Enjoy the beloved Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp recipe at home with our recipe. It features crispy shrimp covered in a delightful, sweet sauce with candied walnuts. You can make it in your kitchen easily with common ingredients.
Key Takeaways
- Our recipe perfectly replicates the beloved Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp dish.
- The shrimp are coated in a crispy tempura batter and covered in a sweet, creamy honey sauce.
- Candied walnuts add a delightful crunchy sweetness to the dish.
- Simple, easy-to-find ingredients allow you to recreate this popular shrimp dish at home.
- Serves as a delicious and satisfying meal, perfect for enjoying with steamed rice or vegetable sides.
The Irresistible Lure of Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp
Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp is a favorite among many, thanks to its mix of crispy, sweet, and savory tastes. The shrimp, covered in a creamy honey sauce and topped with candied walnuts, has an unbeatable texture. This mix makes a dish that’s hard to resist.
A Beloved Shrimp Dish with Crunchy Sweetness
The Panda Express shrimp dish stands out because it mixes shrimp and sweet walnuts. Battered shrimp are tender and taste great with honey and condensed milk in the sauce. People who try this dish at home agree it captures the right balance of flavors.
Recreating the Flavors of Panda Express at Home
With a copycat recipe, you can make these Panda Express flavors in your kitchen. This way, you can have this tasty shrimp dish whenever you want. The recipe is simple, allowing anyone to enjoy Panda Express’ honey walnut shrimp at home, in a delicious way.
Gathering the Essential Ingredients for This Copycat Recipe
Fresh Shrimp: The Star of the Show
This recipe calls for 1 pound of medium shrimp. They should be peeled, deveined, and have the tails removed. This ensures they’re the perfect size for making this tasty dish.
Tempura Batter for Crispiness
A tempura batter is essential for achieving a crunchy outside on the shrimp. This batter helps the shrimp turn golden-brown and crispy when cooked just right.
Sweetened Condensed Milk for Velvety Richness
The sauce for this dish combines Japanese mayonnaise, sweetened condensed milk, honey, and lemon juice. Sweetened condensed milk gives the sauce a silky, creamy feel. This pairs well with the sauce’s sweet and tangy taste.
Let’s Make Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe
Love the taste of Panda Express’ Honey Walnut Shrimp? Try making it at home with our recipe. It’s easy to do and tastes just like the famous version. Our recipe features breaded shrimp in a sweet honey sauce with walnuts.
We use big, high-quality shrimp that’s been peeled and deveined. They’re coated in a light tempura batter and fried until crispy and golden. The sauce is a mix of honey, mayonnaise, and milk, giving it a delicious creaminess.
On top, we add candied walnuts for a crispy, sweet finish. Serve this dish over rice or with some veggies. It will make you feel like you’re enjoying a meal from a Chinese restaurant at home.
Mastering the Art of Frying
Getting the perfect crunch on shrimp is crucial for a great copycat Panda Express dish. The batter should be fried at the right heat, about 350°F. This makes the shrimp’s outside golden and crispy, and the inside stays tender. It’s important to get the temperature just right. Oil that’s too hot burns the outside but keeps the inside raw. Too cool, and the shrimp turns out greasy and soggy. If you follow the frying steps carefully, your shrimp will always be crispy.
Achieving the Perfect Crunch
To make the shrimp crispy, the oil should be really hot—between 350-375°F. If it’s not hot enough, the shrimp becomes oily. But, if it’s too hot, the outside browns before the inside cooks. Using a thermometer is smart. It helps you check if the oil is just right. This way, your shrimp turns out crispy and tasty every time.
Temperature Control: The Key to Success
Keeping the oil at the right temperature is key for Panda Express-style shrimp. Fry the shrimp in small groups to hold the oil’s heat steady. Too many at a time drops the temperature, causing the shrimp to be oily. Frying in small amounts helps maintain the heat. This lets your shrimp end up crispy. With practice, you’ll fry like a pro, making a shrimp dish that could be on the Panda Express menu.
Candying the Walnuts: A Sweet Touch
The candied walnuts make a crunchy, sweet addition. They balance the spicy shrimp in this copycat Panda Express dish perfectly. To make them, cook walnuts in water and sugar until the sugar turns to caramel. Let them cool on a baking sheet. They will become crispy and ready for the shrimp.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Walnuts | 1 lb |
| Water | 1 cup |
| Sugar | 1/2 cup |
| Butter | 2 tbsp |
Start by thoroughly rinsing and soaking the walnuts in water. This step takes away their natural bitterness. Then, in a big pot, mix water and sugar together and boil them. Add the walnuts and cook them for 15 minutes, stirring now and then, until they’re caramel-coated.
After that, spread the walnuts on a baking sheet to cool. The sugar will harden, creating a sweet crisp on the walnuts. These candied walnuts are the finishing touch for the honey walnut shrimp.
Crafting the Luscious Honey Sauce
The secret to the amazing Panda Express style honey sauce is finding the perfect mix of sweet and creamy. By mixing honey, sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice, and mayonnaise, we make a rich sauce. It gives the crispy shrimp a delicious layer of taste. The condensed milk makes it smooth. The honey and lemon give sweetness and a little kick to the sauce.
Balancing Sweetness and Creaminess
Honey walnut shrimps rely on a mix of honey and condensed milk for their rich and creamy sauce. Making this at home, we find the balance of flavors just right. The recipe is super simple, yet the shrimp is one of the key parts. Our readers love it. It’s a favorite at many homes now, instead of going to Panda Express.
This honey sauce fits well with any kind of shrimp, like cooked shrimp or tempura shrimp. It sticks to the shrimp, making each bite tasty. The condensed milk adds creaminess, and honey brings sweetness. The result is a flavorful coating for the shrimp.
