Cheese Wontons: What's Inside And Why It Works

Cheese wontons are a beloved appetizer, often served at Chinese restaurants. They are made with wonton wrappers, which are small squares of thin dough, and stuffed with a variety of fillings. The most common type of cheese used in cheese wontons is cream cheese, which is mixed with other ingredients such as sugar, onion powder, scallions, or hot sauce to create a creamy and flavourful filling. The wontons are then fried until crispy and served with a dipping sauce, making them a delicious treat that can be easily made at home.

How to make cheese wontons

Cheese wontons are a great snack or appetiser, and are easier to make than you might think! You can use a variety of cheeses, but cream cheese is a common choice. Here is a simple recipe for making cheese wontons at home.

Ingredients

• Wonton wrappers
• Cream cheese
• Oil for frying (vegetable, canola, or peanut oil are good options)
• Water
• Salt
• Sugar
• Spices (onion powder, garlic powder, chives, or green onion)

Optional Ingredients

• Egg
• Crab meat
• Soy sauce
• Hot sauce
• Honey
• Rice wine vinegar
• Sesame oil

Method

• Mix the cream cheese with your chosen spices and sugar in a bowl. You can also add crab meat at this stage if you want to include it.
• Place a wonton wrapper on a plate.
• Put a small amount of the cream cheese mixture in the centre of the wrapper.
• Dip your finger in water and wet all four sides of the wonton wrapper.
• Fold one corner over to the opposite corner and pinch the edges together to seal. You can also bring two opposite corners together in the middle and pinch, then repeat with the other two corners to create a package shape. If you are using egg, brush the edges with egg to seal the wonton.
• Heat around 2 inches of oil in a deep frying pan to 350°F.
• Carefully add a few wontons at a time to the hot oil.
• Fry for 2-4 minutes, turning halfway through.
• Remove the wontons and place them on a wire rack to drain and cool.
• Repeat with the remaining wontons.
• Serve hot with a dipping sauce of your choice.

Dipping Sauce

You can make a simple dipping sauce by mixing honey, soy sauce, hot sauce, vinegar, and sesame oil.

Tips

• Wonton wrappers dry out quickly, so keep them covered with a damp paper towel while preparing them.
• If your wontons are falling apart, you may need to pinch the edges more firmly or use more water to seal them.
• You can bake or air-fry wontons instead of frying them in oil.
• You can also add other ingredients to the filling, such as bacon, sausage, or shrimp.

Enjoy your homemade cheese wontons!

What to serve with cheese wontons

Cheese wontons are a delicious snack, side, or appetizer. They are crispy and crunchy on the outside with a soft, creamy cheese filling. The cream cheese is mixed with seasonings and then spooned into the wonton wrappers and folded up. The wontons are then fried until golden brown.

There are many different ways to fold wontons, but a simple method is to bring opposite corners together to meet in the middle and pinch them shut, creating a triangular shape.

Cheese wontons are often served as a starter for an Asian meal or as a snack for game day or parties. They pair well with a variety of dipping sauces, including:

• Sweet and sour sauce
• Thai sweet chili sauce
• Teriyaki sauce
• Honey and soy sauce
• Worcestershire sauce
• Kung pao chicken
• Honey garlic chicken
• Cashew chicken

Cheese wontons can also be served as part of a larger Chinese-inspired meal, alongside dishes such as:

• Orange chicken
• General Tso's chicken
• Sweet and sour chicken
• Hibachi fried rice
• Vegetable fried rice
• Beef fried rice

How to store cheese wontons

Cheese wontons are a delicious snack, but it's important to store them properly to ensure they stay fresh and tasty. Here are some detailed instructions on how to store cheese wontons:

Storing Uncooked Cheese Wontons:

If you've made a batch of cheese wontons and want to store them for later, it's best to freeze them. Place the uncooked wontons on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze them for about 1-2 hours until they are firm. Then, transfer the frozen wontons to a freezer bag or an airtight container and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. This will help prevent the wontons from drying out and ensure they stay fresh when you're ready to cook them.

Storing Cooked Cheese Wontons:

If you have leftover cooked cheese wontons, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Place them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in cling wrap to prevent them from drying out. It is not recommended to store cooked cheese wontons at room temperature, as they may spoil.

