Fried wonton strips are a quick and easy snack to make in five minutes or less, and perfect for dipping into a delicious appetizer or snacking on them alone. Skip the traditional bag of chips found at all of the local grocery stores and instead impress your guests by making these satisfyingly salty snacks on your own!
The great thing about these crispy wonton chips is how effortless this recipe is. There are only 3 ingredients needed, and they cook up in about 30 seconds per batch. This is a great recipe for a novice because you can watch the wonton wrappers cook and pull them out as soon as you see them browning.
What are wonton wrappers?
Traditionally made of flour, eggs, and water, Wonton wrappers is the thin sheet of dough used to encapsulate a variety of fillings in a Chinese dumpling. The wrappers can be found pre-made and ready for use in any Asian grocery or traditional supermarket. You will find them in the refrigerated case.
What ingredients do I need?
Making this crispy wonton strips recipe only requires wonton wrappers, frying oil, and salt. I recommend a high-temperature vegetable oil such as canola oil for frying. It also has a neutral flavor, which is important.
Any fine grain salt, such as table salt, will work well. I would avoid larger grain salts, like Kosher salt, because the big granules don't adhere to the fried strips as well. Egg roll wrappers, which are larger, can also be used.
What equipment is needed?
- Heavy pot for frying - Heavy bottomed pots retain heat better and insulate against temperature swings. My favorite frying pot is a cast iron chicken fryers.
- Thermometer - You can buy thermometers specifically for deep frying, but an all-purpose instant-read thermometer works great for me.
- Spider strainer - This easily lifts the fried strips out of the hot oil. Although a slotted spoon can also be used.
How to make them
Begin by cutting your wrappers into thin strips with a sharp knife. However, if wonton chips are more your thing, there is no reason you cannot cut them into triangles instead. The recipe is the same either way.
Add enough oil to a heavy-bottomed pot to fill it at least one inch deep. Set the heat over medium and let the oil come to temperature. You are aiming for 350 degrees.
You may need to work in small batches, as needed. Add the wonton strips to the oil and move around with the spider strainer to ensure separation and even oil coverage. After approximately 30 seconds they will turn a light brown. Remove the fried wontons from the cooking oil at this time, as they will continue to darken to a crispy golden brown while draining.
I recommend placing the fried wonton strips in a single layer on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain, or paper towels. Then dust lightly with salt. Let cool for a few minutes, then serve.
Ways to Serve Fried Wonton Strips
- Dipping sauce - Serve these with a dipping sauce, such as duck sauce, or hot mustard.
- Salad topping - These add a wonderful crunch to any salad in place of croutons.
- On their own - This is a satisfying salty snack when you are craving something with a crunch!
How to store them
These do not need to be eaten right away. Store them in a ziploc bag, or airtight container. They will stay fresh for a few days.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Check your oil temperature through cooking, and certainly in between batches. The temperature will drop each time a new batch is added, and it will continue to rise as it sits on the burner, so the heat setting may need to be adjusted.
- Small grain salt, such as table salt, works better for seasoning wonton strips than larger grain Kosher salt.
- The strips will continue browning even after they are pulled from the hot oil, so aim to remove them as soon as they turn a light brown.
FAQs
Yes, you will find pre-made wonton wrappers in the refrigerated section of your grocery store.
Wonton strips are often sold at many American-Chinese restaurants. However, they can also be purchased at some grocers.
A wonton is a Chinese dumpling that wraps a thin noodle dough around a variety of flavorful fillings.
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Fried Wonton Strips
Ingredients
- 6 ounces wonton wrappers (any size package will work)
- 2 cups frying oil (or as needed)
- table salt
Instructions
- Using a heavy bottomed pot, such as as Dutch oven, fill it with at least one inch of oil.
- Set pot over medium heat and bring frying oil to 350 degrees.
- While the frying oil is heating cut wonton wrappers into thin strips.
- Working in batches, add the strips to the hot oil and fry for approximately 30 seconds per batch, or until the wontons begin to turn a light brown.
- Remove the wonton strips from the cooking oil and let the excess oil drain off on a paper towel or wire rack. Immediately sprinkle lightly with salt.
Laura
Looks easy peasy! One question I always have when frying is - what do you do with all that oil after???? How do you dispose of it? Thanks!
Fox Valley Foodie
Strain out any chunks left in it and reuse it later to fry something else!