Air-Fryer Cream Cheese Wontons: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Making cream cheese wontons in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and healthy alternative to deep-frying. This recipe is perfect as an appetizer or snack and can be made in under 30 minutes. The combination of crispy wonton wrappers and tangy cream cheese filling, paired with a sweet and sour sauce, makes for a delicious treat.

Choosing a filling

The filling is the star of the wonton, so it's important to choose a flavour that you like. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Regular Cream Cheese Wontons

For a classic take on this dish, you can't go wrong with regular cream cheese wontons. The filling is simply cream cheese, with no other ingredients needed. This option is perfect if you want to enjoy the creamy, tangy flavour of the cheese without any additional flavours getting in the way.

Sweet Cream Cheese Wontons

If you're looking for something a little different, why not try making sweet cream cheese wontons? To make the filling, simply combine 1 tablespoon of powdered sugar per ounce of cream cheese. So, for an 8-ounce package of cream cheese, you would add 1/2 cup of powdered sugar. You can also sprinkle the wontons with additional powdered sugar before serving for extra sweetness.

Spicy Cream Cheese Wontons

For those who like a little kick in their food, spicy cream cheese wontons are a great option. Just combine 1 teaspoon of sriracha (or your favourite hot sauce) per ounce of cream cheese. So, for an 8-ounce package of cream cheese, you would add about 2 1/2 tablespoons of sriracha. You can adjust the amount of sriracha to your taste, adding more or less to make it milder or spicier.

Savory Wontons

If you're looking for a more savoury option, you can fill your wontons with a variety of ingredients. Some popular choices include ground beef, bean sprouts, water chestnuts, green onions, and crab meat. You can also add spices like garlic powder, onion powder, or chives to give your wontons a flavour boost.

Sweet and Sour Wontons

For a sweet and tangy treat, you can fill your wontons with crushed pineapples. This option is perfect for those who want something a little different from the traditional cream cheese wonton. You can also add other ingredients like cream cheese, chives, and green onions to balance out the sweetness of the pineapple.

Creative Combinations

Don't be afraid to get creative with your fillings! You can add ingredients like sriracha, hot sauce, bacon, chives, strawberries, or powdered sugar to your cream cheese mixture to create unique and delicious wontons. You can also experiment with different types of cheese, such as strawberry cream cheese, to change up the flavour profile.

Folding the wontons

Start by laying a wonton wrapper on a non-stick surface. You can use a cutting board or a clean kitchen counter. With your finger, dampen the edges of the wrapper. You can also use a cooking brush for this step. Just be sure not to over-wet the wrapper, as this can prevent it from sealing properly.

Next, add the filling. Place about a teaspoon of your cream cheese mixture in the centre of the wrapper. Be careful not to overfill, as this can cause the filling to leak out during cooking.

Now it's time to seal your wonton. There are several ways to do this, and you can get creative with your folding technique. A simple method is to bring each corner up to create a star shape, then seal tightly. Another option is to fold the wrapper diagonally to form a triangle, ensuring the edges are moist so they seal together. For a rectangular shape, fold the wrapper in half, then pull down on the two lower corners and seal them together. If you're feeling adventurous, try the "coin purse" style. Simply brush the edges of the wrapper with water, then bring all four corners into the centre and press to seal.

Once your wontons are folded and sealed, they are ready to go into the air fryer!

Cooking methods

Filling

In a small bowl, mix together the cream cheese, scallions or green onions, garlic powder, and sugar (optional). You can also add soy sauce for extra flavour. Beat the mixture until creamy.

Folding

Lay a wonton wrapper on a non-stick surface. Wet the edges of the wrapper with water or egg wash. Add about a teaspoon of the cream cheese filling to the centre. Fold the wrapper to create a triangle, rectangle, or "coin purse" shape, ensuring the corners are tightly sealed to prevent leakage.

Cooking

Preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 375°F. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or olive oil. Place the wontons in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded, and spray with cooking spray or brush with oil. Air fry for 3-10 minutes, checking regularly, until golden brown.

