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Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe

Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe
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★★★★★

5.3 from 8 reviews

Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp is a delightful recreation of the popular Chinese-American dish featuring crispy, butterflied shrimp coated in a light, fluffy batter, fried to golden perfection, and tossed in a creamy sweet honey walnut sauce. This recipe combines crunchy candied walnuts with a luscious honey-mayo dressing and is finished with fresh scallions for an irresistible appetizer or main dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Shrimp and Batter

  • 1 lb extra large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
  • 2 large egg whites (whisked)
  • 8 tbsp potato starch (or tapioca starch; alternatively, 4 tbsp whey protein isolate)
  • ⅓ to ½ cup avocado oil (for frying)

Sauce and Garnish

  • ½ cup walnuts (unsalted whole or chopped)
  • 1 bulb scallion (chopped)
  • 4 tbsp mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp honey (or keto honey)
  • 2 to 2.5 tbsp evaporated milk (or sugar-free coconut condensed milk)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Shrimp: Butterfly the shrimp by making a shallow slit along the back “spine” to ensure even cooking and better batter adherence.
  2. Coat the Shrimp: Set up your workspace with separate bowls for the whisked egg whites and potato starch. Dip each shrimp first into the egg whites, then evenly coat them with the potato starch. Arrange the coated shrimp on a large plate as you go.
  3. Heat the Oil: In a stainless steel or cast iron pan with high walls, heat the avocado oil over medium-high heat. After about 3 minutes, test the oil temperature using a wooden chopstick; bubbles should form around it, indicating the oil is around 350°F (177°C) and ready for frying.
  4. Fry the Shrimp: Working in batches, shallow fry the shrimp for about 3 minutes per side or until golden brown and crisp. Remove and drain on a wire rack to maintain crispness and remove excess oil.
  5. Make the Sauce: In a bowl, combine the mayonnaise, honey, and evaporated milk, stirring well until smooth.
  6. Sweeten the Walnuts: Toss the walnuts with about 2 tablespoons of the honey mayo sauce to coat them lightly and bring out their sweetness.
  7. Assemble and Serve: Place the fried shrimp on a large serving plate, scatter the sweetened walnuts on top, drizzle with more honey walnut sauce, garnish with chopped scallions, and serve immediately while hot.

Notes

  • Ensure the oil is at the right temperature (about 350°F/177°C) to achieve a crispy texture without greasiness.
  • Butterflying the shrimp helps with even cooking and better coating.
  • Avocado oil is preferred for its high smoke point; you may substitute with other neutral oils suitable for frying.
  • For a dairy-free alternative, use sugar-free coconut condensed milk instead of evaporated milk.
  • Use unsalted walnuts to control the saltiness of the final dish.
  • Do not overcrowd the pan when frying to maintain oil temperature and ensure even crispness.

Nutrition

Keywords: Honey Walnut Shrimp, Panda Express Copycat, Crispy Fried Shrimp, Sweet Sauce, Chinese American Recipe

Find it online: https://kitchenbyclara.com/panda-express-honey-walnut-shrimp-recipe/