Fitness / May 4, 2023

Crispy Fried Wonton Recipe

This crispy fried wonton recipe filled with juicy prawns and hypnotic spices are the perfect for parties as an appetizer. Partner them with your favorite dipping sauce for a crowd-pleasing combination.

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Whenever I’m in the frozen foods section of my local grocery store, I see these little bundles of joy. And while the pre-made stuff has never let me down in a pinch (you know when you have friends coming over for dinner at 6 and you’re still in your dressing gown?), I always wonder, Could I make these myself?

The answer is yes. (This would be a disappointing recipe post if the answer were no.) And now, you can too! I always thought the wonton paper would be too delicate for my brutal strength (ha!) but it turns out it’s quite easy to work with. I particularly like that I can make these over and over again and never repeat myself — that’s the sign of a true go-to appetizer!

Why You Will Love This Recipe

These fried wontons are stuffed with shrimp meat, ginger, and coriander, but you can stuff them with whatever you like. See below for some suggestions.
The crunch of the wonton contrasts nicely with the soft filling. Your mouth will thank you.
While these wontons might seem daunting, they are incredibly easy to make and cook. The ingredients are readily available at most superstores and cooking them requires only a few steps.

Are These Fried Wontons healthy?

These wontons can be considered healthy. The spices, ginger, and garlic provide minerals, vitamins, and are known for their anti-inflammatory properties. The prawns are a source of lean protein and coriander is rich in vitamin K. However, any recipe that requires you to deep fry something will come with it a degradation in health quality. The vegetable oil can be replaced. You need an oil with a high smoke point so you can go with canola oil, avocado oil, or if you don’t mind the taste, coconut oil. OR if you have the means, use an air fryer. Also, don’t forget about the dipping sauce. Opt for a low-sodium soy sauce or a ginger-sesame mix with rice vinegar.

INGREDIENTS

I’ve listed prawns here but you can use whichever protein you like.

½ lb prawns, shelled and deveined
10 pieces wonton wrappers
1 tsp ginger, minced
1 tsp garlic, minced
1 tbsp coriander, chopped
½ tsp white sesame seeds
1 tbsp sesame oil
½ tbsp soy sauce
½ tsp cornstarch
pinch of black pepper
vegetable oil for frying

INSTRUCTIONS

Prep

Finely chop the shrimp and combine it with garlic, ginger, coriander, sesame seeds, sesame oil, soy sauce, cornstarch, and black pepper. Mix well.

Assemble

Place the wonton wrappers on a flat surface and spoon a teaspoon of the filling in the center of each wrapper.

Brush

Brush the edges with some water and form a triangle shape.

Fry

Heat the vegetable oil in a deep pot to 350°F. Drop the prawn wontons in the hot oil and deep-fry them in batches until golden brown. Place the wontons on a paper towel to remove excess oil.

Serve

Serve the prawn wontons with a dip of your choice.

Devour!

Variations

You can use another protein instead of prawn. Use meat that will cook quickly like scallops or sea bass.
If you don’t have sesame oil, use extra virgin olive oil instead.
Instead of soy sauce, you can use oyster sauce or just normal salt for seasoning.
Serve these fried wontons as an appetizer or side dish to go along with the rest of your take-out inspired meal. (Maybe a stir-fry?)

FAQs

How do you fry wontons the right way?

Always make sure your oil is heated to a temperature of 350°F. If the oil is too hot the wontons will cook too quickly and the filling won’t be cooked enough. Wontons need around 4-5 minutes to cook.

Do I need to fold them the same as in the instructions? is there another technique?

There is not only one way to fold the wonton wrappers. Be creative and try other folding techniques. Make sure not to use too much water when sealing the wrappers; otherwise, it won’t seal well.

Can I do the wrappers myself?

You can but I would not recommend making them by yourself. You can find them easily in the store, frozen or fresh. Making them yourself can be very time consuming and cost you more in the end.

What are Wonton Wrappers?

Wonton wrappers originated in Northern China. They are similar to dumplings, just thinner and more delicate. Dumplings are round in shape and wontons are squared. You can find them in different shapes and with a variety of fillings and flavors.

How to Store Fried Wontons

Let the wontons cool completely. Store them in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. Feel free to use a paper towel to absorb any excess oil/moisture. They should keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat them in the oven at 350°F for 5-10 minutes or until heated through. Freezing is not recommended, as the wonton will get soggy during the thawing process.