Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp

This Copycat Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp recipe is every bit as good as the restaurant without the lines, traffic, or even having to search for your keys. Made with simple ingredients, this sweet and savory shrimp recipe comes together in under 30 minutes!

The Honey Walnut Shrimp from Panda Express is my obsession. Crispy battered shrimp tossed in a creamy honey sauce and topped with candied walnuts and scallions, what’s not to love? But now I love it even more with this Copycat Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp recipe I can easily make at home!

This Honeyed Walnut Shrimp recipe is made with basic ingredients and comes together in under 30 minutes! That’s less time than it usually takes to find my keys just to drive there!

Serve this sweet and savory shrimp dish with rice or noodles and a big serving of stir fry vegetables or Asian Cucumber Salad for an amazing dinner everyone will enjoy.

Why You’ll Love This Copycat Walnut Shrimp Recipe

• Convenient – Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp copycat recipe made at home. 
• Delicious – The flavor is as good as what you get at the restaurant.
• Easy – This recipe is made with simple ingredients and is ready in about 30 minutes.

Honey Walnut Shrimp Ingredients

This copycat Walnut Shrimp recipe is made with basic ingredients that, other than the shrimp, you might already have on hand.

• Water
• White sugar
• Walnut halves – get the halves and not “pieces”
• Egg whites – just the whites
• Cornstarch – you can also use potato starch or rice flour
• Large shrimp – 18-22 count, peeled and deveined
• Mayonnaise
• Honey – you can sub agave nectar, but the flavor might not be exactly the same
• Sweetened condensed milk – not the same as evaporated milk
• Lemon juice – use fresh for the best flavor
• Vegetable oil – for frying
• Scallions – for topping

Equipment Needed To Make 

• Medium skillet
• Heavy bottom pot
• Mixing bowl
• Slotted spoon

Substitutions & Variations

• You could try subbing other proteins in the recipe. Great options include sliced or diced chicken, beef tips, or tofu.
• You could try different nuts like cashews in this recipe.
• You could add some vegetables to this recipe. Good choices are snow peas, julienned carrots, or string beans.

How to Make Honey Walnut Shrimp

This is a simplified step-by-step version of the detailed recipe instructions found in the recipe card at the the bottom of the post.

Step 1

Heat water and add sugar and walnuts. Boil for 2-3 minutes then remove the walnuts and place on a parchment lined plate.

Step 2

In a bowl, make the egg mixture.

Step 3

Add the shrimp to coat.

Step 4

Fry the shrimp until golden brown and place the cooked shrimp on a paper towel lined plate to drain off excess grease.

Step 5

In a large bowl whisk together the sauce ingredients. Add the cooked shrimp to the sauce and gently toss together to coat.

Top with the candied walnuts and scallions and serve.

Time Saving Tips & Tricks

• You can use any size shrimp you like, just adjust the cook time. 
• Use fresh, high-quality shrimp and buy shrimp that is already peeled and deveined to save time.
• Keep an eye on the walnuts when cooking so you don’t burn them.
• Make sure the oil is hot enough before adding shrimp to avoid them getting soggy. When you drop a bit of the egg batter into the oil, if it floats immediately, then the oil is ready.
• Adjust the sauce to your preferred level of sweetness and spiciness.
• Serve the walnut shrimp while it’s hot and crispy.
• Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

How to Serve Honey Shrimp with Walnuts

Serve this Walnut Honey Shrimp with white rice or brown rice or over chow mein noodles with a hearty side of Sheet Pan Vegetables or crunchy Asian Cucumber Salad. You can also top the finished honeyed shrimp with sesame seeds for extra flavor and wow factor. 

How to Store Leftover Shrimp

Allow any remaining leftovers to cool completely before covering for storage. Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

How to Reheat Honey Walnut Shrimp

Cooked shrimp can be tricky to reheat without making the shrimp tough or rubbery. I’ve found the best method is to place the shrimp on a lined sheet pan and place in a preheated 325-350° oven for about 7-10 minutes until warm. You can also use this method in an air fryer, but don’t let the shrimp bunch together for best crispness.

I tend to avoid the microwave for reheating shrimp because it gives the shrimp a rubbery texture and doesn’t re-crisp them like the oven or air fryer will.

FAQs

Can I serve this with a different sauce?

Yes. You can use a mustard sauce or bang bang sauce for a fun twist.

Can I serve this with a different protein?

Absolutely! Try this recipe with sliced or diced chicken, beef or pork tips, or crispy, pressed tofu for a vegetarian option.

More Asian-Inspired Recipes

Bang Bang Shrimp

Orange Chicken 

Chicken Lo Mein

Chicken Ramen

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