TRUST ME--These Tuna Cream Cheese Wontons (also often known as crab rangoons) taste so much better than they sound (for those who are not tinned-fish fans)! They are crispy on the outside with a creamy, sweet and savory filling of high-protein tuna, tangy cream cheese, and green onions! The best part is that there's no deep fryer involved! These are air-fried to golden perfection and they deliver all the crunch without the extra oil.
I am cream cheese wonton's biggest fan-- I literally GREW UP on them (I was honestly surprised that it went viral on Tiktok some years ago and there were actually people in this world who lived so many decades without their lips being graced by the deliciousness of a cream cheese wonton, but I digress).
I'll always remember the days when I would go to work with my dad and we would stop by a buffet on the way home. My dad loves buffets. This buffet was called 'Eastern Buffet' and has since shut down and although it was tiny, it was mighty. And by mighty I mean, it was PACKING with cream cheese wontons. I would literally go to this buffet every time and gets plates and plates of cream cheese wontons. I'm pretty sure it was the only thing I really ate, next to a fried Chinese donut for dessert.
Obviously I wasn't making the healthiest choices as a kid (but what kid really was at that time anywho) but now as an adult who has to be more mindful and conscientious of her health, I wanted to enjoy my favorite thing on earth in a healthier way.
This healthier version of crab rangoons makes me feel good about eating them! I swapped out the classic imitation crab meat for high-protein canned tuna.
The tuna here make these wontons packed with extra protein and nutrients and cooking them in the air fryer results in that perfect crunch, without all the extra oil. That way you can feel good about eating these healthy (ish) tuna cream cheese wontons.
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Ingredients
To make these easy tuna cream cheese wontons, you will need:
- Tuna: Canned tuna provides a high-protein filling that is super easy to whip together. I use Wild Planet Skipjack Wild Tuna, since it is a high quality canned tuna that is higher in protein than other brands.
- Green Onions: Use only the green ends of the green onion and slice into thin pieces.
- Garlic Powder: Garlic powder adds an extra depth of savory flavor!
- Salt: Add salt to taste.
- Kewpie Mayonnaise: I like the extra tangy flavor of kewpie mayonnaise in these wontons. You can substitute for regular mayo if you don't have this on hand!
- Cream Cheese: Make sure to soften your cream cheese to room temperature so that it can mix seamlessly with the rest of the ingredients!
- Powdered Sugar: A little bit of powdered sugar adds just a hint of sweetness that perfectly balances all the flavors.
- Wonton Wrappers: For ease, use store-bought wonton wrappers. You will need a little bit of water, too, to seal the edges!
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Air Fryer Tuna Cream Cheese Wontons
Step 1: In a bowl, add cream cheese, salt, garlic powder, green onions, powdered sugar, kewpie mayonnaise, and Wild Planet Skipjack Wild Tuna. Use a fork to break up the tuna chunks and mix with a spatula until combined.
Step 2: Scoop 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture into the middle of a wonton wrapper. Dampen the wonton wrapper edges by dipping a finger in water and brushing it along the edge.
Step 3: Bring 2 opposing sides of the wonton wrapper together in the center. Repeat with the other 2 corners. Straighten out the wrapper so all the edges align uniformly. Repeat with the rest of the mixture.
Step 4: Spray the wontons with a neutral oil, using a brush to brush the oil over the wontons evenly and place in an air fryer basket.
Step 5: Air fry at 350F for 7-9 minutes or until golden and crispy. If the tops begin to darken faster than the rest of the wonton, flip the wontons on one side and finish air frying.
Step 6: Enjoy warm with your favorite dipping sauce!
Hint: Use square wonton wrappers as opposed to round dumpling wrappers here. The square ones are easier to fold into the classic wonton shape!
Substitutions & Variations
- Tuna: You can swap the Skipjack Wild Tuna with another canned tuna variety or even canned salmon for a different flavor.
- Mayonnaise: If you don’t have Kewpie, regular mayo works, though it won’t have the same umami depth. You could also use Greek yogurt for a lighter option.
- Cream Cheese: For a dairy-free option, try using a plant-based cream cheese.
- Add-ins: Want more flavor? Mix in some sriracha for a spicy kick or finely chopped jalapeños for some heat. You can also sprinkle in sesame seeds for extra crunch!
Top Tips
- Seal the wontons well. Make sure the edges of the wonton wrappers have enough water to dampen the edges and then press all the edges firmly together to ensure they don’t open up while cooking!
- Air fry in batches. I recommend air frying in batches, so that you don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. This will ensure super crispy tuna cream cheese wontons!
- Watch for browning! Be sure to keep an eye on the wontons, in case the tops are getting too brown before they are finished. If they are getting too dark on the top, flip them to the side so that the bottom can get some color, too!
Storage
To store, place the air fryer tuna cream cheese wontons in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer until heated through!
To freeze, place uncooked wontons on a baking sheet in a single layer, freeze, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or baggie. When you're ready to enjoy them, air fry directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
FAQ
Definitely! You can still make these wontons even if you don't have an air fryer. I recommend baking them in the oven instead. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and bake for about 10 minutes. They won't be as crispy this way, but they will still be tasty!
Serve these best cream cheese wontons with your favorite dipping sauces! Anything from sweet and sour sauce to sweet Thai chili sauce would be delicious here.
More Recipes to Try
Tuna Cream Cheese Wontons
Ingredients
- 1 can of Wild Planet Skipjack Wild Tuna
- 2 green onions greens only, sliced
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon kewpie mayonnaise
- 8 oz cream cheese room temperature
- ½ teaspoon powdered sugar
- 25 wonton wrappers
- water for sealing the wonton wrappers
Instructions
- In a bowl, add cream cheese, salt, garlic powder, green onions, powdered sugar, kewpie mayonnaise, and Wild Planet Skipjack Wild Tuna. Use a fork to break up the tuna chunks and mix with a spatula until combined.
- Scoop 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture into the middle of a wonton wrapper. Dampen the wonton wrapper edges by dipping a finger in water and brushing it along the edge.
- Bring 2 opposing sides of the wonton wrapper together in the center. Repeat with the other 2 corners. Straighten out the wrapper so all the edges align uniformly. Repeat with the rest of the mixture.
- Spray the wontons with a neutral oil, using a brush to brush the oil over the wontons evenly and place in an air fryer basket.
- Air fry at 350F for 7-9 minutes or until golden and crispy. If the tops begin to darken faster than the rest of the wonton, flip the wontons on one side and finish air frying.
- Enjoy warm with your favorite dipping sauce!
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