Copycat Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp

Copycat Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp is one of the most popular items on Panda Express’ menu. You can recreate this dish at home with this copycat recipe.

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Why this recipe works

Skip the takeout line and create Panda Express’s most beloved shrimp dish at home. This copycat recipe delivers crispy tempura-battered shrimp coated in a sweet, creamy sauce and topped with candied walnuts – perfect for when those Chinese food cravings hit.

What’s in Honey Walnut Shrimp?

The ingredients in the Honey Walnut Shrimp are pretty straightforward, and in a pinch, if you wanted to leave the walnuts out, the shrimp would stand well on its own. First, let me say that the ingredients are not traditional Chinese cooking ingredients.

Here’s what you’ll need:

For the Candied Walnuts:

• Walnuts – Provides signature crunch and nutty flavor
• Sugar – Creates candy coating and sweetness
• Water – Dissolves sugar for proper crystallization

For the sauce:

• Sweetened condensed milk – Creates creamy base and provides sweetness
• Lemon juice – Balances sweetness and adds brightness
• Honey – Adds floral sweetness and helps sauce adhere
• Mayonnaise – Provides richness and helps create proper sauce consistency

For the shrimp

• Tempura mix – Creates light, crispy coating, this is sold in the Asian section of most stores.
• Shrimp – Main protein; butterfly for best presentation
• Oil for frying- Neutral oil with a high smoke point for proper frying

Equipment Needed

• Whisk
• Deep fryer or large pot
• Candy/oil thermometer
• Saucepan
• Wire rack
• Rimmed baking sheet
• Parchment paper or aluminum foil
• Mixing bowls

How to Make Honey Walnut Shrimp

1. Place the walnuts in a saucepan with sugar and water. Cook over medium to medium-high heat until the sugar begins to brown.
2. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil and pour the walnuts onto it. Let them dry for about 20 minutes, spreading them out with a fork so they don’t touch each other.
3. When the walnuts are almost dry, prepare the tempura batter according to the package directions. 
4. Add enough oil to a large pot or Dutch oven to cover the bottom 2 to 3 inches. Heat the oil to 350ºF.
5. Dip shrimp into the tempura batter, covering the shrimp completely.
6. Drop the dipped shrimp into the hot oil in batches (a few at a time) and gently toss to make sure the shrimp cook evenly on all sides and don’t stick together. Scoop out any batter that floats away from the shrimp.
7. Remove the shrimp after about 2 minutes and transfer them to a wire rack to drain. 
8. Make the sauce by whisking honey, sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice, and mayo until smooth and combined.
9. When all the shrimp are cooked, place them in a large bowl and drizzle the creamy honey sauce on the fried shrimp. Stir to coat the shrimp, but be careful not to break off the crust.
10. Sprinkle candied walnuts over the shrimp and serve immediately.

You can garnish this dish with chopped green onions if desired.

What to Serve with Honey Walnut Shrimp

Serve the shrimp over steamed white or brown rice for a hearty meal. A side of Chinese mixed vegetables or egg drop soup would be great. Oh and some crispy wonton strips too!

Pro Tips for Success

• Maintain oil temperature at 350°F for optimal crispiness
• Don’t overcrowd the fryer; work in small batches
• Remove floating batter pieces between batches
• Toss with sauce just before serving to maintain crispiness

Common Problems and Solutions

Issue: Soggy Shrimp

• Solution: Ensure oil is hot enough and drain well before saucing

Issue: Clumpy Walnuts

• Solution: Separate nuts while still warm

Issue: Sauce Too Thick

• Solution: Thin with a touch of warm water

Variations and Substitutions

• Nuts: Pecans or cashews can replace walnuts
• Protein: Works with chicken tenders too
• Tempura: Make from scratch using 1 cup flour, 1 egg, and ice water
• Gluten-Free: Use rice flour-based tempura mix

Recipe Scaling

• Double sauce ingredients for extra dipping
• For larger groups, fry in multiple batches
• Keep finished batches warm in 200°F oven

Honey Walnut Shrimp Leftovers

Some recipes are great to make and enjoy the next day, but this one is not one of those. I do not like the way it behaves when reheated. I find the sauce soaks into the shrimp, and it just isn’t my favorite way to enjoy this Panda Express favorite.

But if you do have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

To reheat, place the shrimp on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper. Heat them in the oven at 400°F for about 10 minutes.

Love Panda Express? Try these copycat recipes!

• Cream Cheese Puffs
• Broccoli Beef Recipe
• Firecracker Chicken
• Chow Mein Recipe

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Be sure to check out more of my easy Chinese food recipes and the best fast food copycat recipes.