Crab Rangoon Wontons

Before I launch into one of my favorite recipes of all time, I will provide a list of reasons why you should 1). Make your own Crab Rangoon Wontons in general, and 2). Make this Crab Rangoon Wontons recipe specifically.

Please note the reasons are listed in order by compelling nature with the most compelling reason listed first.

1. These. Are. Delicious.

2. If you order Crab Rangoon Wontons at a restaurant, you only get a few, especially if you have to share. If you make them yourself, you end up with more than you care to eat in one sitting. Always a good thing!

3. They are so easy to make. Definitely a beginner-level recipe that appears to be highly advanced.

4. Very few ingredients!

5. So much cheaper than buying at a restaurant.

6. It’s always good to expand your repertoire. Isn’t it time you dabbled in wonton wrappers?

7. Customizable. Not a huge fan of crab? Leave it out and you’ll still have a highly desirable Cream Cheese Wonton. Not keen on deep frying? Bake them in the oven.

8. Do you need more reasons? Wouldn’t you rather eat Crab Rangoon Wontons than read reasons why you should?

A few more pointers I learned along the way:

The most important part of this recipe is SEALING THE WONTONS. You need to press the seams together very well so the filling stays in when you fry them. If you are baking them, this will be less of a concern. If you are frying them, seal them well. If you find that your wonton wrappers are drying out, feel free to use more egg wash. It makes a great glue.

I love to use a cookie scoop to portion out my delicious cream cheese filling. It keeps my hands clean, ensures even distribution of the filling, and speeds up the process.

The Crab Rangoon Wontons can be made a few hours in advance. Place the tiny parcels of joy in a dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and seal with an airtight lid.

Most packages of wontons have decidedly more wrappers than the 24-30 this recipe requires. You may refrigerate the extras in an airtight container for a future use, or simply double the amount of filling. And also invite over an army to eat them all.

One more thing, the dipping sauce!

I find that sweet and sour sauce purchased at grocery stores is never as good as what you get at a Chinese restaurant. I have also found that no matter how good a Pinterest recipe claims to be at recreating the highly coveted Authentic Sweet and Sour Sauce, it never turns out well. Inspired by the simple appetizer of pepper jelly poured of cream cheese and served with crackers, I tried dipping the Crab Rangoon Wontons in sweet and spicy pepper jelly. It’s probably my best idea, ever. Trader Joe’s makes a version that is absolutely delicious or you can find it at most grocery stores. You can also make your own.

Any other questions? Feel free to leave a comment! Instructions for assembling the wontons wrappers are below the recipe. Enjoy!

Yield: 24 – 30 appetizers

Weight Watchers PointsPlus®: 3

Ingredients:

• 8 oz. whipped cream cheese
• 6 oz. white crab meat, drained and flaked
• ½ c. mayonnaise
• 3 green onions, sliced
• 1 egg
• 1 T. water
• Wonton wrappers

Directions:

In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, crab meat, mayonnaise, and green onions.

Whisk together egg and water in a small bowl to make an egg wash.

Working in batches, arrange 5 – 10 wonton wrappers on a clean, dry surface. Brush all 4 edges of each wrapper with the egg wash using a pastry brush or your finger.

Place 1 rounded teaspoon of cream cheese filling in the center of each wonton wrapper. To wrap, first lift and press the seams of 2 opposing corners together over the filling. Then, lift the remaining 2 opposing corners and bring them also to the middle to form a small parcel. Press all seams together and fold over the top where all 4 corners meet. If the wrapper does not seem to stick, apply additional egg wash. Repeat with all remaining wonton wrappers and filling.

To Fry:

Heat oil to 375°F in a deep fryer or a stock pot. Do not let the temperature greatly exceed 375°F or the oil may smoke and then burst into flame.

Fry the wontons in small batches for 15 – 20 seconds or until golden brown. Remove immediately and drain on paper towels

To Bake:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray 24 muffin cups with nonstick cooking spray. Place 1 filled wonton wrapper in each cup.

Bake until the edges are golden brown and the filling is heated through, about 18 – 20 minutes.

Cool 5 minutes before serving.

How to Fold Wonton Wrappers

Working in batches, arrange 5 – 10 wonton wrappers on a clean, dry surface.

Brush all 4 edges of each wrapper with the egg wash using a pastry brush or your finger. Place 1 rounded teaspoon of cream cheese filling in the center of each wonton wrapper.

To wrap, first lift and press the seams of 2 opposing corners together over the filling.

Then, lift the remaining 2 opposing corners and bring them also to the middle to form a small parcel. Press all seams together and fold over the top where all 4 corners meet. If the wrapper does not seem to stick, apply additional egg wash. Repeat with all remaining wonton wrappers and filling.