How to Make Shrimp Walnut – An Easy Recipe for Delicious Shrimp Appetizers

Hey folks! I’m back again to share another one of my favorite recipes with you all. This time we’re talking shrimp walnut, a classic Chinese-American appetizer that will impress all of your guests.

I love making this dish because it’s easy, delicious, and you can whip it up for a party at the last minute. The crispy, breaded shrimp coated in a creamy honey glaze and tossed with candied walnuts…oh man, it’s to die for!

If you’ve ever ordered shrimp walnut from a restaurant like Panda Express, you know how tasty it is. But that takeout version is loaded with sugars and preservatives. We’re going to learn how to make shrimp walnut at home, where we can control the ingredients and make it healthier.

I’ll share my simple method using just 10 ingredients you likely have on hand. Let’s get cooking friends!

An Overview of How to Make Shrimp Walnut

Shrimp walnut is a sweet and savory appetizer made from breaded shrimp fried until crispy, then coated in a honey glaze and topped with candied walnuts.

Here’s an overview of what we’ll do:

• Make the candied walnuts by simmering walnut halves in a honey syrup until sticky

• Bread the shrimp with egg and cornstarch for a light crispy coating

• Pan fry the shrimp until golden brown

• Toss the fried shrimp in a quick honey glaze

• Mix in the candied walnuts and serve immediately

It comes together in just 30 minutes and most of that time is hands-off cooking. Let’s get into the nitty gritty details!

Ingredients You’ll Need

One of the best parts of this recipe is that you likely have all the ingredients on hand already. Here’s what you’ll need to make 4 servings:

For the candied walnuts:

• 1/2 cup walnut halves
• 2 Tbsp honey
• 2 Tbsp water

For the shrimp:

• 1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 egg + 1 Tbsp water, whisked together
• Vegetable oil for frying

For the honey glaze:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 3 Tbsp honey
• 2 Tbsp yogurt

That’s it! Simple ingredients that result in the perfect sweet and crunchy shrimp walnut.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Now that you’ve got all the ingredients out, let’s walk through exactly how to put this appetizer together.

1. Make the Candied Walnuts

First up are the candied walnuts, which get tossed with the shrimp in the end.

• In a small saucepan, combine the honey, water, and walnut halves. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

• Once boiling, reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring constantly, until the liquid has reduced to a thick glaze coating the nuts, about 2-3 minutes.

• Immediately transfer the candied walnuts to a parchment lined plate in a single layer. Allow to cool completely.

2. Bread the Shrimp

While the walnuts cool, we can bread the shrimp.

• In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg and water.

• Add the shrimp and toss to coat. This will help the breading stick.

• In another bowl, combine the cornstarch, salt, and pepper.

• Working in batches, add the shrimp from the egg mixture to the cornstarch bowl and toss to coat completely.

• Make sure to get an even coating on each shrimp.

3. Pan Fry the Shrimp

• Heat about 1/4 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

• Once shimmering, add half the breaded shrimp in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd.

• Fry for 1-2 minutes per side until golden brown and crisp.

• Transfer to a paper towel lined plate. Repeat with remaining shrimp.

4. Make the Honey Glaze

While the second batch fries up, make the quick honey glaze.

• In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, honey, and yogurt. Whisk until smooth.

5. Toss the Shrimp Walnut

• Add the fresh fried shrimp and candied walnuts to the honey glaze.

• Gently toss to coat the shrimp completely.

• Serve shrimp walnut immediately while the shrimp is still crispy. Enjoy!

Cooking Tips for Perfect Shrimp Walnut

I’ve made this recipe a bunch of times, so here are some of my best tips:

• Use medium-large shrimp around 21-25 count per pound. Smaller shrimp will overcook.

• Make sure the oil is hot enough before frying. Shrimp will soak up oil if it’s not hot enough.

• Don’t overcrowd the pan when frying in batches. The shrimp won’t get as crispy.

• Work quickly after frying to coat shrimp in glaze. It can lose its crunch fast.

• Toss the shrimp gently to avoid breaking off the crispy breading.

• Add a squeeze of lime right before serving for a tangy flavor boost.

Serving Suggestions

Shrimp walnut makes a great party appetizer or starter for a Chinese-style meal. Here are some ideas:

• Serve in individual Chinese takeout containers for a fun presentation

• Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions

• Pair with duck sauce or chili oil for dipping

• Serve alongside fried rice or lo mein noodles

• Turn it into a meal with steamed veggies like broccoli

I like to keep it casual and serve shrimp walnut in a big bowl, family style! It disappears fast, so you may want to double the recipe.

FAQs

Before I go, let’s review some common questions:

Can I use frozen shrimp?

You sure can! Thaw them first and pat dry well before breading.

What about dry breadcrumbs instead of cornstarch?

I prefer cornstarch for a super light and extra crispy coating, but panko breadcrumbs work too.

How long does it keep for?

Shrimp walnut is best served right after cooking. The glaze will make the shrimp soggy if stored.

Can I prep the components ahead?

Yes! The candied nuts and glaze can be made 1-2 days in advance. Bread and fry the shrimp just before serving.

Enjoy Restaurant-Quality Shrimp Walnut at Home

There you have it, my friends! With just 10 ingredients and a few easy steps, you can have crispy, sticky, irresistible shrimp walnut ready in 30 minutes or less.

I hope you’ll give this recipe a try soon. Shrimp walnut is my go-to for impressing guests or satisfying a Chinese food craving without all the grease.