Honey walnut shrimp is a delicious Chinese-American dish that perfectly balances crispy, creamy, and sweet flavors. This restaurant favorite features lightly battered shrimp tossed in a silky honey mayo sauce and topped with crunchy candied walnuts. It’s rich, slightly sweet, and absolutely irresistible.
The star of the dish is the shrimp – large, plump, and lightly coated in a cornstarch batter that fries up beautifully crisp and golden. What sets honey walnut shrimp apart from other shrimp dishes is its signature sauce. A blend of mayonnaise, honey, and sweetened condensed milk creates a creamy glaze that’s both sweet and tangy, coating the shrimp without making it soggy.
But the real magic happens with the candied walnuts. They add the perfect crunch and a subtle caramelized sweetness that balances the rich sauce. Making them is simple – walnuts are simmered in sugar water, then dried and lightly toasted until crisp and glossy.
Honey walnut shrimp comes together surprisingly quickly, making it a great choice for a weeknight dinner that still feels special. It’s typically served over steamed white rice, allowing the sauce to soak into every bite. For a little extra color and balance, you can add steamed broccoli or a side of stir-fried vegetables.
While it’s a popular takeout item, making honey walnut shrimp at home means you can control the sweetness and customize it to your liking. Some versions swap the mayonnaise for Greek yogurt to lighten it up or add a splash of lemon juice for extra brightness.
This dish delivers on every level – crunchy, creamy, sweet, and savory all at once. Whether you’re looking to impress guests or simply want to indulge in a homemade version of your favorite takeout, honey walnut shrimp never disappoints.
Pair this summer meal with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a chilled glass of sparkling wine, or enjoy it with light cocktails or jasmine tea to balance the richness of the dish.
Ingredients
- 1 pound shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1/2 cup walnuts
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp water
- oil for frying
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, sweetened condensed milk, and honey. Stir until well combined.
- In a small bowl, dissolve cornstarch in water to make a slurry.
- Heat oil in a deep pan or pot for frying. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper, then coat them in the cornstarch slurry.
- Fry the shrimp in the hot oil until they turn golden brown and crispy. Remove from the oil and drain on paper towels.
- In a separate pan, toast the walnuts until they become fragrant and slightly browned.
- Add the cooked shrimp and toasted walnuts to the honey mixture. Stir to coat the shrimp and walnuts.
- Serve the honey walnut shrimp hot with steamed rice or vegetables.
Nutrition
I don’t know about that honey and mayo combo… Seems kinda weird to me. Gave it a try though and it wasn’t terrible.
Hoo boy, I burned the walnuts… but somehow it still tasted good!
Burnt walnuts can happen to the best of us! Glad to hear it still turned out tasty. Makes me want to try this recipe myself!
How can it taste good? Ovens do have timers for a reason! Maybe I’ll stick to the microwave.
Yummy! 😋 The walnuts add such a nice crunch. Will make again!
This recipe is flawed. The shrimp were too soggy after frying! Maybe it’s just me, idk.
This honey walnut shrimp is to die for! I made it for dinner and my family loved it!
I’m so glad your family enjoyed it! This recipe is a favorite in my household too. Just made it last week with some broccoli on the side!
Yum! This recipe is spot on, I added a pinch of cayenne for a kick 🔥
Too much mayo for my taste! Gonna try it without next time.
Used pecans instead of walnuts cuz that’s all I had. Still turned out nice! Can’t complain.
Pecans sound good too! Glad it worked out for you! 🍤
This was absolutely delicious! The honey sauce was perfect. Will definitely make again!
I don’t know, my shrimp turned out soggy. Maybe I cooked them too long? Not sure it’s worth the effort.
I’m not a great cook but this was easy to follow. I didn’t even burn anything! lol
Honey shrimp? I thought it was just for dessert 🤷♂️ but wow, I was wrong! It’s actually good.
I was surprised too! This dish changed my whole perspective on shrimp. 😄
Honey with shrimp? Sounds kinda weird to me. Can’t believe people eat this!
Wow, so good! My kids loved it, even my picky eater! Thanks for sharing! 😊
I’m allergic to walnuts, can I sub with pecans? Thx!
This was a hit at my dinner party! Everyone loved it. A new fave!
I tried this recipe too and it was just as amazing! Thanks for sharing it! 🥳
Not sure about the mayo and condensed milk mix… isn’t that too weird? 🤔
Idk… it sounded good, but my shrimp wasn’t crispy at all. I think the slurry got too thick or my oil temp was wrong. Flavor was decent.
Maybe you didn’t mix the cornstarch right? I always do like, no lumps. And oil temp like medium-high but not smoking? Mine gets crispy most times but if the shrimp is wet it wont. Try patting them real dry. shrimp should still have bite.
Ugh yeah—if the slurry got thick, it’ll cling more than it crisps. I usually aim for a thin, pourable slurry. Also make sure the oil is fully hot before frying (if it’s not, it goes soft). Glad the flavor was still decent though!