Putting It All Together
Once the shrimp are perfectly fried to a crisp golden-brown and the candied walnuts are ready, the magic starts. Gently toss the hot shrimp in creamy honey sauce. This ensures every bite is full of flavor.
Add the crunch and sweetness of candied walnuts. This completes your Panda Express copycat dish. It makes it taste close to the beloved original Panda Express favorite.
Coating the Shrimp in Delectable Sauce
The shrimp tastes and texture set this dish apart. They play the lead role in this perfect panda express copycat recipe. The balance of crispy shrimp and rich sauce will captivate you.
It will make you love this dish, feeling as if you’re at Panda Express. Every bite brings joy.
Garnishing with Candied Walnuts
Adding the shrimp and candied walnuts is essential. It levels up the flavor and texture. The candied walnuts’ crunch goes perfectly with the shrimp’s tender bite.
This blend creates a delicious homemade meal. Your reader interactions will surely enjoy it. They might even think it’s better than Panda Express.
What To Serve With Honey Walnut Shrimp
This copycat Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp stands out as the star of any delicious meal. It shines when served over steamed white or brown rice. The rice perfectly matches the rich and creamy honey sauce. For a complete meal, add simple sides like sautéed bok choy or a fresh salad. These choices make your plate not just tasty but also balanced. However you enjoy it, this homemade version of the Panda Express favorite guarantees a great experience.
Steamed Rice: A Classic Accompaniment
Steamed rice pairs beautifully with this copycat Panda Express honey walnut shrimp dish. The soft rice grains soak up the delicious honey sauce. This creates a perfect mix of flavors and textures.
Vegetable Sides for a Balanced Meal
For a full meal with this copycat Panda Express honey walnut shrimp recipe, add simple vegetable sides. Things like sautéed bok choy or a fresh salad with greens bring a welcome contrast. They add a nutritious crunch to the crispy shrimp and walnuts.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
While this Panda Express copycat recipe tastes best when fresh, you can keep leftovers in the fridge safely for up to 3 days. To warm up the shrimp, put them on a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. Then, heat them up in a 400°F oven for about 10 minutes. The shrimp might not stay as crispy but the sweet and savory taste remains.
To keep the crunch when reheating, it’s better to use a fryer or a non-stick pan than the oven. This way, you keep that crunchy texture that everyone loves. Plus, a little black pepper will make the flavors pop even more.
Following a few easy steps, you can enjoy Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp anytime by reheating. So, why not try this recipe and taste those amazing flavors again, even after the first meal?
Conclusion: I Love This Recipe
Making the Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp at home means we can eat it anytime. This shrimp dish is sweet, savory, and crunchy. We can make it easily with ingredients available at any store. Now, we can enjoy the flavors of this Panda Express favorite at home.
Following a simple guide helps us cook this dish. Techniques like keeping the shrimp crispy and making the honey sauce are key. Adding candied walnuts brings a sweet crunch. This balances the flavors, making every bite wonderful.
Enjoy this dish with rice or veggies. This homemade version will wow us and our guests. We can now make our Panda Express favorite at home. This way, we don’t have to step outside to satisfy our Panda Express cravings.
FAQ
What are the key ingredients in this copycat Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp recipe?
For this recipe, you’ll need fresh, high-quality shrimp. Next, a tempura batter gives it a crispy outer layer. Then, it’s mixed with a velvety sauce made of sweetened condensed milk, honey, and mayonnaise. To top it off, add candied walnuts.
How do you achieve the perfect crunch on the shrimp?
It’s crucial to fry the shrimp at 350°F. This gives it a golden-brown, crispy outside while keeping the inside juicy and tender.
How do you make the candied walnuts?
First, cook walnuts with water and sugar. As the sugar caramelizes, it coats the walnuts. Next, spread them out on a baking sheet to cool and become crisp.
What is the key to the irresistible Panda Express-style honey sauce?
The secret to the Panda Express-style honey sauce is balance. Mixing honey, sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice, and mayonnaise creates a sweet and creamy sauce.
How do you store and reheat any leftover Honey Walnut Shrimp?
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. For reheating, place the shrimp on a baking sheet. Then heat in a 400°F oven for about 10 minutes. However, note that the shrimp might not be as crispy.
The Best Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe You Ever Did Try!
Equipment
- Medium-sized pot or deep fryer
- Large bowl
- Slotted spoon or fork
- Paper towels or wire rack
Ingredients
For the Shrimp:
- 1 lb large shrimp peeled and deveined
- 4 large egg whites
- â…” cup cornstarch
- Vegetable oil for frying
For the Candied Walnuts:
- 1 cup water
- â…” cup white sugar
- ½ cup walnut halves
For the Sauce:
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon sweetened condensed milk
- Optional: Sliced scallions for garnish
Instructions
Prepare the Candied Walnuts:
- In a small saucepan, combine water and sugar. Bring to a boil.
- Add walnuts and boil for 2 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a wire rack to dry.
Prepare the Tempura Batter:
- Whisk egg whites until foamy. Gradually add cornstarch, whisking until smooth.
Fry the Shrimp:
- Heat vegetable oil in a pot to 350°F (175°C).
- Dip shrimp into the batter, allowing excess to drip off, then fry in batches until golden brown (about 4-5 minutes).
- Remove and drain on paper towels.
Make the Sauce:
- In a large bowl, mix mayonnaise, honey, and sweetened condensed milk until smooth.
Combine and Serve:
- Toss the fried shrimp in the sauce until well coated.
- Plate the shrimp and top with candied walnuts. Garnish with sliced scallions if desired.
- Serve immediately with steamed rice.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, ensure the shrimp are patted dry before coating them in batter.
- This dish is best enjoyed immediately as the shrimp can lose their crispiness if left in the sauce for too long.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one day. Reheat gently in a skillet to maintain texture
