Honey Walnut Popcorn Shrimp
Honey Walnut Popcorn Shrimp
Ingredients
For the Honey Walnut Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
For the Candied Walnuts
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 cup walnuts
For the Popcorn Shrimp
- 2 pounds shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/4 cup cornstarch, for dusting
- 1 teaspoon baking powder, for dusting
- 1/2 cup cornstarch, for batter
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, for batter
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup ice cold sparkling water
- 4 cups vegetable oil, for frying, or as needed
For Garnish
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the Honey Walnut Sauce: In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sweetened condensed milk, 2 tablespoons of honey, the juice from 1/2 lemon, and 1/8 teaspoon of salt. Whisk until smooth and well combined. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
Prepare the Candied Walnuts: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a small saucepan, combine 1 tablespoon of water, 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar, and 1 tablespoon of honey. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture begins to bubble and thicken slightly, about 2-3 minutes. Add the 1 cup of walnuts and toss to coat them evenly in the syrup. Continue to cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the walnuts are sticky and caramelized. Spread the candied walnuts in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet and let them cool completely, about 15 minutes. Once cool, break them into smaller pieces.
⏱️ 10 min
- 3
Prepare the Shrimp for Dusting: Pat the peeled and deveined shrimp very dry with paper towels. In a shallow dish, combine 1/4 cup cornstarch and 1 teaspoon baking powder. Add the shrimp and toss until each piece is lightly and evenly coated. Set aside.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
Prepare the Batter: In a separate medium bowl, combine 1/2 cup cornstarch, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Whisk to combine the dry ingredients. Gradually add 1/2 cup ice cold sparkling water, whisking until the batter is smooth and free of lumps. Do not overmix. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the batter for at least 10 minutes to keep it cold.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
Fry the Shrimp: Heat 4 cups of vegetable oil in a large pot or deep skillet over medium-high heat until it reaches 350-375°F. Working in batches, take the dusted shrimp and dip them into the cold batter, ensuring they are fully coated. Carefully drop the battered shrimp one at a time into the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon or spider to remove the fried shrimp from the oil and place them on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain excess oil.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 360
- 6
Assemble and Serve: Arrange the fried popcorn shrimp on a serving platter. Sprinkle the cooled and broken candied walnuts over the shrimp. Garnish with the sliced green onions. Serve immediately with the chilled Honey Walnut Sauce on the side for dipping.
⏱️ 5 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Honey Walnut Popcorn Shrimp
For the Honey Walnut Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
For the Candied Walnuts
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 cup walnuts
For the Popcorn Shrimp
- 2 pounds shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/4 cup cornstarch, for dusting
- 1 teaspoon baking powder, for dusting
- 1/2 cup cornstarch, for batter
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, for batter
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup ice cold sparkling water
- 4 cups vegetable oil, for frying, or as needed
For Garnish
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the Honey Walnut Sauce: In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sweetened condensed milk, 2 tablespoons of honey, the juice from 1/2 lemon, and 1/8 teaspoon of salt. Whisk until smooth and well combined. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
Prepare the Candied Walnuts: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a small saucepan, combine 1 tablespoon of water, 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar, and 1 tablespoon of honey. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture begins to bubble and thicken slightly, about 2-3 minutes. Add the 1 cup of walnuts and toss to coat them evenly in the syrup. Continue to cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the walnuts are sticky and caramelized. Spread the candied walnuts in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet and let them cool completely, about 15 minutes. Once cool, break them into smaller pieces.
⏱️ 10 min - 3
Prepare the Shrimp for Dusting: Pat the peeled and deveined shrimp very dry with paper towels. In a shallow dish, combine 1/4 cup cornstarch and 1 teaspoon baking powder. Add the shrimp and toss until each piece is lightly and evenly coated. Set aside.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
Prepare the Batter: In a separate medium bowl, combine 1/2 cup cornstarch, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Whisk to combine the dry ingredients. Gradually add 1/2 cup ice cold sparkling water, whisking until the batter is smooth and free of lumps. Do not overmix. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the batter for at least 10 minutes to keep it cold.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
Fry the Shrimp: Heat 4 cups of vegetable oil in a large pot or deep skillet over medium-high heat until it reaches 350-375°F. Working in batches, take the dusted shrimp and dip them into the cold batter, ensuring they are fully coated. Carefully drop the battered shrimp one at a time into the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon or spider to remove the fried shrimp from the oil and place them on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain excess oil.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 360 - 6
Assemble and Serve: Arrange the fried popcorn shrimp on a serving platter. Sprinkle the cooled and broken candied walnuts over the shrimp. Garnish with the sliced green onions. Serve immediately with the chilled Honey Walnut Sauce on the side for dipping.
⏱️ 5 min