Wontons are a type of Chinese dumpling that can be filled with a variety of ingredients. They are small, bite-sized dumplings that are usually served in soups or appetizer dishes. Wontons have a thin, delicate wrapper encasing a savory or sweet filling. There are many possibilities when it comes to wonton fillings, allowing you to get creative with different flavors and textures.
Common Wonton Fillings
Some of the most popular fillings for wontons include:
- Pork – Ground pork or minced pork is a classic wonton filling. Pork wontons may be seasoned with soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, ginger and scallions.
- Shrimp – Chopped shrimp makes a delicious wonton filling, often mixed with pork. Shrimp adds lots of flavor and a pleasant texture.
- Chicken – Ground or minced chicken thigh meat is commonly used. It may be seasoned with salt, white pepper, sesame oil and soy sauce.
- Vegetables – Finely chopped veggies like cabbage, spinach, carrot and celery are great options for vegetable wontons.
- Tofu – Diced firm tofu can be used as a plant-based wonton filling. It’s often mixed with mushrooms and vegetables.
In addition to the main protein or veggie components, wonton fillings often contain flavorings like garlic, ginger, scallions, soy sauce and sesame oil. The filling possibilities are endless!
Regional Wonton Fillings
While pork and shrimp are common wonton fillings, some regions have their own popular variations:
- Sichuan – Spicy ground pork with hot chili oil and Sichuan peppercorns.
- Shanghai – A sweeter filling of pork, shrimp and bamboo shoots.
- Hong Kong – Blend of pork and shrimp seasoned with fish sauce, sesame oil and white pepper.
- Northern China – Hearty lamb and pumpkin or chive fillings.
- Vietnam – Ground chicken, shrimp, pork or beef with wood ear mushrooms.
So if you travel to different parts of China or Southeast Asia, you may encounter unique regional wonton specialties!
Dessert Wonton Fillings
While most wontons are filled with savory ingredients, there are also sweet dessert variations. Popular sweet fillings include:
- Red bean paste – Sweet paste made from adzuki beans is a favorite in Chinese dessert wontons.
- Diced fruit – Mangos, pineapple, apple and strawberries work nicely in fruit-filled wontons.
- Sweetened cream cheese – Some like to fill wontons with a sweetened cream cheese mixture.
- Coconut – For a tropical treat, try shredded coconut seasoned with brown sugar.
- Chocolate – Melted chocolate or chocolate hazelnut spread is divine in dessert wontons.
Dessert wontons make an excellent finish to a Chinese-style meal. You can get creative with your favorite flavors!
Wonton Wrapper Options
Wonton skins or wrappers are what encase the delicious filling to make wontons. There are a few main options:
- Standard wheat-flour wonton wrappers – The most common choice, made with wheat flour and water.
- Egg wonton wrappers – For a richer, yellow-colored wrapper, egg yolk is added to the dough.
- Spinach wonton wrappers – Spinach powder or juice provides a vibrant green color.
- Tumeric wonton wrappers – Turmeric brings a golden yellow hue.
- Red bell pepper wonton wrappers – Made with pureed red pepper for a purple-red tone.
The wrapper serves as a neutral base to let the filling shine. But colored wrappers can add an extra pop of color!
How to Make Wontons
While you can purchase frozen wontons, it’s more special to make them from scratch. Here is a basic process:
- Make the filling – Mix together the main ingredients like pork, shrimp, chicken, tofu or veggies. Season to taste.
- Assemble the wontons – Take a wrapper and add about 1 tbsp of filling. Wet the edges with water and seal into your preferred shape.
- Cook the wontons – Boil, steam, pan-fry or deep-fry the wontons until the wrappers are cooked through.
- Add to dishes – Finally, add the wontons to soups, stir-fries or enjoy them as an appetizer.
Wontons are quite straightforward to make at home. And you can shape them into fun forms like crescent, square or triangle.
Wonton Soup
One of the most popular ways to enjoy wontons is in wonton soup. This Chinese comfort food classic features wontons simmered in a seasoned broth.
To make wonton soup at home:
- Start with a flavorful broth – Chicken, pork or vegetable broth all work well. Season with soy sauce, sesame oil and ginger.
- Add chopped greens like bok choy, spinach or napa cabbage.
