Steaming Wontons Without A Steamer: Easy Home Techniques

Wontons are a popular dish in Chinese cuisine and can be cooked in a variety of ways, including steaming, boiling, deep-frying, pan-frying, air-frying, and baking. While steaming is a recommended method, what if you don't have a steamer? Here are some alternative ways to cook wontons without using a traditional steamer.

Boiling

When preparing the wontons, it is important to keep the wrappers moist, but not wet. This will ensure they don't crack and break when folding. You should also make sure to seal the edges properly by pinching them together and dabbing a small amount of water on the edges. In addition, remove any air pockets and ensure you don't overload the filling, as this can cause the wrappers to break. Finally, if you are not ready to cook the wontons, place them on a tray lined with parchment paper or dusted with cornstarch to prevent them from sticking to the surface.

Wontons can be boiled from frozen, and you don't need to thaw them first. However, you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly. You can also boil wontons in chicken or vegetable broth to add extra flavour.

Frying

Step 1: Assemble the Filling and Wonton Wrappers

Start by preparing your filling. Common ingredients include minced meat (such as pork or chicken), shrimp or tofu, and vegetables like green onions, cabbage, carrots, and mushrooms. Don't forget to season your filling with ingredients like soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger.

Once your filling is ready, take a wonton wrapper and place a small amount of filling in the centre. You can use store-bought wonton wrappers or make your own using flour, egg, and cornstarch.

Step 2: Seal the Wontons

Moisten the edges of the wonton wrapper with water. This will help the wrapper stick together and form a tight seal. You can use a brush or your fingertip to apply the water. Then, fold the wrapper in half, forming a triangle shape. Make sure the edges are well-sealed by pressing them together or pinching them.

Step 3: Heat Oil in a Pan

For deep-frying, use a deep pan or saucepan and fill it with enough oil to completely submerge the wontons. For pan-frying, a regular frying pan with a shallow layer of oil will do. Heat the oil over medium-high heat.

Step 4: Fry the Wontons

Carefully place the wontons into the hot oil. If deep-frying, you may fry multiple wontons at once, but be sure not to overcrowd the pan. If pan-frying, you may need to fry them in batches. Fry the wontons for about 3-4 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and crispy.

For pan-fried wontons, you will need to flip them over or turn them so that all sides cook evenly and achieve the desired crispness. Use tongs or a slotted spoon to handle the wontons carefully and avoid splashing hot oil.

Step 5: Drain Excess Oil and Serve

Once the wontons are crispy and golden, remove them from the oil using a slotted spoon and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil. Serve your freshly fried wontons immediately with your choice of dipping sauce. Enjoy!

Baking

If you don't have a steamer, baking is a great alternative to cooking wontons. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Prepare the Wontons

Before you start baking, prepare your wonton filling and wrappers. You can fill your wontons with various ingredients, such as chicken, shrimp, tofu, or vegetables. Once you have your filling ready, take about 1-2 teaspoons of the mixture and place it in the centre of a wonton wrapper.

Step 2: Seal the Wontons

Moisten the edges of the wrapper with water. You can use your fingertip or a brush to apply the water. Then, fold the wrapper into your desired shape, such as a triangle or a pouch. Ensure that the edges are properly sealed by pinching them together.

Step 3: Assemble the Wontons on a Baking Tray

Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Place the assembled wontons on the tray, making sure they are not overcrowded. Leave ample space between each wonton to ensure even cooking and prevent them from sticking together.

Step 4: Bake the Wontons

Preheat your oven to 200°C (392°F). Once the desired temperature is reached, place the tray of wontons in the oven and bake them for 10 to 12 minutes. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don't overcook.

Step 5: Check for Doneness

Your wontons are ready when they turn golden brown and crispy. Remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving.

Step 6: Serve with Dipping Sauce

Wontons are often served with a dipping sauce. You can choose from various options, such as sweet chilli sauce, chilli garlic, soy sauce with sesame oil, or a combination of these sauces. Get creative and make your own sauce by mixing ingredients like red chilli flakes, sesame oil, sesame seeds, garlic, and black vinegar.

Using a wire rack to prop up a plate

If you don't have a steamer, you can use a wire rack to prop up a plate and cook your wontons. Here's a step-by-step guide:

First, you'll need a large pot or wok with a tight-fitting lid, a heatproof plate, and a wire cooling rack. Place the wire rack at the bottom of the pot or wok. The rack should be elevated, so the water doesn't touch the plate when you add it later.

Next, fill the pot or wok with about an inch or two of water. The amount of water will depend on how long you need to steam your wontons. Just make sure the water level is at least 1–2 inches below the rack.

Then, place the heatproof plate on top of the wire rack. Before adding your wontons to the plate, brush the plate with a thin layer of oil, or line it with parchment paper or cabbage leaves to prevent sticking. You can also add some leafy vegetables like cabbage for extra flavour.

Now, carefully place your wontons on the plate, leaving some space between them so they don't stick together.

Once your wontons are on the plate, put the lid on the pot or wok and turn on the heat. Bring the water to a boil, and let the wontons steam for about 10 minutes, or until they're cooked through.

When your wontons are done, use a plate gripper or tongs to remove the hot plate from the pot, being careful not to burn yourself. Enjoy your freshly cooked wontons!

Using aluminium foil to prop up a plate

You can use aluminium foil to prop up a plate and steam your wontons without a steamer. This method can also be used to steam dumplings and vegetables. Here's how:

First, take three to four lengths of aluminium foil and form them into equally-sized balls. Place the foil balls at the bottom of a pot that is larger than the plate you will use to steam your wontons on. The pot should be filled with enough water to just cover the aluminium foil balls, or slightly less than this.

Next, place your plate on top of the foil balls, ensuring that the plate does not come into contact with the water. You can add a little sesame oil to the plate, or use cabbage leaves, to prevent your wontons from sticking.

Now, carefully place your wontons onto the plate, making sure to leave some space between them so they do not stick together. Once you have added all your wontons, bring the water to a boil and then reduce to a medium simmer. Cover the pot with a lid and let your wontons steam for around 7 to 10 minutes, or until they are cooked through.

When your wontons are done, carefully remove the plate from the pot—it will be very hot! Serve your wontons with your favourite dipping sauce and enjoy.

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