Inspired by: @iszy
Craving a delicious, savory snack that's ready in minutes without the fuss of deep frying? Look no further! These Crispy & Easy Air Fryer Vegan Cream Cheese Wontons are a game-changer for anyone seeking a delightful, dairy-free appetizer. Originally inspired by a lucky find at Target, abillion user iszy shared this brilliant, budget-friendly recipe that quickly became a hit for a board game night. "Those look and sound amazing and the crispiness on them is perfect! I don’t know what I’d do without my airfryer!!" raved one comment, highlighting just how essential the air fryer is for achieving that perfect golden crunch.
This recipe is perfect for last-minute gatherings, a quick afternoon bite, or a fun addition to your party spread. It’s incredibly simple to prepare, uses minimal ingredients, and delivers maximum flavor with its creamy, garlicky, and gingery filling. Plus, it's naturally vegan and egg-free, making it a fantastic option for various dietary needs.
What You'll Need
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Small mixing bowl
- Spoon or small spatula
- Pastry brush (optional, for oil)
Ingredients
- 1 package vegan wonton wrappers (iszy noted smaller wrappers are easier to handle!)
- 8 oz vegan cream cheese (such as Miyoko's Creamery)
- 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- Optional: A tiny bit of water for sealing wrappers
- Optional: Cooking spray or a brush of oil for air frying
How to Make Air Fryer Vegan Cream Cheese Wontons
Making these crispy delights is incredibly straightforward. You'll be amazed at how quickly you can whip up a batch!
- Prepare the Filling: In a small mixing bowl, combine the vegan cream cheese, grated ginger, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated and the mixture is smooth.
- Fill the Wontons: Lay out one wonton wrapper on a clean surface. Place about a teaspoon of the cream cheese filling in the center of the wrapper.
- Fold and Seal: Moisten the edges of the wrapper with a tiny bit of water using your finger. Fold the wrapper into your desired shape (triangle, rectangle, or a traditional wonton purse). Press the edges firmly to seal completely, ensuring no filling leaks out. Repeat with the remaining wrappers and filling.
- Prepare for Air Frying: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush with a little oil. Arrange the filled wontons in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd them. You may need to cook in batches.
- Air Fry: Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 6-8 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. Flip them halfway through for even cooking. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning.
- Serve: Carefully remove the hot wontons from the air fryer and serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce, like sweet chili sauce or soy sauce. One abillion user shared, "These look delicious! Wish I could use these. 😭😍" – proving their irresistible appeal!
Variations and Adaptations
This versatile recipe can be easily customized to suit your taste and dietary preferences:
- "Crab" Rangoon Inspired: For a savory twist, try adding finely chopped heart of palm to the cream cheese filling. This is a fantastic plant-based alternative to classic crab rangoons!
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha to the filling for a bit of heat.
- Herby Freshness: Incorporate finely chopped fresh chives or cilantro for an added layer of flavor.
- Gluten-Free Option: For those with gluten sensitivities, look for certified gluten-free wonton or egg roll wrappers at your local grocery store.
- Different Cooking Methods: Don't have an air fryer? You can bake these wontons in an oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown. You can also carefully pan-fry them in a non-stick skillet with a little oil until crispy on all sides.
Tips for Success
- Wonton Wrapper Choice: Iszy mentioned, "These smaller wrappers were much easier to handle." If you're using larger wrappers (like egg roll wrappers), cut them down to a smaller size for easier folding and a bite-sized snack.
- Don't Overfill: A teaspoon of filling is usually enough. Overfilling can make sealing difficult and may cause wontons to burst during cooking.
- Seal Tightly: Ensure the edges are well-sealed to prevent the filling from escaping. A little water goes a long way.
- Single Layer in Air Fryer: Overlapping wontons will result in uneven cooking and less crispiness. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Batch Cooking & Freezing: These wontons can be prepared ahead of time and frozen before air frying. Lay them in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag. Air fry from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Ready to try this amazing snack? Whip up a batch of these Air Fryer Vegan Cream Cheese Wontons tonight and discover your new favorite appetizer! Share your creations and tag abillion to inspire others. We'd love to hear how they turn out for you.
Related Articles
- Hungry for more easy, plant-based bites? Check out our recipe for Vegan "Crab" Rangoons.
- If you're exploring different ways to cook wontons, our Easy Pan Fried Dumplings Recipe offers another fantastic option.
- Love simple cream cheese creations? You'll enjoy our article on this Love minimal effort recipes? This vegan cream cheese dip is for you.
