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Honey Walnut Shrimp

A classic takeout favorite featuring crispy, tempura-battered fried shrimp tossed in a sweet, creamy mayonnaise-honey glaze and paired with crunchy candied walnuts. High in protein and deliciously satisfying for special meal prep or family dinners.
Servings: 4
Calories: 420kcal
Author: The Simply Healthy Life

Ingredients

🍖Candied Walnuts:

1/2 cup walnut halves

1/4 cup water

1/4 cup granulated sugar (or monk fruit sweetener)

🍖The Shrimp & Batter:

1 lb (450g) large shrimp, peeled, deveined, and tail-on

1/2 tsp kosher salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

2 large egg whites, beaten until frothy

1/2 cup cornstarch (or tapioca starch)

High-smoke-point oil (avocado or canola oil) for frying

🍖Honey Mayonnaise Sauce:

3 tbsp mayonnaise (preferably Kewpie or regular full-fat)

1.5 tbsp honey

1 tbsp sweetened condensed milk

1 tsp fresh lemon juice

Instructions

🟢Candied Walnuts:

    In a small saucepan, bring water and sugar to a boil. Add walnuts and simmer for 3 minutes. Remove walnuts with a slotted spoon and spread them out on parchment paper to cool and harden.

      🟢Make the Sauce:

        In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, honey, sweetened condensed milk, and lemon juice until smooth. Set aside.

          🟢Prep the Shrimp:

            Pat shrimp dry with paper towels. Season with salt and pepper. Dip each shrimp into the beaten egg whites, then coat thoroughly in cornstarch, shaking off any excess.

              🟢Fry the Shrimp:

                Heat 1 inch of oil in a skillet or wok to 350°F (175°C). Fry the shrimp in batches for 2–3 minutes until golden, crispy, and opaque. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.

                  🟢Toss & Serve:

                    Add the hot crispy shrimp and candied walnuts into the sauce bowl. Toss gently until evenly coated. Serve immediately over a bed of steamed broccoli or shredded cabbage.

                      Notes

                      • Mayonnaise Alternative: Substitute half or all of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt for a lighter, higher-protein sauce option.
                      • Nut Swap: Replace walnuts with pecans or sliced almonds if needed.
                      • Sweetened Condensed Milk Substitute: Replace with 1 tsp extra honey plus 1 tsp heavy cream or coconut cream.