Air Fryer Wonton Wrappers: Do They Work?

Wontons are a popular Chinese dish that can be made in an air fryer. They are usually filled with a mixture of shrimp and ground pork, but there are also vegetarian options with tofu and chives. Wontons can be shaped into triangles or rectangles and are served as a snack, dipped in sauce, or used as a soup or salad topper. They are a healthier alternative to deep-fried wontons as they use less oil and are lighter and crispier.

How to fold wonton wrappers

Wonton wrappers can be folded in several ways, depending on the thickness of the wrapper, the amount of filling used, and the cooking method. Here are three popular methods:

The Bonnet Fold:

This is the most common folding method, perfect for wontons using regular white wrappers that will be boiled in soup or mixed into a sauce. Here's how to do it:

• Take a square wonton wrapper and dab its edges with water using your index finger.
• Place 1-2 teaspoons of filling in the middle.
• Fold the wrapper in half to create a rectangle.
• Dab one corner of the bottom of the rectangle (the filling side) with water.
• Bring the two corners together and squeeze to seal, forming a compact shape.

The Diamond Fold:

This method is similar to the bonnet fold but creates a slightly less compact wonton with pointed ends. It is well-suited for fried wontons and those that will be tossed in sauce. Here's how:

• Take a square wonton wrapper and dampen its edges with water.
• Place 2 teaspoons of filling in the middle and fold it diagonally to form a triangle.
• Dab one corner of the triangle's filling side with water.
• Bring the two corners together and seal, creating a diamond shape.

The Scrunch Fold:

This method is the simplest and is used for small wontons with thin wrappers and a small amount of filling. Here's the process:

• Place a small amount of filling on the wrapper.
• Make a loose fist and gently push the wrapper and filling into it.
• Squeeze gently to seal the wrapper around the filling.

Once you've folded your wontons, you can cook them in an air fryer or by traditional frying. To air fry, place the wontons in the basket, spray with oil, and cook at 200°C/395°F for 10 minutes. Then, flip them over, reduce the temperature to 160°C/320°F, and cook for another 5-8 minutes until golden brown.

How to cook wontons in an air fryer

Ingredients

To make air-fried wontons, you will need:

• Wonton wrappers (square or round)
• Oil spray
• Filling of your choice (e.g. plant-based ground, tofu, chives, cream cheese, green onions, garlic powder, salt, shrimp, pork, scallions, soy sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch, ginger, garlic)
• Dipping sauce (optional)

Method

Step 1: Prepare the filling and wrappers

Start by preparing your chosen filling and mixing all the ingredients together in a bowl. Make sure your wonton wrappers are completely thawed and pliable, and separate them carefully.

Step 2: Fill and fold the wrappers

Place a wrapper on a flat surface or your palm. Dip your finger in a small bowl of water and trace the edges of the wrapper. Add your filling (about 1-2 teaspoons) and press down to pack it in tightly. Fold the wrapper in half to form a triangle, then seal the edges.

Step 3: Cook the wontons

Place the wontons in the air fryer basket, making sure they are in a single layer and not overcrowded. Spray them with a generous amount of oil. Air fry at 200°C/395°F for 10 minutes, then flip them over and air fry for another 5-8 minutes at 160°C/320°F until they are golden brown and crispy.

Tips

• Keep an eye on your wontons while they are cooking, as air fryer settings may vary and you don't want them to burn.
• Wontons are best enjoyed immediately while still crispy, but you can reheat them in the air fryer if they cool down.
• You can also freeze uncooked or cooked wontons and reheat them in the air fryer when needed.

How to store air-fried wontons

Storing air-fried wontons is simple and can be done in a few different ways, depending on whether you want to store cooked or uncooked wontons.

Storing Uncooked Wontons

If you want to store uncooked wontons, place them on a tray, ensuring there is enough space between each one so they don't stick together. Cover the tray and leave it in the freezer for 3-5 hours until the wontons are hardened. Then, transfer them to an airtight container or bag. Make sure to seal the bag or container tightly to prevent the wontons from drying out. Stored this way, uncooked wontons will last for up to two days in the fridge and longer in the freezer.

Storing Cooked Wontons

Air-fried wontons are best enjoyed immediately, but you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Reheat them in the air fryer until crispy again.

Storing Wonton Chips

If you're making wonton chips, you can store them in an airtight plastic or silicone bag for up to three days.

How to make wonton chips

Wonton chips are a great snack and an even better garnish for soups and salads. They are healthier than tortilla chips and can be made in an air fryer with minimal oil. Here is how you can make them:

Ingredients:

• Wonton wrappers
• Cooking oil spray (co: 1>coconut, avocado, vegetable, olive, or sesame oil)
• Salt (optional)

Steps:

First, preheat your air fryer. Cut the wonton wrappers into triangles or strips. You can cut them into any shape and size you like, depending on how you will use the chips. For instance, long strips work well for salads or soups, and larger chips are better for dipping or snacking.

Then, spray the wonton chips with the cooking spray and place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure they are all the same size so that they cook at the same time.

Cook the chips in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Shake the tray halfway through cooking to move the chips around so that they fry evenly.

Finally, season the chips immediately after they come out of the air fryer so that the salt sticks to them.

Tips:

• Wonton wrappers are typically found in the produce section of most grocery stores, near the tofu and pizza dough.
• You can also use egg roll wrappers, which are the same as wonton wrappers except larger, so cut them down to size.
• You can season your wonton chips with anything you like, such as cinnamon sugar, everything bagel seasoning, grated parmesan cheese, or cheddar cheese.

What to serve with air-fried wontons

Air-fried wontons are a delicious snack, appetiser, or side dish. They are usually served with a dipping sauce, such as sweet chilli sauce, and are great for sharing.

If you want to serve air-fried wontons as a main dish, you could add a vegetable or two on the side. Some suggestions include sautéed spinach with sesame dressing, steamed broccoli, or a salad with miso dressing.

You could also serve air-fried wontons as a garnish on your favourite Asian dishes. They are a great crunchy topping for soups and salads.

• Pineapple Crunch Salad
• Ramen Noodle Sumi Salad
• Asian Chicken Quinoa Bowl
• Quinoa Vegetable Stir Fry

Frequently asked questions