How to Fry Wonton Wrappers for Tacos 

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Learning how to fry wonton wrappers for tacos will elevate all of your appetizers at home!

Easy flaky shells create a lovely crunch to your favorite appetizer fillings.

Plus they are just so darn cute!

You’ll be shocked how easy it is to make fried wonton wrappers after following our tips.

Equipment for Fried Wonton Taco Shells:

• Small Saucepan – You want at least 2-3 inches of oil in the pan, so the best way to use less oil is to pick a small saucepan. You’ll need less oil compared to using a large skillet. Make sure the pan gives you ample room to fit a wonton wrapper and move it with tongs.
• Long Handled Tongs – You’ll want a good pair of easy-to-maneuver tongs with a long handle so that your hands are far away from the hot oil and won’t get splattered.
• Wire Cooling Rack – Use a wire cooling rack to let the fried wonton wrappers cool. The grates will allow any excess oil to drip off.
• Paper Towels – Put a paper towel under the wire cooling rack to catch any oil droppings.

How to Fry Wonton Wrappers for Tacos

These little wonton taco shells look super impressive but they couldn’t be easier to make!

You only need three ingredients and a little bit of practice to make perfectly bubbly and crispy wonton shells.

This recipe requires pretty minimal prep work.

Start by heating your vegetable oil in a small saucepan over medium-high to medium heat.

While the oil is heating, start by separating the wonton wrappers from the stack.

The frying process for each wonton taco shell goes really fast, so you want to ensure that the wonton wrappers aren’t stuck together when it’s time for them to hit the oil.

Also, prepare a wire cooling rack with paper towels next to the oil so you can move quickly when the wonton taco shells are golden brown and ready to come out of the oil.

Once your oil is hot, all you need to do is drop in a wonton wrapper into the oil. 

After a few seconds, use your tongs to push one side of the wonton shell to the side of the pan and fold up the other side with your tongs to make a folded taco shell shape.

In 20 seconds or so your shell will be light brown.

Remove it from the oil and sprinkle it with sea salt immediately so that the salt will stick to the fried wonton wrapper.

Other Ways to Cook Wonton Shells

Frying up these wonton taco shells went quicker than expected. However, there are a few other variations you can use to cook up wonton shells as well.

We also tried making a Wonton Chips Air Fryer Recipe, and were really impressed with the results. 

While you can’t get the taco shell shape in an air fryer, you can cut the wonton wrappers in half, spray them with a bit of olive oil or cooking spray and air fry them to crispy wonton chips that are perfect to poke nachos. 

It’s a great alternative to avoid all the extra vegetable oils used in deep frying.

Another popular approach to cooking wonton shells is to use a muffin tin and the oven. 

Add the wonton wrapper around muffin cups upside down and bake them in the oven. Instead of taco shells, it creates circular wonton cups that can be filled with your favorite ingredients like beef taco cups or zesty asian slaw with chicken.

Fillings for Fried Taco Wontons 

The possibilities are endless once you know how to fry wonton wrappers for tacos.

 For a perfect appetizer for a party, we recommend placing the wonton tacos on a bag of shredded cabbage (you can also just use a handful from a bag of coleslaw mix). 

This helps to prop up the wonton shells so they don’t fall over when you’re stuffing them with these delicious fillings:

• Poke Tacos – We specifically made these crispy wonton taco shells as a fun way to serve our homemade Hawaiian Salmon Poke Recipe. After making our easy salmon poke with an easy sauce of soy sauce, rice vinegar, and toasted sesame oil, scoop it into the wonton shells, top with green onions, sesame seeds, and sriracha mayo. Serve them with fresh cilantro and lime wedges and you have a great appetizer!
• Teriyaki Chicken – Use shredded leftover chicken (using leftovers from our Smoked Spatchcock Chicken recipe would be super tasty!), toss it in some teriyaki sauce, hoisin sauce, or stir fry sauce, and fill your fried wonton taco shells! It would be great with coleslaw mixture, cilantro, and chopped peanuts. It’s like an at-home version of Applebee’s chicken wonton tacos!
• Ground Beef – You don’t have to always fill your fried wonton taco shells with Asian ingredients! Stuff the shells with ground beef that has been sauteed in taco seasoning, refried beans, sour cream, shredded cheese, chopped red onion, and shredded lettuce for mini crispy tacos that would be perfect as an appetizer for the big game (check out our Ultimate list of 120+ Superbowl Appetizers)
• Buffalo Chicken Wontons – Make our super simple Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Recipe, spoon the meat into the fried wonton taco shells, add slaw, green chilies, and blue cheese. It’s like you’re at your favorite sports bar!

Crispy Wonton Shells Recipe

Prep Time: 10 Minutes

Cook Time: 20–30 Seconds (Each)

Makes: 12 Mini Wonton Taco Shells

Ingredients:

• 4 ounces of Vegetable oil (we poured all 32 oz in the pot initially)
• 12 wonton wrappers, thawed
• Sprinkle of sea salt

Directions:

1. Add about 3 inches of oil in a small saucepan, heat on medium to medium high heat.
2. Using long-handled tongs, add your thawed wonton wrapper to the oil. 
3. Fry for 5 seconds, then using the tongs, fold the wrapper in half to make a taco shell shape, pushing one side against the side of the saucepan.
4. Once light brown (about 20 seconds), remove from the oil and place on a wire cooling rack with paper towels underneath. Note, the wonton tacos will continue to brown a bit more once removed from the oil.
5. Immediately add a sprinkle of sea salt.
6. Fill with your toppings of choice (like our Hawaiian Salmon Poke!).

Continue to Content

Crispy, Fried Wonton Wrapper Taco Shell Recipe

Yield: 12 Wonton Taco Shells

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 seconds

Total Time: 10 minutes 20 seconds

The possibilities are endless once you know how to fry wonton wrappers for tacos. These crispy shells are perfect for all appetizer fillings!

Print

Ingredients

• 4 ounces of Vegetable oil (we poured all 32 oz in the pot initially)
• 12 wonton wrappers, thawed
• Sprinkle of sea salt

Instructions

1. Add about 3 inches of oil in a small saucepan, heat on medium to medium high heat.
2. Using long-handled tongs, add your thawed wonton wrapper to the oil. 
3. Fry for 5 seconds, then using the tongs, fold the wrapper in half to make a taco shell shape, pushing one side against the side of the saucepan.
4. Once light brown (about 20 seconds), remove from the oil and place on a wire cooling rack with paper towels underneath. Note, the wonton tacos will continue to brown a bit more once removed from the oil.
5. Immediately add a sprinkle of sea salt.
6. Fill with your toppings of choice (like our Hawaiian Salmon Poke!).

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• OXO Non-Stick Pro Cooling Rack
• OXO 12" Tongs
• Cuisinart Classic 4pc Stainless Steel Saucepan Set

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