Reheating Cheese Wontons:

When you're ready to enjoy your stored cheese wontons, there are a few recommended reheating methods. You can heat them in the oven until they are warmed through, or you can pop them into an air fryer to crisp them up. Avoid using the microwave, as it can make the wontons soggy and alter their texture.

Storing Wonton Wrappers:

If you have leftover wonton wrappers, you can store them in the refrigerator or freezer. For the refrigerator, place the wrappers in a sealed baggie with as little air as possible to prevent drying out. For the freezer, wrap the package of wonton wrappers in plastic wrap and then place them in a sealed baggie before freezing.

Tips for Storing Cheese Wontons:

• Always use airtight containers or cling wrap to prevent the wontons from drying out.
• If freezing, ensure the wontons are frozen individually before placing them in a bag or container to avoid them sticking together.
• Add a damp paper towel over the wontons to help prevent them from drying out, but ensure it's not too wet, or the wrappers may become soggy.

How to fold cheese wontons

Ingredients

To make cheese wontons, you will need wonton wrappers, cream cheese, and water or egg to seal the wontons. You can also add onion powder, chives, crab, and other kinds of cheese to taste.

Folding Method 1

Place a wonton wrapper on a flat surface. Put a teaspoon of the cream cheese mixture in the centre. Lightly brush the edges of the wrapper with water or egg wash, then fold the wrapper in half to form a triangle. Press the edges to seal. Next, fold the tips of each triangle together and press them to seal.

Folding Method 2

Place approximately half a teaspoon of the cream cheese mixture on one corner of a wonton wrapper. Use your finger to paint egg wash all around the edges of the wrapper. Roll the wrapper on a diagonal, starting with the cream cheese corner and stopping when half the wrapper is rolled and the cream cheese is inside. Bring up the two ends and use the egg wash to stick them together. Allow the remaining pointed end to naturally tuck backward—the wonton should now resemble a tortellini.

Frying

Heat 2 to 4 inches of vegetable oil in a deep pan to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Fry 4 to 6 wontons at a time for 45 seconds to 1 minute, turning them over as needed to ensure even cooking. Remove the wontons when you think they could stand to be cooked a little more, as they will continue to brown after you take them out of the oil. Drain the cooked wontons on paper towels and repeat the frying process with the remaining batches.

How to stop cheese wontons from exploding

Wontons are a delicious snack, but they can be a little tricky to make. One common problem people encounter when making cheese wontons is that they explode while frying. Here are some tips to help prevent that from happening:

Check the temperature of your oil

If the oil is too hot, the wonton wrappers can burn and explode. Use a thermometer to check the temperature of your oil before frying. The ideal temperature for frying wontons is around 350°F (177°C). If you don't have a thermometer, you can test the oil by ripping off a small piece of a wonton wrapper and dropping it into the oil. If the oil is ready, the piece of wrapper should sink to the bottom, start bubbling immediately, then pop back up to the surface within 5 seconds and begin to turn golden within 15-20 seconds.

Avoid overfilling

One of the most common reasons wontons explode is that they are overfilled. Be sure to use only a small amount of filling in each wonton, about 1-2 teaspoons, and make sure there is no filling on the edges of the wrapper, as this can prevent the wonton from sealing properly.

Seal the wontons properly

It is important to seal the wontons tightly to prevent them from opening up and leaking or exploding during frying. After placing the filling in the centre of the wonton wrapper, use your finger to wet all four sides of the wrapper with water or an egg wash. Then, bring two opposite corners together and pinch the edges to seal. Repeat with the other two corners so that the wonton forms a triangle shape. Finally, apply more egg wash to the bottom two corners and fold the left and right corners over the centre to create an "open envelope" shape. Make sure there are no large air pockets in the wonton before frying.

Freeze before frying

If you are making your wontons ahead of time, it is best to freeze them before frying. Place the assembled wontons on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for 1-2 hours, or until firm. You can then transfer them to a freezer bag or container and store them for up to 3 months. Fry them directly from frozen, being careful not to overcrowd the pan, as this can cause the oil temperature to drop.

Choose the right oil

Not all oils are suitable for deep frying. Oils with a high smoke point, such as canola, peanut, coconut, or corn oil, are best for frying wontons. Olive oil, on the other hand, has a low smoke point and is not suitable for deep frying.

By following these tips, you can help ensure that your cheese wontons stay intact and do not explode during frying. Happy cooking!

Frequently asked questions