Fried Wonton Strips

Crispy fried wonton strips are a quick and easy snack that's perfect for dipping into a delicious appetizer or munching on alone.

A wonton is a Chinese dumpling that wraps a thin noodle dough around a variety of flavorful fillings. Wonton wrappers can easily be fried into crunchy chips using only 3 simple ingredients. Best of all, each batch only takes about 30 seconds to fry.

What ingredients do I need?

• Wonton wrappers - Traditionally made of flour, eggs, and water, Wonton wrappers are 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.
• Salt - 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.
• Frying oil - I recommend a high-temperature vegetable oil such as canola oil for frying. It also has a more neutral flavor than olive oil, which is important.

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 wonton wrappers into thin strips with a sharp knife or pizza cutter. However, if wonton chips are more your thing, there is no reason you cannot cut them into triangles like tortilla chips 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.

Tip: 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.

I recommend placing the crispy 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 your favorite dips, such as duck sauce, sweet and sour 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, at room temperature and they will stay fresh for up to five days.

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