How To Make Walnut Shrimp

To make walnut shrimp, you coat plump shrimp in a light, crispy batter, fry them until golden, and toss them in a creamy, sweet, and tangy honey mayo sauce.
 
Then you finish the dish with candied walnuts that add a buttery crunch to every single bite.
 
It’s one of those restaurant-style dishes that feels fancy, but honestly?
 
You can make walnut shrimp right at home with just a handful of simple ingredients.
 
If you’ve ever wondered how to make walnut shrimp that tastes just like the version from your favorite Chinese restaurant, you’re in the right place.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through how to make walnut shrimp step by step, including the crispy coating, the creamy sauce, and those irresistible candied walnuts.
 
Let’s dive in.
 

How to Make Walnut Shrimp (The Simple Answer)

 
When you learn how to make walnut shrimp, you’re really mastering three components: the shrimp, the sauce, and the walnuts.
 
Get those three right, and you’ve nailed how to make walnut shrimp every single time.
 

1. Start With the Right Shrimp

 
To make walnut shrimp, you’ll want large or jumbo shrimp, ideally peeled and deveined with the tails left on.
 
Tails on make walnut shrimp look impressive and give you something to hold, though you can remove them if you prefer.
 
Pat the shrimp completely dry before cooking because moisture is the enemy of a crispy coating.
 

2. Whisk Together the Batter

 
The signature crunch in walnut shrimp comes from a simple batter made with egg whites, cornstarch, and a little salt.
 
Some recipes for how to make walnut shrimp add a splash of oil or a spoonful of flour, but cornstarch is what gives walnut shrimp that light, airy crisp.
 
Mix everything until it looks like a thin pancake batter, then let it rest for a few minutes.
 

3. Fry the Shrimp Until Golden

 
Heat a few inches of oil in a deep pan until it reaches about 350°F.
 
Dip each shrimp into the batter, letting the excess drip off, then carefully lower it into the hot oil.
 
Fry the shrimp in small batches for two to three minutes per side until they’re golden and floating.
 
This is the step that makes walnut shrimp so satisfying, so don’t rush it.
 

4. Make the Candied Walnuts

 
While the shrimp fry, boil walnut halves in water for a couple of minutes to remove some bitterness.
 
Drain them, then toss the walnuts in sugar and fry them briefly until they turn glossy and golden.
 
Spread them on parchment paper to cool, and they’ll harden into crunchy, sweet little gems.
 
These candied walnuts are what take walnut shrimp from good to unforgettable.
 

5. Whip Up the Creamy Sauce

 
The sauce is where walnut shrimp really shines.
 
Combine mayonnaise, sweetened condensed milk, honey, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice in a bowl.
 
Whisk until it’s smooth and glossy, then taste it and adjust the sweetness to your liking.
 
This creamy honey mayo sauce is the heart of how to make walnut shrimp taste authentic.
 

6. Toss Everything Together

 
Once the shrimp are fried and the walnuts are cool, gently fold the shrimp into the sauce until every piece is coated.
 
Pile the walnut shrimp onto a plate, scatter the candied walnuts on top, and serve immediately.
 
That’s really all there is to how to make walnut shrimp at home.
 

Tips for the Best Walnut Shrimp

 
A few small tweaks can make your walnut shrimp taste even better.
 

Keep the Oil at the Right Temperature

 
If the oil is too cold, your walnut shrimp will soak up grease and turn soggy.
 
If it’s too hot, the batter will burn before the shrimp cooks through, so use a thermometer if you can.
 

Don’t Skip the Lemon Juice

 
That little bit of acid balances the sweetness in the sauce and keeps walnut shrimp from tasting too heavy.
 

Serve It Right Away

 
Walnut shrimp is best enjoyed fresh and hot, while the coating is still crunchy and the sauce is creamy.
 
If you must wait, keep the shrimp and sauce separate until the last minute.
 

Add a Garnish

 
A sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds or sliced green onions gives walnut shrimp a fresh finish.
 
Some people also like a pinch of black pepper or a drizzle of extra honey on top.
 

Pair It With the Right Sides

 
Steamed white rice, broccoli, or a simple cucumber salad all work beautifully alongside walnut shrimp.
 
The mild sides let the sweet, creamy shrimp take center stage.
 

So, How Do You Make Walnut Shrimp?

 
You make walnut shrimp by battering and frying shrimp, tossing them in a creamy honey mayo sauce, and topping them with crunchy candied walnuts.
 
It sounds like a lot, but once you’ve done it a time or two, how to make walnut shrimp becomes second nature.
 
The crispy shrimp, the silky sauce, and the sweet, buttery walnuts come together in a dish that tastes like takeout but feels like a treat you made yourself.
 
So grab some shrimp, whip up that sauce, and give this recipe a try.
 
Once you know how to make walnut shrimp, you might never order it out again.