Jalapeno Cream Cheese Wontons

Jalapeno Cream Cheese Wontons- These 3 ingredient bites can be shallow fried or air fried, and they make the perfect game day treat!

January 25, 2025 by Nicole Collins

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Today, we’re making Jalapeno Cream Cheese Wontons!

Last winter, Trader Joes came out with a frozen snack that I picked up in one of my very few trips there. They were jalapeno popper wontons, and they were a ginormous let down. They had real potential for greatness, because the flavor was lovely. But there was one glaring flaw. There was barely any filling in the wonton.

I did a snack review on these, and I got feedback that others had experienced the same issue. So, this wasn’t just a case of “I got a bad batch”. It was a real shame. But you know what we do around here when something doesn’t live up to our expectations. We make it ourselves!

I checked the ingredients on the package of the TJ’s version to confirm my suspicions about what was in the cream cheese mixture. But then, I had the most brilliant idea that makes my version as easy as they could possibly be.

Jalapeno cream cheese.

That’s right, the main component of these wontons is good ol’ Philadelphia jalapeno cream cheese. This store bought option has everything that we need…roasted jalapeno, garlic, onion, spices…with zero of the effort. So we’ll scoop the cream cheese out of a tub and into a bowl, pop it in the microwave for a few seconds to soften it up, then mix in some freshly shredded parmesan cheese to make the mixture nice and savory.

Next, we need some wonton wrappers that we’ll work with just one or two at a time so they don’t dry out. We’ll arrange the wrapper on a clean work surface, wet the edges with a little water, then dollop some of our cream cheese mixture right into the center. Then to fold them, I like to touch two opposite points together so we make a triangle shape, adhere the edges together while squeezing out any air (but not filling) from the center, then hold the triangle so one point is facing up and the long side is on the bottom. Fold the two bottom points in towards the center, and secure them with a dab of water. Then, let them rest on a parchment lined baking sheet while you work on the rest. I know it’s a little tricky to explain and visualize this folding technique with words, so check out the how to video on IG or TikTok for a visual tutorial.

From here, we have a decision to make. We can either do a traditional fry on these on the stovetop in oil, or we can air fry these. You can see there’s a visual difference between the methods, and there is a slight textural difference too. However, they are absolutely delicious either way. So to fry them, we’ll heat a pot of oil to 375 degrees; and our wontons only need to cook for no more than 1 minute per side. I did this in a small pot because I hate the idea of wasting oil, so I had to do these in many batches. Alternately, you can spritz your air fryer basket with some cooking spray, layer in your wontons, and spritz them again with some spray. They’ll cook 8-10 mins, and that’s that. Nobody hates frying more than me and air frying is actually way easier and less labor intensive, but my preferred method for these is the traditional fry. There’s just something about a fried wonton that’s unbeatable.

Now, to hit you with a bonus. These freeze really well! Let them cool completely. Flash freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Then, transfer them to a freezer safe bag til you need them again. Reheat them in the oven when you’re ready, and they’ll be as good as new…just like if you bought them from the freezer section of the grocery store!

Nothing screams game day like a jalapeno popper, and these little wontons are a fun spin on that. They’re crispy. They’re creamy. They have the perfect little kick of heat. And they are absolutely delicious!

Ok, everyone! Tell me, are you team stove fry or air fry?

I hope you guys enjoy! And, let’s eat!

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Jalapeno Cream Cheese Wontons

Serves: 22          Print

Ingredients:

• 1 container (7.5 oz) jalapeno cream cheese

• ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese

• 22 wonton wrappers

• Cooking spray or canola oil, for frying

Directions:

1. Add cream cheese to a bowl, and microwave for 30-45 seconds to soften it. Add parmesan cheese, and mix well until fully combined.

2. Working one or two wontons at a time, arrange wonton in a diamond shape on a clean surface. Dip your finger in cold water, and run your finger along all 4 edges of the wonton to wet it. Place a scant 1 tbsp of cream cheese mixture into the center of the wonton. Fold the bottom point over the filling until it touches the top point. Press any air out of the center of the wonton while pressing both sides shut until completely sealed (you’ll end with a triangle shape). Hold the triangle so the long side is at the top, and dab a little water in the center of the triangle. Fold both top points in towards the center to create a little pouch, and press gently to make sure it’s sealed. Arrange on a parchment lined baking sheet, and repeat with remaining ingredients.

3. To shallow fry the wontons: Fill a pot with one inch of oil, and heat over medium high heat until the oil temperature reaches 375 degrees. Carefully lower wontons into the oil a couple at a time, and fry for 30 seconds- 1 min per side until golden and crisp. Remove from oil, drain wontons on a wire rack, and repeat as necessary.

4. To air fry the wontons: Preheat air fryer to 350 degrees. Spray the basket with cooking spray. Arrange wontons in a single layer, and spray the tops well with cooking spray. Cook for 5-7 mins until golden and crisp. Repeat as necessary. Enjoy!
   

Recipe notes:

*Check my video on IG or TikTok for a tutorial on how to fold the wontons. Make sure they’re sealed really well so you don’t lose your filling!

*These can be frozen and reheated! Flash freeze the wontons by arranging them in a single layer and freezing. Transfer to a freezer safe bag. To reheat, arrange wontons on a foil lined baking sheet, and bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 mins until crispy and heated through.