This Quick & Easy Honey Walnut Shrimp is the ultimate homemade alternative to Chinese takeout. Crispy golden shrimp are tossed in a creamy, sweet honey sauce and paired with crunchy candied walnuts for the perfect balance of texture and flavor. Ready in just 30 minutes, this family-friendly recipe uses simple ingredients and delivers restaurant-style results at home. If you love better-than-takeout shrimp, quick dinners, or impressive meals without the hassle, this dish belongs on your weekly rotation. It’s sweet, savory, comforting, and always a crowd-pleaser.
table of contents
Time Breakdown
- Prep Time: 22 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 4
Ingredients List
For the Shrimp
- 1 lb jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 egg whites
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ⅔ cup cornstarch (or potato starch / tapioca starch)
- 1 cup neutral oil (vegetable or avocado oil), for frying
For the Honey Sauce
- ¼ cup Japanese mayo (or regular mayo)
- 3 tbsp sweetened condensed milk (or condensed coconut milk)
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
For the Candied Walnuts
- ½ cup walnut halves
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar (or brown sugar)
- 1 tbsp cold water
Optional Garnish
- Green onions, finely chopped
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.
- Large nonstick skillet or frying pan
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Tongs or slotted spoon
- Wire rack or paper towels
- Parchment paper
- Measuring cups & spoons
Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions
- Prepare the sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together mayo, condensed milk, honey, and lemon juice. Set aside 🍯 - Candy the walnuts
Heat sugar and water in a pan over medium heat until syrupy. Add walnuts, stir to coat, then remove and place on parchment to cool. - Season the shrimp
Pat shrimp dry and season with salt and pepper. - Make the batter
Whisk egg whites until foamy. Add cornstarch to form a runny batter. - Coat the shrimp
Add shrimp to batter and toss until evenly coated. - Fry until crispy
Heat oil to 350–375°F. Fry shrimp in batches for 2–3 minutes until golden and crispy 🍤 - Toss & serve
Combine shrimp, candied walnuts, and sauce. Garnish with green onions and serve immediately ✨
Pro Tips
- Fry shrimp in small batches for extra crispiness
- Don’t overcook—shrimp cook very fast
- Sauce should be added just before serving
- Works great with rice or steamed vegetables
- For lighter version, air-fry shrimp and toss with sauce
Nutrition Table (Estimated)
| Serving Size | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Fiber | Sugar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 plate | 404 | 7g | 48g | 21g | 1g | 27g |
Disclaimer
Nutrition information is estimated using online tools and may vary based on ingredients and preparation. Please consult a nutrition professional for precise dietary advice.

Quick & Easy Honey Walnut Shrimp
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Prepare honey sauce.
- Candy walnuts.
- Coat and fry shrimp.
- Toss shrimp with sauce and walnuts.
Nutrition
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Conclusion
Honey Walnut Shrimp is the perfect mix of sweet, savory, and crunchy and now you can enjoy it anytime without takeout prices. This quick recipe proves that homemade can be just as indulgent and even more satisfying.