Cinnamon Sugar Cream Cheese Wontons: A Sweet and Crispy Delight

These Cinnamon Sugar Cream Cheese Wontons are a surprisingly easy and incredibly delicious treat. Imagine the crispy, golden-brown exterior of a perfectly fried wonton, giving way to a warm, creamy, and subtly sweet filling infused with the comforting flavors of cinnamon and sugar. They’re perfect as a quick dessert, a fun appetizer, or even a sweet snack any time of day. This recipe is foolproof and requires minimal ingredients, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or spontaneous cravings. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this irresistible bite-sized indulgence!

## Why You’ll Love This Recipe

* **Easy to Make:** This recipe is incredibly simple and straightforward, even for beginner cooks. The steps are easy to follow, and the entire process takes less than 30 minutes.
* **Minimal Ingredients:** You only need a handful of readily available ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry and refrigerator.
* **Quick and Convenient:** These wontons are perfect for satisfying a sudden sweet tooth without spending hours in the kitchen.
* **Versatile:** You can customize the filling with different extracts, spices, or even chocolate chips to create your own unique flavor combinations.
* **Crowd-Pleasing:** These wontons are always a hit at parties and gatherings. Their small size makes them perfect for snacking, and the delicious flavor is sure to please everyone.
* **Perfect for any occasion:** From casual get-togethers to holiday celebrations, these wontons fit right in.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

* **Wonton Wrappers:** You can find these in the refrigerated section of most grocery stores. Look for square wrappers, as they are easier to fold.
* **Cream Cheese:** Softened cream cheese is essential for a smooth and creamy filling. Allow it to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before starting.
* **Granulated Sugar:** Adds sweetness to the cream cheese filling.
* **Cinnamon:** Ground cinnamon provides that warm, comforting flavor we all love.
* **Vanilla Extract:** Enhances the sweetness and adds a touch of complexity to the filling.
* **Vegetable Oil:** For frying the wontons. You can also use canola or peanut oil.
* **Cinnamon Sugar Mixture:** For coating the fried wontons. This is a simple mixture of granulated sugar and ground cinnamon.
* **Optional Ingredients:** Consider adding a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the filling for an extra layer of flavor. Chocolate chips or chopped nuts can also be added for texture and visual appeal.

## Equipment You’ll Need

* **Small Bowl:** For mixing the cream cheese filling.
* **Fork:** For creaming the ingredients together.
* **Small Bowl:** For holding water to seal the wontons.
* **Large Skillet or Deep Fryer:** For frying the wontons. A deep fryer will give you the most consistent results, but a large skillet works just as well.
* **Slotted Spoon or Spider:** For removing the fried wontons from the oil.
* **Plate Lined with Paper Towels:** For draining excess oil from the fried wontons.
* **Small Bowl:** For the cinnamon sugar mixture.

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s how to make these delicious Cinnamon Sugar Cream Cheese Wontons:

**1. Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling:**

* In a small bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract.
* Use a fork to thoroughly mix the ingredients until smooth and creamy. Make sure there are no lumps of cream cheese remaining.

**2. Assemble the Wontons:**

* Lay a wonton wrapper on a clean, flat surface. Keep the remaining wrappers covered with a damp cloth or paper towel to prevent them from drying out.
* Place about 1 teaspoon of the cream cheese filling in the center of the wonton wrapper. Be careful not to overfill, as this can make the wontons difficult to seal.
* Dip your finger in water and lightly moisten the edges of the wonton wrapper.
* Fold the wonton wrapper in half diagonally to form a triangle. Press the edges firmly to seal, making sure to remove any air bubbles. You can also fold the wonton into a rectangle by bringing the corners of the wonton wrapper towards the center.
* Repeat with the remaining wonton wrappers and filling.

**3. Fry the Wontons:**

* Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or deep fryer to 350°F (175°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, you can test the oil by dropping a small piece of wonton wrapper into the oil. If it turns golden brown in about 30 seconds, the oil is ready.
* Carefully add the wontons to the hot oil, working in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Overcrowding the pan will lower the oil temperature and result in soggy wontons.
* Fry the wontons for 1-2 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Keep an eye on them, as they can burn quickly.
* Use a slotted spoon or spider to remove the fried wontons from the oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.

**4. Coat with Cinnamon Sugar:**

* In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar and cinnamon for the coating.
* While the wontons are still warm, immediately toss them in the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat evenly. Make sure to coat all sides of the wontons for the best flavor.

**5. Serve and Enjoy:**

* Serve the Cinnamon Sugar Cream Cheese Wontons immediately while they are warm and crispy. They are best enjoyed fresh.

