Wontons are a popular Chinese dumpling that are often fried or steamed. However, frying wontons can add a lot of fat and calories. Many people are now looking for healthier ways to enjoy wontons. One option is using an air fryer to heat pre-made frozen or refrigerated wontons. Air fryers use rapid hot air circulation to produce a crispy, fried texture without all the oil. But is it effective for heating wontons?
The short answer is yes, you can heat wontons in an air fryer! Air fryers provide a quick and easy way to enjoy crispy wontons with a fraction of the fat and calories as deep frying. While they may not be exactly the same as fried wontons, air fried wontons can still be quite delicious.
Benefits of Using an Air Fryer for Wontons
There are several benefits that make air fryers a great choice for heating wontons:
- Less fat and calories – Air frying uses little to no oil, resulting in wontons that have significantly less fat and calories than deep fried wontons cooked in oil.
- Crispy texture – The rapid air circulation mimics deep frying, giving the wontons a satisfying crispy, crunchy texture.
- Quick and easy – Air fryers preheat quickly and cook food fast, allowing you to enjoy crispy wontons in minutes with minimal preparation and cleanup.
- Versatile – An air fryer lets you cook a variety of appetizers, not just wontons. You can also use it to make egg rolls, potstickers, spring rolls, etc.
- More consistent – The hot air in an air fryer circulates evenly to heat and crisp up wontons more consistently than frying in a skillet.
For those watching their fat or calorie intake, air fryers provide a great way to recreate the flavor and texture of fried wontons without all the oil. Even those not concerned about fat may simply appreciate the convenience of being able to quickly heat frozen appetizers.
How to Cook Wontons in an Air Fryer
Cooking wontons in an air fryer is easy but there are some tips to get the best results:
- Use frozen or thawed wontons – Do not air fry wontons straight from the refrigerator. Allow to thaw completely if using frozen wontons.
- Brush with oil – Lightly coat the wontons with a small amount of oil. This helps promote browning and crisping in the air fryer.
- Don’t overcrowd – Avoid overfilling the air fryer basket. Overcrowding wontons will prevent proper air circulation.
- Flip halfway – Flip the wontons about halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.
- Check for doneness – Cook times will vary so check wontons for visual doneness. They should be golden brown with crispy textures.
- Adjust cook time – Increase or reduce cook time as needed if wontons are under or overdone.
Here is a general guide for cooking wontons in an air fryer:
| Wonton Type | Temperature | Cook Time |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh wontons | 370°F | 8-10 minutes |
| Frozen wontons | 400°F | 11-13 minutes |
The exact air fryer temperature and cook times can vary depending on factors like the size and thickness of the wontons and the model of air fryer used. Start by preheating your air fryer to the suggested temperature above. Lightly oil the wontons then arrange them in the air fryer basket without overcrowding. For fresh wontons, set the timer for 8 minutes. For frozen, set it for 11 minutes. After half the cooking time has passed, open the air fryer, flip the wontons and continue cooking. A few minutes before the minimum cook time has elapsed, begin checking wontons for visual doneness. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes if needed for more crispness.
Tips for Air Frying Wontons
Follow these tips to achieve the best air fried wonton results:
- Pat dry – Be sure wontons are dry before cooking. Any moisture on the surface can prevent browning and crisping.
- Separate – If wontons are stuck together, gently separate them before air frying so that air flows between each piece.
- Spritz with oil – Misting wontons lightly with cooking oil ensures they get crispy instead of dried out.
- Toss halfway – For more even cooking, toss or stir wontons partway through air frying.
- Work in batches – Avoid cramming too many wontons into the air fryer at once. Air flow is needed for crisping.
- Give space – Leave some space around wontons so air reaches all surfaces. Overlap wontons very slightly if needed.
- Use parchment – Lining the air fryer basket with parchment can prevent sticking.
- Check often – Since cooking times vary, frequently check wontons for doneness.
Following these simple tips will help you achieve perfectly cooked wontons from your air fryer – crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Don’t be afraid to experiment with cook times to get the texture and doneness you desire.
Best Wontons to Cook in an Air Fryer
Almost any frozen, refrigerated or homemade wontons can be cooked in an air fryer. However, some varieties and preparations are better suited for air frying than others:
- Smaller wontons – Mini or bite-sized wontons heat and crisp up the fastest in an air fryer.
- Thin skins – Wontons with thinner wrappers get crisper than thick wrappers.
- Less filling – Lightly filled wontons crisp up better than overstuffed ones.
- Measured portions – Buying pre-portioned frozen wontons ensures even cooking.
- Good quality – Higher quality wontons with smooth wrappers work best.
- Potsticker style – Pan-fried potsticker-style wontons get crispy in an air fryer.
- Crab rangoon – These cream cheese wontons become crispy outside and creamy inside.
Stick to these types of wontons when cooking in an air fryer, and avoid thick, doughy skins and large wontons overloaded with filling.
