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Crispy Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe with Sweet Glaze Easy and Perfect

crispy honey walnut shrimp - featured image

A quick and easy recipe featuring crispy battered shrimp and toasted walnuts coated in a sticky, sweet honey glaze. Perfect for busy weeknights or entertaining guests.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450 g) medium or large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tail-on or off)
  • 1 cup (120 g) walnuts, halves or pieces, toasted lightly
  • ½ cup (60 g) all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup (30 g) cornstarch
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • ½ cup (120 ml) milk, whole or 2% (can substitute dairy-free milk like almond)
  • ¼ cup (85 g) honey
  • 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Vegetable oil, for frying (neutral oil with high smoke point like canola or peanut oil)
  • Lemon juice or zest (optional)

Instructions

  1. Toast the walnuts: Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add walnuts and toast, stirring frequently, until fragrant and lightly browned, about 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
  2. Prepare the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, mayonnaise, sweetened condensed milk (if using), and sugar until smooth. Set aside.
  3. Make the batter: In a large bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Add the beaten egg and milk, mixing until just combined. The batter should be thick enough to coat the shrimp without dripping off too much.
  4. Heat the oil: Pour about 2 inches (5 cm) of vegetable oil into a frying pan or wok. Heat to 350°F (175°C).
  5. Coat and fry the shrimp: Dip each shrimp into the batter, letting excess drip off. Fry in batches for 2-3 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels or a wire rack.
  6. Fry the walnuts: Quickly fry the toasted walnuts for about 30 seconds to crisp them up further and warm through. Drain well.
  7. Toss everything together: In a large bowl, gently toss the crispy shrimp and walnuts with the prepared honey glaze until evenly coated.
  8. Final touch: Optionally sprinkle lemon zest or squeeze lemon juice over the top. Serve immediately.

Notes

[‘Keep oil temperature steady at 350°F (175°C) to avoid greasy or burnt batter.’, ‘Do not overcrowd the pan when frying to ensure even crispiness.’, ‘Use cornstarch in the batter for extra crunch.’, ‘Toast walnuts before frying to enhance flavor and avoid raw taste.’, ‘Whisk glaze vigorously to prevent lumps and achieve a glossy finish.’, ‘If glaze is too thick, add a teaspoon or two of warm water to loosen it without losing stickiness.’, ‘Drain shrimp on a wire rack over a baking sheet for less sogginess and easier cleanup.’, ‘For gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with rice flour or gluten-free blend.’, ‘For spicy twist, add cayenne pepper or chili flakes to batter or glaze.’, ‘For nut-free version, replace walnuts with toasted pumpkin seeds or crispy fried shallots.’, ‘Air fryer option: Spray battered shrimp with oil and air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway; toast walnuts separately.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: honey walnut shrimp, crispy shrimp, sweet glaze shrimp, easy shrimp recipe, fried shrimp, walnut shrimp, quick dinner, appetizer