Air-Frying Perfect Wontons: Timing For Best Results

Wontons are a popular snack, appetiser, or side dish that can be cooked in a variety of ways, including pan-frying, steaming, boiling, and deep-frying. However, air-frying has emerged as a convenient, less messy, and healthier alternative to traditional deep-frying, yielding crispy and golden brown wontons with a succulent filling. The cooking time for air-fried wontons typically ranges from 8 to 10 minutes at temperatures between 360°F and 400°F, depending on the air fryer model and desired level of crispiness.

How to make wontons in an air fryer

Ingredients

You can make your own wonton filling or buy frozen wontons from the store. Here are some ideas for ingredients if you want to make your own:

• Wonton wrappers (square or round)
• Oil spray
• Cream cheese
• Green onion
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Ground pork
• Shrimp
• Scallions
• Soy sauce
• Sesame oil
• Cornstarch
• Salt and pepper
• Ginger
• Garlic
• Carrot
• Chinese 5 spice

Method

First, prepare your filling by mixing all your ingredients together in a bowl.

Next, place a spoonful of the filling on a wrapper and then fold the wrapper over to make a triangle. You can brush a little water on the edge with your fingertip to help seal it.

Then, hold the two tips of the triangle’s long side and bring them together, making a crease in the filled part of the dumpling to help the points come together. Use a dab of water on the points to seal them to each other.

Spray or brush the filled wontons all over with oil and place them in the air fryer. You can put a perforated parchment paper sheet in the air fryer first to prevent sticking, but this is optional.

Cook the wontons in the air fryer at 360-400°F for 5-10 minutes. Flip the wontons over and cook for another 4 to 8 minutes at 320-370°F until the wontons are golden brown all over and nice and crisp.

Serve immediately with a dipping sauce of your choice, such as sweet and sour sauce or sweet chili sauce.

Tips

• You can store leftover wontons in the fridge for up to a week.
• You can also freeze uncooked wontons and cook them directly from frozen.
• If you don't have an air fryer, you can deep-fry, bake, or use a convection oven.

How to fold wontons

There are several ways to fold wontons, and the method you choose will depend on the thickness of the wrapper, the amount of filling used, and how the wonton will be cooked. Here are some 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 or mixed into soup or sauce. Here's how to do it:

• 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. It is suitable for wontons that will be boiled or fried. Here's how to do it:

• 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 very thin wrappers and small amounts of filling. It involves simply squeezing the wrapper around the filling. Here's how to do it:

• 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.

The Little Boat

This method creates a common and versatile shape that is ideal for boiling, adding to soups, or serving with sauces. Here's how to do it:

• Take a wonton wrapper and add 1 teaspoon of filling to the centre.
• Dab the edges of the wrapper with water and fold it in half to form a triangle.
• Gently press out any air bubbles and seal the edges well.
• With the edge with the stuffing on the bottom, dab some water on one of the bottom corners.
• Gently fold the wrapper, bringing the two bottom points together at the centre and press firmly to adhere.

The Golden Money

This method resembles ancient Chinese yuanbao and is excellent for boiling, simmering in soup, or frying. Here's how to do it:

• Begin with a square wonton wrapper and add your filling to the centre.
• Lightly dab the edges with water, then fold the wrapper in half to create a rectangle, ensuring the edges meet neatly.
• Press gently around the filling, removing any air bubbles, and seal the edges securely.
• Holding the rectangle longways, moisten one of the bottom corners and carefully bring both bottom corners together at the centre of the rectangle.
• Press firmly to adhere and create a distinctive shape.

The Pyramid

This method creates flat-bottomed wontons that are great for steaming, deep frying, or pan-searing. They can accommodate slightly more filling than other shapes. Here's how to do it:

• Start with a square wonton wrapper and add your filling to the centre.
• Moisten the edges, then lift two opposite corners to meet above the filling, pinching just the tips together.
• Lift the remaining corners, sealing them with the already pinched tips to form a gathered top.
• This creates a unique four-pointed star shape.

