How Do You Make Walnut Shrimp

You make walnut shrimp by coating plump shrimp in a light, crispy batter, frying them until golden, and tossing them in a creamy, sweet, and tangy mayo-based sauce with caramelized walnuts and honey.
 
If you’ve been wondering how to make walnut shrimp at home, the good news is that it’s not as tricky as it seems at a restaurant.
 
You don’t need a deep fryer or fancy equipment to make walnut shrimp that tastes like the real deal.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through how to make walnut shrimp step by step, including the crispy coating, the candied walnuts, and that signature creamy sauce.
 
Let’s get into it.
 

How Do You Make Walnut Shrimp? The Key Steps

To make walnut shrimp, you’ll focus on three main components: the candied walnuts, the crispy shrimp, and the creamy sauce.
 
Nail these, and how you make walnut shrimp becomes second nature.
 

1. Prepare the Candied Walnuts

The first thing you’ll do when you make walnut shrimp is candy the walnuts.
 
Boil walnut halves in water for a few minutes to soften them.
 
Then toss them in sugar and fry them in oil until they turn golden and crisp.
 
This gives you that sweet, crunchy element that makes walnut shrimp so addictive.
 

2. Make the Creamy Sauce

The sauce is what truly defines this dish.
 
To make the sauce for walnut shrimp, whisk together mayonnaise, sweetened condensed milk, a little lemon juice, and a pinch of salt.
 
Some versions also add a touch of honey or rice vinegar for extra tang.
 
Set this aside while you cook the shrimp.
 

3. Bread and Fry the Shrimp

Pat your shrimp dry and season with a little salt and pepper.
 
Dip each one into a beaten egg, then coat in cornstarch or a mix of cornstarch and flour.
 
When you make walnut shrimp, the coating should be light but shatteringly crisp.
 
Fry the shrimp in hot oil for about two minutes per side until golden brown.
 
Drain them on paper towels.
 

4. Toss and Serve

Once the shrimp are fried, gently fold them into the creamy sauce until fully coated.
 
Serve them on a bed of lettuce or steamed broccoli, then top generously with the candied walnuts.
 
That’s how you make walnut shrimp come together in about 30 minutes.
 

Tips to Make Walnut Shrimp Taste Like a Restaurant

If you want your walnut shrimp to impress, a few simple tips will take you from home-cooked to restaurant quality.
 

1. Don’t Skip the Honey in the Walnuts

When you make walnut shrimp, the walnuts aren’t just a garnish.
 
They should be glazed with honey or sugar syrup so they’re sweet and crunchy.
 
This balances the savory shrimp and creamy sauce perfectly.
 

2. Use Large, Fresh Shrimp

To make walnut shrimp that feels special, choose large or jumbo shrimp.
 
Fresh or frozen both work, but thaw frozen shrimp completely and pat them dry.
 
Wet shrimp won’t get crispy when you make walnut shrimp, so drying is key.
 

3. Keep the Sauce Light

A common mistake when people make walnut shrimp is using too much sauce.
 
You want just enough to coat the shrimp, not drown them.
 
Add the sauce gradually and toss gently so the coating stays crisp.
 

4. Fry at the Right Temperature

Your oil should be around 350°F (175°C) when you make walnut shrimp.
 
If it’s too hot, the coating burns before the shrimp cooks through.
 
If it’s too cool, the shrimp absorb oil and turn soggy.
 
Use a thermometer if you have one.
 

5. Serve Immediately

Walnut shrimp is best enjoyed fresh and hot.
 
The longer it sits, the softer the coating becomes.
 
So when you make walnut shrimp, plan to serve it right away for the best texture.
 

Variations and Ingredient Swaps for Walnut Shrimp

You can easily tweak how you make walnut shrimp to suit your taste or what’s in your kitchen.
 

1. Baked Walnut Shrimp

If you’d rather not fry, you can make walnut shrimp in the oven.
 
Spray the coated shrimp with oil and bake at 400°F for 10–12 minutes, flipping once.
 
They won’t be quite as crispy, but they’re still delicious.
 

2. Gluten-Free Walnut Shrimp

Use cornstarch only for the coating and make sure your sauce ingredients are gluten-free.
 
That way, you can make walnut shrimp that everyone at the table can enjoy.
 

3. Spicy Walnut Shrimp

Add a drizzle of sriracha or chili oil to the creamy sauce before you make walnut shrimp.
 
This gives the dish a gentle kick that pairs beautifully with the sweet walnuts.
 

4. Swap the Walnuts

If you’re allergic to walnuts, you can make walnut shrimp with candied pecans or cashews instead.
 
The flavor changes slightly, but the sweet crunch remains.
 

So, How Do You Make Walnut Shrimp?

You make walnut shrimp by coating shrimp in a light batter, frying them until crisp, and tossing them in a creamy, sweet sauce with candied walnuts.
 
It’s a simple process once you break it down into those three parts.
 
And with the tips above, you can make walnut shrimp that tastes just like your favorite Chinese restaurant version.
 
Give it a try the next time you want a dish that feels fancy but comes together fast.