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Honey Walnut Shrimp

Honey Walnut Shrimp

Honey Walnut Shrimp is a delightful dish featuring crispy fried shrimp tossed in a creamy, sweet honey mayonnaise sauce with crunchy toasted walnuts. This recipe offers a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and nutty flavors with a satisfying contrast of textures, making it an impressive and crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s quick and easy to prepare.

Ingredients

Scale

Shrimp and Coating

  • 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 egg white
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch or flour (for gluten-free option use cornstarch or gluten-free flour)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Vegetable oil, for deep-frying

Sauce

  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise (use dairy-free mayo or Greek yogurt for dairy-free version)
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • Pinch of salt

Walnut Glaze

  • 1/2 cup walnuts
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon sugar

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Walnuts: Toast the walnuts gently in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant and lightly browned. Toss them in a simple honey and sugar glaze, then set aside to cool, ensuring a perfect crunchy, sweet accent.
  2. Coat the Shrimp: In a bowl, mix egg white, cornstarch, and a pinch of salt to create a light batter. Dip the peeled and deveined shrimp into this mixture, coating each shrimp evenly for ultimate crispness.
  3. Fry the Shrimp: Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or fryer to 350°F (175°C). Fry the shrimp in batches until golden and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
  4. Make the Sauce: Whisk together mayonnaise, honey, sugar, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt until smooth and creamy. This sauce is the luscious base that carries all the delightful flavors.
  5. Combine and Serve: Toss the fried shrimp in the honey mayo sauce until well-coated. Gently fold in the candied walnuts. Serve immediately to enjoy the contrast of crispy shrimp, creamy sauce, and crunchy nuts.

Notes

  • Use fresh or properly thawed shrimp for the best texture and flavor.
  • Maintain oil temperature around 350°F to ensure even, crispy frying without greasiness.
  • Fry shrimp in small batches to keep the oil temperature stable and shrimp crispy.
  • Ensure shrimp are evenly coated in the batter for a consistent crunchy exterior.
  • When tossing shrimp with the sauce and walnuts, be gentle to avoid crushing the crunchy walnuts.
  • Serve immediately after coating to keep shrimp crispy.
  • Reheat gently in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes; avoid microwaving to preserve crispiness.
  • Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Nutrition

Keywords: Honey Walnut Shrimp, Crispy Shrimp, Seafood Appetizer, Sweet and Savory Shrimp, Nutty Shrimp Recipe, Gluten-Free Shrimp Recipe