Air-Fryer Wontons: A Healthy, Crispy Treat?

Wontons are a delicious snack, but frying them can be a hassle. Fortunately, air fryers provide a less messy, healthier alternative to deep-frying wontons. Air-fried wontons are golden brown and crispy, with juicy fillings. They can be made with various fillings, such as cream cheese, shrimp, pork, and plant-based ground meat. The preparation is simple: fill the wonton wrappers, fold them, and air-fry them for a few minutes. Air-fried wontons are best enjoyed as finger food with a dipping sauce, such as sweet chilli sauce, and they can be easily reheated in the air fryer.

How to fold wontons

There are several ways to fold wontons, and the method you choose will depend on factors such as the thickness of the wrapper, the amount of filling used, and how the wonton will be cooked. Here are three of the most common methods:

The Bonnet

This is the most common method and is perfect for wontons using regular white wrappers that will be boiled and mixed into soup or sauce.

• Take a square wonton wrapper and use your index finger to dab the edges with water.
• Place 2 teaspoons of filling in the middle of the wrapper.
• Fold the wrapper in half to create a rectangle.
• Grasp the bottom corners of the rectangle (the filling side, not the seam side), and dab one of the corners with a little water.
• Bring the two corners together and squeeze to seal.

The Diamond

This method yields a slightly less compact wonton with pointed/flared ends, making it well-suited for fried wontons.

• Take a square wonton wrapper and use your index finger to dab the edges with water.
• Place 2 teaspoons of filling in the middle of the wrapper and fold it in half diagonally to create a triangle.
• Dab one of the filling-side corners of the triangle with water.
• Bring the two corners together and seal.

The Scrunch

This method is used for making light wontons with very thin wrappers and small amounts of filling.

• Place a small amount of filling on the wrapper.
• Make a loose fist with your hand and push the wrapper/filling into your fist.
• Gently squeeze to seal.

General Tips:

• Wontons can be frozen and cooked at a later date. To freeze, place the wontons in a single layer on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and freeze for 1 hour. Then, place the frozen wontons in a gallon freezer bag and store them in the freezer.
• When folding wontons, remember to press out any air bubbles to ensure they are well-sealed.
• It is important not to over-wet the wonton wrappers, as this can cause them to become soggy and difficult to seal.
• When placing the wontons in the air fryer, ensure they are not overcrowded. This will ensure they cook evenly and achieve the desired crispiness.
• If you are making cream cheese wontons, you can get creative with the filling by adding ingredients such as sriracha, hot sauce, drained crushed pineapple, coconut, bacon, chives, strawberries, or powdered sugar.
• Wontons can be served with a variety of dipping sauces, such as sweet and sour sauce, Thai sweet chili sauce, spicy mayo, or ponzu.

How to air-fry wontons

Air-fried wontons are a quick, easy, and delicious snack. They can be made from scratch or store-bought, and can be served as an appetizer or a main dish. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to air-fry wontons:

Ingredients and Preparation:

Firstly, gather your ingredients. You will need wonton wrappers, which can be found in most supermarkets, and a filling of your choice. Popular fillings include cream cheese, green onions, garlic powder, salt, shrimp, ground pork, carrots, Chinese five-spice powder, and soy sauce. You will also need oil for spraying or brushing the wontons.

Prepare your filling by mixing the ingredients together in a bowl. If using cream cheese, you can soften it in the microwave for about 20 seconds. For a pork and shrimp filling, combine the ingredients and mix well.

Wrapping the Wontons:

Place a wonton wrapper on a flat surface. Dip your finger in a small bowl of water and trace the edges of the wrapper. Add 1-2 teaspoons of the filling, depending on the size of the wrapper. Press down on the filling to remove any air pockets and pack it tightly.

Fold the wrapper in half to form a triangle. Bring the two tips of the long side of the triangle together, creating a crease in the centre, and seal with a dab of water. Repeat this process until you have the desired number of wontons.

Air-Frying:

Preheat your air fryer to between 350-400°F (175-200°C). Brush or spray the wontons with oil and place them in the air fryer. You can use perforated parchment paper at the bottom of the air fryer to prevent sticking, but this is optional.

Cook the wontons for about 5 minutes, then flip them over and cook for an additional 4-8 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispness. The wontons are done when they are golden brown and crisp.

Serving:

Air-fried wontons are best enjoyed immediately while they are still crispy. They can be served as an appetizer with a dipping sauce such as sweet and sour sauce, Thai sweet chili sauce, or spicy mayo. If serving as a main dish, pair them with vegetables or a salad.

Storing and Reheating:

Air-fried wontons are best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, they can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 400°F for 2 minutes or until crisp.

You can also freeze uncooked or cooked wontons. Place them on a tray, making sure they don't stick together, and freeze for 3-5 hours before transferring to a container or bag. Seal the bag or container well to prevent drying. Cook frozen wontons directly from frozen, adding a few minutes to the cooking time.

