Cody Casey
Wontons are a popular Asian appetiser or snack and can be cooked in an air fryer with minimal oil, resulting in a healthier version of the traditional deep-fried dish. The process is simple: prepare your chosen filling, fold the wonton wrapper, coat with oil, and air fry until golden brown and crispy. The air fryer's mess containment and ease of use make it a convenient option for cooking wontons, and the ability to reheat them in the air fryer ensures they remain crispy.
Characteristics and Values Table for Cooking Wontons in an Air Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Filling | Pork, shrimp, ginger, green onion, garlic, cilantro root, white peppercorn, soy sauce, sugar, sesame, salt, Shaoxing wine, cream cheese, chives, pineapple, hot sauce, sriracha |
| Wrapper | Wonton wrappers, egg roll wrappers, square, round, 3" squares |
| Oil | Olive oil, cooking oil, nonstick cooking spray, oil mister |
| Air Fryer Temperature | 350°F (176°C) to 400°F, 180°C to 200°C, 370°F to 395°F |
| Air Fryer Time | 4 to 10 minutes, check and fry to desired crispness |
| Air Fryer Basket | Use a perforated parchment paper sheet to prevent sticking, ensure wontons don't sit on top of each other |
| Dipping Sauce | Thai sweet chili sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, bird's eye chili pepper, garlic |
| Storage | Refrigerate cooked wontons for up to 2 days, freeze uncooked wontons |
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What You'll Learn
Wonton filling ideas
Wontons are incredibly versatile, and you can fill them with any mix of flavours or ingredients to suit your taste. Here are some wonton filling ideas to get you started:
Savoury Filling Ideas:
- Meat and Seafood: The most popular options are chicken, beef, shrimp, and pork. You can also try crab, as seen in crab rangoons, or experiment with other seafood options.
- Vegetables: Shiitake mushrooms, scallions, and shallots are a great combination. You can also add garlic chives or green onions for a mild garlicky aroma. Fresh mushrooms are preferred over dried ones as they bring more moisture and flavour.
- Aromatics and Seasonings: Ginger, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and salt, and sesame seeds are commonly used. Gochujang paste adds a unique spicy-sweet note, while black sesame seeds add a crunchy texture.
- Eggs: Use large eggs as a binding agent to hold the filling together without making it overly rich.
Sweet Filling Ideas:
- Chocolate Chip Cannoli: Fill your wonton wrappers with a chocolate chip cannoli mixture and serve them as crunchy cups or crisps for dipping.
- Fruit: Use fresh or canned fruit like pineapple and mango for a sweet and refreshing treat.
- Cream Cheese: Pair the light and airy filling with deep-fried wonton wrappers for a crunchy contrast.
- Sweet Corn and Black Beans: Combine these with poblano chiles and cream cheese for a Cuban-inspired treat that mimics empanadas.
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How to fold wonton wrappers
Wonton wrappers are usually square, typically measuring about 3 to 3.5 inches on each side. They are typically made from wheat flour, water, and eggs, and are not gluten-free. Before you begin wrapping, set up your workstation. Your station should include a small bowl of water or egg wash, a bowl of wonton filling, a plate of wonton wrappers, and a large sheet pan lined with parchment to hold the folded wontons.
- Take a square wonton wrapper and use your index finger to dab the edges of the wrapper with water. Place 2 teaspoons of filling in the middle of the wrapper and fold it in half along the diagonal to create a triangle. Dab one of the filling-side corners of the triangle with water. Bring the two corners together and seal.
- Place 2 teaspoons of filling in the middle of the wrapper and fold it 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.
- To create the Little Boat or Diamond shape, start with a wonton wrapper and place 1 teaspoon of filling in the centre. Moisten the edges of the wrapper, then fold it in half to form a triangle, carefully pressing out any air bubbles and sealing the edges well.
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Cooking times and temperatures
The cooking time and temperature for your wontons will depend on the type of wonton you are making and the brand of your air fryer.
For example, if you are making cream cheese wontons, you should cook them at 370 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 minutes. Check to see if they are golden and cook for an additional 2 minutes if needed.
