Before diving into a delightful cooking journey, let’s think about what to enjoy alongside Pf Chang’s Crispy Honey Shrimp. This dish pairs wonderfully with fluffy jasmine rice, sautéed broccoli, or even a refreshing cucumber salad.
Want something heartier? Serve it with fried rice or quinoa, which soak up the sweet and savory glaze beautifully. A light, tangy coleslaw would help balance flavors and add crunch. Remember, variety is the spice of life, so mix and match until you find what suits your taste!
Ah, the allure of crispy shrimp glazed in honey, an epitome of comfort food that takes your taste buds on a whimsical journey.
When that craving hits for a favorite dish from PF Chang’s, you might think whipping it up at home is a daunting task. But fear not! I’ve got a foolproof recipe for an incredible copycat of their Crispy Honey Shrimp.
This recipe was born out of a desire to enjoy this delicacy simply and affordably. Each bite bursts with flavor, satisfying your cravings without making a dent in your wallet. Let’s get started!
What is PF Changs Crispy Honey Shrimp?
PF Chang’s Crispy Honey Shrimp features succulent shrimp, fried to a golden perfection, and drenched in a sweet-sour sauce.
The balance of flavors comes from honey, soy sauce, and garlic, creating an irresistible dish. My version stays true to the essence but includes a few twists to make it healthier without sacrificing taste.
Using wild-caught shrimp not only enhances flavor but guarantees a more sustainable approach, allowing you to enjoy your meal with a clear conscience.
You will also like the following Lunch recipes!
What Makes This Recipe Different From Other PF Changs Crispy Honey Shrimp Copycat Recipe?
You may ask, “What’s so unique about my recipe?” Great question! Unlike many versions that often use heavy batter or excessive sugar, this recipe employs a lighter, crispier batter and a well-balanced glaze.
By opting for high-quality ingredients, such as pure honey and seasoned rice vinegar, we achieve an explosion of flavors without loading up on calories.
Additionally, I love the pre-coating marinade. It adds depth to the shrimp before they’re even hit with the magic of the frying pan. You’ll find that attention to detail transforms a good dish into a great one.
How Does It Taste Like?
The flavor spectrum of this dish is extraordinary. Imagine biting into crispy shrimp that offers crunch, followed by a succulent interior infused with the rich sweetness of honey.
The sauce brings both warmth from garlic, a hint of zing from ginger, and the comforting umami flavor from soy sauce. It’s a harmonious mix that brings freshness and excitement to the taste buds. You know that moment when food makes you feel at home? This is it.
Ingredients You’ll Need To Make This Dish:
Let’s gather our ingredients! To make my PF Chang’s replica, you’ll need:
Seafood:
- 1½ lbs wild-caught shrimp, peeled, deveined, and optionally butterflied for better texture
For the Crispy Batter:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup fine corn starch
- ¼ teaspoon aluminum-free baking powder
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup ice-cold water
Shrimp Pre-Coating Marinade:
- 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
- 1½ tablespoons corn starch
- A pinch of sea salt
- A dash of freshly ground black pepper
For Frying:
- 1 cup neutral vegetable oil (like canola or sunflower)
Sweet Honey Glaze:
- ½ cup rice cooking wine
- ⅓ cup pure honey
- ⅓ cup seasoned rice vinegar
- 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon freshly minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- ¼ cup corn starch
- ¼ cup cold water
Garnish:
- Finely chopped green scallions
- Toasted sesame seeds (1 teaspoon)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Ready to start cooking? Let’s dive into the steps!
Step 1: Prepare the Shrimp
First, we need our shrimp prepped. If you haven’t done so already, peel and devein your shrimp, giving each a quick rinse. Pat them dry with a paper towel, but don’t be shy about leaving a bit of moisture in. This will help our marinade stick.
Step 2: Create the Marinade
In a bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of low-sodium soy sauce, 1½ tablespoons of cornstarch, a pinch of sea salt, and a dash of black pepper. Mix this well before tossing it with the shrimp. This simple marinade will let the shrimp absorb all those flavors. Set aside for around 15 minutes.
Step 3: Make the Batter
In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, corn starch, and baking powder. Next, beat in the egg, then gradually add ice-cold water. This cold liquid helps achieve that crucial crispy texture. You want a smooth but slightly thick batter—think pancake batter consistency.