Common Problems and Solutions
While air frying wontons is fairly simple, you may encounter a few possible issues. Here are some common problems and easy fixes:
Wontons are not crispy
- – Increase air fryer temperature by 25°F
- – Add 1-2 minutes to cook time
- – Make sure wontons are dry before cooking
- – Separate any wontons stuck together
- – Spray/brush wontons lightly with oil before cooking
Wontons are overcooked or dried out
- – Reduce air fryer temperature by 25°F
- – Reduce cook time by 1-2 minutes
- – Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket
Wontons are undercooked in the middle
- – Increase cook time by 1-2 minutes
- – Flip/toss wontons more frequently while cooking
Wontons are unevenly cooked
- – Ensure wontons are spread in a single layer in the basket
- – Flip wontons midway through cooking
- – Rotate air fryer basket partway through cooking
Wontons are sticking to the basket
- – Use nonstick cooking spray on the basket before air frying
- – Line basket with parchment paper or foil
- – Avoid overcrowding the basket
With some experimentation, you should be able to achieve perfectly cooked air fried wontons. The convex shape of air fryer baskets allows for great air circulation so wontons become crispy and browned.
Serving and Dipping Sauce Ideas
Air fried wontons make a delicious appetizer or snack on their own, but can also be served with a sauce for dipping:
- Sweet & sour sauce – The classic wonton dipping sauce, sweet and tangy.
- Hot mustard – Spicy Chinese mustard gives wontons a kick.
- Duck sauce – Sweet, slightly tangy orange sauce.
- Soy sauce – Simple, salty soy sauce never goes wrong.
- Ranch – Cool, creamy ranch compliments crispy wontons nicely.
- Plum sauce – Sweet and mildly tangy sauce made from plums.
- Chili oil – Infused with aromatics and red chili flakes.
- Peanut sauce – Creamy, nutty and mildly spicy.
Homemade or good quality store-bought dipping sauces take air fried wontons to the next level. Set out a selection of different sauces so people can flavor the crispy wontons to their liking.
Substitutes and Variations
Don’t limit yourself to just using wontons in the air fryer. Consider these substitutes and variations:
- Potstickers – Chinese dumplings pan-fried on one side, then steamed.
- Gyoza – Japanese style dumplings, similar to potstickers.
- Spring rolls – Crisp fried rolls filled with meat and veggies.
- Egg rolls – Wonton wrappers rolled around filling and fried.
- Crab rangoon – Wontons filled with cream cheese and crab.
- Steamed buns – Filled Chinese breads that can be air fried.
- Dumplings – Savory dough pockets filled with fillings.
The air fryer works equally well for all kinds of Asian stuffed dough snacks. Simply adjust cook times and temperatures as needed to achieve the right texture. Get creative with the fillings too.
Frozen vs. Homemade Wontons
Freezing is a common preservation method for wontons, but is it better to cook frozen store-bought or fresh homemade wontons in an air fryer? Here’s a comparison:
| Frozen Wontons | Homemade Wontons | |
|---|---|---|
| Convenience | Very convenient | More hands on work |
| Prep time | Little to no prep | Time needed to assemble |
| Quality | Varies, often lower | Greater control over quality |
| Customization | Limited fillings | Fill with whatever flavors desired |
| Cook time | Slightly longer | Slightly faster |
| Price | Cheap per piece | Pricier than frozen |
Frozen wontons offer major convenience, while homemade allows for premium quality and customization. For an everyday snack, frozen wontons are great for the air fryer. But for special occasions or to wow guests, make your own!
Are Air Fryer Wontons Healthy?
Using an air fryer significantly increases the health factor of fried wontons. Here’s how air fried wontons compare nutritionally:
| Air Fried Wontons (10 pieces) | Deep Fried Wontons (10 pieces) | |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 150-200 | 500-600 |
| Total Fat | 4g | 30g |
| Saturated Fat | 0.5g | 8g |
As you can see, air frying reduces calories by 60-70% and fat by over 80% compared to deep frying in oil! While they are still a fried treat, air fried wontons are a much healthier way to enjoy the crispy dumplings you love.
Freezing Leftover Air Fried Wontons
Have leftover wontons after air frying? Here are some tips for freezing them:
- – Let cooked wontons cool completely before freezing
- – Place wontons in single layer on baking sheet
- – Freeze until hard, about 2 hours
- – Transfer to airtight container or freezer bag
- – Remove as much air as possible and seal
- – Label package with contents and date
- – Use within 2-3 months for best quality
- – Reheat frozen wontons in a 400°F oven until hot and crispy
The pre-crisped wontons will keep their texture better than freezing them uncooked. Reheating in the oven avoids sogginess that can happen in the microwave. Enjoy your homemade batch of air fried wontons again and again!
Conclusion
Air frying lets you cook wontons to golden, crispy perfection using little to no oil. Almost any type of wontons work in the air fryer, from tiny frozen dumplings to homemade filled wrappers. Adjust the temperature and time as needed to achieve your ideal crispness. Serve the wontons plain or pair them with a dipping sauce. Making wontons in an air fryer results in a quick, delicious appetizer or snack that is so much healthier than deep fried wontons. Give it a try and breathe new life into this classic!