Fried wonton, also known as fried wonton wrappers or crisp fried wontons, are a popular Chinese appetizer or dim sum dish. They consist of triangular wonton wrappers or skins that are filled with meat or other fillings, sealed, and then deep fried until crispy and golden brown.
What are wontons?
Wontons are a type of Chinese dumpling that consist of a thin dough wrapper enveloping a meat or vegetable filling. The dough is made from wheat flour, water, salt, and sometimes eggs. The most common fillings for wontons are ground pork and shrimp, but fillings can also include chicken, beef, fish, vegetables, or a combination.
Wonton wrappers can be boiled, steamed, pan-fried, or deep-fried. They are an extremely versatile ingredient used in soups, appetizers, dim sum dishes, and main entrees in various Chinese cuisines.
What are the different ways to cook wontons?
There are several common ways to cook and serve wontons:
- Boiled – Wontons are added to boiling water or broth and cooked until they float to the top, about 3-5 minutes. They are often served in soups.
- Steamed – Wontons are placed in a bamboo steamer lined with parchment paper and steamed for 5-7 minutes until translucent. They are often served with dipping sauces.
- Pan-fried – Wontons are pan-fried on each side until golden brown and crispy. They may be served with dipping sauce.
- Deep-fried – Wontons are deep fried at 350°F until crispy and golden brown. They are often served as an appetizer.
What are fried wontons?
Fried wontons are wonton wrappers that have been deep fried until crispy and golden brown. They are a popular appetizer or dim sum dish in Chinese cuisine and Chinese-American restaurants.
To make fried wontons:
- Wonton wrappers are cut into squares or triangles.
- They are filled with a meat or vegetable filling and sealed into a wonton shape by folding and pinching the edges together.
- The wontons are deep fried at 350-375°F in vegetable oil until golden brown and crispy.
- They are drained on paper towels and served hot, often with a dipping sauce.
What are some common fillings for fried wontons?
Popular fillings for fried wontons include:
- Ground pork and shrimp
- Diced chicken or pork
- Minced vegetables like cabbage, carrots, mushrooms
- Cream cheese
- Crab meat
- Sweet fillings like fruit jam or red bean paste
The filling is seasoned with ingredients like soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, scallions, etc. The filling should be moist but not too loose, so it stays neatly tucked inside the wonton wrapper when fried.
What are fried wonton wrappers called?
Fried wonton wrappers are most commonly referred to as:
- Fried wontons
- Crispy fried wontons
- Wonton chips
- Crispy wontons
They may also sometimes be called:
- Fried wonton skins
- Crispy wonton skins
But most menus and recipes just refer to them as fried wontons or crispy fried wontons.
Other names for fried wontons around the world
Fried wontons may also be referred to by other names around the world:
- In the Philippines they are called lumpia
- In Korea they are called kun mandu
- In Vietnam they are called nhauy quyt
- In Indonesia they are called pangsit goreng
- In Malaysia and Singapore they are called fried popiah
What is the difference between an egg roll and fried wonton?
Egg rolls and fried wontons are two different common Chinese appetizers that are sometimes confused:
- Egg rolls – Wrappers made from wheat flour dough that contains egg. Filled with meat and vegetables. Rolled into a cylindrical shape and fried.
- Fried wontons – Wrappers made from wheat flour dough without egg. Filled with meat or other fillings. Folded into a pouch or triangle shape and fried.
So the main differences are:
- Egg roll wrappers contain egg, wonton wrappers do not.
- Egg rolls have a cylindrical rolled shape. Wontons have a pouch or triangle shape.
- Egg rolls are filled with a combination of meat and veg. Wontons can have meat, veggie, or sweet fillings.
What dipping sauces go well with fried wontons?
Popular dipping sauces for fried wontons include:
- Sweet and sour sauce – Made with vinegar, sugar, ketchup andseasonings.
- Plum sauce – Made from plums, vinegar, sugar, ginger and spices.
- Duck sauce – Made from apricots, plums, sugar, vinegar and spices.
- Soy sauce – Mixed with sliced green onions.
- Hot mustard – Chinese hot mustard or a mix of mustard and Sriracha.
Chili oil, hoisin sauce, sweet chili sauce, and duck sauce are other popular dipping sauces for fried wontons.
How to make fried wontons
Making fried wontons at home is easy to do with just a few ingredients.
Ingredients:
- Wonton wrappers
- Filling of your choice (pork, shrimp, veggies, cream cheese, etc)
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Dipping sauces
Instructions:
- Lay wonton wrappers flat on a work surface.
- Place about 1 tsp of filling in the center of each wrapper.
- Wet the edges with water and fold into a triangle shape, sealing the edges tightly.
- Heat at least 2 inches of oil in a pot or deep fryer to 350°F.
- Fry the wontons in batches for 1-2 minutes until golden brown.
- Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
- Serve hot with your choice of dipping sauce.
Frying in small batches helps ensure they cook evenly and don’t stick together. Let the oil come back up to temperature between batches. Enjoy!
Popular fried wonton recipes
Here are some top-rated recipes for fried wontons you can try at home:
1. Fried Wontons with Pork and Shrimp
These are filled with a flavorful mix of ground pork, shrimp, garlic, green onions, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Served with a tangy ginger dipping sauce.
2. Buffalo Chicken Fried Wontons
The filling is made of chicken, cream cheese, hot sauce, and ranch dressing. Great for a game day appetizer.
3. Fried Cream Cheese Wontons
A simple filling of cream cheese and green onions. Crispy, cheesy, and addictive.
4. Crab Rangoon Fried Wontons
Filled with a popular crab rangoon mix of crab meat, cream cheese, and seasoning. Fried until golden and served with sweet and sour sauce.
5. Fried Fruit Wontons
For a dessert version, try wontons filled with a fruit jam or chocolate-hazelnut spread.
Get creative with your own favorite fillings! Fried wontons are a fun treat for kids to help make too.
Where to find the best fried wontons
You can find excellent fried wontons at:
- Chinese restaurants – Fried wontons will be on the appetizer menu or dim sum carts.
- Chinese bakeries – Many have fried wontons available to go along with pastries.
- Food trucks and stands – Such as those serving fair or festival food.
- Asian supermarkets – Some have freshly made fried wontons in their freezer or prepared foods sections.
- Frozen food aisles – Look for frozen fried wontons to prepare at home.
Highly rated restaurants known for their fried wontons include Din Tai Fung, Soup Dumpling Plus, and Nom Wah Tea Parlor.
Nutrition Information
Here is the nutrition information for 6 fried wontons (about 84g):
| Calories | 241 |
|---|---|
| Fat | 13g |
| Carbs | 20g |
| Protein | 6g |
As fried foods, wontons are higher in calories and fat. Enjoy them in moderation as part of an overall balanced diet.
Storing Fried Wontons
To maintain crispiness, fried wontons are best eaten right after frying. But leftover wontons can be stored:
- At room temperature for up to 4 hours.
- In the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- In the freezer for up to 3 months.
To reheat, bake the fried wontons in a 400°F oven for about 5 minutes until warmed through and crisp.
Conclusion
Fried wontons make a delicious hot snack or appetizer for any occasion. The most common names for them are fried wontons, crispy fried wontons, or wonton chips. While wonton wrappers are simple, the filling possibilities are endless. Fried wontons can be found at Chinese restaurants, food stalls, and frozen aisles. And making them at home is easy for a fresh, hot treat. Just be sure to eat them in moderation.