I absolutely love this Baked Peanut Chicken Wontons Recipe because it’s a perfect blend of crunchy, savory, and just a little bit sweet – all baked to golden perfection. When I first tried these, I was amazed by how simple ingredients like rotisserie chicken and coleslaw mix could come together with peanut sauce to create something that’s equally great as an appetizer, snack, or even a light meal.
What makes this recipe special is how easy it is to customize and how much it impresses guests without the fuss of deep frying. You’ll find that baking them gives a lighter crispiness that’s just as satisfying and much easier on the clean-up. Whether you’re hosting a get-together or craving a quick midweek treat, these wontons hit the spot every single time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: You only need pantry staples and a few fresh items to make these delicious wontons.
- Easy to Make: No deep frying required; baking keeps it cleaner and just as tasty.
- Versatile Serving: Works great as an appetizer, snack, or part of a main meal.
- Flavor Packed: Peanut sauce brings a creamy, tangy kick that keeps everyone coming back for more.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient is chosen for flavor and ease, coming together perfectly in this Baked Peanut Chicken Wontons Recipe. The fresh crunch of coleslaw mix complements the tender chicken, while the peanuts add texture and the peanut sauce ties it all together beautifully.
- Canola oil: Great for brushing wontons without overpowering flavor or smoke point issues.
- Rotisserie chicken: Already cooked and flavorful; it saves tons of prep time.
- Coleslaw mix: Adds crunch and freshness; it’s an easy grab from the produce aisle.
- Peanuts: Chopped for texture and nutty flavor inside the filling.
- Wonton wrappers: Find these in the refrigerated section; they’re super versatile beyond just wontons!
- Creamy peanut butter: Forms the base for a rich dipping sauce with a luscious mouthfeel.
- Seasoned rice vinegar: Offers a gentle tang that brightens the sauce.
- Soy sauce: Adds savory depth and umami to the peanut sauce.
- Crushed red pepper: Just a pinch for a subtle spicy kick in the sauce—you can adjust to your taste.
Variations
I love playing around with this Baked Peanut Chicken Wontons Recipe depending on what I have on hand or how adventurous I’m feeling. Feel free to swap ingredients or add your own twist to make this recipe truly your own.
- Substitute chicken with shrimp or tofu: I’ve swapped in cooked shrimp or crumbled tofu for a pescatarian or vegetarian version, and it works beautifully.
- Add shredded carrots or bell peppers to the filling: This adds extra color and crunch, plus a boost of nutrition that my family really appreciates.
- Use spicy peanut sauce: If you like heat, mixing in some sriracha or chili paste to the sauce takes these to the next level.
- Deep fry instead of baking: For a crispier texture, frying is an option, but remember it’s a bit messier and less healthy.
How to Make Baked Peanut Chicken Wontons Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheets
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Lightly brush a baking sheet with a bit of canola oil to prevent sticking. I usually prep two trays if I’m doubling the batch, so keep a second sheet handy just in case you need it.
Step 2: Mix the Filling
In a bowl, combine the diced rotisserie chicken, the coleslaw mix, and chopped peanuts. This blend gives you the perfect balance of tender, crunchy, and nutty. Set this mixture aside as you prepare the sauce.
Step 3: Whisk the Peanut Sauce
In a separate bowl, whisk together creamy peanut butter, seasoned rice vinegar, soy sauce, and crushed red pepper until silky smooth. This sauce is the magic behind the flavor of your wontons, so don’t skip the whisking – it makes such a difference. Reserve some of this sauce for dipping later on.
Step 4: Combine Filling and Sauce
Add about three tablespoons of the sauce to your chicken mixture. Stir it in well so every bit of the filling is lightly coated and full of flavor. This keeps the wontons juicy without making them soggy.
Step 5: Fill and Fold Wontons
Place a small spoonful of filling in the center of each wonton wrapper. Dab the edges with a little water (a fingertip works great), then fold diagonally to seal and press firmly around the edges. I like to double-check them to make sure there’s no air trapped inside to avoid any bursting in the oven.
Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection
Arrange the wontons on your baking sheet(s) and brush the outsides lightly with the remaining canola oil. Bake for about 8 to 12 minutes, flipping once halfway through so both sides become beautifully golden and crisp. Keep a close eye near the end to avoid burning – ovens vary!
Serve warm with the reserved peanut sauce for dipping. I promise, these go fast once you bring them to the table!
Pro Tips for Making Baked Peanut Chicken Wontons Recipe
- Don’t Overfill: I’ve learned the hard way that too much filling can make sealing impossible and cause leaking during baking.
- Brush Evenly: Be gentle but thorough with oil brushing to get a uniform crispy texture—you want golden edges, not oily spots.
- Use Fresh Wonton Wrappers: Whenever possible, use fresh or recently purchased wrappers for the best pliability and flavor.
- Serve Immediately: These are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven, so try to time baking right before serving to keep that perfect crisp.