How to store wontons

Wontons are a type of dumpling that can be stored in a variety of ways, depending on whether they are cooked or uncooked, and whether they are stored in the refrigerator or freezer.

Storing Uncooked Wontons

Uncooked wontons can be stored in the refrigerator or the freezer. If you plan to use them within a few days, you can store them in the refrigerator. However, if you want to store them for a longer period, it is best to freeze them.

To freeze uncooked wontons, first, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or plastic wrap. Make sure they are not touching each other. Allow them to dry for about 15 minutes, then lightly spray them with cooking spray and cover them loosely with plastic wrap. Place the sheet pan in the freezer and leave until the wontons are frozen solid. Finally, transfer the frozen wontons to heavy-duty freezer bags or airtight containers, label them, and return them to the freezer.

Storing Cooked Wontons

Cooked wontons can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer, depending on how long you plan to keep them. If you plan to eat them within a day or two, you can store them in the refrigerator. For longer storage, it is best to freeze them.

To store cooked wontons in the refrigerator, place them in a single layer, separated by paper towels, in a sealed container. They will stay fresh for up to 2 days.

To freeze cooked wontons, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze them until solid. Then, transfer them to freezer bags or containers and return them to the freezer.

Tips for Storing Wonton Wrappers

Wonton wrappers can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer to extend their shelf life. If stored properly, unopened packs of wonton wrappers can last several months in the fridge. For even longer storage, you can freeze them. However, note that the wrappers will get stiff and chilled when frozen, so you will need to thaw them before using them.

To freeze wonton wrappers, first, sprinkle corn starch on each wrapper to prevent them from sticking together. Then, stack them and cover them tightly with freezer-safe plastic wrap. Place the wrapped stack in freezer bags or airtight containers, seal, label, and date them, and store them in the freezer.

Wonton wrappers can be frozen for up to a year, but it is recommended to use them within six months for the best quality. To thaw frozen wonton wrappers, it is best to leave them in the refrigerator overnight. If you are in a hurry, you can let them thaw at room temperature for about 40 minutes, or place them in the microwave for a few seconds.

What to serve wontons with

Wontons are a versatile dish that can be served as a snack, appetiser, or main course. They can be paired with various side dishes, sauces, and dips to enhance their flavour. Here are some ideas on what to serve with wontons:

Sauces and Dips

Wontons are often served with a dipping sauce. While you can use a simple soy sauce for dipping, there are also several other sauce options to elevate your wonton-eating experience:

• Dumpling sauce
• Sweet chilli sauce
• Spicy mayo
• Ponzu
• Sweet and sour sauce
• Thai sweet chilli sauce
• Hot and sour soup

Side Dishes

If you're serving wontons as a main course, you can pair them with a variety of side dishes. Here are some options:

• Sauteed spinach with sesame dressing
• Steamed broccoli
• Salad with miso dressing
• Sesame noodle salad
• Stir-fried vegetables
• Pickled vegetables
• Szechuan green beans
• Fried rice
• Egg drop soup
• Roasted vegetables
• French fries
• Baked mozzarella pasta
• Potato salad
• Steamed, pan-fried, or boiled dumplings

Main Course Ideas

If you're serving wontons as an appetiser or side dish, you can pair them with a main course. Here are some ideas:

• Sweet and Sour Chicken
• Kung Pao Chicken
• Firecracker Chicken
• Spam ramen with egg
• Claypot tofu
• Korean-style butter beans
• Lemongrass and tofu curry
• Orange chicken

Dessert

And, of course, don't forget dessert! A mango pudding is a great option to end your wonton feast on a sweet note.

What to fill wontons with

Wontons are a type of dumpling that can be filled with a variety of ingredients. The most common type of wonton filling is pork, which is used in many classic wonton recipes such as Shanghai Wonton Soup, San Xian Wontons, and Cantonese Wonton Noodle Soup. However, there are many other options for wonton fillings, which can be tailored to your taste preferences.

• Pork and shrimp: This combination is a classic wonton filling and is used in the Air Fryer Wontons recipe. The shrimp adds a pleasant snappy texture to the filling.
• Chicken: A chicken filling is a good option for those who prefer to eat chicken or avoid pork. The Woks of Life website has a recipe for Mom's Chicken Wontons, which combines chicken with napa cabbage and mushrooms.
• Cream cheese: Cream cheese wontons are a popular choice, especially for those who enjoy the combination of creamy and crispy textures. You can add other ingredients to the cream cheese filling, such as green onions, garlic powder, and salt, to enhance the flavour.
• Vegetables: If you're looking for a vegetarian option, you can fill your wontons with vegetables such as bok choy, garlic chives, or shiitake mushrooms. You can also add tofu to the filling for some extra protein.
• Fish: You can replace the pork in wonton fillings with finely minced fish fillets. This will give your wontons a unique flavour and texture.

When making wontons, it's important to remember not to overfill them. Wontons are meant to be delicate parcels where you get a balanced bite of the chewy tender skin and filling. Experiment with different fillings and folding techniques to find the ones you like best!

Frequently asked questions