So good with some chili flakes added. Give it a try if ya like some spice! 🔥
Yeah, chili flakes make everything better! I’ll definitely try that next time. Thanks for the tip! 🌶️
Yum! I made this for dinner guests and they all loved it! I served it with rice and it was a hit.
Tried it but wasn’t impressed. The sauce was way too sweet for my taste. I think less honey would be better.
Why do you need 2 types of sweeteners? Feels excessive.
This recipe is soooo good! The combination of honey and walnuts is delicious. My family loved it!
Easy to follow recipe, but maybe not the best for me. Still edible!
I don’t know why people like this so much. The texture was off for me and too sweet. I prefer my shrimp spicy.
5 star! My kids gobbled it up, so quick and easy!!!
I tried this recipe, but I think I added too much honey. It came out like syrup! Next time, less honey!
I tried it but my shrimp ended up gummy. Maybe I did something wrong?
Tried it without mayo, did not taste the same. Don’t skip it!
Totally agree! The mayo really makes a difference in this dish. It adds that creamy richness. Don’t skip it, or you’ll regret it!
I dunno, I think you can still make it good without mayo. Maybe try yogurt instead? Idk, just a thought!
Not bad, but I don’t understand the need for condense milk in a shrimp dish.
This sounds like a mess! How do you get the shrimp to stay crunchy?
Messy, huh? Well, I guess if you don’t get the frying part right, it could be! But honestly, my shrimp turned out great. Just gotta practice!
I think it’s all about the cornstarch! Make sure you coat ’em well and fry them quick in hot oil. That’s how you keep them crispy!
My husband loved it, but I found it too greasy. Could be better.
I get what you mean! It was pretty rich for me too, but my kids loved it. Maybe just use less mayo next time? 🤔
This recipe is amazing! The shrimp turned out so crispy and the sauce is to die for! Definitely making it again.
This was absolutely delicious! The honey and walnuts made such a great combo with the shrimp. Will definitely make again!
I love shrimp and this recipe is a great twist! 🤤
I totally agree! This sounds amazing! 🥳 Can’t wait to try it myself!
I’m not so sure about putting honey with shrimp… Doesn’t that sound weird? 🤔
This is the best recipe ever! I made it for my family and they loved it!
This was amazing! My kids loved it! 5 stars all the way.
So glad to hear your kids loved it! This recipe is a favorite in my house too!
Super easy to make, but I feel like I could just buy it from a restaurant and save time.
Yum! I love walnuts but this recipe needed a little more crunch.
I think it needed more honey. It wasn’t sweet enough for me.
Yum! Perfect balance of sweet and savory. Will make again!
I can’t believe I wasted my shrimp on this. It was too sweet for my taste. 2 stars.
Yum! Perfectly crispy and sweet. Will make again! 🙂
I’m glad you enjoyed it! The crunch of the walnuts with the sweetness is just amazing. Definitely a crowd-pleaser! 🙂
This seems kinda weird to me. Honey and shrimp? I dunno… but glad it worked for you!
I’m not sure about frying + honey sauce together, but wow. The walnuts gave it that perfect crunch. Would make again for sure.
Same—had my doubts about frying with the honey sauce, but the walnuts really make it. The crunch + sticky coating combo is legit!
Delicious! Easy to make and looks fancy – great for dinner parties.
Looks easy to make! I’m not an expert cook but I think I can handle this. Wish me luck!
Uh, can I use chicken instead of shrimp? Asking for a friend.
Sure, you can use chicken! It won’t taste the same but it’ll still be good.
I tried to make it, but got confused with the ingredients. What does slurry mean? 1 star.
A slurry is just a mix that makes everything smooth. Don’t worry, it’s super easy once you get the hang of it! Try again, 1 star doesn’t do it justice!
Honey shrimp is pretty popular in restaurants but I wasn’t sure if I could replicate it. Turned out decent, but I think I used too much mayo.
I dunno, mayo in shrimp? Sounds kinda gross. Never had it like that. Is it really tasty?
That sounds great! Honey shrimp is so yummy! But too much mayo can really change the taste. Maybe try less next time?
Yummm! I added some chili flakes for heat. It gave it a nice kick. Will make again!
Chili flakes?! That’s creative! I might try that next time. Thanks for the tip!
Soo good!! I added some chili flakes for a kick! 🔥
Chili flakes? Sounds awesome! I gotta try that next time! 🌶️
Not sure about mayonnaise in this. Seems weird to me.
OMG this sounds amazing! Can’t wait to try it! 😍
Yesss! Hope you love it as much as I did! It’s so delicious! 😋
I didn’t have walnuts, so I used peanuts instead. Worked fine! The honey mix was diffrent tho.
Using peanuts sounds interesting! I might try that next time. Did the honey mix really change the flavor much?
Shrimp’s supposed to be pink, but this was all brown. Did I do something wrong? Help!
