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How to Make Honey Walnut Prawns
To make honey walnut prawns, you start by coating plump shrimp in a light, crispy batter and tossing them in a creamy honey sauce.
Then you fold in candied walnuts that add a sweet crunch to every bite.
If you’ve ever ordered honey walnut prawns at a Chinese restaurant, you know that combination of crispy, creamy, and nutty flavors is downright addictive.
The good news is you can make honey walnut prawns right at home with simple ingredients and a little patience.
In this post, we’ll walk through how to make honey walnut prawns step by step, from candying the walnuts to whipping up that signature honey mayo sauce.
By the end, you’ll know exactly how to make honey walnut prawns that taste just like your favorite takeout order.
Let’s get cooking.
Why Honey Walnut Prawns Are Worth Making at Home
Learning how to make honey walnut prawns at home gives you control over freshness, sweetness, and portion size.
When you make honey walnut prawns yourself, you’re not stuck with soggy shrimp that sat under a heat lamp.
Here’s why this dish deserves a spot in your home kitchen:
1. Fresh Shrimp Make a Huge Difference
The best honey walnut prawns start with fresh, high-quality shrimp.
Frozen shrimp work fine too, but fresh shrimp give you a firmer bite and sweeter flavor.
When you make honey walnut prawns with shrimp you trust, the whole dish tastes cleaner and more vibrant.
2. You Control the Sweetness
Restaurant versions of honey walnut prawns can sometimes be overly sweet.
When you make honey walnut prawns at home, you decide how much honey goes into the sauce.
You can dial it up for a dessert-like treat or tone it down for a more balanced plate.
3. It’s Easier Than You Think
A lot of people assume honey walnut prawns require deep-frying skills and fancy equipment.
But to make honey walnut prawns, you only need a heavy pot, some oil, and a few pantry staples.
Once you learn how to make honey walnut prawns, you’ll wonder why you ever ordered them out.
Ingredients for Honey Walnut Prawns
Before you make honey walnut prawns, gather everything so the process runs smoothly.
Here’s what you’ll need to make honey walnut prawns for about four servings:
1. For the Candied Walnuts
You’ll need one cup of walnut halves, half a cup of sugar, one cup of water, and a pinch of salt.
These candied walnuts are the crunchy stars of your honey walnut prawns.
2. For the Shrimp
Grab one pound of large shrimp, peeled and deveined, plus one egg white, half a cup of cornstarch, and a pinch of salt.
This coating is what gives honey walnut prawns their signature crispy shell.
3. For the Honey Sauce
You’ll need three tablespoons of mayonnaise, two tablespoons of honey, one tablespoon of condensed milk, and a squeeze of lemon juice.
This creamy sauce is what makes honey walnut prawns taste so rich and irresistible.
How to Make Honey Walnut Prawns Step by Step
Now let’s talk about how to make honey walnut prawns from start to finish.
Follow these steps and you’ll nail this dish on your first try.
1. Candy the Walnuts First
To make honey walnut prawns, start by boiling the walnuts in water for two minutes to remove bitterness.
Drain them, then simmer sugar, water, and salt in a pan until the mixture thickens.
Toss the walnuts in, coat them well, and spread them on parchment paper to cool and harden.
2. Coat and Fry the Shrimp
Pat your shrimp dry, then toss them with egg white and salt.
Dredge each shrimp in cornstarch until fully coated.
Heat oil to around 350°F and fry the shrimp in batches until golden and crispy, about two minutes per side.
3. Whisk the Honey Sauce
While the shrimp fry, whisk together mayonnaise, honey, condensed milk, and lemon juice.
This sauce is the heart of your honey walnut prawns, so taste and adjust as you go.
4. Toss Everything Together
In a large bowl, gently fold the fried shrimp into the honey sauce until evenly coated.
Add the candied walnuts right before serving so they stay crunchy.
5. Serve Immediately
Honey walnut prawns taste best hot and fresh.
Plate them over steamed rice or lettuce cups and garnish with extra walnuts.
Tips for Perfect Honey Walnut Prawns Every Time
These little tricks will help you make honey walnut prawns like a pro.
1. Don’t Skip the Cornstarch
Cornstarch is what gives honey walnut prawns that light, crackly coating.
Flour makes them heavier, so stick with cornstarch for authentic results.
2. Keep the Oil at the Right Temperature
If the oil is too cool, your honey walnut prawns turn greasy.
If it’s too hot, the coating burns before the shrimp cooks through.
3. Sauce the Shrimp at the Last Minute
Add the sauce right before serving so your honey walnut prawns stay crispy instead of turning soggy.
So, How Do You Make Honey Walnut Prawns?
You make honey walnut prawns by candying walnuts, coating shrimp in cornstarch, frying them until golden, and tossing everything in a creamy honey sauce.
It’s a simple process once you break it down, and the payoff is a restaurant-quality dish at home.
Now that you know how to make honey walnut prawns, grab your shrimp and get frying.
Your kitchen is about to smell incredible.