How to Make Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp at Home

Panda Express’ honey walnut shrimp is one of their most popular menu items, loved for its crunchy batter, sweet sauce, and addictive candied walnuts. This Chinese-American dish is a favorite takeout order, but it’s surprisingly easy to make at home. With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can recreate this restaurant favorite in your own kitchen.

An Overview of Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp

The honey walnut shrimp at Panda Express features crispy shrimp coated in a light tempura batter, smothered in a creamy honey sauce, and topped with crunchy candied walnuts It’s the perfect combination of sweet and savory flavors with a delightful crunch in each bite.

The dish likely originated from Americanized Chinese restaurants which adapted traditional Chinese walnut shrimp recipes by using a thicker batter and adding more sweetness. Panda Express put their own spin on it turning it into one of the most beloved items on their menu.

Making this recipe at home allows you to customize it to your tastes. You can adjust the level of sweetness, spice, and crunch by tweaking the various components. Best of all, you’ll save money compared to buying it at a restaurant.

Overview of the Ingredients

Here are the main ingredients you’ll need to make Panda Express-style honey walnut shrimp:

• Shrimp – Medium to large size shrimp, peeled and deveined
• Tempura batter – A light, crispy batter made with flour, cornstarch, baking soda, egg whites, etc.
• Oil for frying – Vegetable, canola, peanut, etc.
• Honey sauce – A mix of honey, mayonnaise, sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice
• Candied walnuts – Walnuts cooked in a simple syrup of sugar and water
• Garnishes – Chopped scallions, sesame seeds, etc. (optional)

The specific ingredients for the batter, sauce, and walnuts may vary slightly between recipes, but these are the basics you’ll need. Let’s go over how to make each component.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Making Panda Express-style honey walnut shrimp is a simple process with just a few steps:

1. Make the candied walnuts

• In a small saucepan, combine equal parts sugar and water. Bring to a boil.
• Add the walnuts and boil for 2-3 minutes.
• Drain the walnuts and spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Allow to cool and dry.

2. Make the honey sauce

• In a small bowl, whisk together honey, mayonnaise, sweetened condensed milk, and lemon juice.
• Adjust honey and lemon juice to taste. Set aside.

3. Prepare the shrimp and batter

• Pat shrimp dry and season with salt and pepper.
• Make the tempura batter by whisking together flour, cornstarch, baking soda, baking powder, egg whites, and ice water.
• Dip shrimp in batter to evenly coat.

4. Fry the shrimp

• In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat 2-3 inches of oil to 350°F.
• Working in batches, fry shrimp for 2-3 minutes until golden brown.
• Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.

5. Toss shrimp in sauce

• In a large bowl, add fried shrimp and drizzle with desired amount of honey sauce.
• Gently toss to coat shrimp fully.

6. Finish and serve

• Sprinkle candied walnuts over sauced shrimp.
• Garnish with scallions if desired.
• Serve immediately with steamed white or fried rice.

And your honey walnut shrimp is ready to enjoy! The whole process takes less than an hour.

Tips for Making the Best Honey Walnut Shrimp

Here are some helpful tips and tricks for making restaurant-quality honey walnut shrimp at home:

• Use ice-cold water in the tempura batter for maximum crispiness. Chill shrimp before battering too.
• Fry shrimp in batches to prevent overcrowding and uneven cooking.
• Let oil return to 350°F between batches. The right oil temp is key.
• Gently toss shrimp in sauce to prevent breaking the crispy batter coating.
• Eat immediately after frying for the crispiest texture.
• Customize the sauce sweetness by adjusting honey and lemon juice.
• Walnuts can also be candied by baking with honey or brown sugar.
• For extra flavor, season shrimp with salt, pepper, garlic powder before battering.

How to Serve Honey Walnut Shrimp

Honey walnut shrimp tastes amazing when served with:

• Steamed white or brown rice – The light, fluffy rice soaks up the sauce deliciously. Fried rice also pairs well.
• Chow mein or lo mein noodles – Chewy noodles complement the crispy shrimp perfectly.
• Vegetable stir fries like broccoli or bok choy.
• Wonton soup or egg drop soup make great starters.
• Potstickers, crab rangoon, or egg rolls on the side.

A simple meal of honey walnut shrimp with rice and a veggie side is an easy, satisfying way to enjoy this dish. And don’t forget to have extra napkins on hand – it can get a little messy!

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

To store leftovers:

• Allow shrimp to cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container.
• Store in the fridge for 2-3 days.

To reheat:

• Place shrimp in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
• Bake at 400°F for 4-5 minutes until warmed through.
• Do not microwave, as it makes the shrimp soggy.

The crispy texture won’t reheat perfectly, but baking is the best way to serve leftovers. Eat within a couple days for best quality.

Make Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp at Home

Honey walnut shrimp is easy to recreate with just a few basic ingredients and techniques. Follow the step-by-step recipe, and you’ll have restaurant-worthy shrimp ready in under an hour. Play around with the amounts of batter, sauce and walnuts until you find your perfect balance of flavors. Serve it up with rice and veggies for a complete, crave-worthy meal. Once you realize how simple this dish is to make at home, you may never order takeout again!