Step 4: Heat the Oil
In a deep skillet or pot, pour in the neutral vegetable oil. Aim for about 1-inch deep. Heat over medium-high heat until it shimmers but doesn’t smoke. A good test is to dip the end of a shrimp in—if it bubbles, you’re golden.
Step 5: Fry the Shrimp
Coat each shrimp in the batter you made, letting any excess drip off. Carefully drop them into the hot oil. Don’t crowd the pot; work in batches if necessary. Fry for about 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and let them rest on a plate lined with paper towels.
Step 6: Prepare the Glaze
In a saucepan, combine rice cooking wine with honey, seasoned rice vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. Bring it to a gentle boil over medium heat. In a separate small bowl, mix the corn starch with cold water and then add it to the saucepan. This will thicken the glaze. Simmer it until it reaches a syrupy consistency.
Step 7: Toss Shrimp in Glaze
Once your shrimp are crispy and the glaze is ready, toss the shrimp in the sauce until well coated. Keep it on low flame to ensure the shrimp are warm when served.
Step 8: Garnish and Serve
Plate your shrimp and add a sprinkle of chopped scallions and that optional sesame seed for crunch. Serve immediately and watch as your friends and family are bewitched by flavor.
Tips & Tricks On Making PF Changs Crispy Honey Shrimp Copycat Recipe
A few nuggets of wisdom for you:
Use Ice-Cold Water: This tip is essential for a flaky batter. Ice-cold water minimizes gluten formation in the flour, resulting in lighter, crispier shrimp.
Don’t Skimp on Marinating: Letting the shrimp marinate amplifies the flavor tremendously. If you have time, let it sit for 30 minutes instead of 15.
Frying in Batches: Keep the heat consistent. Frying too many shrimp at once brings down the oil’s temperature, leading to soggy shrimp.
Quality Ingredients: Opt for fresh ingredients for the glaze. Fresh garlic and ginger punch up the flavor significantly.
Thickening the Glaze: If your glaze is too thick, add a splash of water to bring it back. A little adjustment goes a long way in achieving the right consistency.
Nutrition Information
Here’s a quick glance at the nutrition profile for a serving of this dish (approximately 4 shrimp with glaze):
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 15g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Sugar: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sodium: 450mg
Please note that values can vary based on specific brands and ingredient variations.
How Do I Store This Dish?
If you have leftovers (which you likely won’t!), store the shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Consume them within two days for optimal quality. Reheat them in a skillet to regain some of that crispy texture. Avoid microwaving if possible; it tends to make shrimp chewy.
What Other Substitutes Can You Use in PF Changs Crispy Honey Shrimp Copycat Recipe?
Here are five great substitutes you can consider:
Shrimp Alternatives: Scallops or Chicken—If you’re not into shrimp, try using scallops for a similar sweet flavor or chicken cut into bite-size pieces. The cooking times will vary slightly.
Soy Sauce: Tamari or Coconut Aminos—For a gluten-free option, swap soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos for a similar deep flavor minus the gluten.
Honey: Maple Syrup—For a vegan version, you could use pure maple syrup instead of honey. The taste will shift slightly, but it still offers a delightful sweetness.
Corn Starch: Tapioca Starch—If you happen to be allergic to corn products or just have them on hand, tapioca starch works equally well for crispiness.
Rice Vinegar: Apple Cider Vinegar—Should you not have rice vinegar, apple cider vinegar can step in, offering that acidic punch.
Pf Changs Crispy Honey Shrimp Copycat Recipe
Equipment
- Bowl
- Tablespoons
Ingredients
Seafood:
- 1½ lbs wild-caught shrimp peeled, deveined, and optionally butterflied for better texture
For the Crispy Batter:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup fine corn starch
- ¼ teaspoon aluminum-free baking powder
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup ice-cold water
- Shrimp Pre-Coating Marinade:
- 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
- 1½ tablespoons corn starch
- A pinch of sea salt
- A dash of freshly ground black pepper
For Frying:
- 1 cup neutral vegetable oil like canola or sunflower
- Sweet Honey Glaze:
- ½ cup rice cooking wine
- ⅓ cup pure honey
- ⅓ cup seasoned rice vinegar
- 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon freshly minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- ¼ cup corn starch
- ¼ cup cold water
Garnish:
- Finely chopped green scallions
- Toasted sesame seeds 1 teaspoon
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Shrimp
- First, we need our shrimp prepped. If you haven’t done so already, peel and devein your shrimp, giving each a quick rinse. Pat them dry with a paper towel, but don’t be shy about leaving a bit of moisture in. This will help our marinade stick.