How to store and reheat wontons

Storing Wontons

Wontons are best stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, or in the freezer for up to 6 months. If storing in the freezer, it is recommended to flash-freeze individual wontons on a baking sheet before transferring them to a larger freezer bag. This will prevent them from sticking together and make it easier to reheat a single wonton if desired.

Reheating Wontons

There are several ways to reheat wontons, with varying levels of success:

• Air fryer: Reheating wontons in an air fryer is a quick and easy method that produces excellent results. Lightly spray or brush the wontons with oil and place them in the air fryer at 350°F (180°C) for 3 to 4 minutes, or until warmed to your satisfaction.
• Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Lightly spray the wontons with oil and arrange them on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Heat for 5 to 10 minutes, or until warmed to your liking.
• Stovetop: Heat a pan on medium heat and add a small amount of oil. Add the wontons and sauté for 2 to 4 minutes, or until warmed through.
• Microwave: Place the wontons on a microwave-safe plate lined with paper towels and heat in 15-second intervals until warmed through. Let the wontons rest for 1 minute before serving.

It is worth noting that reheating wontons in the air fryer, oven, or stovetop is generally preferable to using the microwave, as the latter can make the wontons soggy.

What to serve with wontons

Wontons are a versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer or a main course. Here are some ideas for what to serve with them:

As an Appetizer

Wontons can be served as an appetizer with a dipping sauce. Some options for dipping sauces include:

• Dumpling sauce
• Thai sweet chili sauce
• Sweet and sour sauce
• Spicy mayo
• Ponzu
• Gyoza dipping sauce

As a Main Course

If serving wontons as a main course, they can be accompanied by a vegetable or two. Some vegetable side dish options include:

• Sauteed spinach with sesame dressing
• Steamed broccoli
• Salad with miso dressing
• Noodle soup
• Fried greens
• Steamed eggplant
• Kimchi
• Roasted vegetables
• French fries

Wontons can also be served with rice or noodles. For rice, fried rice is a good option, especially if the wontons are dry. For noodles, some options include:

• Ramen
• Udon noodles
• Katsu noodles
• Tahini miso noodles

Finally, wontons can be served as part of a larger meal that includes a soup, a rice dish, a protein, a vegetable, and a dessert. This is typical of Asian meals, where a variety of dishes are served family-style.

What to do if you don't have an air fryer

If you don't have an air fryer, there are several alternative ways to cook wontons. Here are some options:

Deep Frying

Deep frying is the most common alternative method to cooking wontons. This involves submerging the wontons in hot oil and frying until they are golden brown and crispy. This method will give you the most beautifully crispy wontons, but it does involve more work and cleanup than using an air fryer.

Pan Frying

Pan-frying is another option for cooking wontons. Simply add enough oil to a large frying pan or wok to completely submerge the wontons. Heat the oil until small bubbles start to appear, and then carefully add the wontons to the pan. Fry for around 2 minutes or until golden brown. This method may require cooking the wontons in batches, depending on the size of your pan.

Oven Baking

If you don't have an air fryer, you can also use a regular oven to bake your wontons. Place the wontons on a wire rack on a baking sheet and bake at a higher temperature than you would with an air fryer. You may need to experiment with the temperature and cooking time to get the desired results.

Toaster Oven

A toaster oven is another option for cooking wontons without an air fryer. It is compact and can heat up quickly, delivering a lot of heat to a small space. However, without a fan to circulate the heat, you will need to take a few extra steps to achieve the desired crispness. Place the wontons on a wire rack over a baking pan to help circulate the heat, and be sure to flip and rotate them throughout the cooking process.

Convection Oven

A convection oven is the best alternative to an air fryer, as it also uses a fan to circulate heat. Many standard ovens have a convection bake option that you can use. Place the wontons on a wire rack over a baking pan and cook at a temperature similar to what you would use for an air fryer.

No matter which method you choose, be sure to prepare your wontons according to your preferred recipe and enjoy them with your favorite dipping sauce!

Frequently asked questions