How to Serve Baked Peanut Chicken Wontons Recipe
Garnishes
I like sprinkling chopped green onions and a few extra crushed peanuts over the finished wontons for a nice pop of color and crunch. Occasionally, I add a few fresh cilantro leaves because they add a refreshing herbaceous note that balances the richness perfectly.
Side Dishes
These baked peanut chicken wontons go great with a simple cucumber salad or some steamed jasmine rice to round out the meal. For an appetizer spread, I often serve them alongside edamame or a light Asian slaw for texture contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I’ve lined these up on a pretty platter with little ramekins of peanut sauce for easy dipping. Another fun idea is to serve them in lettuce cups topped with extra peanuts and herbs for a fresh handheld treat your guests will remember.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers (which is rare!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge. I find they stay tasty for up to 3 days, but they’re best reheated quickly to keep crispiness.
Freezing
I’ve frozen uncooked filled wontons laid out on a parchment-lined tray until solid, then transferred to a freezer bag. When you want to enjoy, just bake them straight from frozen, adding a couple minutes to the baking time. This trick keeps them fresh and convenient for busy days.
Reheating
To reheat, I pop leftover baked peanut chicken wontons in a toaster oven or a regular oven at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes to revive crispiness. Microwaving makes them soggy, so I recommend avoiding that whenever possible.
FAQs
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Can I use fresh chicken instead of rotisserie chicken in this recipe?
Absolutely! If using fresh chicken, cook it first by roasting, boiling, or sautéing until fully cooked, then dice it into small pieces before mixing with the other ingredients. This will give you the same great flavor and texture.
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Is it possible to make these wontons vegan?
Yes! You can replace the chicken with finely chopped mushrooms, tofu, or a plant-based meat substitute. Just be sure your wonton wrappers are vegan-friendly (some contain eggs) and adjust the sauce with tamari or vegan soy sauce.
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Can I freeze the baked wontons?
While you can freeze baked wontons, I recommend freezing them uncooked for best texture when baked fresh later. Freezing cooked wontons can sometimes lead to sogginess upon reheating.
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What if I don’t have seasoned rice vinegar?
No worries—use plain rice vinegar and add a pinch of sugar to mimic the seasoned variety’s sweetness and acidity. This provides a nice balance in the peanut sauce.
Final Thoughts
This Baked Peanut Chicken Wontons Recipe has become one of my favorite go-to bites because it feels special without being complicated. It’s perfect for evenings when you want impressive flavors but a quick and easy prep. I hope you enjoy making—and eating—these as much as I do. Give it a try and watch how it disappears at your next gathering or family dinner!
PrintBaked Peanut Chicken Wontons Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Description
These Baked Peanut Chicken Wontons offer a deliciously crispy, golden appetizer featuring tender rotisserie chicken, fresh coleslaw mix, and crunchy peanuts wrapped in wonton wrappers. Baked to perfection and served with a creamy, tangy peanut dipping sauce, they make a perfect crowd-pleasing snack or starter.
Ingredients
Wontons
- 2 tbsp canola oil
- 1 cup diced rotisserie chicken
- 1 cup coleslaw mix (found near the lettuce)
- 1 tbsp peanuts, chopped
- 30 wonton wrappers
Peanut Dipping Sauce
- ¼ cup creamy peanut butter
- ¼ cup seasoned rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- pinch crushed red pepper
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly brush a baking sheet with some canola oil, but be careful not to use it all as you’ll need some for brushing the wontons later. Having a second baking sheet ready can help if you need more space.
- Mix Filling Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the diced rotisserie chicken, coleslaw mix, and chopped peanuts. Stir these together to create the wonton filling and set aside.
- Make the Peanut Sauce: In another bowl, whisk together the creamy peanut butter, seasoned rice vinegar, soy sauce, and a pinch of crushed red pepper until smooth. This will be your dipping sauce. Reserve about 3 tablespoons of this sauce to mix into the filling.
- Combine Sauce and Filling: Add 3 tablespoons of the prepared peanut sauce to the chicken mixture and stir thoroughly to evenly coat and flavor the filling mixture.
- Assemble Wontons: Divide the filling evenly among the 30 wonton wrappers. Moisten the edges of each wrapper with water, then fold them diagonally and press the edges firmly to seal the wontons.
- Prepare for Baking: Arrange the sealed wontons on the oiled baking sheet(s) in a single layer. Brush the tops of the wontons lightly with the remaining canola oil to help them crisp up during baking.
- Bake: Bake the wontons in the preheated oven for 8-12 minutes, turning them once halfway through the cooking time, until they are golden brown and crispy.
- Serve: Serve the baked peanut chicken wontons hot with the reserved peanut dipping sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
- If you want to speed up the prep, use pre-chopped peanuts or substitute with crushed cashews.
- Make sure to seal the wontons properly to prevent the filling from leaking during baking.
- For a spicier kick, add extra crushed red pepper to the dipping sauce or sprinkle on the wontons before baking.
- These wontons can be made ahead and baked just before serving for fresh crispiness.
- To store leftovers, keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheat in the oven to maintain crispiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 wontons
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 30mg