Dipping Sauce

For a Thai chilli dipping sauce, whisk together bottled chilli sauce and orange marmalade. Alternatively, serve with sweet and sour sauce, sweet chilli sauce, or soy sauce.

Dipping sauces

The perfect complement to the crispy, crunchy, and creamy cream cheese wontons is a delicious dipping sauce. Here are some ideas and options to elevate your cream cheese wontons and take them to the next level:

Sweet and Sour Sauce:

The classic pairing for cream cheese wontons, sweet and sour sauce, provides a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavours. It's a simple combination of pineapple juice, ketchup, vinegar, sugar, garlic, and cornstarch, with optional sriracha for added spice. This sauce is easy to make at home and will impress your guests.

Sweet Chili Sauce:

For those who prefer a sweeter sauce with a hint of spice, sweet chili sauce is an excellent choice. It's readily available in the Asian section of most grocery stores, or you can make your own by combining honey, lime juice, and chopped garlic.

Soy Sauce-Based Dipping Sauce:

If you're looking for something more savoury, a soy sauce-based dipping sauce is a great option. Combine soy sauce with black vinegar, scallions, sesame seeds, and crushed red pepper flakes for a touch of heat. This sauce will enhance the flavour of your wontons without overwhelming their delicate taste.

Thai Peanut Dipping Sauce:

For a more exotic option, try a Thai peanut dipping sauce. This sauce is made with peanut oil, fish sauce, tamarind paste, brown sugar, galangal, and other spices. It's a perfect choice if you want to add a touch of Southeast Asian flavour to your wontons.

Apricot Dijon Dipping Sauce:

This sauce offers a unique blend of sweet and spicy flavours. It's made with apricot preserves and Dijon mustard, with red pepper flakes added for a subtle kick. It's an unexpected but delightful pairing with cream cheese wontons.

Vietnamese Dipping Sauce:

For a fresh and tangy option, try a Vietnamese dipping sauce. This sauce typically includes garlic, black pepper, water, Asian fish sauce, sugar, carrot, and chilli paste. It's a light and refreshing choice that will enhance the flavour of your wontons.

Chinese Mustard Dipping Sauce:

If you're a fan of bold flavours, Chinese mustard dipping sauce will deliver a punch. It's made with water, soy sauce, mustard powder, sugar, and sesame oil, with cider vinegar added for a tangy twist. This sauce will add a nice kick to your cream cheese wontons.

These are just a few ideas to get you started, but feel free to experiment and create your own unique dipping sauces. The possibilities are endless, so have fun and get creative!

Storing and reheating

Refrigerating

If you have any leftover wontons, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to two days. Place them in a single layer, separated by paper towels, in an airtight container.

Reheating

To reheat, place the wontons in the air fryer at 400°F for 2 minutes, or until crisp. Alternatively, you can use a baking tray in the oven at 325°F for 5-8 minutes.

Freezing Uncooked Wontons

You can also freeze uncooked wontons for later. First, place them in a single layer on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and freeze for one hour. Then, transfer the frozen wontons to a freezer bag. When you're ready to cook them, simply add a few minutes to the frying time.

Freezing Cooked Wontons

You can also freeze cooked wontons using the same method as above. To reheat, place them in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes, or until warmed through.

Tips for Storing

• Wonton wrappers can dry out quickly, so cover any unused ones with a damp paper towel or plastic wrap to keep them moist while you work.
• To prevent uncooked wontons from sticking to surfaces, place them on parchment paper while you finish making the rest.
• For the crispiest results, don't overcrowd the air fryer. Ensure there is enough space for the air to circulate and cook the wontons evenly.
• If you notice any white dusting on the air fryer wrappers, spritz those areas with oil or coat them with an egg wash before cooking.
• To keep the wonton wrappers from drying out, store them in the fridge in a sealed bag with as little air as possible.

Frequently asked questions