, whisk the egg with water. Dip each peeled shrimp first into the cornstarch mixture, then into the egg mixture, and finally back into the cornstarch mixture to create a thick coating.
- Heat Oil: Pour about one inch of vegetable oil into a large skillet or wok and heat it over medium-high heat until hot enough for frying (approximately 350°F or until a small amount of batter sizzles immediately).
- Fry Shrimp: Working in batches to avoid overcrowding, fry the coated shrimp in the hot oil for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon or tongs to transfer the cooked shrimp to a wire rack to drain excess oil while you fry the remaining shrimp.
- Assemble and Serve: Once all the shrimp are cooked, place them on a serving platter. Drizzle the prepared sweet sauce evenly over the shrimp, sprinkle with the candied walnuts, and serve immediately to enjoy the crispy texture and balanced sweetness.
Notes
- To Store: Refrigerate any leftover shrimp in an airtight container for up to 4 days to maintain freshness.
- To Reheat: While the shrimp will lose some crispness, you can reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes or in the microwave until warmed through.
Keywords: Honey Walnut Shrimp, crispy shrimp recipe, candied walnuts, sweet shrimp, fried shrimp, Chinese appetizer, creamy shrimp sauce