Easy Wonton Jalapeño Poppers Recipe (Crispy Restaurant-Style Appetizer)

Forget the messy breading process of traditional jalapeño poppers. These genius wonton jalapeño poppers deliver all the creamy, spicy flavors you crave with half the effort and twice the crunch. By wrapping the classic cream cheese and jalapeño filling in delicate wonton wrappers, you get perfectly crispy appetizers that look as impressive as they taste, all while keeping your kitchen clean and your sanity intact.

wonton jalapeno poppers and dip on a platter

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Why This Recipe Works

Wonton wrappers are the secret weapon that transforms jalapeño poppers from a messy kitchen project into an elegant appetizer. The thin, delicate wrappers crisp up beautifully in hot oil, creating multiple layers of crunch while perfectly sealing the creamy filling inside. Unlike traditional breading, wontons won’t fall off during cooking and create a more refined presentation.

a platter of wonton jalapeno poppers with dipping sauce

Ingredients

For the Filling:

  • Cream cheese – Provides rich, smooth base that balances jalapeño heat
  • Sharp cheddar cheese – Adds tangy flavor and improved melting texture
  • Worcestershire sauce – Contributes umami depth and savory complexity
  • Fresh jalapeño peppers – Delivers signature heat and fresh pepper flavor

For Assembly:

  • Vegetable oil – For deep frying to achieve golden, crispy texture
  • Wonton wrappers – Creates delicate, crispy exterior that’s easier than traditional breading
wonton jalapeno poppers ingredients

How to Make Wonton Jalapeno Poppers

  1. Mix together cream cheese and Cheddar cheese in a medium-sized bowl.
  2. Add Worcestershire sauce and chopped jalapeno. Mix well into the cream cheese mixture.
wonton jalapeno poppers filling in a mixing bowl
  1. Place 1/2 teaspoon of the filling in the center of a wonton wraps.
  2. Dip your finger into water and run your finger along 2 sides of the wonton wrapper.
  3. Fold the dry edges onto the wet edges of the wonton wrapper. Press to remove air and completely seal the edges.
wonton jalapeno poppers before frying on a baking sheet
  1. Add enough oil to the cooking vessel so the bottom 3 to 4 inches are covered. Heat oil to 350 degrees.
  2. Cook the wontons for about 90 seconds, turning when brown on the first side, and then cooking until browned on the other side.
  3. Remove and drain on a wire rack before serving.
a platter of jalapeno popper wontons and dipping sauce

Tips For Making and Storing Jalapeno Cream Cheese Wontons

  • Use an air fryer. You can cut down on calories without losing any of the crispiness of deep-frying. Simply spray the uncooked wontons with non-stick spray before placing them in a 350-degree air fryer for 6 to 8 minutes.
  • Don’t forget the dip! Dairy-based and sweet dips can help to cool things down. Ranch dressing is an easy choice. Or, how about trying some pineapple salsa?
  • Uncooked Wonton Jalapeno Poppers freeze well. Although you will probably want to eat all the cooked jalapeno poppers you make, you freeze uncooked ones. Thaw the poppers before cooking.
jalapeno popper wontons and dipping sauce

Cooking Method Variations for Jalapeno Popper Wontons

Air Fryer Instructions:

  1. Spray wontons lightly with non-stick cooking spray
  2. Cook at 350°F for 6-8 minutes until golden and crispy
  3. Turn halfway through cooking for even browning
  4. Reduces calories significantly while maintaining crispiness

Baking Option:

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F
  2. Brush with oil and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet
  3. Bake 12-15 minutes until golden brown and crispy

Chef’s Notes

Proper sealing is crucial for preventing filling leakage. Press edges firmly but gently to avoid tearing the delicate wonton wrapper. If oil temperature drops below 325°F, the wontons will absorb oil and become greasy rather than crispy.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

  • Refrigerator Storage: Store cooked poppers in airtight containers for up to 3 days. Note that wonton wrappers may soften slightly when refrigerated.
  • Reheating Method: Reheat in 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes until heated through and crispy exterior is restored. Avoid microwaving, which makes wrappers soggy.
  • Freezing: Freeze uncooked, assembled poppers on baking sheets until solid, then transfer to freezer bags for up to 3 months. Cook directly from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to cooking time.

Make-Ahead and Meal Prep Tips

These poppers are perfect for entertaining because they can be assembled hours ahead and refrigerated until ready to cook. For large parties, prepare double or triple batches and freeze uncooked poppers for convenient future appetizers.

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wonton jalapeno poppers and dip on a platter

Easy Wonton Jalapeño Poppers Recipe

Crispy wonton wrappers filled with creamy jalapeño-cheese mixture. Easier than traditional poppers with restaurant-quality results!
5 from 1 vote
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Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Wonton Jalapeno Poppers
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 16
Calories: 159kcal

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 1 cup grated Cheddar cheese Sharp cheese recommended
  • ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 jalapeno finely diced
  • 1 package wonton wrappers
  • vegetable oil for frying

Instructions

  • Mix together room temperature cream cheese and grated Cheddar cheese in a medium-sized mixing bowl.
  • Add Worcestershire sauce and chopped jalapeno and mix well into the cream cheese mixture.
  • Add about ½ teaspoon of the filling to the wonton wrapper.
  • Dip your finger into water and run your finger along 2 sides of the wonton wrapper.
  • Fold the dry edge onto the wet edge of the wonton wrapper and press the edges together. Make sure that they wontons are well sealed.
  • Add enough oil to the cooking vessel so the bottom 3 to 4 inches are covered.
  • Heat oil to 350 degrees.
  • Cook the wontons for about 90 seconds turning when brown on the first side, and then cooking until browned on the other side.
  • Remove the cooked wontons and drain them on a wire rack before serving.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 159kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 252mg | Potassium: 49mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 0g | Vitamin A: 275IU | Vitamin C: 1.1mg | Calcium: 78mg | Iron: 1mg

About Stephanie Manley

Stephanie Manley is the creator of CopyKat.com. She has been recreating copycat recipes since 1995. Learn more about Stephanie Manley.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Stacey

    I tried cooking these in an air fryer following your suggestions for spraying them with oil and temp and time. They were tasty but looked nothing like your pictures. The edges were burnt and the middle was not brown at all. Any suggestions?

    • Stephanie

      Fat is what you need to make wonton wrappers crispy. Somethings do not translate from a deep fryer to an air fryer equivalently. My only suggestion is really to soak them with the non-stick spray and hope for the best, they will not fry, but they may crisp. If it was me, I would just deep fry these.

  2. Pam

    5 stars
    Love these- thank you!!! I’ve tried making ‘jalapeno poppers’ and they didn’t turn out like I wanted. These are much easier and I already had some wrappers- I intended on making crab puffs, but these were easier and just as good.

  3. zanlok

    “Capsicum” is the scientific name of a genus of plant, and often refers to the fruit ofthose plants. The SHU is determined by “capsaicin” content, and is the chemical source of the spiciness.

  4. stephaniemanley

    Thanks Steph K. I should bring you on as a consultant. I hope you make more comments on my blog 😉

5 from 1 vote

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