Nut-Free Honey Walnut Shrimp

Delight your taste buds with this Nut-Free Honey Walnut Shrimp, a luscious twist on the classic Chinese-American dish that swaps out walnuts for crunchy, caramelized sunflower seeds—perfect for those avoiding nuts without compromising on flavor or texture. This recipe features tender, crispy shrimp coated in a velvety honey-mayo sauce, sweetened with a touch of condensed milk and balanced with a hint of zesty lemon juice. The candied sunflower seeds add a delightful crunch and a unique nutty-sweet contrast, while fresh scallions bring a vibrant finish to every bite. With just 15 minutes of prep and easy-to-follow steps, this dish is an elegant, allergy-friendly crowd-pleaser ideal for weeknight dinners or special gatherings alike.

Nutriscore Rating: 58/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 0.5 cup cornstarch
• 2 egg whites
• 2 cups vegetable oil, for frying
• 0.5 cup sunflower seeds
• 0.25 cup sugar
• 0.25 cup water
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 0.25 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons scallions, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Begin by preparing the candied sunflower seeds. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the water and sugar, stirring until the sugar dissolves.

Step 2

Add the sunflower seeds to the syrup and reduce the heat, simmering until the seeds are fully coated and caramelized, about 5-8 minutes.

Step 3

Remove the seeds from the syrup and spread them on a parchment-lined baking sheet to cool and harden.

Step 4

For the shrimp, in a medium bowl, whisk the egg whites until frothy. Dip the shrimp into the egg whites and then into the cornstarch, ensuring each piece is well-coated.

Step 5

Heat the vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Fry the shrimp in batches until golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove and drain the shrimp on paper towels.

Step 6

In a separate bowl, mix together the honey, mayonnaise, sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice, and salt until smooth to create the sauce.

Step 7

Toss the freshly fried shrimp in the creamy honey sauce until thoroughly coated.

Step 8

Place the coated shrimp on a serving platter, and sprinkle the candied sunflower seeds over the shrimp.

Step 9

Garnish with the chopped scallions before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1376.6 grams (1376.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	6095

Total Fat 556.90g	714%
Saturated Fat 76.40g	382%
Polyunsaturated Fat 23.80g
Cholesterol 929mg	310%
Sodium 1990mg	87%
Total Carbohydrate 167.80g	61%
Dietary Fiber 8.70g	31%
Total Sugars 108.10g
Protein 133.40g	267%

Vitamin D 3IU	15%
Calcium 503mg	39%
Iron 5mg	29%
Potassium 2131mg	45%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 80.6%

Protein: 8.6%

Carbs: 10.8%