If you are making wontons with a pork filling, you should cook them at 356 degrees Fahrenheit or 180 degrees Celsius for 20 minutes.
If you are cooking frozen wontons, you can cook them on 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 minutes.
If you are reheating wontons, you can put them in the air fryer for 5-8 minutes at 160 degrees Celsius or 320 degrees Fahrenheit or until crispy.
When cooking wontons, it is important to note that the temperature and cooking time may vary depending on the brand of your air fryer. It is recommended to keep an eye on your wontons to ensure they don't burn. Additionally, make sure there is enough space between each wonton so they don't stick together and have enough space for the air to cook them evenly.
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Reheating and storing wontons
Wontons are best enjoyed immediately while still crispy. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
To reheat your wontons in an air fryer, set the temperature to 350°F (180°C) and place the wontons in the air fryer in a single layer. Spritz the wontons with a light coating of cooking oil or spray the air fryer basket with a non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Reheat for 5-8 minutes, or until crispy.
If you are reheating a large batch of wontons, you can use a wire cooling rack in the air fryer to allow air to circulate beneath them, minimising the risk of them turning soggy and allowing any oil buildup to drip off.
You can also reheat wontons in the oven or by deep frying. Set your oven or air fryer to 350°F (180°C) and lay your wontons on a wire rack. Heat them for 10-15 minutes (6-8 minutes in the air fryer) or until they are warm all the way through and crispy on the outside. Alternatively, you can reheat fried wontons from frozen by deep frying them for 3 to 4 minutes, turning regularly.
If you are in a hurry, you can also reheat wontons in the microwave, but they may turn out soggy. First, line a microwave-safe plate with a piece of paper towel. Then, arrange your wontons on the plate, not touching, and heat in 15-second intervals until piping hot, which should take around 30-60 seconds depending on portion size. Let the wontons rest for 60 seconds before serving.
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Dipping sauces
Wontons are delicious on their own, but a good dipping sauce can take your air-fried wontons to the next level. Here are some ideas for dipping sauces to try:
Spicy Southeast Asian-Style Sauce
This sauce packs a punch with its combination of rice vinegar, sugar, bird's eye chili pepper, and garlic. The longer you let the chili peppers steep, the spicier it will be, so adjust the heat to your preference.
Soy Sauce, Vinegar, and Sesame Oil
A simple yet tasty combination of pantry staples that come together in minutes. This sauce is a great option if you're short on time but still want a delicious, homemade dipping sauce. You can also add spices, garlic, ginger, scallions, or chili sauce to this base for a more complex flavor profile.
Thai Sweet Chili Sauce
For those who enjoy a sweet and spicy kick to their wontons, this sauce is a perfect pairing. It's a great option if you're serving your wontons as an appetizer and want something that will impress your guests.
Chinese Hot Mustard
A classic accompaniment to wontons and dumplings, Chinese hot mustard adds a bold, spicy kick to your air-fried wontons.
Green Onion and Garlic Sauce
For this sauce, slice some green onions and add them to a bowl with garlic powder, onion powder, and fresh garlic. You can also add some ginger to taste. Whisk everything together, and your sauce is ready to serve!
Other Ideas
There are endless possibilities when it comes to wonton dipping sauces. You can try ponzu, seasoned rice vinegar, ginger scallion oil, or even make a simple stir-fry marinade with soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, and spices. Get creative and adjust the spices and aromatics to your preference.
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Frequently asked questions
First, prepare your filling. Common ingredients include ground pork, shrimp, ginger, green onion, garlic, cilantro root, white peppercorn, and soy sauce. Next, place a spoonful of filling in the centre of a wonton wrapper and fold it into a triangle, using water to seal the edges. Once you've filled and folded all your wontons, brush or spray them with oil and place them in the air fryer. Cook at 350-370°F for 7-10 minutes, flipping them over halfway through. Serve immediately with a dipping sauce of your choice.
To prevent sticking, brush or spray the air fryer basket with oil before adding the wontons. You can also place a perforated parchment paper sheet in the air fryer first, although this is optional.
Air-fried wontons are best eaten fresh, but they can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 325-400°F for 2-8 minutes, or until crispy.
