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Make these crispy Cream Cheese Wontons at home in a deep fryer, air fryer, or even in the oven! The crispy exterior and smooth creamy interior make for the perfect, pop-able appetizer.
This is one of my absolute favorite appetizer recipes! Trust me, these crispy little bites are going to be a hit at your next gathering. Whether you prefer them with plain cream cheese or with crab filling, they’re a perfect treat, especially when dipped in sweet and sour sauce.
Why You’ll Love These Cream Cheese Wontons
Every time I whip up a batch of these, they’re the first to disappear! The thin, crispy wrapper combined with the creamy filling is a match made in heaven. They’re perfect for any occasion – from casual family dinners to fancy holiday parties. And the best part? You can fry them for that golden, crispy perfection, or bake them for a healthier twist that still delivers on crunch!
Ingredients You’ll Need for Cream Cheese Wontons
Cream cheese wontons are perfect as an appetizer or a side dish. We love to make these with fried rice and General Tso’s chicken for a complete meal. Here’s everything you need to make these delicious Cream Cheese Wontons:
- Wonton wrappers – These will wrap up the filling inside and be the outside layer of the wonton. The uncooked wontons can be found in your refrigerator aisle or at any local Asian market store.
- Cream cheese – Make sure it’s softened for easy mixing.
- Fresh crab meat – (optional): Adds a sweet, buttery flavor. Imitation crab works too!
- Egg whites – Whisk together the egg whites to have an egg wash. This will be brushed around the edges of the wonton wrappers, binding the corners together.
- Oil – For frying those wontons to crispy perfection.
How to Make Crispy Cream Cheese Wontons
- Prepare the Filling: Mix softened cream cheese. Add a heaping teaspoon of this mixture to the center of each wonton wrapper.
- Fold and Seal: Brush the edges with egg white (or you can use water), fold over, and press to seal. If you’re unsure how to fold them, check the back of the wonton wrapper package for a step-by-step guide.
- Fry until Golden: Heat oil in a pan and fry the wontons until they’re golden brown. Serve them with sweet and sour sauce for dipping. For a spicy kick, add a little chili paste to the sweet and sour sauce.
Making Your Wontons – With or Without Crab
Personally, I love adding crab to my wontons. The sweet crab meat pairs beautifully with the rich cream cheese. Simply stir in up to ½ cup of fresh cooked or imitation crab, finely shredded to the cream cheese until well combined. If seafood isn’t your thing, no worries! These are just as tasty without the crab. You can even make a mixed batch and let your guests choose their favorite.
Tips for the Best Cream Cheese Wontons
Start with a basic cream cheese wonton and make it your own with these extra tips and ideas:
- Seasonings – Add a pinch of garlic powder, onion powder, or seasoning salt to the cream cheese for extra flavor.
- Filling Alternatives – Not a fan of crab? Try adding pork or veggies to the cream cheese.
- Oil Options- Vegetable oil works great, but you can also use peanut or canola oil.
- Keep Wrappers Moist – Cover unused wonton wrappers with a damp paper towel to prevent them from drying out.
- Removing the Wontons – Use a slotted spoon when picking up the wontons from the fried oil. This will help avoid any excess oil on the wontons. Place the cooked wontons on a plate with paper towels over it. This will soak up any extra oil left over.
- Dipping sauce – We use this homemade sweet and sour sauce that is perfect for dipping.
Other Ways to Cook Homemade Wontons
Frying isn’t always the easiest or the healthiest way to make wontons. Not to worry! If frying isn’t your thing, try these alternatives:
- Air fry – Place the filled wontons in the tray of the basket of the air fryer. Spray with cooking spray or brush with oil. Fry them at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 minutes or until crispy on the outside.
- Bake – Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper. If you don’t have parchment paper, you can use cooking spray to keep them from sticking to the pan and. Place the wontons on top of the parchment paper, spray with cooking spray or brush with oil, and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 to 18 minutes or until they are crisp on the outside.
“Delicious combination of crab and cream cheese. These Appetizers are awesome for a party platter. Crispy and yum.”
-Veena
Frequently Asked Questions
You can find the pre-made wonton wrappers at pretty much any grocery store, near the produce section in a refrigerated section. Look close to where the fancy cheeses or the tofu are—or simply ask a grocery store employee for help.
I like to Google the package wrapper before I go to the store, so I have a visual clue of what I’m looking for.
Crab rangoon and cream cheese wontons are essentially the same thing – in their basic form, they both are deep-fried and usually stuffed with a crab and cream cheese mixture.
Storing Leftovers
If you have any wontons left (though I doubt it!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. Reheat them in the oven or air fryer to maintain that crispy texture.
More Appetizers to Try
Looking for more crowd-pleasers? Check out these easy and delicious appetizers that will keep your guests coming back for more!
Chili Cheese Dip
Boneless Buffalo Wings
Parmesan Crusted Potatoes
Cheesy Italian French Bread
Torchy’s Queso
Bacon Wrapped Smokies
I hope you enjoy making and eating these Cream Cheese Wontons as much as I do. They’re a simple, tasty appetizer that’s sure to impress!
Cream Cheese Wontons
Ingredients
- ½ package wonton wrappers you can find these in any grocery store near the produce
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 1 cup fresh crabmeat optional
- 1 egg white whipped
- oil for frying
Instructions
- Put about 1 heaping teaspoon of cream cheese in the middle of each wonton wrapper (if you are using crabmeat, mix the crab and cream cheese together before adding to the wonton wrapper).
- Brush egg white (or you can just use water) around the edge of the wrapper and pinch up the edges to seal (if you are confused about how to fold it, look on the back of the wonton wrapper package. It will show you step by step how to do it).
- Fry in oil heated to 350℉ until golden brown.
- Serve with sweet and sour sauce combined with chili paste (or if you don't like it spicy, just serve with sweet and sour sauce).
Notes
More Ways to Cook Cream Cheese Wontons
- Air fry – Place the filled wontons in the tray of the basket of the air fryer. Spray with cooking spray or brush with oil. Fry them at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 minutes or until crispy on the outside.
- Bake – Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper. If you don’t have parchment paper, you can use cooking spray to keep them from sticking to the pan and. Place the wontons on top of the parchment paper, spray with cooking spray or brush with oil, and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 to 18 minutes or until they are crisp on the outside.
