Air-Fried Wontons: A Quick, Crunchy Treat

Air fryers have become a popular kitchen appliance, and for good reason. They can cook food with little to no oil, making for a healthier alternative to deep-frying. In this article, we will discuss how to make fried wontons in an air fryer, a type of Chinese dumpling that is typically deep-fried. We will cover the ingredients and step-by-step instructions for making these crispy and delicious snacks.

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 your cooking method. Here are three of the most common ways to fold wontons:

The Bonnet Fold

This is the most common method and is perfect for wontons using regular white wrappers that will be boiled and mixed into soup or sauce. It yields a compact shape with tasty, chewy folds. Here's how to do it:

• Take a square wonton wrapper and use your index finger to dampen 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 dampen one of the corners with a little water.
• Bring the two corners together and squeeze to seal.

The Diamond Fold

This method is similar to the bonnet fold, but instead of folding the wrapper in half into a rectangle, you fold it in half diagonally to create a triangle. When the two ends on the filling side of the triangle are brought together, you get a diamond shape with slightly flared ends. This method is well-suited to fried wontons as it creates crispy ends. Here's how to do it:

• Take a square wonton wrapper and use your index finger to dampen 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.
• Dampen one of the filling-side corners of the triangle with water.
• Bring the two corners together and seal.

The Scrunch Fold

This is the simplest and most specialised wonton folding method, used to make light wontons with very thin wrappers. 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 and filling into your fist.
• Gently squeeze to seal.

Choosing a filling

Meat and Poultry

Meat and poultry are popular choices for wonton fillings. You can use ground meat or mince, such as chicken, beef, pork, or turkey. If you're looking for a richer flavour and juicy filling, pork is a great option due to its higher fat content. For a healthier option, you can also choose leaner meats or opt for plant-based alternatives like OmniPork.

Seafood

For a unique twist, you can add seafood to your wonton filling. Some recipes suggest using shrimp or prawns, which can be paired with ground pork for a savoury mix. If you want to explore further, you could also experiment with other types of seafood, such as crab or fish.

Vegetables

Vegetables are a versatile and nutritious addition to your wonton filling. You can use a variety of vegetables, such as carrots, garlic, cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts, or scallions. If you're making vegetarian wontons, vegetables can be the star of the show, providing texture, flavour, and a healthy boost to your snack.

Dairy

For a creamy and indulgent filling, consider adding dairy to your wontons. Cream cheese is a popular choice, and you can even add garlic powder and salt to enhance the flavour. You can also experiment with other types of cheese or dairy products to create your own signature filling.

Herbs and Spices

Don't forget to season your filling! Herbs and spices add depth of flavour to your wontons. Ginger, garlic, and soy sauce are commonly used to enhance the savoury profile of the filling. You can also add chilli, black pepper, Chinese five-spice powder, or sesame oil for an extra kick.

Sweet and Savoury Combinations

If you have a sweet tooth, you can experiment with sweet and savoury combinations. Try adding crushed pineapple, coconut, or strawberries to your filling for a unique twist. Just remember to strike a balance between the sweet and savoury elements so that neither overwhelms the other.

Cooking times and temperatures

The cooking time and temperature for air-fried wontons can vary depending on the type of air fryer you have and the desired level of crispiness. Here are some general guidelines and tips for achieving the best results:

Cooking Temperature:

• Most recipes recommend cooking wontons at a temperature between 350°F to 400°F.
• For gluten-free wontons, a lower temperature of 350°F is suggested for a cooking time of 4-6 minutes.
• For cream cheese wontons, a temperature of 370°F is recommended for 8-10 minutes.
• Some recipes suggest cooking at an initial higher temperature of 395°F for 10 minutes, and then lowering the temperature to 320°F for an additional 5-8 minutes.
• It is important to note that air fryer settings may vary, so it is crucial to keep a close eye on the wontons to prevent burning.

Cooking Time:

• The total cooking time for air-fried wontons typically ranges from 8 to 10 minutes.
• However, for gluten-free wontons, the total cooking time is around 10 minutes, including 4 minutes at first, then shaking the basket and cooking for another 4-6 minutes.
• For cream cheese wontons, the cooking time is 8 minutes, with an additional 2 minutes if needed to achieve the desired level of doneness.
• When cooking at a higher initial temperature of 395°F, the wontons are cooked for 10 minutes, then flipped and cooked for an additional 5-8 minutes at a lower temperature of 320°F.
• It is recommended to cook the wontons in batches to ensure even cooking and to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.

