Home » Recipes » Appetizers » Crab Cream Cheese Wontons

Crab Cream Cheese Wontons

Save For Later

My crab cream cheese wontons are super crispy on the outside and stuffed with a juicy and flavorful crab filling. This delicious appetizer is cheaper and taster than takeout!

crab and cream cheese wontons on a black plate garnished with green onions.

Crab cream Cheese wontons are one of our favorite Chinese takeout favorites.  Also known as Crab Rangoon these so are delicious. I bet you can't eat just one! I love the contrast between the ultra crispy outside and the sweet juicy crab meat inside. They are a fantastic appetizer perfect for parties or just as a quick snack. I also include an optional but encouraged dipping sauce.   If you're short on time you could use a store bought sweet and sour sauce instead. Hot sauce or soy sauce would be good too. Serve with fried rice or Honey Walnut Shrimp or lettuce wraps for a complete meal.

Why This Recipe Works

  • Common Ingredients: The wontons and sauce ingredients are all easy to find even at my small town grocery store.
  • Secret Sealing Method: Tired of having your wontons fall apart? Use my secret cornstarch sealing method for ones that hold together every time.
  • No Fancy Equipment: You'll just need a pot to fry in!

A Sprinkle of Food Science: Cornstarch

Cornstarch in the sealing mix forms a glue-like gel when heated ensuring your wontons stay together.

Ingredient Notes and Shopping Tips

ingredients including lump crab meat, cream cheese, soy sauce, ginger, lemon, wonton wrappers, and green onions.
  • Cream Cheese: For best results use full-fat cream cheese. Soften it for easier mixing.
    • You can leave it at room temp for around 45-60 minutes. Chop it into smaller pieces to speed up this process. You can also dunk the foil wrapped package into warm not hot water if you're in a hurry.
  • Crab: I like using lump crab meat for the best flavor.
    • You can use canned meat just make sure to drain it as excess moisture can cause steam to build up and your wontons to explode.
    • My boyfriend actually prefers to make these with imitation crab meat as it he thinks it tastes the most like takeout.
  • Soy Sauce: I use low sodium soy sauce to reduce the amount of salt in this recipe.
  • Oil: Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point. Vegetable, canola, or peanut oil are my favorites.

Did you know The Color Of Your Wontons Matters?

If possible use yellow (alkaline) wonton wrappers instead of white. They will fry up crispier. Look for these in the produce section near the tofu.

crab Rangoon on a black plate with sweet and sour sauce in the background.

FAQ

Can I Air Fry Them?

Yes! Air fry at 370 degrees for 6-8 minutes. Flip about halfway through.

Can I Bake Them?

Yes, but they may not get as crispy.
Bake for 10-12 minutes at 425 degrees. Spray with nonstick spray.

Can I Make Them In Advance?

Make up to 8 hours in advance. Store tightly covered in the fridge on a cookie sheet until ready to fry.

Krystle's Tips

  1. Keep Wonton Wrappers Covered: Wrap wonton wrappers in a damp paper towel to keep them soft and pliable while you fry the remaining batches. This helps make them easier to fold and prevent cracks.
  2. Don't Overfill: If you fill them too full they may explode when frying, no fun. I suggest no more than around 1 tablespoon of filling at most.
  3. Seal Tightly: Seal with cornstarch mixture to make sure your filling doesn't run out. Be sure to press out any air pockets as well.
  4. Fry a Few at a Time: Avoid overcrowding the pan which can lower the oil temperature.
  5. Use a Deep Fry Thermometer: Aim to keep the oil around 350 degrees F. If the oil is too hot the outside will burn, with the inside being underdone. If the oil is too cold your food will absorb too much oil and become greasy.

Drain on a wire rack not paper towels

Drain on a Wire Rack: This allow air to circulate to keep them crispy. Paper towels can trap steam and make them soggy.

a  wonton being dipped into sweet and sour sauce with green onions.

More Easy Appetizers To Try

Still Hungry? Follow Baking Beauty on Pinterest, and Instagram so you don’t miss a recipe. Subscribe to our newsletter too.

📖 Recipe

Crispy Crab Cream Cheese Wontons

Super crispy wontons stuffed with a juicy and flavorful crab filling. Cheaper and faster than takeout! Optional Sweet & Sour dipping sauce recipe included.
4.79 from 32 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 4 minutes
Total Time: 19 minutes
Servings: 24 Wontons
Calories: 92kcal

Ingredients

For the Wontons

  • ½ Pound Fresh Crab Meat Shell Removed
  • 8 Ounces of Cream Cheese Softened
  • ½ Teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
  • ½ Teaspoon Low Sodium Soy Sauce
  • ½ Teaspoon Grated Ginger
  • ½ Teaspoon Lemon Juice Freshly Squeezed
  • 2 Green Onions Sliced Thin
  • Salt and Pepper To Taste
  • 24 Wonton Skins
  • 1 Tablespoon Cornstarch
  • 2 Tablespoons Water
  • 1 Egg Yolk
  • Oil For Frying

For the Sweet and Sour Sauce

  • 5 Tablespoons White Sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon Honey
  • ½ Teaspoon Salt
  • 4 Tablespoon Vinegar
  • 3 Tablespoons Low Sodium Soy Sauce
  • 2 Tablespoons White Wine Vinegar
  • 3 Tablespoons Ketchup
  • 2 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil
  • 1 Clove Garlic Minced
  • 1 Tablespoon Cornstarch Dissolved in 3 Tablespoons of Water
  • 1 Tablespoon Sesame Oil
  • ½ Cup Water
Don't lose this recipe. Pin for later!

