How Do You Make Walnut Shrimp

You make walnut shrimp by coating plump shrimp in a light, crispy batter, frying them until golden, and tossing them in a creamy, sweet honey-mayo glaze topped with candied walnuts.
 
It sounds fancy, like something you’d only order at a Chinese banquet or a nice restaurant.
 
But honestly, making walnut shrimp at home is way easier than it looks.
 
The magic is all in three simple parts: the crispy shrimp, the creamy sauce, and those crunchy candied walnuts.
 
Once you get those down, you’ll be making walnut shrimp better than takeout in your own kitchen.
 
In this post, I’ll walk you through exactly how to make walnut shrimp step by step.
 
We’ll cover the shopping list, the candied walnuts, the crispy shrimp, the creamy sauce, and how to bring it all together.
 
Let’s dive in.
 

How Do You Make Walnut Shrimp? The Key Steps

When you make walnut shrimp, you’re really building three separate components and then combining them at the very end.
 
That’s the secret nobody tells you.
 
If you try to do everything at once, it gets messy.
 
But if you prep each piece first, making walnut shrimp becomes a breeze.
 
Here are the three parts you’ll be working with:
 

1. The Candied Walnuts

The walnuts are what give this dish its signature crunch and sweetness.
 
To make them, you’ll blanch walnut halves in boiling water for about a minute, then drain them well.
 
Next, you toss them in a simple syrup of sugar and water, then fry them until they’re golden and glossy.
 
Once they cool, they turn shatteringly crisp with a light candy shell.
 
These candied walnuts are so good you’ll want to make extra for snacking.
 

2. The Crispy Shrimp

For walnut shrimp, you want large shrimp that are peeled and deveined, with the tails left on for that classic look.
 
Pat them very dry so the batter sticks.
 
The batter is a simple mix of cornstarch, a little flour, an egg white, and a splash of water or sparkling water for extra lightness.
 
You dip each shrimp, then fry them in hot oil for just a couple of minutes until they curl and turn golden.
 
This is the step that makes walnut shrimp taste so satisfying.
 

3. The Creamy Honey-Mayo Sauce

The sauce is what ties everything together when you make walnut shrimp.
 
It’s a blend of mayonnaise, honey, a little condensed milk for richness, and a squeeze of lemon or rice vinegar to balance the sweetness.
 
Some people add a tiny bit of mustard for tang, but that’s optional.
 
Whisk it all together until smooth, and you’ve got the creamy glaze that makes walnut shrimp so addictive.
 

Ingredients You’ll Need to Make Walnut Shrimp

Before you start making walnut shrimp, gather everything so you’re not scrambling mid-recipe.
 
Here’s your shopping list:
 

For the Candied Walnuts:

Walnut halves, sugar, water, and oil for frying.
 

For the Shrimp:

One pound of large shrimp, cornstarch, flour, one egg white, salt, pepper, and oil for frying.
 

For the Sauce:

Mayonnaise, honey, sweetened condensed milk, fresh lemon juice, and a pinch of salt.
 

Optional Garnishes:

Toasted sesame seeds, sliced green onions, or a sprinkle of extra candied walnuts on top.
 

Tips for Making Walnut Shrimp Perfectly Every Time

Making walnut shrimp is simple, but a few small tricks make a big difference.
 

1. Keep Your Oil at the Right Temperature

When you fry the shrimp for your walnut shrimp, aim for around 350°F.
 
Too hot and the batter burns before the shrimp cooks through.
 
Too cool and the shrimp soak up oil and turn greasy.
 
A simple candy thermometer takes the guesswork out of making walnut shrimp.
 

2. Don’t Overcrowd the Pan

Fry the shrimp in small batches so they crisp up evenly.
 
If you dump them all in at once, the oil temperature drops and your walnut shrimp turns soggy.
 

3. Coat the Shrimp Right Before Serving

The sauce softens the crispy batter over time.
 
So toss your shrimp in the creamy glaze just before you plate your walnut shrimp.
 
That way every bite stays crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside.
 

4. Make the Walnuts Ahead

Candied walnuts stay crisp for days in an airtight container.
 
So you can make them ahead and cut your walnut shrimp prep time in half.
 

So, How Do You Make Walnut Shrimp?

You make walnut shrimp by coating shrimp in a light batter, frying them until golden, and tossing them in a creamy honey-mayo sauce with crunchy candied walnuts on top.
 
It’s a restaurant-style dish that comes together easily once you break it into three simple parts.
 
The candied walnuts bring the crunch, the crispy shrimp bring the texture, and the sauce brings that sweet, creamy finish that makes walnut shrimp so irresistible.
 
Give this recipe a try, and you’ll see just how simple making walnut shrimp at home can be.
 
Your family will be impressed, and you might never order takeout walnut shrimp again.