Honey Glazed Crispy Shrimp with Roasted Walnuts Recipe

Honey Walnut Shrimp is one of those dishes that feels indulgent, familiar, and deeply satisfying, especially when you want a takeout-style meal made fresh at home.

Crispy shrimp coated in a light panko crust, glazed gently with honey, and finished with toasted walnuts create a balance of crunch, sweetness, and tenderness in every bite.

It’s a dish that comes together quickly, looks impressive on the plate, and feels special without being complicated, perfect for weeknight dinners or relaxed weekend meals.

Behind the Recipe

This version keeps Honey Walnut Shrimp straightforward and approachable. Instead of a heavy sauce, the shrimp are lightly fried until crisp and then tossed with honey while still warm, allowing a thin, glossy glaze to form without overpowering the shrimp.

Recipe Origin or Trivia

Honey Walnut Shrimp is a popular Chinese-American dish inspired by Cantonese cooking, where sweet, savory, and crunchy elements are often paired together.

While restaurant versions are usually heavier, this simplified home-style approach focuses on texture and balance, letting the shrimp stay crisp and the honey enhance rather than dominate the dish.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Crispy shrimp with a light, crunchy coating
• Simple honey glaze without heaviness
• Toasted walnuts for texture and warmth
• Ready in under 30 minutes
• Better than takeout when served fresh
• Easy ingredients and basic techniques
• Great for weeknights or casual entertaining

Chef’s Pro Tips for Perfect Results

• Pat the shrimp very dry before breading so they fry crisp
• Fry shrimp in small batches to avoid steaming
• Toast the walnuts just until fragrant, not dark
• Toss shrimp gently with honey while they’re still hot
• Serve immediately for the best texture

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

1. Large mixing bowl
2. Deep frying pan or pot
3. Baking sheet
4. Tongs
5. Paper towels

Ingredients in This Recipe

1. Shrimp (1 lb, peeled and deveined): Medium to large shrimp cook evenly and stay juicy
2. All-Purpose Flour (1 cup): Creates the base coating
3. Eggs (2, beaten): Helps the breading stick
4. Panko Breadcrumbs (1 cup): Adds a light, crunchy texture
5. Honey (¼ cup): Forms a glossy, gently sweet glaze
6. Walnuts (½ cup, roughly chopped): Toasted for crunch and balance
7. Oil for frying (vegetable or olive oil): enough to submerge shrimp
8. Salt & Black Pepper: To season the shrimp

Ingredient Substitutions

• Pecans or almonds can replace walnuts
• Vegetable or canola oil can replace olive oil for frying
• Shrimp tails can be left on or removed
• Panko can be replaced with crushed cornflakes for extra crunch

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the walnuts on a baking sheet and toast for about 8 minutes until lightly golden and fragrant. Set aside
2. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and pepper.
3. Set up a breading station with flour in one bowl, beaten eggs in another, and panko breadcrumbs in a third.
4. Coat each shrimp in flour, dip into the egg, then press into the panko until evenly coated.
5. Heat olive oil in a deep frying pan over medium-high heat. Fry the shrimp in batches for 2–3 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
6. Place the hot shrimp in a bowl, drizzle with honey, and toss gently until evenly glazed.
7. Transfer to a serving platter and sprinkle the toasted walnuts over the top. Serve immediately.

Ingredient Spotlight

Shrimp
Shrimp cook quickly and stay tender inside when fried properly, making them ideal for crisp, glazed dishes.

Walnuts
Toasted walnuts add warmth, crunch, and balance to the sweet glaze, giving the dish its signature contrast.

Honey Glazed Crispy Shrimp with Roasted Walnuts

This dish features succulent shrimp coated in a sweet honey glaze, fried until crispy, and topped with toasted walnuts for added crunch. The final appearance combines glossy, caramelized shrimp with a crunchy nut topping, offering a balance of tender texture and crispiness.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Fusion

Calories: 320

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined about 16-20 pieces
• 1/4 cup honey for glazing
• 1/2 cup walnuts roughly chopped for roasting and topping
• 1 cup all-purpose flour for coating
• 2 eggs eggs beaten
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs for extra crunch
• Oil for frying (vegetable or olive oil), enough to submerge shrimp
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper seasoning for shrimp

Equipment

• Large mixing bowl
• Deep frying pan or pot
• Baking sheet
• Spatula
• Tongs

Method

 

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), and spread the walnuts on a baking sheet. Toast for about 8 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden, then remove and set aside.
2. Rinse the shrimp and pat them dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
3. Prepare three shallow dishes: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with panko breadcrumbs. Dip each shrimp first into the flour, then into the eggs, and finally coat them well with panko, pressing gently to adhere.
4. Heat olive oil in a deep frying pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, carefully add the breaded shrimp and cook for about 2-3 minutes per side, until crispy and golden brown.
5. Using tongs, transfer the cooked shrimp onto a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
6. Place the fried shrimp in a mixing bowl and pour the honey over them. Toss gently to coat each piece evenly with a glossy, sweet glaze.
7. Arrange the glazed shrimp on a serving platter and sprinkle the toasted walnuts on top for added crunch and aroma.
8. Serve immediately while the shrimp are crispy and the honey glaze is still tacky and shiny. Enjoy this sweet, crunchy, and savory dish warm.

Notes

You can substitute walnuts with pecans or almonds for different flavors. Adjust honey amount for desired sweetness. Best enjoyed immediately for maximum crunch.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

• Walnuts can be toasted up to 2 days ahead
• Shrimp are best fried fresh for crispness
• Leftovers can be stored up to 2 days but will soften

How to Serve This Dish

• Over steamed rice
• With sautéed broccoli or snow peas
• As part of a homemade takeout-style spread

Creative Leftover Transformations

• Chop shrimp and add to fried rice
• Use in lettuce wraps with fresh herbs
• Serve cold over a simple salad

Variations to Try

• Spicy Honey Shrimp: Add chili flakes to the honey
• Orange Honey Shrimp: Add orange zest to the glaze
• Extra Crunch: Add more toasted walnuts

FAQ’s

1. Can I use frozen shrimp?
   Yes, just thaw completely and dry well.
2. Can I bake instead of frying?
   You can, but the shrimp won’t be as crisp.
3. Is this dish very sweet?
   No, the honey glaze is light and balanced.
4. Can I skip the walnuts?
   Yes, but the texture will be different.
5. Can I use a different nut?
   Yes, pecans or almonds work well.
6. Can I double the recipe?
   Yes, fry in batches and glaze gently.
7. Is this kid-friendly?
   Yes, flavors are mild and familiar.
8. Can I reheat leftovers?
   Reheat briefly in a pan, but crispness will reduce.
9. What oil is best for frying?
   Vegetable, canola, or olive oil works well.
10. Does this work as meal prep?
    Best eaten fresh, but leftovers still taste good.

Mahek Manchanda

Hi, I am Mahek Manchanda. The curious heart behind Dramatically Stirring. I’ve always been most at ease in my own company. I’m not exactly a people-person (small talk still makes me cringe), but there are two things I’ve always loved with my whole heart: animals and food.