## Tips and Tricks for Perfect Wontons

* **Don’t Overfill:** Overfilling the wontons will make them difficult to seal and can cause them to burst open during frying. Stick to about 1 teaspoon of filling per wonton.
* **Seal Properly:** Make sure to seal the edges of the wonton wrappers tightly to prevent the filling from leaking out during frying. Use water to moisten the edges and press firmly to seal. You can also use a fork to crimp the edges for a more secure seal and a decorative touch.
* **Use Fresh Wonton Wrappers:** Stale wonton wrappers can be dry and brittle, making them difficult to work with. Use fresh wonton wrappers for the best results.
* **Fry at the Right Temperature:** Maintaining the correct oil temperature is crucial for achieving crispy and golden-brown wontons. Use a thermometer to monitor the oil temperature and adjust the heat as needed.
* **Don’t Overcrowd the Pan:** Overcrowding the pan will lower the oil temperature and result in soggy wontons. Work in batches to ensure that the wontons are properly fried.
* **Drain Excess Oil:** Drain the fried wontons on a plate lined with paper towels to remove excess oil. This will help to keep them crispy and prevent them from becoming greasy.
* **Coat Immediately:** Coat the fried wontons with cinnamon sugar immediately while they are still warm. This will help the sugar to adhere to the wontons and create a delicious, sweet coating.
* **Experiment with Fillings:** Get creative with the fillings! Try adding chocolate chips, chopped nuts, fruit preserves, or even savory ingredients like shredded cheese or cooked meat.
* **Air Fryer Option:** For a healthier alternative, you can air fry the wontons instead of deep frying them. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and air fry the wontons for 5-7 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy. You may need to spray them lightly with cooking spray to help them crisp up.

## Variations and Add-ins

This recipe is a great base for experimentation. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

* **Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Wontons:** Add 1/4 cup of mini chocolate chips to the cream cheese filling for a chocolatey twist.
* **Nutella Cream Cheese Wontons:** Substitute 2 tablespoons of Nutella for 2 tablespoons of cream cheese in the filling.
* **Apple Pie Cream Cheese Wontons:** Add 1/4 cup of finely diced apples and 1/4 teaspoon of apple pie spice to the cream cheese filling.
* **Strawberry Cream Cheese Wontons:** Add 1/4 cup of finely chopped strawberries to the cream cheese filling.
* **Savory Wontons:** For a savory option, try filling the wontons with a mixture of cooked ground meat, shredded cheese, and spices.
* **Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Wontons:** Add 2 tablespoons of peanut butter to the cream cheese mixture.
* **Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Wontons:** Add 1/4 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice to the cream cheese mixture.

## Serving Suggestions

These Cinnamon Sugar Cream Cheese Wontons are delicious on their own, but here are a few serving suggestions to elevate your experience:

* **With a Dipping Sauce:** Serve the wontons with a dipping sauce such as chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, or vanilla glaze.
* **With Ice Cream:** Serve the wontons alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or your favorite flavor.
* **As Part of a Dessert Platter:** Include the wontons as part of a dessert platter with other sweet treats such as cookies, brownies, and fruit.
* **As an Appetizer:** Serve the wontons as a sweet appetizer at a party or gathering.
* **With Coffee or Tea:** Enjoy the wontons as a sweet treat with your morning coffee or afternoon tea.
* **Dust with Powdered Sugar:** Dust the finished wontons with powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness and visual appeal.

## Storage Instructions

These Cinnamon Sugar Cream Cheese Wontons are best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, here’s how to store them:

* **Refrigerate:** Store the fried wontons in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep in mind that the wontons will lose some of their crispness as they sit in the refrigerator.
* **Reheat:** To reheat the wontons, you can bake them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-10 minutes, or until they are heated through. You can also reheat them in an air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 2-3 minutes. Avoid microwaving the wontons, as this will make them soggy.
* **Freezing:** Freezing is not recommended, as the cream cheese filling can become grainy when thawed.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate per Wonton)

* Calories: 50-70
* Fat: 3-5g
* Saturated Fat: 2-3g
* Cholesterol: 10-15mg
* Sodium: 20-30mg
* Carbohydrates: 5-7g
* Sugar: 3-5g
* Protein: 1-2g

*Note: Nutritional information can vary depending on the specific ingredients used.*

## Conclusion

Cinnamon Sugar Cream Cheese Wontons are a delightful and easy-to-make treat that’s perfect for any occasion. With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can create a crispy, creamy, and utterly irresistible dessert that everyone will love. So, gather your ingredients, follow the instructions, and get ready to indulge in these sweet and satisfying bites! Enjoy!