Shrimp should not be this sweet. What’s wrong with you people? 1 star.
What are walnuts? Can I use peanuts? They are cheaper right?
Who cares about fancy nuts? Peanuts are fine, right? Just worrying about the cost, that’s all.
Walnuts are nuts that are a bit different from peanuts. They add a unique flavor to this dish. Peanuts would change the taste a lot! I wouldn’t suggest it.
My kids ate it all! Definitely saving this recipe for future dinners. Thumbs up!
I don’t like mayo in my food so I skipped it. Tasted fine without it, but maybe a bit dry.
I’m with you on the mayo! I skipped it too and just added a bit more honey. It turned out super yummy! 🦐
Quick and easy! I threw everything together and it worked out fine. Thanks for sharing!
Holy moly, the flavor in this dish is next level! 😍 Definitely making this again!
Kinda confused. The cornstarch step seems unnecessary. My shrimp got soggy. Anyone else had this problem? 😕
Yum! I added some chili flakes for a kick. So good! 🔥 4 stars!
I dont get why people are raving about this. The mayo and honey together?? No thanks.
I actually love the combo! The sweetness of honey with the creaminess of mayo works surprisingly well. Give it a try!
I don’t know why but my walnuts burned! 🥴 I still added them, but it wasn’t great. More practice needed.
Made this for a date night. Big hit! Will keep this on rotation!
Eh, it was okay. I thought it would be better based on others’ comments.
I tried using raw walnuts instead of toasting—big mistake. Also I didn’t devein well and some bites were gritty. The recipe itself is good, but prep matters.
This was super delicious! My family loved it, especially the crunch from the walnuts! 🥳
I tried this and found the sauce too sweet for my taste. Maybe less honey next time? Also, frying was a bit messy.
Just okay. Shrimp didn’t really taste like anything. 😕
Way too much sauce for 1 lb shrimp in my opinion. Also, I toasted the walnuts too long (oops) so they got bitter. Still ate it all lol.
My kids loved it. The sauce tastes like a dessert but somehow works with shrimp. Also, toasting the walnuts is the key—I skipped it once and it was not the same.
Tasty idea but mine came out a bit too sticky/sweet. Next time I’ll cut the honey slightly and make sure the shrimp are really dry before frying.
Yummy! I skipped the sweetened condensed milk and it still turned out great. Less calories, win-win!
That’s awesome! I’ve never tried it without the sweetened condensed milk. I’m gonna give it a shot!
This was surprisingly addictive—sweet, creamy, and the walnuts add the perfect crunch. I used a thermometer and kept the oil steady, so the shrimp stayed crispy.
AMAZING! Best shrimp I ever had, thanks for sharing! 🍤💖
I totally agree! This recipe is a game changer. I love how the sweet and salty flavors come together! 🤤🙌
Looks good but I’m not a fan of mayonnaise. Can’t it be done without it? 🤔
Ehhh, it was ok. My shrimp turned out soggy, maybe I used wrong oil? 🤔
I’m skeptical about the mayo + condensed milk combo, but wow it worked. The sauce clings better than I expected. Definitely not “light,” though 😅
I made this for my kids and they gobbled it up! Will definitely make this again soon! 😍
That’s awesome to hear! Kids love sweet flavors. I bet they were so happy! 🦐
Followed the steps pretty much exactly. I needed a little more slurry than 1 tbsp cornstarch—mine came out lightly coated, not thick. Still tasted great though.
Came out decent but mine got too dark in the oil before the centers were really cooked. Next time I’ll lower the heat and fry in smaller batches.
Ugh yeah, that sounds like the oil ran too hot. I’ve had the same issue with shrimp—lowering the temperature and doing smaller batches usually fixes the “dark outside, raw-ish inside” thing.
Hmm I wonder if your shrimp were too wet or crowded. I tried once and they browned fast but didn’t cook through. I also forgot to drain them after coating—could that be it?
Simple and quick. Not sure what the fuss is, but it was fine! I’ll add more honey next time.
Honey walnut shrimp? More like honey shrimp mush. Not impressed. 😡
yum
yum indeed 😋 The honey + mayo + condensed milk combo sounds dangerously good. Can’t wait to try it—walnuts make it next level.
Sounds tasty but I’m confused—why mayo in shrimp? Also 1 tbsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water should be enough coating, right? Might try it though.
What even is this dish? Sounds weird with mayo but I might try it anyway. 🤷♂️
Not gonna lie, the ingredients list looks a little suspicious—mayonnaise in a honey dish? I thought it would taste oily. It didn’t. Pleasantly surprised.
So crispy and sweet without being overly cloying. The mayo/condensed milk combo is weird in theory but amazing in practice—my sauce clung perfectly to the shrimp.
Right?! I was skeptical about the mayo + condensed milk too, but it comes out so glossy and sticky. Mine clung way better than regular honey glaze—crispy shrimp stays crisp too.