Instructions

For the Wontons

  • In a large bowl, combine crab and cream cheese.
  • Stir in Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, ginger, lemon juice, and green onion. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • In a small bowl combine cornstarch and water. Add the egg yolk. Set aside, we'll use this to seal up our wontons in a bit.
  • Fill each wonton wrapped with ~1 teaspoon of filling. Coat the edges of the wonton with the sealing mixture. Then fold over to create a triangle.
  • Press to seal, and then crimp the edges using a fork.
  • In a large pot heat oil to 350 degrees F. Fry in batches for 3-4 minutes or until crispy.
  • Drain on paper towels.

For the Dipping Sauce

  • Im a large bowl, combine sugar, salt, vinegars, soy sauce, and ketchup. Stir until sugar is dissolved.
  • In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch/water mixture with the sesame oil. Set aside.
  • In a medium skillet heat vegetable oil. Cook garlic for 1-2 minutes.
  • Slowly pour in your prepared sauce. Stir frequently until it comes to a boil. Reduce to low and add in cornstarch mixture until thickened.
  • Pour in water. Remove from heat.

Notes

Ingredient Notes
    • Cream Cheese: For best results use full-fat cream cheese. Soften it for easier mixing.
    • You can leave it at room temp for around 45-60 minutes. Chop it into smaller pieces to speed up this process. You can also dunk the foil wrapped package into warm not hot water if you're in a hurry.
    • Crab: I like using lump crab meat for the best flavor.
      • You can use canned meat just make sure to drain it as excess moisture can cause steam to build up and your wontons to explode.
      • My boyfriend actually prefers to make these with imitation crab meat as it he thinks it tastes the most like takeout.
      • Wonton Wrappers: Look for these in the produce section near the tofu. If possible use yellow (alkaline) wonton wrappers instead of white. They will fry up crispier.
    Tips
    1. Keep Wonton Wrappers Covered: Wrap wonton wrappers in a damp paper towel to keep them soft and pliable while you fry the remaining batches. This helps make them easier to fold and prevent cracks.
    2. Don't Overfill: If you fill them too full they may explode when frying, no fun. I suggest no more than around 1 tablespoon of filling at most.
    3. Seal Tightly: Seal with cornstarch mixture to make sure your filling doesn't run out. Be sure to press out any air pockets as well.
    4. Fry a Few at a Time: Avoid overcrowding the pan which can lower the oil temperature.
    5. Use a Deep Fry Thermometer: Aim to keep the oil around 350 degrees F. If the oil is too hot the outside will burn, with the inside being underdone. If the oil is too cold your food will absorb too much oil and become greasy.
    6. Drain on a Wire Rack: This allow air to circulate to keep them crispy. Paper towels can trap steam and make them soggy.
    •  
    •  

    Nutrition

    Calories: 92kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 231mg | Potassium: 36mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 157IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe? I want to see!Mention @BakingBeautyBlog or tag #BakingBeauty!

     

    4.79 from 32 votes (12 ratings without comment)

    Let know what you think

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    26 Comments

    1. Jordan Hansen says:

      5 stars
      Wonderfully crispy and that cornstarch tip is a game changer!

    2. 5 stars
      These were amazing! My daughter and I love crab wontons and loved this recipe!

    3. 5 stars
      Love at first bite! These were the first thing gone off the table at our small gathering last night - and I made a double batch!!! Great recipe.

    4. 5 stars
      Made it for movie night, and everyone loved the crispy outside and creamy filling. My kids kept asking for more!

    5. 4 stars
      Turned out good. I used Langostino lobster instead of crab and the taste was nice. Just not sure how to keep the filling from disappearing after it’s fried.

      1. Krystle Smith says:

        Hi George! Yummy twist! Make sure they're sealed well (run your finger with water along the edges) or it may leak out.

    6. 5 stars
      These are my favorite to order with take out. Now I don't have to! Great recipe!

    7. 5 stars
      These are perfect appetizers! They turned out crispy and really good! The sauce is amazing too!

    8. 5 stars
      I made these Crab Cream Cheese Wontons for a party, and they were a huge hit! The crispy wonton shell paired with the creamy, flavorful filling was just perfect.