Tips for Optimal Cooking:

• It is essential to spray or brush the wontons generously with oil on both sides before placing them in the air fryer to ensure a crispy texture.
• For gluten-free wontons, brushing the oil onto the wontons rather than just spraying can help achieve a more fried texture and appearance.
• Halfway through the cooking process, remove the basket, shake it to move the wontons around, and turn over as many wontons as possible to ensure even cooking.
• To check if the wontons are done, look for a golden brown colour and a crisp texture. If they need more time, cook for an additional 2-5 minutes, depending on the desired level of crispiness.
• For cream cheese wontons, it is important to note that the cream cheese may bubble out, so lining the air fryer basket with parchment paper can make cleanup easier.

How to get crispy wontons

Ingredients

You can use either homemade or store-bought wontons. For homemade wontons, you will need:

• Wonton wrappers (square or round)
• Filling of your choice (e.g. plant-based ground, tofu, chives, curry vegetables, ground chicken, beef, pork, turkey, shrimp)
• Flavourings (e.g. garlic, ginger, scallions, soy sauce, sweet chilli sauce, oyster sauce, Chinese five-spice powder)
• Oil for spraying or brushing
• Dipping sauce (optional)

Method

• Prepare the filling: Mix all your chosen filling ingredients together in a bowl.
• Assemble the wontons: Place a wonton wrapper on a flat surface or on your palm. Dip your finger in a bowl of water and trace the edges of the wrapper. Add 1-2 teaspoons of filling, pressing down to pack it tightly. Fold the wrapper in half to form a triangle. Press down on the filling to remove any air pockets, then seal the edges. Flip over the triangle and press down on the centre. Dab one bottom corner with water, then bring both ends together and seal.
• Air-fry the wontons: Place the wontons in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Spray or brush with a generous amount of oil. Air-fry at 200°C/395°F for 10 minutes. Flip the wontons over and air-fry for another 5-8 minutes at 160°C/320°F until golden brown and crispy.
• Serve: Wontons are best enjoyed immediately while still crispy, with a dipping sauce of your choice.

Tips for crispy wontons:

• If you want your wontons to taste more like they have been deep-fried, brush them with oil before placing them in the air fryer, rather than just spraying them with a light coating.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leave enough space for the air to cook the wontons all the way around.
• Preheat the air fryer before adding the wontons.

Dipping sauces

Air-fried wontons are best enjoyed with a dipping sauce of your choice. Here are some ideas for sauces that pair well with wontons:

Sweet Chilli Sauce

This sauce is a popular choice for fried wontons, as it offers a sweet and spicy kick. It is also great for snacking and as a finger food. You can also use sweet chilli sauce as an ingredient in your wonton filling to add some extra flavour.

Spicy Mayo

For those who like their food with a bit of a kick, spicy mayo can be a great dipping sauce option. It adds a creamy texture and a spicy flavour to your wontons.

Ponzu

Ponzu is a citrus-based sauce that is often used as a dipping sauce for Japanese dishes. It has a tangy and savoury flavour that can complement the crispy texture of air-fried wontons.

Soy Sauce

Soy sauce is a classic dipping sauce for wontons and other Asian dishes. It has a salty and savoury flavour that can enhance the taste of your wontons.

Sesame Soy Dipping Sauce

For a more complex flavour, you can try a sesame soy dipping sauce. This sauce combines the savoury taste of soy sauce with the nutty aroma of toasted sesame oil. It also often includes ingredients such as ginger, scallions, and rice wine vinegar, creating a well-rounded dipping sauce.

Wonton Sauce

You can also make a specific wonton sauce that is versatile and easy to make. This sauce typically includes ingredients such as coconut aminos or light soy sauce, rice vinegar, Chinese black vinegar, toasted sesame oil, and garlic chilli sauce. It offers a balanced blend of savoury, sweet, and tangy flavours.

Frequently asked questions