Description
Enjoy the sweet and crunchy delight of Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp, featuring crispy fried shrimp tossed in a creamy honey-mayo sauce with candied walnuts and fresh scallions. This quick and delicious recipe replicates the popular restaurant favorite at home in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Shrimp and Coating
- 1 lb extra large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 2 large egg whites (whisked)
- 8 tbsp potato starch (or tapioca starch, or alternatively 4 tbsp whey protein isolate)
- ⅓ to ½ cup avocado oil (for frying)
Walnut Sauce and Garnish
- ½ cup walnuts (unsalted whole or chopped)
- 1 bulb scallion (chopped)
- 4 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp honey (or keto honey alternative)
- 2 to 2.5 tbsp evaporated milk (or sugar-free coconut condensed milk)
Instructions
- Prepare: Butterfly the shrimp by making a shallow slit along the back “spine” of each shrimp for even cooking and better sauce absorption.
- Coat: Set up your workspace with separate bowls for the whisked egg whites and potato starch, and a large plate to place coated shrimp. Dip each shrimp first into the egg whites, then evenly coat with potato starch. Place coated shrimp on the plate as you go.
- Heat Oil: Pour avocado oil into a stainless steel or cast iron pan with high sides and heat over medium-high heat. Check if the oil is hot enough by dipping a wooden chopstick; bubbles around it indicate the oil is at the right frying temperature (about 350°F/177°C).
- Fry Shrimp: Fry shrimp in batches, shallow frying for about 3 minutes per side until they turn golden brown and crispy. Place fried shrimp on a wire rack to drain excess oil and maintain crispiness.
- Make Sauce: In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, honey, and evaporated milk (or coconut condensed milk if using). Stir well to create a creamy, sweet sauce.
- Candy Walnuts: Toss the walnuts with 2 tablespoons of the prepared sauce until well coated and slightly sweetened.
- Serve: Arrange the fried shrimp on a large serving plate, top with the coated walnuts, drizzle additional honey walnut sauce over everything, and garnish with chopped scallions. Serve immediately while hot and crispy.
Notes
- Butterflying the shrimp helps them cook evenly and absorb more sauce flavor.
- Use avocado oil for its high smoke point and neutral flavor in frying.
- Shallow frying instead of deep frying helps control oil usage while still achieving crispiness.
- Allow fried shrimp to rest on a wire rack instead of paper towels to keep them crisp.
- The sauce can be adjusted to taste by varying honey sweetness or milk thickness.
- This recipe yields about 6 servings, perfect for a family meal or entertaining guests.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese-American