- Simmer the wontons in the broth until they float and are cooked through, 1-3 minutes.
- Garnish with scallions, cilantro and a drizzle of chili oil if desired.
Wonton soup makes an excellent appetizer or a light, satisfying meal any time of year.
Other Ways to Serve Wontons
While wonton soup is a go-to, here are some other ways to enjoy these tasty dumplings:
- Dim sum – Wontons are often served in dim sum along with dishes like dumplings, bao buns and rice rolls.
- Stir-fries – Cooked wontons can be tossed into stir-fried noodles, rice or veggies.
- Deep-fried – Crispy deep-fried wontons are irresistible with a sweet and sour sauce.
- Wonton crisps – Fried wonton wrappers without filling make great garnishes or snack chips.
- Salads – Chilled boiled wontons, sliced cucumber and carrot with a sesame dressing.
However you choose to use them, wontons are a versatile and tasty addition to many dishes!
Tips for Making Wontons
Check out these handy tips for making the best homemade wontons:
- Use a light hand when mixing the filling to avoid dense, rubbery wontons.
- Chill the filling mixture for 30 minutes before assembling wontons for easier handling.
- Brush wrapper edges with water or egg wash before sealing to help them adhere.
- Work in small batches to keep wonton wrappers from drying out.
- Dust finished wontons with cornstarch or flour to prevent sticking.
- Freeze uncooked wontons on a baking sheet then transfer to a freezer bag.
- Boil frozen wontons straight from the freezer – no need to thaw.
With these tips, you’ll be pumping out perfect wontons in no time!
Substitutions for Common Wonton Ingredients
Don’t have all the ingredients for wontons on hand? Try these easy ingredient swaps:
| Original Ingredient | Substitution |
|---|---|
| Pork | Chicken, turkey, beef, shrimp, firm tofu |
| Napa cabbage | Bok choy, regular green cabbage, spinach |
| Soy sauce | Salt, mushroom soy sauce, aminos |
| Sesame oil | Peanut oil, vegetable oil |
| Rice wine | Rice vinegar, white wine vinegar, dry sherry |
| Ginger | Allspice, cinnamon, lemon zest |
With a few simple swaps, you can adapt wonton fillings and make them your own!
Freezing and Reheating Wontons
One of the great things about wontons is that they freeze beautifully. Here are some freezing and reheating tips:
- Place uncooked wontons in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer bag or container.
- For longer storage, flash freeze wontons on the baking sheet first to prevent sticking.
- Frozen uncooked wontons will keep for 2-3 months in the freezer.
- Do not thaw frozen wontons before boiling or steaming – cook them straight from frozen.
- To pan-fry, deep-fry or roast frozen wontons, thaw them first in the refrigerator overnight.
- Reheat boiled, steamed or fried wontons in a hot pan with a bit of butter or oil to restore crispiness.
With proper freezing techniques, you can enjoy homemade wontons for months!
Common Questions
Are wontons gluten free?
Most wonton wrappers contain wheat flour and are therefore not gluten free. However, you can find gluten-free wonton wrapper alternatives made from rice flour, tapioca starch or arrowroot starch. Check labels carefully if avoiding gluten.
What is the difference between wontons and dumplings?
Wontons and dumplings are quite similar, but wontons use thinner wrappers that cook quickly in broth or oil. Dumpling wrappers are thicker and more doughy for pan-frying or boiling.
Do you cook wontons from frozen?
Yes, you can cook frozen wontons directly in broths and soups without thawing first. For pan or deep-frying, thaw wontons overnight in the fridge before cooking.
Can you freeze cooked wontons?
It’s best to freeze wontons uncooked. But cooked wontons can be frozen for 1-2 months. Reheat them in the microwave or oven until hot.
What can I use if I don’t have wonton wrappers?
In a pinch, egg roll wrappers, gyoza wrappers, empanada dough or flour tortillas can work for making wonton shapes.
Conclusion
Wontons are the ultimate comfort food dumplings. Whether you like pork, shrimp, chicken or veggie fillings, experimenting with different wonton fillings and cooking methods can lead to exciting new flavors. Make a big batch of homemade wontons to enjoy right away or freeze for quick meals later. With versatile wontons in your culinary arsenal, you’re sure to whip up all kinds of delicious dishes!