Wonton appetizers or desserts, afternoon snacks or just munchies.
You will find a lot of recipes using wonton wrappers here.
Wonton wrappers are so versatile. Besides being used in countless wonton soup recipes, they can be used in so many other ways.
What's more, they are lower in calories compared to other types of pastry because no butter involved, just wheat flour, water and the optional egg.
Here are some creative ideas to get you started.
1. Wonton ravioli
With a little creativity, you can use wonton to make wonton ravioli.
Place your favourite ravioli filling between two wonton wrappers and seal all edges with water or beaten egg.
Trim and cut into different shapes. How about stars or diamonds?
As wonton wrappers are thinner, boil them over gentle heat in a shallow pan to avoid breakage.
Try this wonton ravioli recipe at pipinthecity.
2. Wonton appetizers
Photo source: hII!H at flickr
Do you sometimes feel too lazy to make the shortcrust or puff or filo pastry for your wonderful pastries? Store-bought pastry dough is fine except they can have very high calories.
Why not substitute the pastry dough with wonton wrappers?
For example, a cheese wonton. Roll strips of mozzarella cheese in wonton wrappers and make them like cigars. To bake, brush the wrapper with softened butter and egg wash before popping into the oven. Deep-frying is another popular option.Serve these cheese wontons in a drinking glass (see photo).
Don't stop at mozzarella. Try making cream cheese wontons. In fact, try all your favourite cheese or combine them with other yummy ingredients ... like crab rangoon.
Other pastries you can make with wonton wrappers are apple turnovers, curry potato samosas, peanut butter wraps (try wrapping with the samosa style and the envelope style). How about chocolate and nutella hazelnut spread wraps.
They can be real time-savers and quite low in fat too.
3. Baked Wonton Cups
Wonton wrappers can be baked in muffin tins to make edible containers.
- Brush each piece of wonton wrapper with some softened butter
- Place 1 or 2 wonton wrappers in each muffin cup (depending on how big you want your wonton cup to be)
- Press down to shape the wrappers
- Bake them in a preheated 375F / 190C oven for about 1-3 minutes
- Leave it to cool before turning the cups out
Make these wonton cups ahead of time. Fill them up with anything! Guacamole and prawns, fruit and yogurt, egg dip, lemon curd, quiche.
Whatever you like!
A visitor told me that her wonton cups were very hard and asked whether there is a way to soften them. I suggested using more butter and to shorten the baking time.
I mentioned in Amazing Wonton Wrappers that there are 2 types of wonton wrappers. Try to use the northern version which is whitish and thinner to bake wonton cups.
Look at what some people did with wonton cups.
Lobster with chili coconut mayonnaise. Photo source: scarhead101 at flickr
Crunchy fruit, vegetable & crab sticks in egg mayonnaise. Photo source: avlxyz at flickr
Sweetheart cheesecake by Alison. Photo source: alisonwilley at flickr
Shrimp with wasabi ginger sauce. Photo source: alisonwilley at flickr
You don't necessary have to shape wontons into muffin cups to use them as holders.
Shape them freehand before baking and see how they turn out. Makes great portable and edible food holders for garden parties, like the one below.
4. Wonton wrappers as chips or munchies
Photo source: haynes at flickr
Why not make the wonton wrappers the main character instead of playing second fiddle? Turn them into chips.
- Cut them into long strips and deep fry
- Drizzle and mix with some honey or maple syrup
- Dust with icing, cinnamon powder or sesame seeds
- Serve with ice cream
5. Wonton wrappers as cold salad
Bet you did not know that you can use wonton wrappers in salads.
Ingredients20 pieces of wonton wrapper
1 small cucumber
1 tomato
1 orange
2 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp sugar
Directions
- Cut the wonton wrapper into wide strips. Boil it till done and plunge into cold water. Drain
- Wash and slice the cucumber and tomato
- Grate 1 tbsp of orange peel
- Extract the juice from the orange
- Mix the orange juice with the rice vinegar, olive oil and sugar to make the salad dressing
- Toss the wonton strips, cucumber and tomato slices together with the salad dressing
- Sprinkle the grated orange peel on top of the salad
- Serve
6. Wonton Wrappers as origami
When I started looking for recipes using wonton wrappers, I didn't expect to find an answer like this...
Folding origami cranes using wonton wrappers.
But we've got to admire human creativity. Wonton as origami paper, can you beat that? They certainly make great ornaments for party spreads.
Photo source: www.madscientist.com. Detailed instructions and photos are available at the website, in case you are thinking of making your very own wonton crane.
I think the wonton crane wraps up all that I want to say about the versatility of the wonton wrappers.
Finally, back to basics
Although I admire the creativity of using wonton wrappers in all sorts of ways, I still like wonton wrappers as wontons.
If you agree, then hop on to the wonton soup recipes page for more information about making wontons.
Related links
I have so much fun compiling this recipes using wonton wrappers page. I hope you have as much fun reading it. Some related links if you are keen to read more:
- Wonton, wontons
Looking for information on wontons? Everything you need to know about the wonton, including wonton recipes, you can find here. - anatomy of a wonton soup recipe
Find out what a good wonton soup recipe should contain. - Wonton soup
Wonton soup is as important as the wontons themselves. Read more and find 2 recipes for wonton soups to go with your delicious wontons. - Wonton wrappers
Information about wonton wrappers or wonton skin here. - How to fold wontons
How many ways can you fold wontons? Are you stuck in the rut with just one style? Dazzle your family and friends with these different ways to fold wontons. Become the wonton expert, teach them how to fold wontons too. - Wonton dipping sauce
Not satisfied with plain wontons? Use some wonton dipping sauces. - Wonton dessert recipes
Try out these sweet wonton dessert recipes
