Honey Walnut Shrimp Panda Express Recipe

Easy to make crunchy shrimp and candied walnuts with a sweet spicy coating.

Copycat Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe - Crispy oven-baked shrimp tossed in a creamy sweet sauce then tossed with candied walnuts. This is better than takeout and easy to make!

Honey Walnut Shrimp in bowl with white rice topped with diced green onions. — Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe

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Why you'll love this recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
Equipment
FAQ's
Tips
Serving Suggestions
Related Recipes
👩‍🏫 What I've Learned
Recipe
Easy Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe

Why you'll love this recipe

Baked Honey Walnut Shrimp is better than the Panda Express version and more affordable than going out to your favorite Chinese restaurants!

I'm not kidding you here, this meal is fabulous! I'm so proud to be sharing it with you because you're going to be proud of yourself serving this for dinner!

Here's why -

the shrimp is crunchy and tender with a sweet coating.
it's easy to make!
No deep fat frying or messy cleanup.

My shortcut uses storebought breaded frozen shrimp (I used SeaPak). It's a great shortcut that will save you a ton of time without compromising flavor!

If you love Chinese food, then you'll love this Copycat Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe. Using an easy shortcut it's on the table in about 20 minutes!

Ingredients

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.
walnuts - preferably whole or half walnut pieces.
honey & sweetened condensed milk - you'll only need a couple tablespoons.
mayonnaise - helps make the sauce super creamy.
garlic sauce - adds a little flavor and a hint of spice.
sugar - for the candied walnuts.
rice - for serving with the meal.
green onions or cilantro - both are optional garnishes

Instructions

Step by step photo collage showing how to make shrimp recipe. — Here are step by step instructions showing how to make this recipe.

This is an overview of the instructions. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!

Preheat the oven. Meanwhile, bring the water and sugar to a boil.
Add the walnuts, cook for two minutes.
Remove, cool on parchment paper or a paper towel.
Place the shrimp on baking sheet and bake according to package directions.
Measure the ingredients for the sauce.
Add the sauce ingredients to a bowl, whisk to combine.
Remove the cooked golden brown shrimp and immediately toss it in the creamy honey sauce along with the sugared walnuts.

Equipment

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Sheet Pans - I prefer aluminum sheet pans (not non-stick) and they come in several different sizes.
This metal spatula is great. The handle isn't wooden so it can go right into the dishwasher.
You'll need a small saucepan as well. This one is great because the lid actually includes a strainer.

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 so delicious! Basically the seafood is breaded and 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. I definitely need to give it a try - it sounds a little light and the tang from the lemon really would give it a snap!

How do you reheat Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp?

Putting the shrimp in a bowl and into the microwave will result in soggy 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.

Tips

Got leftovers? Yay!! If you're wondering what the best way to reheat honey walnut shrimp 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!

Serving Suggestions

My recommendations for are steamed white or brown rice as a side dish. Mongolian Beef would be a nice spicy compliment to this sweet dish or maybe some yummy potstickers, or egg roll in bowl - both are savory and would a great combination for a meal.

I'm a big fan of Asian food and have several great recipes on the blog!

You know those fancy Poke bowls? Check this out for step by step directions on how to make Tuna Poke - so good!!!
Korean BBQ Beef and Korean Beef and Broccoli, YUM!!
Egg Roll in a Bowl serve with some Pot Stickers or Fried Rice. There is something for everyone!

Asian food is my favorite cuisine, if you're looking for a few more tasty meals, how about trying Sesame Noodles, Korean Style BBQ Beef Recipe, Teriyaki Noodle Recipe or Korean Black Bean Noodles recipes next?!! They are so delicious and great meals with authentic flavor!

👩‍🏫 What I've Learned

This is one of those meals when I first thought of the idea I was like hmmm.... how can I make this dish without all of the hassle?

No deep fat frying.

No breading.

No messy cleanup.

I used frozen Coconut Shrimp in this recipe. The coating is super crunchy, even after tossing in the sweet sauce. It's a great shortcut and makes prep and clean up so much easier!

It takes 20 minutes to make this meal which leaves you time to relax! That's why it is great to have a go-to meal in your pocket.

Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp is as delicious at home as when you go out to your favorite restaurant. It's so good that you'll never go out for it again!

Recipe

Easy Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe

Easy to make crunchy shrimp and candied walnuts with a sweet spicy coating.

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 11 mins

Total Time 16 mins

Course: Lunch or Dinner

Cuisine: Asian

Servings: 2 servings

Calories: 1131 kcal

Cost: $10

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▢ 1 SeaPak® Jumbo Coconut Shrimp or use your favorite frozen breaded shrimp. I prefer the jumbo coconut shrimp
▢ Candied Walnuts
▢ ½ cup walnuts
▢ ½ cup water
▢ ½ cup sugar
▢ Sauce
▢ ½ cup mayonnaise
▢ 2 tbsp honey
▢ 1 tbsp sweetened condensed milk
▢ 1 tbsp chili garlic sauce
▢ 2 green onions (optional garnish) slice the green onions on the bias, set aside for garnish.
▢ ¾ cup white rice (I used a quick cooking jasmine rice) cook according to package directions

Step one

Cook rice according to product directions.
Preheat the oven according to package directions.

Step two

While oven is preheating make the candied walnuts. Bring water and sugar to a boil in a small saucepan. Boil for two minutes, stirring often.
Add the ½ cup walnut halves and cook an additional two minutes. Remove from the boiling sugar with a slotted spoon and allow to cool on parchment paper.

Step three

Cook the frozen shrimp according to product directions
Make the sauce. Combine mayonnaise, honey, sweetened condensed milk and chili garlic sauce in a large bowl. Whisk together to combine.
Remove the shrimp from the oven. Immediately toss the crispy shrimp and the caramelized walnuts in the sweet creamy sauce to coat. Spoon over rice, sprinkle with sliced green onions. Serve immediately.

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

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First Published: February 28, 2017 Last Updated: April 7 to improve reader experience.

About Bowl Me Over

Welcome to Bowl Me Over! My name is Debra and I send warm greetings from sunny California. I am a serious foodie – I've been known as the go-to girl in our family for years, catering weddings and anniversary parties. In the summer I help cook mountains of food for our family reunions. Often times things I create end up in a bowl, hence the name Bowl Me Over! Let's stay connected, you can email me at [email protected] and find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.