Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp

Better than the original? You decide! BUT, I think my baked Honey Walnut Shrimp recipe is just as delicious as the Panda Express version. However, it's more affordable and there's no fussy clean-up!

Quick and Easy: No need for egg whites, tempura batter, or deep frying. This recipe uses store-bought breaded frozen shrimp for a hassle-free experience.

Restaurant-Quality at Home: Ready in about 20 minutes, this dish will impress your family and friends!

All of the ingredients to make the honey walnut shrimp. With print overlay for clarification.

Ingredients you’ll need

For the exact measurements, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Frozen coconut shrimp - the freezer is the way to go here. No breading or deep frying needed! Choose large shrimp when possible. I like coconut shrimp because I like the crispy coating.
Walnuts - preferably whole or half walnut pieces.
Honey and sweetened condensed milk - for the sweet honey sauce.
Mayonnaise - helps make the sauce super creamy.
Chili sauce or garlic sauce - adds a little flavor and a hint of spice.
Sugar - for the candied walnuts.
White or brown rice - to serve with the shrimp.
Green onions or cilantro - both are optional garnishes.

Step-by-step instructions

This is an overview of the instructions for this delicious recipe. For complete directions, scroll down to the bottom!

#1 Make the candied walnuts. Add the walnuts to the boiling sugar and water.

#2 Cook for 2 minutes. Remove and cool on a paper towel.

#3 Bake the shrimp according to package directions.

#4 Add sauce ingredients to a small bowl.

#5 Whisk together until combined.

Coconut shrimp and candied walnuts being tossed in a sweet sauce.

#6 Remove shrimp from the oven. Immediately toss the shrimp in the sauce. Serve over cooked rice.

Essential tools for this recipe

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Sheet Pans - I prefer aluminum sheet pans (not non-stick).
A metal spatula.
You'll need a small saucepan as well.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ’s)

Where did honey walnut shrimp originate?

Hong Kong perhaps, but most often enjoyed in the United States. This is a dish we see quite often here in California. Have you ever tried it?

What is honey walnut shrimp?

It's breaded shrimp that has been fried (or in this case baked) and then dunked in in a sweet/spicy sauce. It's the best combination of crunchy/tangy and sweet!

What is the difference between this and firecracker sauce?

Firecracker sauce is really similar using lemon in place of the mayonnaise and sweetened condensed milk.

How do you reheat Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp?

The best way to reheat this meal is by preheating the oven to 350 degrees. Add the shrimp to an oven-proof dish for about 15 minutes.

Honey Walnut Shrimp over rice in a bowl.

Deb’s tips for the perfect dish

The best way to reheat leftovers is in the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Bake on a baking sheet and reheat until crispy, about 15 minutes or so.

Watch for frozen shrimp to be on sale, buy and freeze so that way when you're in the mood for honey walnut shrimp you won't have to make a special trip!

Perfect pairings: what to serve with

I serve this with steamed white or brown rice as a side dish. Steak fried rice would be amazing as well! Just click on the rice

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Comments

4.93 from 14 votes (5 ratings without comment)

Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp