Embrace the goodness of Air Fryer Mini Wontons, a delectable and crispy vegan snack that will leave you wanting more. These bite-sized delights are easy to make and bursting with flavorful plant-based ingredients. Perfect for parties, gatherings, or any time you crave a delightful treat, let’s explore this quick and satisfying recipe.
Are wontons vegan?
Traditional wontons are not vegan as they typically contain meat or seafood as the filling. However, you can easily make vegan wontons by using plant-based ingredients for the filling. Common vegan fillings for wontons include vegetables, tofu, tempeh, or vegan ground meat substitutes, combined with various seasonings and spices for flavor.
In the case of the Air Fryer Mini Wontons recipe provided earlier, they are indeed vegan, as the recipe uses a plant-based filling and does not include any animal-derived ingredients.
Best vegan fillings for wontons
The best fillings for vegan wontons are those that are flavorful, textured, and packed with plant-based goodness. Here are some delicious options to consider:
- Vegetables: A medley of finely chopped vegetables such as cabbage, carrots, bell peppers, mushrooms, and scallions provides a refreshing and colorful filling.
- Tofu: Crumbled or diced tofu seasoned with soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger adds a delightful protein-rich element to the wontons.
- Tempeh: Cooked and crumbled tempeh, seasoned with your favorite spices and sauces, offers a nutty flavor and hearty texture.
- Vegan Ground Meat Substitute: Many plant-based brands offer ground meat substitutes made from soy, pea protein, or other ingredients, which can be seasoned to mimic the taste and texture of traditional meat.
- Edamame: Mashed or chopped edamame mixed with garlic, ginger, and sesame oil creates a unique and tasty wonton filling.
- Mushroom and Spinach: Sautéed mushrooms and wilted spinach combined with garlic and herbs deliver a savory and earthy flavor.
- Sweet Potato and Black Bean: Mashed sweet potatoes and cooked black beans seasoned with spices offer a sweet and savory filling.
- Cauliflower and Chickpeas: Roasted cauliflower and mashed chickpeas, seasoned with cumin, turmeric, and lemon juice, provide a delightful twist.
Feel free to experiment with different combinations and seasonings to create your favorite vegan wonton filling. The key is to ensure the filling is well-cooked and seasoned to deliver a burst of flavor in each delightful bite.
How long do wontons last?
The shelf life of wontons depends on how they are stored and whether they are cooked or uncooked:
Uncooked Wontons
If you have made homemade wontons but have not cooked them yet, they can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To prevent them from sticking together, place the wontons in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a lightly floured surface, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate.
Cooked Wontons
Cooked wontons can be stored in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days. It’s best to place the cooked wontons in an airtight container or a sealed plastic bag before refrigerating them.
Freezing Wontons
Wontons can also be frozen for longer storage. If you want to freeze uncooked wontons, place them on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet in a single layer, ensuring they do not touch each other. Freeze until they are solid, then transfer them to an airtight container or a resealable freezer bag. Frozen uncooked wontons can last for about 2 to 3 months in the freezer.
Cooked wontons can also be frozen
Let them cool completely, then arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag. Cooked frozen wontons can last for about 2 to 3 months in the freezer.
When reheating frozen wontons, there’s no need to thaw them. You can directly air fry, steam, or boil them until they are heated through and crispy (if applicable). Always ensure that any leftovers or frozen wontons are thoroughly heated to a safe temperature before consuming.
FAQs about Air Fryer Mini Wontons
Absolutely! You can assemble the wontons ahead of time and freeze them. Air fry them directly from frozen when you’re ready to enjoy them.
These mini wontons pair beautifully with a variety of dipping sauces, such as sweet chili sauce, soy sauce with minced garlic, or a tangy sesame ginger sauce.
Absolutely! Feel free to get creative and experiment with various vegetable combinations and vegan proteins to suit your taste preferences.
Air Fryer Mini Wontons (vegan)
Ingredients
- 24 wonton wrappers square or round
- 1 cup finely chopped vegetables e.g., cabbage, carrots, mushrooms, bell peppers
- 1 cup cooked and seasoned filling of your choice e.g., seasoned tofu, seasoned tempeh, or cooked and seasoned vegan ground meat substitute
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari for a gluten-free option
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons water
- Cooking spray or oil for greasing the air fryer basket
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine the finely chopped vegetables, cooked and seasoned filling, soy sauce, sesame oil, grated ginger, and minced garlic. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Take a wonton wrapper and place about 1 tablespoon of the filling mixture in the center.
- Dip your finger in water and moisten the edges of the wonton wrapper.
- Fold the wonton wrapper in half to form a triangle, pressing the edges together to seal the wonton. Make sure there is no air trapped inside.
- Take the two bottom corners of the triangle and bring them together, sealing with a dab of water to form the classic wonton shape.
- Repeat the process until all the filling is used up and you have a batch of mini wontons.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3 minutes.
- Lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray or oil to prevent sticking.
- Place the mini wontons in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they do not touch each other.
- Cook the wontons in the air fryer for 8-10 minutes or until they turn golden brown and crispy. You may need to cook them in batches if your air fryer is small.
- Once cooked, remove the wontons from the air fryer and serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce or enjoy them on their own.
- These Air Fryer Mini Wontons are best enjoyed fresh and hot!
Notes
Nutrition
Hey, I’m Gus! I have been vegan for quite some years now, and have collected a lot of knowledge about the subject in this time. My goal with this blog is to spread the vegan message and make it easy to know exactly what’s vegan and what’s not.