Air-Fried Cream Cheese Wontons: Quick, Easy, Delicious!

Making cream cheese wontons in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to enjoy this popular Chinese takeout appetizer at home. With just a few simple ingredients and an air fryer, you can create a delicious snack or starter that is crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside.

Choosing a filling

When it comes to choosing a filling for your air-fried cream cheese wontons, there are a variety of options to consider. The standard filling typically includes cream cheese, scallions or green onions, and garlic powder. However, you can also experiment with different ingredients to create unique and delicious flavour combinations. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Savoury Filling Ideas:

• Stick to the standard: Cream cheese, scallions or green onions, and garlic powder. You can also add some soy sauce to this mixture for an extra savoury kick.
• Spicy kick: Try adding sriracha or hot sauce to your cream cheese mixture for a spicy twist.
• Meat lovers: If you want to add some protein to your wontons, try mixing in crab, shrimp, sausage, or bacon with your cream cheese.
• Zesty twist: Add some zing to your wontons by including chopped green onions and minced garlic to the cream cheese.
• Cheesy goodness: For an extra cheesy bite, mix in some shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese to the cream cheese base.

Sweet Filling Ideas:

• Tropical treat: For a sweet and fruity option, leave out the onions and garlic, and mix drained crushed pineapple and/or coconut with the cream cheese.
• Berry delight: Create a sweet and creamy filling by mixing in fresh or frozen strawberries (or other berries) with the cream cheese. You can even dust the wontons with powdered sugar after air frying for an extra sweet touch.
• Chocolate indulgence: Omit the savoury ingredients and add a pinch of sugar to your cream cheese. After air frying, dust the wontons with powdered sugar and serve with a side of chocolate sauce or caramel sauce for dipping.

Folding the wontons

Firstly, lay a wonton wrapper on a flat, non-stick surface. You can use a small bowl of water and your finger to wet the edges of the wrapper. Alternatively, use a cooking brush to moisten the edges. This will help the wrapper to seal.

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

Now you are ready to fold and seal your wonton. There are several ways to do this, and you can search online for ideas or be creative and develop your own folding style. A simple method is to bring each corner of the wrapper up to the centre, creating a star shape, and then seal the wonton tightly. Another option is to fold the wrapper diagonally to form a triangle, ensuring that the edges are moist so that the wrapper seals. You can also create a rectangular shape by folding the wrapper in half, and then pulling down on the two lower corners and sealing them together.

Finally, before placing your wontons in the air fryer, spray them with a light coating of oil. This will help them to turn golden and crispy during cooking.

Air fryer temperature and timing

The ideal temperature for cooking cream cheese wontons in an air fryer is between 350°F and 375°F. The cooking time will vary depending on the desired level of crispness, but on average, it should take between 7 and 10 minutes.

Some recipes suggest preheating the air fryer before adding the wontons, while others recommend cooking them straight away. If you choose to preheat your air fryer, set it to the same temperature as you will use for cooking the wontons.

When air-frying cream cheese wontons, it is important not to overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the wontons in a single layer, and if you are making a large batch, cook them in batches to ensure even cooking.

During cooking, spray the wontons with cooking spray or brush them with olive oil to help them achieve a golden brown colour and a crispy texture. Check on the wontons regularly to ensure they are cooking to your desired level of crispness.

Once cooked, remove the wontons from the air fryer and place them on a tray or in a bowl. Serve them as an appetizer or side dish, plain or with a dipping sauce such as sweet and sour sauce or sweet chilli sauce.

Dipping sauces

When it comes to dipping sauces for your air-fried cream cheese wontons, there are plenty of options to choose from. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Sweet and Sour Sauce

This classic pairing is a great way to balance out the savoury notes of the cream cheese wontons. You can make your own by combining pineapple juice, white vinegar, sugar, garlic, ketchup, and cornstarch. Or, you can take a shortcut and use a store-bought version.

Sweet Chilli Sauce

For a touch of sweetness and a kick of spice, sweet chilli sauce is a perfect dip for your wontons. You can find this at most grocery stores, or make your own by blending chillies, garlic, vinegar, and sugar.

Soy Sauce-Based Dipping Sauce

If you're looking for something more savoury, a simple combination of soy sauce, black vinegar, scallions, sesame seeds, and crushed red pepper flakes will do the trick. You can also add a dash of sesame oil for extra flavour.

Thai Peanut Dipping Sauce

For something a little different, try a Thai-inspired peanut dipping sauce. Combine peanut oil, fish sauce, tamarind paste, brown sugar, galangal, and chilli for a spicy, savoury dip.

Apricot Dijon Dipping Sauce

This unusual combination of sweet and spicy will surely tantalise your taste buds. All you need is some apricot preserves, Dijon mustard, and red pepper flakes.

Pineapple-Lime Dipping Sauce

For a fruity, tangy dip, blend pineapple preserves with lime juice and a touch of mayonnaise. This will complement the creaminess of the wontons beautifully.

Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce

A classic combination of honey and mustard is always a good idea. You can make your own by mixing honey and prepared mustard, or simply buy a ready-made version.

Vietnamese Dipping Sauce

This zesty sauce will add a punch of flavour to your wontons. Combine fish sauce, garlic, sugar, carrot, chilli paste, lime juice, and hot water for an authentic Vietnamese experience.

Chinese Mustard Dipping Sauce

Another Asian-inspired sauce, this one features mustard powder, soy sauce, sesame oil, cider vinegar, and a touch of sugar. It's a bold and spicy dip that will surely wake up your taste buds!

These are just a few ideas to get you started, but feel free to experiment and create your own unique dipping sauces to pair with your air-fried cream cheese wontons.

Storing, freezing and reheating

Storing, freezing, and reheating your cream cheese wontons is simple. If you've made too many, or you're preparing for a party, you can freeze your wontons before or after cooking.

Freezing Uncooked Wontons

To freeze uncooked wontons, make the wontons according to your chosen recipe. Place them in a single layer on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and freeze for one hour. Once frozen, place the wontons in a gallon-sized freezer bag. When you're ready to cook them, simply add a few minutes to the frying time.

Freezing Cooked Wontons

You can freeze cooked wontons in the same way as uncooked wontons. When you're ready to eat them, warm them in the air fryer straight from frozen, adding a few minutes to the cooking time.

Refrigerating Cooked Wontons

If you've already cooked your wontons and want to store them in the fridge, place them in a single layer, separated by paper towels, in a sealed container. They will last in the fridge for up to two days.

Reheating

To reheat your wontons, you can use an air fryer or an oven. For the air fryer, heat at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for two minutes, or until crisp. For the oven, place the wontons on a baking tray and heat at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for five to eight minutes.

Frequently asked questions