Step 2: Create the Marinade
- In a bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of low-sodium soy sauce, 1½ tablespoons of cornstarch, a pinch of sea salt, and a dash of black pepper. Mix this well before tossing it with the shrimp. This simple marinade will let the shrimp absorb all those flavors. Set aside for around 15 minutes.
Step 3: Make the Batter
- In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, corn starch, and baking powder. Next, beat in the egg, then gradually add ice-cold water. This cold liquid helps achieve that crucial crispy texture. You want a smooth but slightly thick batter—think pancake batter consistency.
Step 4: Heat the Oil
- In a deep skillet or pot, pour in the neutral vegetable oil. Aim for about 1-inch deep. Heat over medium-high heat until it shimmers but doesn’t smoke. A good test is to dip the end of a shrimp in—if it bubbles, you’re golden.
Step 5: Fry the Shrimp
- Coat each shrimp in the batter you made, letting any excess drip off. Carefully drop them into the hot oil. Don’t crowd the pot; work in batches if necessary. Fry for about 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and let them rest on a plate lined with paper towels.
Step 6: Prepare the Glaze
- In a saucepan, combine rice cooking wine with honey, seasoned rice vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. Bring it to a gentle boil over medium heat. In a separate small bowl, mix the corn starch with cold water and then add it to the saucepan. This will thicken the glaze. Simmer it until it reaches a syrupy consistency.
Step 7: Toss Shrimp in Glaze
- Once your shrimp are crispy and the glaze is ready, toss the shrimp in the sauce until well coated. Keep it on low flame to ensure the shrimp are warm when served.
Step 8: Garnish and Serve
- Plate your shrimp and add a sprinkle of chopped scallions and that optional sesame seed for crunch. Serve immediately and watch as your friends and family are bewitched by flavor.
Notes
- Use Ice-Cold Water: This tip is essential for a flaky batter. Ice-cold water minimizes gluten formation in the flour, resulting in lighter, crispier shrimp.
- Don’t Skimp on Marinating: Letting the shrimp marinate amplifies the flavor tremendously. If you have time, let it sit for 30 minutes instead of 15.
- Frying in Batches: Keep the heat consistent. Frying too many shrimp at once brings down the oil’s temperature, leading to soggy shrimp.
- Quality Ingredients: Opt for fresh ingredients for the glaze. Fresh garlic and ginger punch up the flavor significantly.
- Thickening the Glaze: If your glaze is too thick, add a splash of water to bring it back. A little adjustment goes a long way in achieving the right consistency.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can I make Crispy Honey Shrimp ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the shrimp and the glaze ahead. Just fry them right before serving for maximum crispiness.
Q2: What can I do if my shrimp are too oily?
If shrimp are coming out too oily, double-check your oil temperature. The oil should be hot enough before frying. Also, ensure you drain them well on paper towels after frying.
Q3: How can I make this dish spicier?
For heat lovers, add crushed red pepper flakes to the glaze or incorporate some diced fresh chili into the marinade or glaze.
Q4: Can this recipe be made in an air fryer?
Yes! You can air fry your shrimp at 400°F for about 10 minutes, flipping halfway through. Just make sure they’re well-coated in batter for that crunch.
Q5: Is there a gluten-free option for this recipe?
Sure! To make this gluten-free, use gluten-free all-purpose flour and replace soy sauce with tamari.
Conclusion
There you have it! You’ve now tackled a copycat of PF Chang’s Crispy Honey Shrimp, and you’re well on your way to impressing family and friends at your next gathering. This dish is sure to become a staple in your home.
With every step from marinating to frying, the anticipation builds as the aroma fills your kitchen. Take some time to enjoy this delightful creation that you’ve crafted entirely yourself. So go ahead, plate it up and dig in!
Cooking at home not only saves money but opens the door to personal creativity, and trust me, this shrimp will disappear faster than you can say “delicious!” Happy cooking!
