These cream cheese wontons are a time and money-saving homemade version of your favorite Panda Express takeout item! They’re the perfect appetizer for parties and family movie nights served with a side of sweet and sour sauce!
Panda Express Cream Cheese Rangoon
If you’re a frequent flyer on the Panda Express you probably know cream cheese wontons as cream cheese Rangoon. If you’re not familiar, allow me to introduce you to these golden bite-size appetizers that you’ve been missing out on!
They’re made from wonton wrappers filled with a delicious cream cheese mixture that gets folded then fried to a golden crisp. Serving them with a dipping sauce like sweet and sour sauce or teriyaki sauce just takes it up a notch.
How to Make Cheese Wonton
- Combine filling ingredients in a small bowl.
- Place a spoonful of the mixture into the center of each wonton wrapper.
- Brush the edges of the wrapper with an egg wash.
- Fold by pinching the two corners together first to meet in the middle. Then pinch the other two corners so that all four corners meet in the middle (like a satchel).
- Fry in the preheated oil until golden brown.
- Allow cooling slightly before enjoying them.
Leftover Wonton Wrappers?
Use any leftover wonton wrappers to make these crispy wonton strips to add to your soups and salads for a little extra crunch!
Cooking Tips
- Use an oil with a high smoke point like vegetable, peanut, avocado, or canola oil.
- If you notice your rangoons are browning too quickly, remove them from the oil.
- Fry the wontons you assembled first. Wonton wrappers can dry out quite quickly.
- Placing a damp paper towel on top of the wonton wrappers can help keep them from drying out as you work.
- Allow them to cool slightly before serving. The filling will be hot!
- Serve with sweet and sour sauce, teriyaki sauce, or Thai sweet chili sauce for dipping.
Variations
- Another popular version of these little gems is crab rangoons. Add 4 oz of imitation or real crab meat to the cream cheese filling.
- Add a splash of sriracha or another type of hot sauce for a kick.
- Use Worcestershire sauce for a little extra flavor.
- Switch up the seasoning a bit and use onion powder along with or instead of garlic powder.
Ways to Serve Them
When we order Chinese takeout, Panda Express is one of our go-to places, so recreating our favorite menu items like kung pao chicken and Instant pot orange chicken, as well as loads of other Asian cuisine recipes at home is so much fun!
Serve as part of a platter of starters alongside Asian stuffed mushrooms and teriyaki meatballs. It’s a safe bet that everyone will love them!
Storing
To store: Keep covered in an airtight container and place a paper towel on top of the wontons to help absorb the moisture. Keep stored in the fridge for up to 2 days.
To reheat: Use the air fryer or the oven at 300 degrees until heated through.
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Cream Cheese Wontons
Ingredients
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese , softened
- 2 Tablespoons minced green onions (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 24 wonton wrappers
- 1 large egg , beaten
- Vegetable oil , for frying
Instructions
- In a heavy bottomed pot, heat about 1 to 2 inches oil over medium heat to 350°F.
- In a small bowl, mix together the cream cheese, green onions, and garlic powder until smooth.
- Lay a wonton wrapper flat on a work surface. Add 1 Tablespoon cream cheese mixture to the center of the wrapper. Brush egg around the sides. Bring 2 opposite corners into the center and pinch together. Pinch the remaining 2 corners together in the center. Repeat with all wontons.
- Fry 3 to 5 wontons at a time, turning as needed, 3 to 5 minutes, or until golden brown. Turn down the heat if browning too fast. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to cool slightly. Fry remaining wontons.
Video
Notes
- Another popular version of these little gems is crab rangoons. Add 4 oz of imitation or real crab meat to the cream cheese filling.
- Add a splash of sriracha or another type of hot sauce for a kick.
- Use Worcestershire sauce for a little extra flavor.
- Switch up the seasoning a bit and use onion powder along with or instead of garlic powder.
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: Appetizers, Asian, Mini appetizers, Nut-Free, Side Dishes, Stovetop, Vegetarian
Can you freeze them then how can you cook them
Yes you can freeze them. I would reheat in the airfryer or toaster oven for a few minutes. Or you could bake for about 5 minutes at about 200.
What is the recipe for the dipping sauce?
Hi Peggy! You can find the recipe for my homemade sweet and sour sauce here: https://www.iheartnaptime.net/sweet-and-sour-sauce/
Can these be baked instead of fried? What temp, how long? Thanks
Yes you could bake them at 400 for about 10 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown :)
Can you use the air fryer instead of frying in oil?
Yes, cook at about 370°F for 8 minutes, or until crisp.
These are really perfect!! My family loved these!
Just did a test run for our Christmas Eve appetizers and they were delightful! I did a dab of Sriracha on half for those who like them spicy.
These Cream Cheese Wontons are the best! They did not last long at our house!! SO YUM!