Air-Frying Wontons: How Long Does It Take?

Wontons are a popular snack, appetiser, or side dish that can be made in an air fryer. They are crispy, delicious, and can be served with a variety of dips and fillings. The air fryer cooking method is healthier and less messy than deep frying, and it also reduces the clean-up required. The wontons are placed in the air fryer basket, sprayed with oil, and cooked for around 10 minutes at a temperature of around 360-395°F until golden brown.

Wonton wrapper preparation

Making wonton wrappers at home is a fun and easy process. The ingredients are simple, and you may already have them in your kitchen!

Ingredients

• Egg
• Water
• Flour (all-purpose or bread flour)
• Salt
• Cornstarch (optional)

Method

• Make the dough: Beat the egg and add water. In a separate bowl, combine flour and salt, creating a well in the centre. Pour the egg mixture into the well and mix. If the mixture is too dry, add water a teaspoon at a time. Knead the dough until it becomes elastic.
• Rest the dough: Divide the dough into two balls and cover with a damp cloth for about 10 minutes. This allows the gluten to relax, making it easier to roll out.
• Roll and cut the dough: Cut each ball into four equal pieces. Roll out each piece into a square shape, approximately 10 inches by 10 inches. Then, cut each large square into nine smaller squares, for a total of 72 wonton wrappers. You can use a rolling pin to achieve the desired thickness, or a mechanical pasta roller for very thin wrappers.
• Dust and store: Lightly dust the wrappers with cornstarch and store them in plastic bags. They can be refrigerated for a couple of days.

Now that you have your wonton wrappers ready, you can fill them with your favourite ingredients and cook them in your air fryer!

Filling options

There are many different options for fillings when making air-fried wontons. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Tofu and Chive Wontons

This recipe combines tofu and chives for a delicious and flavourful option. You can find the full recipe details online.

Curry Vegetable Wontons (No Tofu)

If you're looking for a vegetarian option without tofu, these curry vegetable wontons are a great choice. You can find the full recipe online.

Pork and Shrimp Wontons

For a savoury option, try a mixture of ground pork, shrimp, scallions, soy sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch, salt, pepper, ginger, and garlic. This combination is perfectly seasoned and sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Cream Cheese Wontons

A classic choice, cream cheese wontons are creamy and smooth on the inside with a crispy golden exterior. You can add green onions, garlic powder, and salt to the cream cheese for extra flavour.

Creative Fillings

You can also get creative with your fillings! Try adding sriracha or hot sauce for a spicy kick, or go for a sweeter option with drained crushed pineapple and coconut. Bacon and chives or strawberries and powdered sugar are other unique combinations to experiment with. The possibilities are endless!

Cooking times and temperatures

The cooking time and temperature for air-fried wontons vary depending on the type of wonton and the desired level of crispness. Here is a detailed guide on the cooking times and temperatures for air-fried wontons:

Air Fryer Temperature:

It is recommended to set your air fryer temperature between 360°F and 395°F when cooking wontons. A temperature of 360°F will result in crispy wontons with a warm, melty centre in less than 10 minutes. On the other hand, a higher temperature of 395°F will cook the wontons faster, but you will need to monitor them closely to prevent burning.

Cooking Time:

The cooking time for air-fried wontons typically ranges from 7 to 15 minutes. For cream cheese wontons, 8 to 10 minutes at 360°F or 370°F is usually sufficient. For other types of wontons, such as beef or pork and shrimp wontons, the cooking time may be slightly longer, around 10 to 15 minutes. It is important to keep an eye on the wontons during cooking and adjust the time as needed to achieve the desired level of crispness.

Cooking in Batches:

When cooking wontons in an air fryer, it is best to work in batches to ensure even cooking. Place a single layer of wontons in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overcrowded. Brush or spray the wontons with oil before placing them in the air fryer to enhance the crispness and colour.

Flipping the Wontons:

For even cooking and browning, it is recommended to flip the wontons halfway through the cooking process. After the initial cooking time of 5 to 8 minutes, carefully flip the wontons using tongs and continue cooking for an additional 3 to 8 minutes, depending on the desired level of crispness.

Reheating and Storing:

To maintain the crispness of the wontons, reheating them in the air fryer is recommended. They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days or frozen for later use. When reheating, cook at 325°F for 5 to 8 minutes in the oven or at 400°F for 2 minutes in the air fryer until crisp.

Sealing the wontons

Firstly, always ensure your wonton wrappers are covered to prevent them from drying out. Work with one wrapper at a time, and place it on a flat surface or your palm. Using your finger, dip it into a small bowl of water and trace or moisten the edges of the wrapper. This water acts as a "glue" to help seal the wonton.

Next, add your filling. The amount of filling will depend on the size of your wrapper and the type of fold you are doing, but typically, 1-2 teaspoons of filling is sufficient. Press down on the filling to remove any air pockets and pack it tightly.

Now, it's time to fold the wonton. There are various ways to fold a wonton, but a simple method is to fold the wrapper in half, forming a triangle. For this, you can place the filling in the centre of the wrapper and then fold one corner to meet the other, creating a triangle.

Once folded, carefully press down on the centre of the triangle to remove any remaining air pockets. Then, you can seal the edges tightly. You can use a small amount of water to help seal the edges if needed.

Some recipes suggest that you then flip over the triangle and press down on the centre again. This ensures the filling is secure and helps with the final shape.

The final step is to bring both ends of the triangle together. You can dab one bottom corner of the triangle with water and then press the tips together to seal them.

Repeat these steps for the remaining wrappers, and you will have a batch of tightly sealed wontons ready for cooking!

Reheating and storing

Wontons are best enjoyed fresh, but there are ways to store and reheat them without compromising on taste and texture.

Storing Wontons

Allow your wontons to cool to room temperature before placing them in an airtight container and putting them in the fridge. They should last three to four days.

You can also freeze fried wontons, but they may not regain their original crispness. To freeze, first, flash freeze them on a tray, making sure they aren't touching, and then transfer them to a freezer bag. They will last up to six months in the freezer.

Reheating Wontons

The best ways to reheat wontons are:

• Air fryer: Set your air fryer to 350°F (180°C). Optionally spray your wontons with a light coating of cooking oil before arranging them in the fryer basket, making sure they aren't touching. Heat for 3 to 4 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Keep a close eye on them to avoid burning.
• Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Lightly spray your wontons with oil and arrange them on a wire rack over a baking sheet. Heat for 5 to 10 minutes.
• Stovetop: Heat a small amount of vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Sauté the wontons for 2-3 minutes.
• Deep frying: Heat oil in a deep-fat fryer to 350°F (180°C). Fry the wontons a few at a time for 1 to 2 minutes. Drain on paper towels.

The microwave is not recommended as it can make the wonton wrappers soggy.

Frequently asked questions